Yes, summer is technically in full swing, but now is a great time to start thinking about how you are going to put that perfect cherry on top to really end your summer season with a bang, while also welcoming in the fall season ready to tackle anything that she throws our way. So, let’s gear up and get ready to take on those last days of summer before your to-do list becomes a regret-you-didn’t-do list. Here is our guide for end of summer activities that every outdoorsman should do before the leaves and the season starts to turn.

Plan One Last Camping Trip

Yes, you may have gone on a few camping trips this summer already, but once school starts up and schedules start to get booked, you won’t really have another chance to get out there before the spring thaw. Get your maps out and dust off your gear and plan that one last trip for the summer to send everything off in style.

Boise-area recommendations:

• Pine Flats Campground (great for soaking in the nearby hot springs)
• Arrowrock Reservoir (ideal for peaceful lakeside camping and fishing)
• Deadwood Reservoir (for a quiet, off-the-grid experience)

Tackle That Trail You’ve Been Putting Off

Don’t let that one trail get away. You’ve been planning on exploring it for a while now and it’s finally time to bite the bullet and just get out and do it. Since the summer is winding down, this is a great time to take a hike by yourself or with friends and capture that last glorious sunset of the season. Maybe bring along a few of your favorite microbrews to help sweeten the moment. Don’t forget to snap some pictures with your camera or phone!

A few recommendations for trails:

• Lower Hulls Gulch Trail
• Stack Rock Trail
• Military Reserve Park Trails
• Hulls Gulch Reserve Trails

Have a Summer Send-Off Backyard Bonfire

What better way to send summer off than with a backyard party? If you have the area around your home to safely do a bonfire, then go for it! But, just be safe and have lots of fire suppression tools on hand. However, if you have a smaller sized or average back yard, then no worries, just have a big BBQ anyway! Gather your friends and some cold beers and party the night away before it gets too cold.

Here are some recommendations for dishes:

• Meat tornado cheeseburgers
  • You’ve got your classic burgers, but with a meat lover’s twist. Along with your typical burger patties, throw on some fresh sliced deli meat to give it a quick char. That will really put some hair on your chest and will make your burgers seem juicer and extra tasty.
• Grilled veggie skewers
  • While meat is really the star of any good BBQ, veggies play an important co-starring role. Toss some large chunks of fresh bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes on some stainless steel skewers and give them a nice charring and your guests will think they are so good they will forgive you for serving them vegetables at a party.
• S’mores Bar
  • Toast off a bag or two of marshmallows and provide your guests with chocolate squares, graham crackers, and other toppings and have them make their own sweet, sticky, and delicious concoctions that will be sure to give them a sugar rush

Conclusion

We hope that this end of season outdoorsman guide was helpful to you. If you end up trying one or more of our suggestions, please share it with us on social media or in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to check out our