DENVER -- The Fourth of July holiday is a great weekend to get outside for a family picnic.

But where do you go?

In Colorado, you can take your picnic to a lake, a mountain peak even an arch or just your back yard.

Here are my top 10 favorite picnic spots with some more ideas from our 7NEWS staff and viewers.

In no particular order:

The lakes at Rocky Mountain National Park. For a lake close to a parking lot, try Bear Lake. If you're willing to do take a short hike, consider Gem Lake or the trail to Nymph, Dream Lake and Emerald Lakes. Entrance fee: $20.

The waterfalls at Rocky Mountain National Park. My favorites are Alberta Falls (0.9 miles one way) and Bridal Veil Falls (3 miles each way). Entrance fee: $20.

Eldorado Canyon State Park between Golden and Boulder is a popular spot for picnics. Find a spot along the river, put out your blanket and let the kids run. There are lots of good hiking trails to wear them out. Entrance fee: $7. 7NEWS photographer Jim Hucks suggests going to the west end of the park near S. Boulder Creek. He said "it's shady and peaceful." He said it's just walking distance to the visitor center bathrooms and world-class rock climbing on the Supremacy formation.

Another great state park is Golden Gate Canyon State Park west of Golden. This is a beautiful spot with lots of short trails you can link together to make a longer hike. There are several picnic spots next to the road or consider finding a spot at the Panorama Point Scenic Overlook, where visitors can see 100 miles of the Continental Divide. If you're willing to hike to a picnic spot, consider Forgotten Valley. This hike takes you to an area settled in the 1800s. There's still a cabin next to a lake. Entrance fee: $6.

Want to picnic close to a waterfall that is closer to home? Consider Boulder Falls. The parking area is 11 miles west of Boulder. A short hike takes you to a 70 foot waterfall.

In some places, you have to have a permit to climb the state's highest peaks, not in Colorado. You can picnic on top of many of the 14ers in our state, if you can handle the hike. For locations, trail maps, pictures, etc., visit the Colorado Fourteener Initiative's Web site.

You can eat in a high place next to lake if you drive up Mount Evans. Summit Lake sits at 13,001 feet. This is a good spot to enjoy the view of a 14er, enjoy the quiet lapping of the lake on the rocks and maybe even wear a jacket while everyone else in town is sweltering. There is an entrance fee for Mount Evans Road.

Any reservoir or lake. Colorado has them high and low, north and south. Two of my favorites for picnicking are Blue and Mitchell Lakes. There is an entrance fee.

Want a picturesque view? Ok, there are many in Colorado. For a picnic spot, consider Chautauqua Meadows in Boulder. Just steps from the parking area, you'll find hundreds of great spots for a picnic with a view of the Flatirons. Work off your lunch with a hike on the many trails in this area. You can even challenge yourself with a climb to the top between the first and second Flatiron.

And you don't have to go to Arches National Park in Utah to picnic at an arch. Consider hiking to Royal Arch in Boulder. The trail starts at Chautauqua Meadows. The trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip and it's steep in sections. At the arch you can climb to the other side and enjoy the view of the Front Range.

Where do you like to picnic?

7NEWS anchor Anne Trujillo likes Clement Park in Littleton.

Lance Hernandez, a reporter at 7NEWS said Genesee Park. "Get off at the Genesee exit, cross I-70 and instead of turning left to the parking lot where we always do our liveshots, turn right then follow the curving road to the top of the park. Great views."

Producer Kevin Krug picnics and volunteers at the Bluff Lake Nature Center near Stapleton.

7NEWS credit specialist Victoria Reynolds told us her favorite place is a lake in Pine. She said, "my kids love it and it is only about a 40 minute drive west on Highway 285." She did say she was hoping no one else would find out about it, but she agreed to let us publish her secret place.

Call 7 Producer/Coordinator Marianne McKiernan suggests Monarch Lake near Granby/Grand Lake. "It's a nice walk around the lake and there's a little island that's perfect for a picnic. There's usually an osprey nest or two so we take binoculars to see if we can spot mom and babies."

7NEWS reporter Jaclyn Allen and account executive Tracy Stephens both recommend Washington Park. Allen said "when I throw down a blanket by the peaceful pond and watch the sun play on the water or walk through the flower gardens, I feel like I’m getting away, even if just for a few minutes. "

Account Executive Jill Clark likes Lair 'o the Bear Park. Clark said, "It's close, but it feels like you are in the mountains. It has water, bridges, short and long hiking trails. Dogs and kids love it. You can do the whole thing in a couple of hours or you can be there all day."

Heidi Armstrong, the human resources manager at Denver's 7, chose Chatfield State Park "because they have off leash dog areas." 7NEWS anchor Christine Chang likes Cherry Creek State Park. She said, "I like the spot because it’s big, and offers a lot of things to see and do!"

7NEWS producer Andrew Bonic likes Sloans Lake park in Denver. He says it's a good spot to picnic and watch the fireworks against the Denver skyline.

Field engineer Jeff Arundel said there's a great picnic spot "on Hwy 103 on the way up to Mt. Evans. It’s between Idaho Springs and Echo Lake, above one of the switch backs and has a grand view looking towards Mt. Evans. "

Account coordinator Matthew Benn's favorite spot? Tailgating at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before the Rapids game!

Sales account executive Nick Tvrdik and traffic coordinator Zachary Grimm both suggested Riverfront Park. Tvrdik said he sees a lot of people picnicking at the nearby Commons Park.

Account executive Claire Polzkill said visitors at the Denver Zoo can take in a picnic and use the zoo's grassy areas. The only requirement is that no glass or bottles be taken in.

Viewer Harriet Orr emailed us to tell us her favorite spot is Red Feather Lakes. She said, "our favorite pastime is driving up forest roads to open fields and lakes and having a picnic or just sit and listen to the quiet. After 6 years I still haven’t found all the little nooks and crannies in that area, but I am trying my best to do so."

The Gabby Gourmet was on 7NEWS at 11 a.m. Wednesday with her advice on where to pick up picnic food. Her recommendations include Truffle on 6th Avenue (303-322-7363), Whole Foods (Hampden location 303-488-2000), Fisher Clark Urban Delicatessen on University Boulevard (303-722-2091), Marczyk Fine Foods on 17th Avenue (303-894-9499) and Pasta, Pasta, Pasta on Fillmore (303-377-2782).

Happy picnicking!