---
title: "Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar: Top Scenic Outings and Day Trips"
description: "Discover scenic picnic spots near Bhubaneswar within 50 km. Compare entry fees, cooking shed rules, parking, and route distances from the capital."
image: "https://incredibleodisha.in/images/featured/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar.webp"
---

![Still water and wooded hills at Deras reservoir near Bhubaneswar](/images/featured/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar.webp)

Winter sunshine and cool afternoon breezes make weekend day trips a favorite ritual for residents of Odisha’s temple city. Travelers planning outdoor family meals have access to a rich variety of scenic picnic spots near Bhubaneswar within a 50-kilometer driving radius.

Whether seeking peaceful reservoir shores inside wildlife sanctuaries or landscaped botanical gardens with children playgrounds, the state capital offers versatile destinations for every budget. These outings form an essential part of the broader network of [picnic spots in Odisha](/picnic-spots-in-odisha/) that come alive during winter months.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Key Takeaways
>
> Over a dozen scenic picnic spots operate within 50 kilometers of Bhubaneswar, ranging from forest reservoirs to manicured botanical gardens.
>
> Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam inside the Chandaka forest border offer tranquil lake views, masonry kitchen sheds, and guided nature trails.
>
> Jayadev Vatika and Ekamra Kanan provide accessible city-edge family parks with paved paths, children playgrounds, and pre-bookable sheds.
>
> Entry fees across public picnic spots near Bhubaneswar average between ₹20 and ₹40 per visitor, with vehicle parking from ₹30 to ₹50.
>
> Cooking is permitted at designated sheds using portable gas stoves; open ground wood fires and single-use plastics are strictly prohibited.

## Top Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar at a Glance

Day excursionists can select from quiet forest lakes, riverbanks, and municipal botanical parks across Khordha district.

Locations vary in available infrastructure, ranging from rustic open-air river sandbars to fenced enclosures with drinking water taps and paved dining sheds. Operational hours and regional visitor infrastructure are coordinated through the [Odisha Tourism Capital Region Directory](https://odishatourism.gov.in/home).

| Picnic Spot Name | Distance from Master Canteen | Natural Landscape | Kitchen / Cooking Shed | Parking Charge | Entry Fee per Adult |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Deras Dam** | 25 km | Forest Reservoir & Spillway | Masonry Cooking Sheds | ₹50 per car | ₹40 |
| **Jhumka Dam** | 26 km | Quiet Water Reservoir | Open Ground Plinths | ₹30 per car | ₹30 |
| **Jayadev Vatika** | 8 km | Landscaped Botanical Park | Rented Dining Pavilions | ₹40 per car | ₹25 |
| **Dhauli Foothills** | 12 km | Riverbanks & Shaded Lawns | Open Riverside Grounds | Free / ₹20 | Free |
| **Ekamra Kanan (RPRC)** | 7 km | Botanical Lake & Gardens | Shaded Open Lawns | ₹30 per car | ₹30 |
| **Barunei Hill** | 30 km | Mountain Stream & Temple Grove | Designated Cooking Areas | ₹30 per car | Free |
| **Atri Hot Spring** | 42 km | Natural Sulfur Spring Park | Open Shaded Lawns | ₹30 per car | ₹20 |

## Deras Dam and Jhumka Dam: Forest Reservoirs Inside Chandaka

Deras Dam stands as the most popular nature outing destination close to the state capital, located 25 kilometers west of the city center.

![A small jetty reaches into the calm reservoir at Deras Dam](/images/wp/2023/02/Deras-Dam-Bhubaneswar-2.webp)

Travelers can examine road routes, safari watchtowers, and forest gate passes in our detailed guide to [Deras Dam travel and picnic tips](/deras-dam-bhubaneswar/). The earthen dam impounds a quiet reservoir surrounded by the sal and teak forests of the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forest department maintains 12 covered concrete kitchen sheds near the reservoir bund, complete with water taps and waste disposal pits. Visitors can walk along the top of the reservoir embankment or climb the nearby watchtower to spot birds and grazing deer.

Jhumka Dam sits just one kilometer south along a forest road, offering a quieter atmosphere with fewer crowds. This adjoining reservoir provides open grassy clearings under bamboo clumps, ideal for smaller family groups seeking quiet nature walks.

## Dhauli Peace Pagoda Foothills and Daya River Banks

Dhauli Hill rises 12 kilometers south of Bhubaneswar along the Puri highway, overlooking the historic waters of the Daya River.

![The white Peace Pagoda stands on the green Dhauli hillside](/images/inline/bhubaneswar-dhauli-pagoda.webp)

The surrounding heritage complex protects third-century BCE rock edicts maintained under the [Archaeological Survey of India Monument Conservation](https://asi.nic.in/protected-monuments/). The riverbanks and foothill orchards below the white peace pagoda provide expansive open picnic grounds with pleasant river breezes throughout winter afternoons.

Visitors can explore the historic stupa and scenic lookouts detailed in our complete review of [Dhauli Giri Shanti Stupa](/dhauli-giri-hills-shanti-stupa/). Many local groups combine morning sightseeing at the hilltop monument with an outdoor lunch spread on carpets along the shady riverbanks.

The open plains offer ample room for children to play badminton and cricket, while mobile food vendors supply tea, snacks, and mineral water bottles throughout peak hours.

## Jayadev Vatika and City-Edge Botanical Parks

Jayadev Vatika occupies 50 acres of rolling green hills near the ancient rock-cut caves of Khandagiri, just 8 kilometers from the city core.

Visitors can plan their day around heritage exploration by reading our guide to [Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves](/udayagiri-and-khandagiri-caves/). The botanical park features over 50 individual masonry picnic pavilions positioned among flowering shrubs and eucalyptus groves.

![A paved garden path winds between flowering shrubs and shaded pavilions](/images/inline/bhubaneswar-city-park.webp)

Each pavilion provides raised seating platforms and barbecue spaces that can be reserved for the day for modest fees between ₹300 and ₹500. Paved pathways, clean running water taps, and well-maintained public restrooms make Jayadev Vatika the preferred family-friendly choice within municipal limits.

Ekamra Kanan in Nayapalli provides another central option, featuring a 10-acre boating lake and lush rose gardens. While large cooking pots are prohibited on the manicured central lawns, visitors may carry home-cooked meals for peaceful afternoon picnics.

## Barunei Hills and Atri Sulfur Springs

Southern Khordha district features scenic hill ranges and geothermal springs suitable for half-day excursions from Bhubaneswar.

![A forest footpath crosses the rocky, wooded Barunei Hills](/images/inline/bhubaneswar-barunei-hills.webp)

Travelers interested in regional history and rural day routes can browse our comprehensive profile of [Khordha district attractions](/khordha-district/). Barunei Hill rises 30 kilometers south of the capital, famed for its perennial mountain spring that flows across smooth granite rocks near the historic shrine of Goddess Barunei.

Dense mango and tamarind orchards at the base of the hill provide natural shade where dozens of picnic groups cook traditional winter meals. A paved stone stairway leads up the forested hillside to natural caves once used by regional freedom fighters.

Atri, located 42 kilometers southwest near Baghamari, features natural sulfur hot springs believed to possess medicinal properties. The tourism department maintains bathing tanks and a landscaped boundary garden where families relax after therapeutic hot baths.

## Logistics, Shed Booking, and Outdoor Cooking Policies

Proper advance planning ensures an organized, hassle-free day outing across public recreation zones.

Winter travel advisories published by the [Incredible India Capital Travel Guide](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/odisha) recommend arriving before 8:30 AM on December and January weekends to secure shaded pavilions and close parking spaces. Most ticketed venues operate gates between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Outdoor cooking must strictly comply with regional environmental guidelines. Open ground bonfires using dry forest twigs are prohibited inside reserve forest limits to prevent destructive bushfires; picnickers should bring clean LPG stoves.

Carrying reusable plates and steel glasses helps minimize single-use plastic waste. Groups should pack large trash bags to transport non-biodegradable refuse back to municipal waste collection bins upon departure.

## Frequently Asked Questions About Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar

### Which is the best picnic spot near Bhubaneswar within 30 km?

Deras Dam inside the Chandaka forest perimeter is widely regarded as the best nature picnic spot within 30 kilometers of Bhubaneswar due to its scenic water reservoir and quiet forested surroundings. For groups preferring formal lawns and pre-bookable dining pavilions, Jayadev Vatika near Khandagiri offers the most complete municipal facilities.

### How can visitors book a picnic shed at Deras Dam or Jayadev Vatika?

Picnic sheds at Jayadev Vatika can be reserved at the front entrance ticket counter or through the state horticulture office on a first-come basis with daily tariffs between ₹300 and ₹500. Deras Dam permits day picnics inside designated masonry sheds on payment of standard entry and parking fees directly at the forest entry gate.

### Is open cooking permitted at picnic spots around Bhubaneswar?

Outdoor cooking is permitted only inside authorized masonry kitchen sheds or on paved plinths using portable LPG cylinders or clean charcoal stoves. Ground bonfires and collecting fallen dry timber inside forest reserve boundaries are strictly banned under state forest protection rules.

### What is the best time of day to arrive at Bhubaneswar picnic spots?

Arriving between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM is strongly advised during winter weekends to claim prime shaded spots and secure nearby car parking before midday crowds arrive. Early morning arrivals also enjoy cooler temperatures and pleasant birdwatching across lakeside trails.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "BlogPosting",
      "@id": "https://incredibleodisha.in/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar/#article",
      "headline": "Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar: Top Scenic Outings and Day Trips",
      "description": "Discover scenic picnic spots near Bhubaneswar within 50 km. Compare entry fees, cooking shed rules, parking, and route distances from the capital.",
      "image": [
        "https://incredibleodisha.in/images/featured/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar.webp"
      ],
      "datePublished": "2026-10-19T00:00:00.000Z",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "@id": "https://incredibleodisha.in/#author",
        "name": "Rajesh Kumar",
        "url": "https://incredibleodisha.in/about/",
        "image": "https://incredibleodisha.in/author-avatar.webp",
        "description": "Documenting Odisha’s districts, culture, festivals, heritage sites, and practical local information to help travelers and residents alike.",
        "jobTitle": "Travel Writer & Odisha Explorer",
        "knowsAbout": [
          "Odisha Tourism",
          "Culture",
          "Heritage",
          "Nature",
          "Local Guides"
        ],
        "sameAs": [
          "https://www.facebook.com/www.incredibleodisha.in",
          "https://www.instagram.com/incredibleodisha_in/",
          "https://x.com/incredible_od",
          "https://in.pinterest.com/incredibleodisha_in/"
        ]
      },
      "publisher": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "@id": "https://incredibleodisha.in/#organization",
        "name": "Incredible Odisha",
        "url": "https://incredibleodisha.in",
        "logo": {
          "@type": "ImageObject",
          "url": "https://incredibleodisha.in/logo-512.png",
          "width": 512,
          "height": 512
        },
        "description": "Discover Odisha through travel guides, district profiles, festivals, temples, waterfalls, public info updates, and local stories.",
        "sameAs": [
          "https://www.facebook.com/www.incredibleodisha.in",
          "https://www.instagram.com/incredibleodisha_in/",
          "https://x.com/incredible_od",
          "https://in.pinterest.com/incredibleodisha_in/"
        ]
      },
      "mainEntityOfPage": {
        "@type": "WebPage",
        "@id": "https://incredibleodisha.in/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar/"
      },
      "url": "https://incredibleodisha.in/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar/",
      "inLanguage": "en-IN",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-19T00:00:00.000Z",
      "articleSection": "Places To Visit",
      "keywords": [
        "Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar",
        "Bhubaneswar Tourism",
        "Places to Visit in Bhubaneswar",
        "Deras Dam",
        "Day Trips from Bhubaneswar"
      ],
      "wordCount": 1443
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "@id": "https://incredibleodisha.in/picnic-spots-near-bhubaneswar/#breadcrumb",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://incredibleodisha.in/"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Places To Visit",
          "item": "https://incredibleodisha.in/categories/places-to-visit/"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Picnic Spots Near Bhubaneswar: Top Scenic Outings and Day Trips"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```