6 Things to do in Summer on a Budget
Summertime can be a great opportunity to explore your local area, especially if you are on a budget. I understand that summer travel is very enticing, but the cost of traveling during the summer months can be significantly higher than at other times.
Sometimes it can be difficult to find local activities. I often struggle with this in the town where I live, as there isn't much to do here. However, there are a few neighboring towns that offer more outdoor activities.
Looking for fun and affordable activities to do this summer, with or without kids? Here are six budget-friendly ideas to make the most of the sunny season!
Six things to do to enjoy summer on a budget
1. Hiking
I love going hiking during the summer. It is one of the reasons why I moved from the Denver area to Durango, CO. There are tons of hiking trails in town, as well as in neighboring towns. I moved about 50 minutes away to a neighboring town in New Mexico and underestimated the proximity to do outdoorsy stuff. While we aren’t far from Durango and can still go to hiking trails, we do miss being closer.
But we are trying to remember that we are close enough to find good hiking trails during the summer. We may have to drive a little further, which is okay. It would be worse if I were still living in the Denver area!
My Tip: I use AllTrails to begin my research for trails. All trails provide all of the details you need:
Difficulty
Distance
Whether it is a loop or out-and-back trail
Elevation gain
It gives you an idea of where water may be
Photos
Navigation to trailhead
Other user reviews of the trail, such as if any sections are washed out from weather or felled trees. My favorite review to search for is if there is access to swim in nearby water, such as a river.
The pro version allows you to download trails for offline use and track your navigation.
If you sign up using my link above or here, all trails will plant two trees for every new pro member!
For what to pack in your day pack
and 10 Essentials
2. Camping
Backpacking can be a fun method of camping and hiking all in one trip. However, it can be daunting for beginners, even experienced campers, as it's a very different experience. You are walking all day and must carry all your gear, so preparing everything - gear, food, and water - is vital to ensure your first backpacking trip goes smoothly. Additionally, it's crucial to practice leave-no-trace principles while on the trail. I have a blog post all about Backpacking for Beginners if you’re new to backpacking.
With regular camping, you set up your tent and hang out at your camping spot outdoors. You can search tons of local campgrounds near you for reasonably inexpensive. I love looking for places near water to camp just because I enjoy being near water. There are bonus points if you can get IN the water. There are many areas where you can find dispersed camping spots that are first come, first served for free.
There are tons of camping resources for beginners, the types of gear you could purchase, and the food. I have an article coming soon about camping for beginners.
For my family, we choose to have minimal gear for camping:
Tent
sleeping bag/air mattress
camping stove
cook kit (cast iron pan & plastic reusable plates and forks)
camp chairs/table
cooler for perishable foods, drinks, and bread
activities: sports balls/frisbee, card games
We typically do more backpacking than camping since we love hiking and being in the woods more than sitting around the campsite trying to find things to do all day. This is something we need to make sure we have
3. Picnic in the park
This one can be as simple as you would like. My husband and I recently packed lunch and a blanket, then walked to the park closest to our house and found a shady spot to sit under a tree, eat lunch, and relax for an hour.
You can make this a day trip with outdoor activities, like volleyball, football, or other portable activities. This can be a fun way to spend an afternoon on a budget. You can plan this activity with your friends and share activities, too!
4. Local Pool
Depending on where you live, it may be easy to find whether you can go to your neighborhood pool, local recreation center, or community center. Pack sunblock, a lunch, and pool toys to escape the heat!
5. Stream/river/lake/beach
Depending on where you live, this may be easy to find. Doo some research and see what is near you. Often times, you can find a beachy area near a lake, stream/river/creek, reservoir, or even the beach! You can pack sunblock, a blanket, a lunch, and pool toys to escape the heat!
6. Backyard camping/movie night
This one can be so overlooked! It can be so fun to do something different in your backyard. Maybe you set up a tent and camp in the backyard!
You can also set up a cozy spot to relax and read a book or a place to have a movie night. You can get so creative with this.
Don’t have a backyard? Use your living room! Move some furniture and set up a tent. This can be especially fun for kids because it’s something different to do!
Bottom Line
Summer travel may be super enticing, but numerous reasons (cost, time, business, etc) prevent you from traveling. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything with your summer! These were some easy things to do during the summer in my area. I hope some of these ideas resonate with you and that you find them helpful. I know not everything is everyone’s cup of tea, but hopefully, something sparked an idea that is accessible to you!
Note: this post may contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase through one of the links. Your support allows me to continue to do what I love and share my passion for living a healthy and active lifestyle. I appreciate your support!
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If you are here and reading this, that means you have an interest in your health and fitness. That is so good; I am so excited for you! Taking care of your body is the best thing you can do for yourself in the present and the long term.
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
— unknown
I find that quote so inspiring. Hard work will pay off in the future, but you also have to live in the moment, and I feel like taking care of yourself is doing both. You are doing good for yourself now and for your future self.
Thank you so much for reading! If you want to learn more about health and fitness, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram @myactivelife_stacey.
Subscribe to my newsletter here or at the bottom of the page to get notified when I post new blog posts on health and fitness-related topics. I also sprinkle some tips on outdoor activities here and there. You will also get a free downloadable PFD. It changes from time to time! Thank you all for the support, and I’ll see you in the next post!
If you are here and reading this, that means you have an interest in your health and fitness. That is so good; I am so excited for you! Taking care of your body is the best thing you can do for yourself in the present and the long term.
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”
— unknown
I find that quote so inspiring. Hard work will pay off in the future, but you also have to live in the moment, and I feel like taking care of yourself is doing both. You are doing good for yourself now and for your future self.
Thank you so much for reading! If you want to learn more about health and fitness, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram @myactivelife_stacey.
Subscribe to my newsletter here or at the bottom of the page to get notified when I post new blog posts on health and fitness-related topics. I also sprinkle some tips on outdoor activities here and there. You will also get a free downloadable PFD. It changes from time to time! Thank you all for the support, and I’ll see you in the next post!
