An often-overlooked stop in the park is Goodbye Picnic Area. Goodbye Picnic Area is perfect for a picnic but also consider it for birding, and an observation point for small mammals with the hope for a bear to stroll through the forest on its way to the creek. It rests beneath a forest composed of a variety of mature tree species including Shasta red fir, lodgepole pine, and mountain hemlock. Mostly inaccessible to the eyes but very audible to the ears is Goodbye Creek which flows in a deep canyon that separates these two picnic areas.

The road noise from passing vehicles becomes inconsequential especially after snow melt when the creek is roaring. There is no trail into the canyon through which Goodbye Creek cascades downstream. This is one place where the towering trees, calls of the red breasted nuthatch, and the antics of Douglas squirrels begs visitors to put aside the hiking poles and just relax.

Location

Goodbye Picnic Area has two sections which are accessible from the north or the south on the west side of Munson Valley Road between the Annie Spring Entrance Station and park headquarters. One is an easy right turnout for southbound traffic from the rim or park headquarters. Parking is pull through next to the curb. There is no accessible ramp from the curb. This sight has two picnic tables. The second section is a left turn for lake-bound traffic (or right turn past the bridge for south bounders). There are four angled parking places and room for a bus or RV to park. This location also has two picnic tables, one with wheelchair access, and a vault toilet.