Picnic tables, much like the campfire ring, are a place where RVers and campers share some of the best meals and conversation. Wouldn’t you agree? Both gathering places are special to our lifestyle and both places are cherished among family and friends.
Cooking outdoors has many benefits to RVers (no smelly RV, no making the RV 100 degrees…), but eating outdoors has many benefits, too—more mental-health-wise, but still!
There’s something about sitting outside that seems to make food taste a little better. The fresh air, the scenery, or simply just slowing down and enjoying the moment and meal. A simple sandwich at a picnic table overlooking a lake can feel more memorable than a fancy dinner eaten indoors.
Of course, not every picnic table is created equal. Some come with incredible views of mountains, rivers, or sunsets. Others become memorable because of who you shared them with. Years later, you may not remember exactly what was on the plate, but you probably remember the laughter, stories, and people gathered around the table.
How often do you eat a meal at a picnic table? Is it a part of your dinner routine at every campground you go to? Do you tend to eat lunches at picnic tables when you day-trip to new places? Or do you never really eat at a picnic table?
After you vote, please leave a comment. Tell us about your favorite meal at your favorite picnic table—we know you have a memory of it!
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RVDT2923
In rest areas with pre-planned lunch.
We do thst too, if there is warm sun when snowbirding or shade the rest of the year. But, since we live in the arid West, rain seldom keeps us inside at rest stops, but wind often does.
About half to two-thirds of our camping meals.
We use our own table and chairs. Far more clean, comfortable and convenient.
So sorry to see how few people eat at a picnic table. I have a small travel trailer under 19 feet and I love sleeping inside and having my own bath – BUT I love eating outside in Nature. It’s the reason I camp in the first place.
Same here.
Not as often as I would like for two reasons: hauling stuff out of and back into the RV, bugs. Meals at a picnic table are usually pretty simple as a result.
We used the site picnic tables for many years while tent and popup camping, with a cover for the table made. Now, we usually eat inside or at our own folding table, both of which are more comfortable for me than most picnic tables. We’re still spending a lot of time outside. When we meet friends and share meals, we will use the picnic table or our own folding one, whichever fits best.
While I’m camping? Or just in general? While we’re camping, just about every meal, if there’s a table. At home- never.
I have used the picnic table for a work bench way more times than for eating on.
We eat at our picnic table when Mother Nature provides us with good weather. If it is too windy, too cold, too hot, or there are too many insects, we eat inside at our dinette table in our trailer.
We always placed a tablecloth on the picnic table cuz you never know what the previous space occupants did to or on that table. That plus ants, flying insects, dogs running loose and screaming kids usually kept us inside for meals.
While camping, we eat every meal at the picnic table, unless it’s raining hard.
So much easier just to eat in trailer…no carrying stuff and much less bugs to deal with. Love sitting in our camp chairs. If we are camping with friends we have used a picnic table for games.
While camping, 99% of our meals are at the picnic table. A popup Clam screen tent surrounds the table keeping bugs out, keeping rain off. One of our best buying decisions, used it for 6 years now. Do anchor it because of high winds. We repurpose older life-preserver boat cushions to make seating comfortable.
As long as it is not raining.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel. I picked “rarely.” We usually have friends at the RV when we are visiting DC. So, more specifically, we eat at a campsite picnic table once or twice most years, but some years, not at all. Have a great day and safe travels!
If the site has a functional table we will usually use it. I always “sanitize” the table by pouring a big pot of vinegar water across it, then another to rinse. Once dry we put a table cloth on it.