Hiking with a canoeI love summertime. I feel like after months of hibernation and hiding out from the cold and gloom, it’s finally time to be outside taking advantage of all the fun activities that I can only do three months out of the year.

My latest kick is wanting to explore the national and state parks near me. There are so many great hiking trails, as well as places to kayak and canoe, I’m not sure I’ll be able to have time to fit it all in this summer.

Because Saturday is National Trails Day, I’m planning a trip to discover a new hiking trail. The American Hiking Society hosts the event to encourage people to get out and explore the trails.

National and state parks are a great place to start. You can pack a lunch, grab some water bottles and use the maps provided to spend a day in a new place.

If hiking’s not your thing, lots of parks will let you ride your bike or stroll along paved paths.

With so many different things to do at the parks, it’d be a shame not to explore them sometime this summer.

What summertime activity are you looking forward to the most this year?