Chasing fireflies at night, sipping on ice cold lemonade, floating down a river, and sleeping under the stars. Campfires, BBQ, kayaks, and pretty beaches. Ah, the moments of summertime bliss.
Are you looking forward to some lazy days of summer or are you planning a busy season of checking things off your summer bucket list? Maybe you need some help making a summer bucket list. Regardless of your plans (or lack of plans!) I’ve got you covered with this post.
Keep reading for the most wonderful summer bucket list that is perfect for adventure chasers and outdoor lovers.
I thought about creating a separate summer bucket list for kids but decided that all of these were perfect for both kids and adults. Sure, some of them may seem kiddie, but embrace your inner child or do them with a child if you feel too silly doing them alone. I bet you’ll have fun!
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- GO CAMPING
This is to be expected from me since I write about all things camping on this blog. Pick a date and make reservations ASAP if you hope to get a campsite at a busy state ornational park. Or find a local campground or national forest and take a chance on getting a site last minute.
2. GO ON A HIKE
Find a local trail and start hiking! All Trails is a great app for finding trails or check out this post for tips on finding hiking trails. Just be sure to hike in the coolest part of the day and take plenty of water.
Related Post: 24 Awesome Tips for Hiking in the Heat
3. GO BACKPACKING
Yep, for those of you that don’t know, backpacking is different than just hiking. When you go backpacking, you are carrying your backpack with plans to camp on the trail. Summer often affords time off from work and school and longer days to hike to your campsite.
4. GO WHITE WATER RAFTING
White water rafting is an exciting adventure that can be enjoyed by the entire family – just find the right river. I’m blessed to be less than an hour from both a family friendly National Scenic River and an Olympic white water course river that provides class IV and V rapids.
5. TUBE A RIVER
River tubing is so much fun! Lean back and relax n the lazy sections and laugh your way through the little rapids. Tubing has progressed from the black tire tubes of my childhood to comfy tubes with bottom, handles, and neck rests.
6. CANOE OR KAYAK
There is something special about paddling down a quiet, calm river with honeysuckle draping the banks. Many parks rent canoes and kayaks for paddling their lakes. Kayaks that are suitable for easy lake and river paddling are affordable and easy to find. Don’t forget the life jacket!
7. PLAY IN THE CREEK
Playing in the creek is a fun way to cool off and explore nature. I love to find the deeper pools and little cascades.
8. HAVE A PICNIC
Pack a picnic for the park or just head to your backyard. Most state parks have day use picnic shelters, many with grills if you want more than cold foods.
9. CROSS A SWINGING BRIDGE
Swinging bridges, suspension bridges, rope bridges – many different names with different meanings when you actually research them. For the sake of this article, I’m referring more to a suspension type foot bridge. I’ve encountered some sketchy, small ones on trails and also some larger, stable ones over rivers and gorges.
10. CHASE WATERFALLS
Make a list of waterfalls and head out for a day or weekend for a waterfall tour. If your list is long or locations far apart, set a goal to visit them over the course of the summer.
11. STAND UNDER A WATERFALL
What fun it is to stand under the rush of water or behind the curtain of the waterfall. Please be careful and be smart – the water can be extremely powerful at the base of the falls, so don’t venture out into water too deep or under falls that are too large. Rocks around waterfalls are very slippery too! Drowning is the leading cause of death in Smoky Mountain National Park. Please obey any posted signs and keep in mind that just because a sign isn’t posted, doesn’t mean that it isn’t dangerous. Most national forests don’t post signs.
12. PARTICIPATE IN A HIKING CHALLENGE
Many state and national parks have hiking challenges of some sort or find one with a hiking group. I’ve even seem some advertised on Facebook – complete with a hiking log and t shirt! If you can’t find one, create your own.
13. ATTEND A RANGER EVENT
Ranger events are a great way to learn about the park you are at, go on a guided hike, discover wildlife, or even a new outdoorsy skill. Some are just plain fun, like hayrides or craft classes.
14. COOK OVER A CAMPFIRE
Food just taste better cooked over a campfire. (Do you think that is just a mental thing??) Yummy soups or even hot dogs are easy for beginners.
Related post: The Campfire Cooking Equipment of Your Dreams
15. ROAST MARSHMALLOWS
How do you like your roasted marshmallows – just warm, lightly toasted, or burned? You can roast marshmallows over a firepit at home.
16. MAKE SMORES
If you are roasting marshmallows, you need to make smores too! Creamy marshmallows and gooey chocolate can’t be beat.
17. HAVE A BONFIRE
Invite some friends and family over and have a backyard bonfire. Follow any fire bans and keep a hose or water buckets nearby.
18. PLAY HIDE N SEEK AT NIGHT
The ultimate way to hide is in the dark! You can literally hide out in the open and not be seen. My husband and I used to have friends over and play this at home when our daughter was little. Tip: Wear dark clothes and silence your phone.
19. PLAY FLASHLIGHT TAG
Headlamps make flashlight tag hands free for easy tagging. Pick an open area, designate “base”, and laugh at all the lights bobbing around as your friends run.
20. GO TO A FARMERS MARKET
I know this one seems a little low key, but it can be great fun to find a local farmers market near the campground and find some yummy veggies to cook and sweet fruit to snack on.
21. VISIT A NATIONAL PARK
Visiting national parks can be a bucket list all their own. Don’t live near one of the popular national parks? Find one nearby and avoid the crowds at the busy ones! My National Parks Pack is perfect for checking them off their own bucket list.
22. VISIT A HISTORIC SITE
Learn some history lessons that can’t be found in the pages of a text book. Visiting a historic site will help bring history to life. Bonus points if your can find a reenactment demonstration to attend.
23. SWING ON A ROPE SWING INTO A RIVER OR LAKE
Just be sure you can hang on long enough to swing out over deep enough water. Don’t ask me how I know!
24. GO BAREFOOT
I spent alot of time as a child barefoot at the barn (gross I know), riding horses and three wheelers ( not safe I know), and just running through the yard. Check out these ladies that hiked the Appalachian Trail barefoot! So much for needing a good trail shoe to hike in!
25. CLIMB A TREE
To me, it is easier to climb up rather than down. It is no fun to be stuck in a tree. Again, don’t ask me how I know.
26. CATCH FIREFLIES
Catching fireflies in mason jars is a summer tradition. Have you heard about the synchronous fireflies in Smoky Mountain National Park?
27. STARGAZE
Kick back after dark and try to find the constellations. There are some cool apps for identifying them.
28. GO FISHING
Everybody needs to fish at least once – you may just get hooked! My son has good memories of fishing on hikes and cooking fresh fish over a campfire. He also enjoys kayak fishing. I personally prefer to fish from the bank.
29. FISH AT NIGHT
You don’t have to worry at private lakes and most creeks and rivers, but some places have strict rules against night time fishing.
30. LEARN TO FLY FISH
Fly fishing uses techniques that are more challenging than regular fishing, so pack some extra patience.
31. HAVE A WATER GUN FIGHT
Gone are the little water guns of my childhood. Now we have super soakers that truly wet our opponents.
32. PLAY FRISBEE
Head to the yard, open field, park, or beach for a fun game with friends.
33. BUILD A SANDCASTLE
Most people think of building sandcastles at the beach, but it can be just as much fun in a backyard or campground sandbox.
34. PLAY CORNHOLE
Cornhole is a fun game at the campsite or backyard BBQ. These are pretty cool! We finally made our own cornhole boards. I need to paint mine now!
35. PLAY HORSESHOES
Horseshoes is another fun backyard game. Many campgrounds have horseshoe game pits too. Our local rec department has an annual horseshoe tournament at the Fourth of July celebration.
36. RIDE A BIKE
Go for a ride on a mountain bike trail or in a national park. Bike rides though Cades Cove is a popular way to tour this part of Smoky Mountain National Park. My son and I headed out on an overcast day and got caught in the rain. Next time we will pick a day that the cove is closed to cars though! Navigating a bike next to bumper to bumper cars on a narrow road, especially in the rain, was not fun, although it made for funny memories.
37. GO ZIPLINING
Growing up, we had a short zip line to exit our treehouse, but here I’m suggesting one of those wild ziplines where you are in a harness flying through the air.
38. GO HORSEBACK RIDING
I owned horses for years, so riding was a daily thing for me. But before I had horses, I dreamed of riding and begged to go on trail rides at the nearby stables at the state park. Horseback riding is also a wonderful way to experience national parks.
39. SWIM WITH DOLPHINS
After watching countless episodes of Flipper, I ‘ve always thought that it would be neat to swim with dolphins.
40. GO ON A ROAD TRIP
Summer break is the perfect time for a road trip. Take the family, some friends, or go on a solo road trip this summer.
41. VISIT A STATE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO
You may have to go on a road trip or hop on a plane, but why not make plans to visit a state you’ve never been to?
42. COWBOY CAMP
Sleeping out in the open with no covering is often referred to as cowboy camping. Think of the cowboys sleeping around a campfire with their saddles as pillows.
43. HAMMOCK CAMP
Hammocks are fairly lightweight and pack small, making them good for backpacking. And some people think it is more comfy than sleeping on the ground.
44. CAMP IN YOUR BACKYARD
Don’t want to go to a campground and looking for an easy, free option? Camp in your backyard.
45. PLAY IN THE SPRINKLER
Gather the kids and run through the sprinkler. Run in a circle and try to outrun the water if you are playing with a rotary sprinkle.
46. DRIVE ON A DIRT ROAD
Forest service roads are perfect for this and will lead to some great hiking trails and camping. Or just go for a fun drive. You can read about forest service roads in this post.
47. GO PADDLE BOARDING
Paddle boarding is a fun way to test your balance on the lake. You can often find paddle board rentals with lake and river outfitters and at some state and national parks.
48. MAKE/DRINK HOMEMADE LEMONADE
I love homemade lemonade. Sweet and tart is a perfect combination. Hey, I even like lemon water with no sugar. Try to find a kids lemonade stand if you can!
49. EAT FRESH WATERMELON
We love to put watermelon in a cooler of ice for a juicy treat on a hot summer outing. Find a local farmers market for the best ones.
50. WATCH SOME FIREWORKS
Fourth of July fireworks are another summertime tradition for many and it is usually easy to find a fireworks display.
51. GO CAVING
Want to know one of the neat things about going caving in the summer? It is cool underground! Be sure you go with someone experienced and that knows the cave or with a guide.
52. BUILD YOUR OWN RAFT
I borrowed this adventure from my son’s Boy Scout days. We built rafts out of bamboo and old fashion black tubes. Lash the bamboo together, attach the bamboo deck to tubes so they would float, and get fancy by lashing a beach chair to the raft deck. Spoiler: a square Huck Finn style raft is difficult to maneuver between rocks on the river.
53. MAKE TYE DYE SHIRTS
Tie dye shirts and summer camp go together. Why not make you own tie dye shirt to memorialize your summer?
54. PAINT OUTSIDE
I’m always thinking about how I could paint the landscapes around me when I’m hiking and camping. Grab some paint, a blank canvas, and do some plein air painting.
55. DANCE AROUND A CAMPFIRE
Be silly or get romantic and dance around your campfire this summer. Music is optional.
56. PLAY WITH BUBBLES
Ok, this is one of those bucket list items that is super fun with some little kids in your life. You’ve gotta try one of these huge bubble wands if you never have before!
57. GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT
There are tons of different ways to go on a scavenger hunt. In the city, in your backyard, or at the campsite to name a few.
58. VOLUNTEER AT A STATE OR NATIONAL PARK
Many parks host events for National Trails Day and most state and national parks have other opportunities to volunteer through out the year.
59. SKIP A ROCK
Can you skip a rock across water? I have before, but I’m not very good at it.
60. ATTEND A FESTIVAL
Summertime festivals are fun….and hot! There are several festivals that celebrate the outdoors like the Pacific Crest Trail Days, GoPro Mountain Games, and NOC Women’s Paddle Fest.
61. GO TO AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
Finding an outdoor concert in the summer isn’t hard, whether it be a huge event or a small band at a local park.
62. WATCH A MOVIE OUTSIDE
Different than going to a drive in movie, watching a movie outside could happen in your backyard with a cool projector and screen, downtown at your local greenway, or hosted at the campground you are staying at.
63. JUMP OFF A DOCK
Run and take a leap off the dock. No diving in shallow water though!
64. RENT AN RV
Want to try RV camping before purchasing one or just want to stay in a cool camper.? Rent an RV from RVShare or find a campground that has RV rentals.
65. GO ROCK CLIMBING
Connect with some local professionals that can help you on your first rock climbing adventure. If you can’t find anywhere to head outside for this, look for a rock climbing gym.
66. COLLECT SEASHELLS
I have to admit that I’m not a fan of crowded, touristy beaches, but do like searching for seashells on quiet stretches of sand.
67. GO SCUBA DIVING
This one will take some planning and assistance by a professional, but could be one of those epic adventures.
68. ATTEND A PARADE
Some Fourth of July festivities include parades. Check out the events page at campgrounds for specials – some campgrounds have holiday parades that the kids can participate in with their bikes and wagons.
69. EAT ICE CREAM
Homemade vanilla ice cream is a family favorite in summer, and we have great memories of the “famous” ice cream cones from the Cades Cove campground store in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
70. GO TO A U PICK FARM
Berry farms are popular in the summertime and a fun outing when you can find one near the campground you are staying at.
71. NAP IN A HAMMOCK
Take a break from your adventures by napping in a hammock. We often take one camping with us to hang at the campsite even if we are sleeping in a tent or RV.
72. PLAY DISK GOLF
Disk golf courses are another addition to some state parks and campgrounds.
73. GO WATERSKIING
It’s been years since I went waterskiing ( well, attempted to waterski!). This can be an exciting water sport to try if you have a friend that has a boat or can rent one.
74. GO TO A DRIVE IN MOVIE
Drive in movies used to be more common. I remember watching Grease on the big outdoor screen. Drive in movies are a fun expereince everyone should try.
75. WATCH THE SUNSET
The perfect way to end a day of adventure. Sunset hikes are another favorite – just be prepared to navigate the trail in the dark or plan on camping at your destination!
76. WATCH THE SUNRISE
Just like watching the sunset is a perfect way to end your day, watching the sunrise is a wonderful way to begin it. I love to unzip my tent and peek out and watch the sunrise over a lake.
77. STAY OVERNIGHT IN A TREEHOUSE
Treehouse glamping is a unique way to enjoy a weekend getaway. Hipcamp has some awesome listings – I bet there is one near you! Have a treehouse in your backyard? Grab some gear and the kids and stay out there for a night.
78. READ AN ADVENTURE BOOK
Adventure books are not just entertaining, they are inspiring. I also love to read real life adventures about something I would never do like climb Everest.
79. CREATE A JOURNAL
Keep a record of your summer memories in a journal or old fashioned scrapbook. My printable Camping Journal is a great way to plan and record your camping fun.
80. GO OFFLINE AND SCREEN FREE
Challenge yourself to go screen free for a set amount of time. A few hours a day, a day a week, a full week, a month at a time. Can you do it? Put down your phone and log off the computer. I know my blog exists in the online world, but ultimately I want you to head outside and live your adventures!
Your Summer Bucket List Adventures
Now its your turn. I would love to hear about your summer bucket list ideas and what your plans are. Let me know in the comments below how many adventures you check off the bucket list and any different ideas you have.
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