Horseshoe Bend National Military Park | PICNIC AREAS

Covered pavilion at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

Covered pavilion at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

There are two picnic areas at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, with the main one being located near the Visitor Center and a smaller group of tables located at Miller Bridge on Highway 49. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. Grills are also available.

The Visitor Center Picnic Area has plenty of tables and grills to host a party or other event, and while not being able to make a reservation is certainly risky when it comes to hosting a picnic, group gatherings are welcome. If you have more than twenty people, you do need a Special Use Permit, and a fee is involved. For more information, visit the National Park Service’s official Permits and Reservations web page for the park.

VISITOR CENTER PICNIC AREA

To reach the Visitor Center Picnic Area at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, take a right out of the Visitor Center parking lot and look for a gravel road on the left (before you come to the Battlefield Overlook). The picnic area has its own parking lot that can hold approximately a dozen vehicles.

If you need to use the restroom, you’ll have to head back to the Visitor Center because there isn’t one at the picnic area. You don’t need to get back into your car unless you must get there quickly, for the Visitor Center is just a few minutes’ walk away.

There two covered pavilions available. The one closest to the parking lot has a grill at each end. The other, located farther up a small hill, has only one grill. Garbage cans are located next to each pavilion. Tables can be moved around, so you can add or remove them from under the pavilion to suit your needs. All together, there are two dozen tables at the Visitor Center Picnic Area. These are all metal, so no need to worry about getting splinters from dilapidated wooden tables.

Covered pavilion at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

Covered pavilion at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

There are also tables in the shaded field next to the upper pavilion. Two grills are available for this area, and you’ll also find a water spigot. While it produces potable water, I wouldn’t want to drink it. If you need more water, there is a special fountain for refilling water bottles at the Visitor Center.

Picnic tables and grill located in the shaded field at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

Picnic tables and grill located in the shaded field at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

A disabled-visitor picnic table is located at the parking lot and has its own parking space.

Disabled-visitor picnic table at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

Disabled-visitor picnic table at the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Visitor Center Picnic Area

MILLER BRIDGE PICNIC AREA

A second and more scenic picnic area is located on the Tallapoosa River at the Miller Bridge boat ramp. If at the Visitor Center, go back out to Highway 49 and take a left. Just after crossing over the river on Miller Bridge is a right turn that leads to the picnic area and the park’s boat ramp. There are four tables and one grill, with one of the tables being for disabled visitors.

Miller Bridge Picnic Area on the Tallapoosa River, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Miller Bridge Picnic Area on the Tallapoosa River, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Disabled-visitor picnic table at the Miller Bridge Picnic Area, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

Disabled-visitor picnic table at the Miller Bridge Picnic Area, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

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Last updated on April 18, 2023
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