1 Day Picnic Spot Near Aurangabad — Best Day Trip Guide

Looking for the best 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad? Beyond the city’s famous heritage monuments, the region around Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) offers several nature-focused destinations perfect for a relaxed day trip with family or friends — dams, hill stations, lakes, and gardens, all reachable and back within a single day.
Jayakwadi Dam
Jayakwadi Dam, roughly 55 km from Aurangabad, is one of the most popular choices for a 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad. Built across the Godavari River, the dam area includes a bird sanctuary and the Nath Sagar reservoir, making it a favourite for families and nature lovers, particularly during and after monsoon season when water levels and greenery are at their best.
Mhaismal Hill Station
Located about 35 km from Aurangabad, Mhaismal is the region’s closest hill station, offering cooler temperatures, forested hills, and scenic viewpoints — a refreshing change from the city’s heat, especially appealing for a day trip during summer months. The drive up to Mhaismal itself is part of the experience, winding through the Sahyadri foothills, and it remains one of the most scenic choices for anyone looking for a 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad during the cooler months.
Salim Ali Lake
Salim Ali Lake, located within Aurangabad city itself near Bibi Ka Maqbara, is a more easily accessible option for a shorter picnic outing, particularly for those short on time. Named after the noted ornithologist, the lake area attracts various bird species and offers a peaceful walking spot for a quick evening or half-day picnic without needing to leave the city.
Siddharth Garden and Zoo
For families with children, Siddharth Garden and Zoo combines a landscaped garden, aquarium, and zoo housing tigers, lions, and elephants, making it a genuinely popular 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad for those who prefer a family-friendly outing within city limits. See our Siddharth Garden and Zoo Aurangabad guide for full details on timings and entry fees.
Daulatabad Fort
Roughly 15 km from Aurangabad, Daulatabad Fort offers a combination of history and a scenic uphill climb, making it a good option for a more active day-trip picnic that combines sightseeing with some physical activity. The fort’s hilltop views over the surrounding countryside make it a rewarding half-day or full-day outing depending on your pace, and it’s frequently picked by visitors searching for a 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad that also offers historical sightseeing.
Planning Your 1 Day Picnic Trip Near Aurangabad
Most of these picnic spots near Aurangabad can be visited comfortably within a single day, either as a standalone trip or combined with a shorter stop at one of the city’s heritage sites. Since these locations are spread across different directions from the city — Jayakwadi to the south, Mhaismal to the west, and Daulatabad along the Ellora route — it’s worth picking one primary destination per day trip rather than attempting to cover several distant spots in one outing.
A private taxi remains the most convenient way to visit any of these spots for a day trip, offering flexible timing and the ability to stop for photos or food along the way, something fixed bus schedules typically don’t allow for. Pilgrims extending their trip can also see our 3 Jyotirlinga tour package from Aurangabad for a combined itinerary.
Picnic Trip Tips
- Start early to make the most of the day, particularly for the more distant spots like Jayakwadi Dam and Mhaismal.
- Carry food and water, since dedicated eateries can be limited at some of the more nature-focused spots.
- Check the season — Jayakwadi and Mhaismal are especially scenic just after monsoon, while Salim Ali Lake and Siddharth Garden work well year-round.
- Plan for weekday visits if you prefer a quieter experience, since weekends tend to draw larger local crowds to these spots.
Why a 1 Day Picnic Trip Works Best Near Aurangabad
Choosing a 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad rather than a multi-day trip makes sense for most families and groups, since all the spots covered in this guide — Jayakwadi Dam, Mhaismal, Salim Ali Lake, Siddharth Garden, and Daulatabad Fort — are comfortably reachable and back within a single day using a private taxi. This means no overnight packing, no hotel bookings, and no need to take extended leave from work or school, making a day trip picnic a genuinely low-effort way to get out of the city for a change of scenery.
For office groups, college friends, or extended families planning a weekend outing, a well-chosen 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad also keeps costs predictable — a single day’s taxi hire, food, and any entry tickets, without the added expense of accommodation that a longer trip would require. This makes such spots a popular, budget-friendly choice throughout the year, particularly during the cooler months between October and February.
Getting There by Taxi
Booking a private taxi is the easiest way to reach any 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad covered in this guide. See our Aurangabad taxi service page for local sightseeing and day-trip packages covering these picnic spots, our Aurangabad local taxi service for one day sightseeing page for a dedicated day-trip package, or our places to visit in Aurangabad guide for a complete overview of the city’s attractions, including its heritage monuments alongside these nature spots. Travellers based in CIDCO can check our CIDCO Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar taxi service page, while those arriving by flight can see our Aurangabad airport taxi service.
1 Day Picnic Spot Near Aurangabad — FAQs
1. What is the best 1 day picnic spot near Aurangabad?
Jayakwadi Dam, Mhaismal Hill Station, and Salim Ali Lake are among the most popular choices, each offering a different type of day-trip experience.
2. How far is Jayakwadi Dam from Aurangabad?
Jayakwadi Dam is approximately 55 km from Aurangabad, making it comfortably reachable for a single-day picnic trip.
3. Is Mhaismal a good option for a day trip from Aurangabad?
Yes, Mhaismal is about 35 km away and offers a cooler, hill-station atmosphere, making it a popular choice, particularly during summer months.
4. Are there picnic spots within Aurangabad city itself?
Yes, Salim Ali Lake and Siddharth Garden and Zoo are both located within the city, ideal for a shorter picnic outing without long travel time.
5. Can I visit more than one picnic spot in a single day?
It’s possible for nearby spots like Daulatabad Fort combined with city sightseeing, but distant spots like Jayakwadi and Mhaismal are best visited as a dedicated single-destination trip.
6. What is the best time of year for a picnic near Aurangabad?
Just after monsoon (October to February) offers the most scenic conditions for outdoor spots like Jayakwadi Dam and Mhaismal Hill Station.
7. Is a taxi better than public transport for a picnic day trip?
Yes, a private taxi offers flexible timing and door-to-door convenience, especially valuable for family outings with children or elderly members.

