Over the weekend, my wife and I took our son and dog to a nearby state park. The fall season is probably my favorite time to go the park. The temperatures are a bit cooler, the leaves are turning colors, and the park scenery is just something to behold. It seems like parks get overlooked a lot in this day and age. I’m not sure why, but when a lot of people think of things to do on the weekend, the thought of going to the park never enters their mind. I guess there are just so many other things to do that the park is almost an afterthought anymore.
My wife and I certainly enjoy going to the park, whether it’s a local park in town or a larger state park. For anyone looking to have a good time without spending much money, an afternoon at the park is the perfect solution.
Good Times For $5.00
The state park we went to costs $5 per carload to enter the park, which is not bad at all. 
We’ve been to this state park a fair number of times in the past. We’ve brought our bikes and went riding on the bike trails. We’ve borrowed the in-law’s camper and went camping on the weekend. We’ve brought our dog and went hiking on the trails. To my knowledge, this was our first time coming to this park with our little boy. We thought it would be a good opportunity to have a nice picnic lunch and walk one of the trails.
It was an absolutely perfect weekend for going to the park. The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze blowing, and the temperature was probably right around 70 degrees. We brought a picnic lunch from home and ate before heading out on the trail. Our little boy and dog thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Our little boy’s eyes and ears were just taking in all the different sights and sounds of the park, and our dog was absolutely loving all the different smells of nature. Apparently quite a few others had the same idea, because we saw a ton of other people walking their dogs as well.
It’s amazing how things go in cycles. And I’m not just talking about the seasons, either. I know when I was a kid I really liked going to the park. My family went to parks all the time. We didn’t have much money, and going to the park was a frugal way of enjoying the day. We went to local parks and fed stale bread to the ducks and geese. We went to state parks and spent the day walking trails. But as I got older and into my teenage years, I thought the park was boring (probably just like a lot of other teenagers). Suddenly this fun place had nothing to do. Fast forward to an adult, and it’s come full circle. My wife and I really enjoy going to the park.
It’s fun, it doesn’t cost hardly anything, and it creates good memories.
14 comments
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Sean @ One Smart Dollar
October 3, 2012 at 9:24 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
$5 is good. For us to go up to Rocky Mountain National Park it’s either $20 for a weekend or $40 for a year pass.
Justin
October 4, 2012 at 8:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think when we went camping and actually stayed the night, it was closer to $20 which still isn’t too bad. $40 for a year pass sounds like a really good deal. I’ve heard in the past of these passes that are good for a whole bunch of different national parks, which would be a super good deal if you’re into that kind of thing.
Modest Money
October 3, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve really been enjoying going to the park lately too. I totally agree that it’s an awesome time of year for it. It is funny how most of us do go through the cycle where parks just don’t interest us for a while. Then eventually we get mature enough to enjoy them again.
Justin
October 4, 2012 at 9:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Parks are great. They’re one of the least expensive things you can go to, it’s good exercise to walk around, and the scenery is just great to look at.
Lance@MoneyLife&More
October 3, 2012 at 12:06 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The weather is even getting nice down here in Florida! I need to make it to the beach a couple more times before it gets too cool!
Justin
October 4, 2012 at 9:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ha, isn’t the weather always nice down there in Florida? You should definitely take advantage of those beach days while you still can, though.
Veronica @ Pelican on Money
October 3, 2012 at 12:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
There is something about a nice stroll in the park on a gloomy and chilly day, followed by a hot cup of coffee that makes me really happy. Oh no, I’m dreaming – because the weather never gets like that in CA. Sometimes I miss midwest parks to much, and no $5 is not a bad deal for an ENTIRE day’s (or afternoon) worth of fun.
Justin
October 4, 2012 at 9:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve been out to CA once, and the weather was absolutely wonderful. I think I could get used to the weather being great all the time, lol. Especially during our winters when I’m outside shoveling three feet of snow.
Veronica
October 5, 2012 at 12:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
When you live in a snow state you say “when the hell is it going to stop snowing?!” And when you move to a sun state you say “why the hell is it always sunny?!”
Tackling Our Debt
October 3, 2012 at 3:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love going to the park to check out all of the beautiful colours esp. if it is 70 degrees out. We woke up to snow on the ground this morning. Oh well…
Justin
October 4, 2012 at 9:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh no! That dreaded “S” word. I’m not ready for that yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time.
Holly@ClubThrifty
October 4, 2012 at 6:43 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love state parks…..especially in thefall. It is soooo beautiful out this time of year! I’m sure your little boy loved it. My kids would too.
Emily @ evolvingPF
October 6, 2012 at 4:51 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t take enough advantage of the parks in my city. There is a wonderful garden area right on my campus and I rarely even visit that! It certainly occurs to me to visit those types of places when we’re traveling but not when we’re at home.
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We seem to go in spurts. We’ll go a bunch of times, and then won’t go again for several months. As our little boy gets older, I’m sure we’ll go more and more.