Discover Exceptional Camping, Hiking, Swimming, and Adventure Spots This Summer With These Handpicked Apps
Warped to the Wackiest, Wildest, and Wondersummer!
Step into the sun-drenched season like a pro! Whether you're hunting for heart-pounding adventures or craving lazy days of relaxation, this guide has got your back. Remember, the ultimate summer isn't just handed to you—you've got to make it happen!
Summer's here, and you're about to soak up the sun like never before! Are you top-tier tent-pitcher or a VIP van-dweller eager to roam the wilds? Or perhaps you're a city-slicker, dreaming of poolside lounging or urban escapades? No worries, we've scoured the virtual landscape to find the best digital sidekicks to guide your seasonal escapades.
Digital Sherpas for Campground Conquests
Finding a killer campground isn't always a breeze, especially for newbies or tourists. Friends and locals can be goldmines of info, but when you're alone, turn to these online resources:
Uncle Sam Tips His Hand- FreeCampsites.net
Public lands, like our beloved National Forests, can host stealth campsites for free. Stump your tent and forget about amenities like restrooms or running water, but revel in the beauty of nature without breaking the bank. This website highlights little-known free campsite gems across the US.
Recreation.gov – Your U.S. Government Gear
When you seek amenities like showers, electricity, and a clean loo, Recreation.gov—a U.S. government service—is your new best buddy. It boasts a smorgasbord of options for wilderness areas nut for the faintest of hearts. State parks and foreign nations often provide similar services, so don't be shy about exploring!
HipCamp & The Dyrt – The Sharing Economy Meets Camping
Consider these sites your go-to Airbnbs of the great outdoors. They offer a diverse range of private camping spots, some with frills like running water and Wi-Fi. As with Airbnb, vet the listings and reviews before you move in for a weekend.
Trekking Trails? Checkmate!
Harness your inner wanderlust with a hike, and summer is the ultimate time to lose yourself in the wild. Ask around, but online tools can supplement those tips:
AllTrails – A Mobius Strip of Trails
AllTrails promises a myriad of hikes, complete with detailed descriptions, photos, and distance stats. Be warned—the site might smother you with ads and upsells!
Wikiloc – A Scroll Through User-Driven Hikes
Wikiloc is an alternative platform with a plethora of user-submitted hikes—and fewer ads. Try hunting for your local trail database, like Oregon Hikers for die-hard Oregonians like myself!
Organic Maps – Navigation for Nature Nuts
Never get lost again! Organic Maps is a free, offline navigation app that comes in handy for discovering trails and providing turn-by-turn directions. Download the map region you'll be hiking on before you're offline to avoid any digital cock-ups!
Beach Baby, Pool Party or Urban Oasis?
Feeling hemmed in by city life? Don't fret! These tools will help you play hooky from skyscrapers and traffic jams.
Places 2 Swim – Swimming Holes on Your Doorstep
Crave the refreshment of a dip but lack a pool of your own? Places 2 Swim simplifies the search for nearby public pools using just your location! Here's a handy tip: Check out the pool's info and call before visiting to confirm operation hours and rules!
Swimply – Pool Party without the Permanent Installation
Forget shelling out the big bucks for a pool installation! Swimply's website enables pool owners to rent their pool for a few hours, providing a more budget-friendly pool party option. Look to the fine print, and make sure you scrutinize the listing and reviews before diving in!
Whats-Near.me, TripAdvisor, Atlas Obscura & Pokemon Go – City-dwellers Unite!
Isolated in a concrete jungle and unsure of where to start in your urban explorations? These resources can help you pinpoint hidden gems lurking in the depths of the city:
- Whats-Near.me: This website highlights nearby landmarks, museums, and historical buildings that have their very own Wikipedia pages.
- TripAdvisor & Atlas Obscura: These platforms provide extensive reviews, pictures, and recommendations of city attractions, restaurants, and accommodations worldwide.
- Pokemon Go: Haven't Pokemon left the scene? That's where you're wrong! Pokemon Go, though past its prime, remains a fun way to kick yourself out of complacency and explore your surroundings.
Get out there and make this summer unforgettable! These online tools can help you plan and have the most exceptional, strange, and wacky time yet!
In your tech-savvy outdoor-living, discover the best camping, hiking, swimming apps to elevate your summer adventures. AllTrails, Wikiloc, and Organic Maps offer detailed trail information, while FreeCampsites.net, Recreation.gov, HipCamp, and The Dyrt help find the perfect camping spots. For city-dwellers seeking urban escapades, Places 2 Swim, Swimply, Whats-Near.me, TripAdvisor, Atlas Obscura, and even Pokemon Go can unlock hidden city gems. Embrace the wondersummer with the help of these digital sidekicks, turning ordinary days into extraordinary experiences!
