Columbine Picnic Area and Snowplay Area

Columbine Picnic Area and Snowplay Area is a developed picnic site in Grant Grove, along the road to the General Grant Tree Trail and close to the Grant Grove campgrounds and Visitor Center. Picnic tables and grills sit in a shaded forest setting. I’d use it as a handy meal stop when you’re already around Grant Grove, or keep it in mind for a winter break when there’s snow; it’s a useful facility, not a reason for a long detour.

Parking, picnic tables and vault restrooms are available year-round. Drinking water and a bottle-filling station are listed, too. The paths from parking toward the picnic area and restrooms are firm and gently sloped, and the site has extended picnic tables and accessible grills. There’s no designated accessible parking, though, and the restrooms are only partly accessible.

When snow covers the slope, this is a spot for sledding and general snowplay. Parking is limited in winter, so don’t count on plenty of space during snow season. Stay within the picnic area rather than crossing into the neighboring campground.