These great locales across the Natural State are excellent for a family day trip. Take some time out of your day for some fun, exploration, and a nice stop off to grab a bite to eat! Make these gorgeous state parks in Arkansas your next destination, no matter where your travels might take you!

15. Logoly State Park: Not only does this park provide an excellent setting for a picnic, but it also is the first environmental education state park where interpreters present workshops on ecological and environmental topics.

Directions: From U.S. 79 at McNeil, go one mile east on County Road 47 (Logoly Road) to the park.

14. Lake Chicot State Park: Nestled in a pecan grove, Lake Chicot State Park offers 122 campsites, 14 cabins, a swimming pool (open in summer), a playground, and excellent picnicking facilties.

Lake Chicot State Park is on Ark. 144 eight miles northeast of Lake Village.

13. Lake Frierson State Park: Along with picnic facilities at this location near Paragould, the park includes campsites [four Class B with water and electric hookups, and three Class D (no hookups)] with tables and grills, restrooms, picnic sites, an enclosed climate-controlled pavilion, playground, self-guided trail, launch ramp, barrier-free fishing pier, and visitor center with interpretive exhibits.

The park also offers rental fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats. Lake Frierson is 10 miles north of Jonesboro on Arkansas 141.

12. Millwood State Park: In recent years, the park experienced some flooding, but today it's open for fishing, camping, bird watchig, hiking and more.

Park facilities here include 45 campsites (27 Class AAA, 2 Class A, 13 Class B, and three primitive tent sites), superb picnic sites, a standard pavilion, self-guided nature trail, and a bicycle trail.

11. Moro Bay State Park: Park facilities include 23 Class AAA campsites, excellent picnic sites, a store, marina with boat rentals and gas pump, standard pavilion (screened), playground, trails, and the Moro Bay Ferry exhibit featuring a historic tugboat and barge.

Moro Bay State Park is your gateway to the waters of Moro Bay, Raymond Lake and Ouachita River. Enjoy fishing, water sports, and the wildlife watching opportunities that abound here.

10. Powhatan Historic State Park: Have lunch with the family on historic ground! Powhatan Historic State Park preserves a small nineteenth-century river port town in Lawrence County, once a hub of northeast Arkansas commerce, industry, and government.

The park is open Wednesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The interiors of the buildings can be visited by guided tour only, with the exception of the visitor information room of the courthouse.

9. Mount Nebo: Visitors can have a full day of fun at this state park, which features include a pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, extra-large enclosed and standard open pavilions and, a ball field.

Mount Nebo State Park is one of the Arkansas state parks system's two parks offering launch sites for hang gliding enthusiasts.

8. Wooly Hollow: This state park, connected to lovely Lake Bennett, is perfect for a picnic at a scenic location or a lazy morning of fishing.

The park offers canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and fishing boats for rent. Anglers will need to bring bait and fishing supplies since there are no commercial docks on the lake.

7. White Oak Lake: The picnic areas and hiking trails are gorgeous at this state park, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Camden, Arkansas.

Though totaling 2,667 acres, Arkansas Highway 347 divides White Oak Lake into an upper lake of 1,032 acres and a 1,645-acre lower lake.

6. Village Creek: This state park features two lakes - Lake Austell & Lake Dunn. At Lake Austell, the picnic sites are near a sandy beach and sun deck.

Horseback riding is a popular activity at this park, located near Wynne, Arkansas. Twenty-five miles of multi-use trails wind through the rolling hills of Crowley's Ridge. The horse trails are open throughout the year.

5. Queen Wilhelmina: This state park in Mena, Arkansas, which has recently undergone renovation, but is open again to the public for picnics and is a great day trip getaway just in time for summer.

Of the 52 Arkansas state parks, Queen Wilhelmina is one of the state park system's eight mountain state parks.

4. Mount Magazine State Park: Groups can rent the scenic Greenfield Picnic Area, which is a large pavilion at this state park, or utilize the grills and tables at the Benefield, Brown Springs, or Cameron Bluff picnic areas for free.

Located in Logan County, Arkansas, this state park offers many opportunities for ATV riding, backpacking, hang gliding, hiking, horseback riding mountain biking, rappelling, and rock climbing.

3. Mammoth Spring: After a fun family picnic at this state park, travelers can check out the restored 1886 St. Louis–San Francisco Railway depot operating as a railroad museum.

Mammoth Spring State Park is located in Fulton County, surrounding the town of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

2. Pinnacle Mountain: Picnicking is popular with families and school groups at this beloved state park located just outside of Little Rock in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is an Army Corps of Engineers facility with water and electrical hookups, a boat ramp, and tables with grills.

1. Petit Jean: One of the state's most beloved getaways, there's not a bad spot for a great picnic at this beautiful state park.

Petit Jean State Park is located atop Petit Jean Mountain on the Arkansas River in the area between the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges, in Conway County, Arkansas.

State parks across Arkansas aren't the only great spots for a picnic - natives of the Natural State find excellent locales hidden away and off the beaten path for an outdoor feast. Don't forget to name some of your favorite places in Arkansas to have a picnic or cookout!