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The Best Outdoor Date Ideas: Summer Edition, Top 10
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Updated: April 14, 2024
If your dates are getting a little stale, move them outdoors! Outdoor dates are my favorite. If you are looking for some outdoor date ideas to try this summer, check out this list (for the country girl who loves nature). The Best Outdoor Date Ideas: Summer Edition, Top 10…
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Table of Contents
Outdoor Date Ideas #1: Go for a Hike
A strong go-to date I love…HIKING!. Yes, summer is hot. But you can still hike! Go for an early morning hike or find a trail with plenty of tree coverage for some shade. Or find a trail that crosses water for a mid-hike swim.
Hiking Boots
Columbia Women’s Facet 75 Mid Outdry Hiking Shoe
Outdoor Date Ideas #2: Chase Waterfalls
This date is a fun and adventurous one… CHASE WATERFALLS! Search online, find FB groups, or purchase a book with waterfalls in your area. Pick a waterfall or 2, and take off on your adventure.
This one is a combination of navigation, scenery, and maybe a little hiking depending on the location of the waterfall you choose. I have never been disappointed by a waterfall! We use the book “Arkansas Waterfalls” to find our destinations.
Outdoor Date Ideas #3: Sunset Kayaking
Sunset kayaking is best done on a small, calm lake (or pond). Check the sunset time, pack snacks and drinks if you want, and then kick back in the middle of the lake to watch the sunset. The most beautiful sky colors happen right after sunset (“the blue hour”).
Outdoor Date Ideas #4: Creek Date
(Did I lose you with that one?) Hear me out, find a creek bed, set up chairs, or throw down a blanket, and just chill for a while on a CREEK DATE.
You can pack a picnic for an outdoor meal, skip rocks, explore the shoreline for cool things, wade in the creek, or swim. Just relaxing in nature can be a great way to connect.
Outdoor Date Ideas #5: Dirt Roading
A popular pastime in my area… DIRT ROADING. Pick a dirt road and take off driving! You never know what you will come across in NWA: scenery, animals, etc. Turn the music up, roll the windows down, and take in some nature.
Bonus points are awarded if you have a Jeep and can throw on a ball cap and take the Jeep top off. Just avoid the super dusty roads when rain levels have been very low or you will get dusted out.
Outdoor Date Ideas #6: Fishing
Who doesn’t love a good FISHING date? Whether in a boat on a lake or on the banks of a small, quiet pond, this is a great date.
Pack a lunch, and drinks, and bring a blanket to sit on the shores for some relaxing fishing.
Outdoor Date Ideas #7: Local Live Music
If you prefer to stay outside, but not get dirty, hit up some LOCAL LIVE MUSIC. If you do a little searching, you can probably find an establishment close by that will have free live outdoor music by local artists for a relaxing evening.
Outdoor Date Ideas #8: Floating
FLOATING captures all activities moving down a running river- kayak, canoe, tubes. Find something that floats, and take off!
This one requires a little more planning and help from others for drop off and/or pick up.
Just be sure to research your route so you know how long the trip will take, and pack sunscreen! Get ideas for planning your Kayaking Adventure.
Float the Illinois in Arkansas
What to expect on this beautiful adventure.
Float the Illinois in Oklahoma
Outdoor Date Idea #9: Watch A Sunrise
For the early risers, WATCH A SUNRISE. The best spots include wide open views (fields), overlooks, or any water source (pond, creek, lake, waterfall).
The world is so beautiful immediately before and after sunrise when all is quiet except for the wildlife. I highly recommend this one. Our favorite is being on a kayak and roaming around the lake as the sun rises.
Outdoor Date Idea #10: Caving
CAVING is the perfect summer date because although it may be hot outside, inside a cave will be cool.
It gives you the outdoor experience during the summer, without getting overheated. Check out Cave Ideas before you go!
1000 Hours Outside Challenge
Read about the challenge and download your free tracker!
Final Thoughts on Outdoor Dates
Whichever option you choose, be sure to properly prepare for the day or night out.
Exploring nature is an incredible way to connect with anyone- whether on a date with a love interest, with a spouse, or with your children.
We have always found our “happy place” to be doing anything outdoors together.
Happiness guide
“A Happier You”
Your guide to the 3 keys to happiness. (plus a challenge and tracker!)
These are all great summer date ideas for a little variety this year. I am especially interested in my husband and I learning to kayak! Thanks for the suggestions.
These are great ideas! My husband and I love the outdoors.
These are all such amazing ideas! Sometimes the simplest plans are the best! You can’t go wrong with a waterfall or a sunrise or sunset! Just being by the water can be so peaceful!
Agreed. A waterfall or sunrise or sunset. Can’t go wrong if one of those are a part of any activity!
My husband and I love to be outdoors together and your list is packed with some great ideas. Thanks for sharing and love the snap photos.
Need to have my hubby reads this, he’s a homebody and he needs ideas for our dates!
Yes he does need to read it! Some of these are so simple, and yet the date can be so meaningful.
My husband needs to read this one
I love all of these ideas! My favorite is hiking and kayaking. I appreciate all of the suggestions especially since it’s summer. I put together 100 ideas for a summer bucket list and would love for folks to check out these additional ideas to add to their dates and activities to do with family, friends and kids! https://pantearahimian.com/100-ideas-for-your-ultimate-summer-bucket-list/
Thanks for sharing your list! I always love more ideas for activities.
I love all these ideas. Unfortunately, my date is not outdoorsy but I think I could swing numbers 4, 7 and 9. LOL. A date involving a picnic, live music and watching sunrise (or sunset) would make me happy! 🙂
Awwww. Maybe ease him into it with a sunset view from the car, or from the tailgate of a truck (with music + snacks of course!). That doesn’t require too much “outdoorsy” time.
Love these ideas! I love the nature and outdoors, so I’m digging these all. Putting them on my list.
I like these ideas. My husband and I go out on walks but I would definitely love to go see a waterfall. This was amazing!
Love these ideas for outdoor dates. Watching the sunset would be a great experience I think. Thanks for sharing!
These are so much fun. I love spending time outdoors, especially with my husband!
Great outdoor ideas!! My husband and I love nature. Thanks for sharing.
I love a good waterfall! I’ve thought about going fly fishing for awhile now. Thanks for the reminder to get on that.
These all look like fun date ideas. Sadly I don’t think I’d be able to get my husband to do, but one of these ideas. But they certainly would lead to memories.