Destination Guides
Picnic Spots Near Gandhinagar Within 50 km (Plus Resort Day-Visit Options)
By Bookaday Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 10 min read
On this page
Quick summary
- The easiest free picnic spots in Gandhinagar city are Indroda Nature Park (Sector 7), Sarita Udyan (Sector 9) and the Sant Sarovar Dam waterfront, all along the Sabarmati River.
- Within 50 km, add Adalaj Stepwell, Akshardham (Sector 20), Thol Lake Sanctuary (23 km) and the Mahudi Jain Temple area, where three day-picnic resorts are listed on Bookaday.
- Within 50 to 100 km, Modhera Sun Temple (83 km by road) and Nalsarovar make good full-day trips.
- Check closed days: Indroda Nature Park and Akshardham are both closed on Mondays.
- For summer heat or monsoon rain, a resort day package with pool access is the practical backup.
The best picnic spot near Gandhinagar depends on how far you want to drive. Inside the city, Indroda Nature Park and Sarita Udyan give you shade and space by the Sabarmati for free or a small entry fee. Within 50 km, Adalaj, Thol and the Mahudi side add history, birds and resort day packages. This guide groups the spots by distance, says what each is good for, and gives you a resort pool backup for hot or rainy days. For resort options, see the Gandhinagar day picnic listings.
Which picnic spots in Gandhinagar city are best for families?
Indroda Nature Park is the best all-round family picnic spot in Gandhinagar city, with a dinosaur park, zoo and botanical garden on about 400 hectares. Sarita Udyan suits a relaxed garden afternoon, and Sant Sarovar Dam suits a morning walk or winter birdwatching. All three are on the Sabarmati River.
| Spot | Where | Timings | Closed | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indroda Nature Park | Sector 7, about 3 km from the city centre | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Mondays | Kids, dinosaurs, zoo, shaded picnic spots |
| Sarita Udyan | Sector 9, Sabarmati riverbank | Not published; check locally | Check locally | Flower gardens, a calm afternoon |
| Sant Sarovar Dam | A few km from central Gandhinagar | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM | — | Morning walks, winter birds, sunsets |
| Punit Van | Sector 19 | Not published | Check locally | Botanical garden walk |
Sources: Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) for Indroda and Sant Sarovar; Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation for Sarita Udyan and Punit Van.
Indroda Nature Park: best for children
Indroda, also called the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park, is managed by the GEER Foundation. It has life-sized dinosaur models, fossilised eggs, a zoological park, a botanical garden, an aviary, a butterfly park, a reptile house and a natural history museum, plus restrooms, snack kiosks and picnic spots. Go early from April to June, when it touches 40°C.
Sarita Udyan and Sant Sarovar: best for a slow riverside day
Sarita Udyan in Sector 9 is one of the city's most visited gardens, known for flowers and its location on the Sabarmati. Sant Sarovar Dam, built across the Sabarmati for irrigation and drinking water, now has landscaped gardens and paved walkways. Painted storks and flamingos visit in winter, and October to March is the best time to go.
Which picnic spots near Gandhinagar are within 50 km?
Within 50 km of Gandhinagar you can reach Adalaj Stepwell (about 15 minutes), Akshardham, Thol Lake Sanctuary (23 km) and the Mahudi Jain Temple area. The Mahudi side also has three day-picnic resorts with pools, which makes it the best choice when you want food and games sorted for you.
| Spot | Distance from Gandhinagar | Timings | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adalaj Stepwell | About 15 minutes by road | Check locally | Architecture, short stop | Built from 1498 |
| Akshardham | Sector 20, in the city | Tue–Sun, 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (last entry) | Families, evening water show | No food, phones or bags inside |
| Thol Lake Sanctuary | 23 km | 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily | Birdwatching, Nov–Feb | Over 160 bird species |
| Mahudi Jain Temple | Outskirts of Gandhinagar | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Darshan plus a resort day | Founded 1917 |
| Aalloa Hills Resort & Golf Course | About 15 km (listing) | Day package 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Nature, cycling, pool | Ask the resort to confirm |
Sources: Incredible India, Gujarat Tourism, akshardham.com and Bookaday listings, checked 14 October 2026.
A note on Akshardham
Akshardham is a visit rather than a picnic. The official site says food and drink, phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside, and there is a free cloakroom. Upper wear must cover the shoulders and upper arms, and lower wear must fall below the knee. Plan your picnic lunch elsewhere and arrive for the evening water show after sunset.
The Mahudi highway: free darshan, paid resort day
The Gandhinagar–Mahudi Highway has three resorts that list day picnic packages on Bookaday:
- Aalloa Hills Resort & Golf Course, Pindarda village: a 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM package with breakfast, lunch buffet, hi-tea, cycling, a camel cart ride, the pool, a river walk and bird watching.
- Bansari Greens Resort, near Mahudi Jain Temple: a 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM package with meals, games, a children's play area, pool and rain dance.
- Swapna Srushti Water Park & Resort, Amarapur village: a 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM water-park package with a wave pool, slides and a kids' water zone.
For a full comparison, see our guide to resorts in Gandhinagar for a one-day picnic.
Which picnic places near Gandhinagar are within 100 km?
Between 50 and 100 km, the two strongest full-day picks are Modhera Sun Temple in Mehsana district (83 km by road, per Gujarat Tourism) and Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, about an hour's drive from Ahmedabad. Both reward an early start and work best from November to February.
| Spot | Distance | Timings | Best season | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modhera Sun Temple, Mehsana district | 83 km from Gandhinagar | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | October to March | 11th-century temple and Suryakund stepped tank |
| Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary | About an hour from Ahmedabad; allow more from Gandhinagar | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM | November to February | 250+ bird species, boat rides, Ramsar wetland |
| Polo Forest, Sabarkantha | About 130 km (beyond 100 km) | Check locally | Monsoon | Forest and old temples; a long day |
Carry food and water to both. Polo Forest is roughly a three-hour drive, so treat it as a full-day monsoon trip.
What are the best backups for summer heat or rainy days?
From April to June, parks are only pleasant early in the morning, and in the monsoon outdoor spots can get muddy or partly closed. A resort day package with a pool, covered seating and indoor games is the reliable backup, because food, shade and changing rooms are already arranged.
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hot afternoon (April–June) | Resort pool day | Shade, water and lunch in one place |
| Heavy rain | Resort with indoor games or a covered area | Parks and dam paths can close or flood |
| Small children | Radhe Upvan (children's pool listed) | Separate shallow pool |
| Teenagers | Swapna Srushti water park | Wave pool and slides |
All four Gandhinagar resorts on Bookaday list a pool or water park; see the Gandhinagar swimming pool listings. Pool hours are not published, so ask each resort.
Practical notes for a Gandhinagar picnic
Shade, food and timing
- Best time of day: start by 8:00 AM at parks, before the heat. Thol and Nalsarovar are best at sunrise.
- Shade: Indroda and Sarita Udyan have tree cover; Sant Sarovar and Thol are more exposed.
- Food: carry a tiffin of thepla, khakhra and fruit for parks; Akshardham does not allow food inside.
- Monday trap: Indroda and Akshardham are closed on Mondays, so plan those for other days.
What to carry
- Water bottles, caps and sunscreen
- A mat or chatai, and a garbage bag to take your waste back
- Binoculars in winter, and swimwear if you plan a resort pool stop
Asking a resort about a same-day visit
Resorts usually need notice for meals. Send this on WhatsApp the evening before, or early morning:
Hello, we are [X] adults and [Y] children. Can we visit today/tomorrow for a day picnic? Which package is available, what are the timings and pool hours, which meals are included, and what is the rate per adult and child? Thank you.
Find a resort for your Gandhinagar day out
Pair a morning at Indroda with an afternoon at a resort. Browse Gandhinagar day picnics, pools and more on Bookaday, or go straight to the Gandhinagar day picnic listings, and tap Ask on WhatsApp. The resort confirms availability, inclusions and rates.
FAQs
Inside the city, Indroda Nature Park, Sarita Udyan and Sant Sarovar Dam are the most popular. Within 50 km, Adalaj Stepwell, Akshardham, Thol Lake Sanctuary (23 km) and the Mahudi Jain Temple area are good choices. The Mahudi highway also has resorts such as Aalloa Hills, Bansari Greens and Swapna Srushti that list day picnic packages.
Indroda Nature Park is the top pick, with life-sized dinosaur models, a zoo, a butterfly park and a natural history museum. Akshardham's evening water show is popular with families. For a water day, Swapna Srushti Water Park lists a wave pool, slides and a kids' water zone. Radhe Upvan Resort lists a separate children's pool.
No. According to India's official tourism site, Indroda Nature Park in Sector 7, Gandhinagar, is closed on Mondays and open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on other days. Akshardham is also closed on Mondays, so plan both for Tuesday to Sunday. Check locally on public holidays.
Modhera Sun Temple in Mehsana district is 83 km by road from Gandhinagar and open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, according to Gujarat Tourism. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is about an hour's drive from Ahmedabad and best from November to February. Polo Forest is further, at about 130 km, and suits a full-day monsoon trip.
October to March is the most comfortable period, and November to February is best for birdwatching at Thol, Sant Sarovar and Nalsarovar. From April to June, temperatures reach about 40°C, so go early in the morning or switch to a resort pool day. In the monsoon, check road and path conditions before you leave.
Yes, at resorts that sell day packages. As of October 2026, Aalloa Hills, Bansari Greens, Swapna Srushti and Radhe Upvan list a pool or water park in at least one day package on Bookaday. Pool hours, swimwear rules and rates are not published, so ask the resort on WhatsApp before you go.
Sources
- Incredible India: Indroda Nature Park (opens in a new tab)
- Incredible India: Sant Sarovar Dam (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Tourism: Thol Lake Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Tourism: Modhera Sun Temple (opens in a new tab)
- Gujarat Tourism: Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
- Akshardham Gandhinagar: visitor information (opens in a new tab)
- Also used: Incredible India pages for Adalaj Stepwell and Mahudi Jain Temple; Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation places-to-visit page; Bookaday resort listings, checked 14 October 2026.