The Midwest is known for its laid-back vibes and small-town charm. When the snow melts and spring turns to summer, it’s time to get out in the sun and get some exercise! Check out these fun—sometimes adrenaline-inducing—summertime activities in the Midwest!
Kayaking
The Galena River in Illinois stretches for ten miles and you might encounter Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, and other songbirds along the way.
West Okoboji Lake in Iowa is the second deepest lake in Iowa and is part of the chain of lakes that make up the Iowa Great Lakes. It is the perfect lake for a relaxing kayak day out on the water!
We can’t forget Michigan when talking about kayaking. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes and offers many kayaking opportunities. Beaver Island Kayak Trail is a 42-mile paddling trail that circles Beaver Island. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore allows you to explore the lower Platte River that ends at Lake Michigan. If you are near the shore, look out for Petoskey stones!
The Meramec River in Missouri is a beautiful way to explore Missouri’s wild outdoors. Experience steep limestone bluffs, caves, and beautiful springs while you explore the river full of aquatic plants and animals. Plus, it is surrounded by lush forest!
Paddle Boarding and Kayaking
While the Midwest might not be the first place that you think of when you want to paddleboard, you must remember that many of the states in the Midwest border the Great Lakes. The state of Michigan has 3,2000 miles of freshwater shoreline. You could paddle somewhere different every day of the rest of your life and only catch a glimpse of what the Midwest has to offer. Let’s not forget about Michigan and Wisconsin. Minnesota has over 11,000 lakes while Wisconsin boasts 15,000! That is a lot of water to paddle through!
Whatever size of lake you are looking for, there is a lake in the Midwest for you to explore. Want to go remote and get away from everyone? How about doing some fishing? Want to explore caves? Yep. There is a lake for you too. Just don’t forget a wetsuit!
If rivers are more your thing, the Midwest offers awesome rivers, brooks, streams, and creeks that flow into the Mississippi or Missouri rivers. Taking multi-day river excursions is simple and there are places for camping along the riverbanks.
Paddle Boarding
While the Midwest might not be the first place that you think of when you want to paddleboard, you must remember that many of the states in the Midwest border the Great Lakes. The state of Michigan has 3,2000 miles of freshwater shoreline. You could paddle somewhere different every day of the rest of your life and only catch a glimpse of what the Midwest has to offer. Let’s not forget about Michigan and Wisconsin. Minnesota has over 11,000 lakes while Wisconsin boasts 15,000! That is a lot of water to paddle through!
Whatever size of the lake you are looking for, there is a lake in the Midwest for you to explore. Want to go remote and get away from everyone? How about doing some fishing? Want to explore caves? Yep. There is a lake for you too. Just don’t forget a wetsuit!
If rivers are more your thing, the Midwest offers awesome rivers, brooks, streams, and creeks that flow into the Mississippi or Missouri rivers. Taking multi-day river excursions is simple and there are places for camping along the riverbanks.
Rock Climbing
If you thought the Midwest was all flat, you thought wrong! There are plenty of rock-climbing opportunities around the Midwest if you are willing to drive to them. To get your rock-climbing fix, you can find a variety of sandstone, limestone, basalt, and quartzite rock exposures.
Be aware, most climbs don’t have bolted routes, so climbers will have to bring their own gear.
Check out Robinson Park in Minnesota for a landscape with varied kinds of rocks including quarried sandstone and options for bouldering and traditional rock climbing.
Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota has over 700 designated routes and is probably the best climbing destination in the Midwest. If you travel north to North Dakota, you have ample opportunities to climb Mt. Rushmore. This national memorial has over 600 climbs from bouldering to trad routes.
Holy Boulders in Pomona, Illinois has the largest concentration of boulders in the entire Midwest. You could spend days here and never come close to climbing them all.
Hiking
While the Midwest seems to get a bad rap when it comes to hiking because it is sandwiched between the Rockies and the Appalachians making for some flat land, there are plenty of forests, cliffs, and prairies to explore.
At Starved Rock State Park in Ottawa, Illinois, there are a dozen miles of hiking trails and 18 canyons with exposed sandstone formations to explore. To get an impressive view of the Illinois River, climb the bluffs. And after heavy rains, there are 14 waterfalls to be found throughout the park.
In Kansas, you will find the Tallgrass National Preserve which features the largest remaining tallgrass prairie on the continent. This is an area unlike most of the places you have likely hiked, with rolling hills without a tree in sight, seasonal wildflowers, and herds of bison. There are more than 40 trails for you to explore and discover.
In Custer, South Dakota you can hike a variety of terrain from wide-open prairie to forests in the Black Hills National Forest. One of the most iconic hikes is to the top of Harney Peak, which is known as the highest point east of the Rockies.
Biking
From scenic bluffs, beaches, and river valleys, there are many beautiful places to explore on a bike in the Midwest.
Follow the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in Wisconsin and wind through woodlands, wetlands, farmland, and fields. There are over 100 miles of trail to explore, and three old tunnels can add a bit of mystery to the easygoing ride.
The Cowboy Trail in Nebraska follows the ghosts of the railroad’s past with bridges, weathered mileposts, and Neligh Mills gristmill found along the way. These 321 miles follow what was known as the Cowboy Line through ranches, canyons, and farmland from Chadron to Norfolk.
Summertime Gear
Get equipped for your days out in the sun with 3RK! From skateboards to paddleboards, we have the gear you need to enjoy those long summer days in the Midwest. Check out our easy lease-to-own options to get your gear now! Apply today!
image courtesy of starvedrocklodge.com
