While it may be difficult for some of us to imagine, warmer days are ahead of us. That means vacation season will be upon us before you know it. While most vacations are centered around sipping cocktails on the beach and lazing around, you can also take a fitness vacation.
Don’t look at this as work, but as a way to get away from the stresses of life and treat yourself to a scenic vacation that just happens to also be good for your health.
Now, oftentimes fitness vacations can be pretty pricey. Guided tours, pampering afterward at a spa… this can all add up very quickly. If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no reason you can’t find a trip that fits your frugal needs. Here are a few fitness vacation options that can get you there:
Kayak in South Carolina
Are you on the east coast or would like to explore the scenic Carolinas? Kayaking tours are a great workout and can expose you to the beautiful surroundings of whatever body of water you choose. These kayaking tours near Charleston, South Carolina offer not just fitness, but a little education about the natural surroundings as you are guided by professional naturalists who can teach you about the hundreds of species of birds and other animals there. A full day tour is $85 for adults and $48 for kids 12 and under. For more info, check out Nature Adventures Outfitters at www.natureadventuresoutfitters.com.
A Multisport Trip to West Virginia
Do it all on a multisport trip to Oak Hill, West Virginia. The ACE Adventure Center is located in southern West Virginia, and features all kinds of options on its 1,400 acre property: white-water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
A five day stay is $374 for adults and $341 for kids 12 to 17. This does not include lodging, but you can either rent a lakeside chalet or cabin or “rough it” with a tent at one of their campsites. Go to ACE Adventure’s website www.aceraft.com for more information.
Canoe in Fort Benton, Montana
Two of our country’s most famous explorers, Lewis and Clark, trekked across the country leaving us their infamous trail. There are various areas that you can choose to follow in their steps, one being in Fort Benton, Montana.
This three-day canoe paddling trip takes you 47 miles down the White Cliff section of the upper Missouri River with a gentle current that is free of rapids. You paddle for 13 miles to Eagle Creek. There’s also hiking through the Eye-of-the-Needle sandstone rock formation or explore the slot canyon.
Paddling then continues on for 10 more miles to the Hole-in-the-Wall rock formation where you can hike some more. Lastly, you paddle 11 miles to land at Slaughter River Camp. The next day you paddle 12 miles where it ends at Judith Landing.
Some trips feature historians, such as faculty members from the University of Montana. This trip runs $655 for adults and $525 for kids. For more information, go to Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures’ website www.trailadventures.com.
Backpack in the Grand Canyon
Is there anything more beautiful than the Grand Canyon? So, why not hike there and soak in the beautiful scenery? You start bright and early at 6 a.m. and get a ride to the South Kaibab trailhead on the South Rim, which is about 225 miles from Phoenix.
On the first day you hike mostly down hill for almost seven miles to the Bright Angel Campground. Since you go down, you have to go up to get back. Since you will be carrying about 30 pounds of gear on your back, you should be in hiking shape before taking this trip.
This is the priciest of the options, but still brings you in under the $1,000 mark at $775. Meals and snacks are provided for your trip. For more information, go to Just Roughin’ It Adventure Co. at www.justroughinit.com.
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