This Father’s Day weekend, take your pick between an adventure challenge in Colorado, a surf festival in Malibu, River Rafting in Maryland, or the unspoiled beauty of our National Parks—minus the entrance fees.
By Matt Skenazy, Nate Storey, and Karin Krisher
Fee Free Weekends at Your National Parks, June 20 & 21
All Over, USA
To boost tourism, the National Park Service is waiving all the entrance fees at over 140 parks this weekend. And to sweeten the deal even further, many park partners—from tour operators to restaurants—are joining in with their own special offers and discounts. This offer comes just in time for Father’s Day, so grab the family and head outdoors.Find a list of all the parks with waived fees here. Find a list of other special offers here.
Purgatory Challenge Adventure Xtreme Series, June 19-21
Durango, CO
We all know that variety is the spice of life, and this weekend, the Purgatory Challenge Adventure Xtreme Series in Durango, CO, promises plenty of variety to keep the summer hot. Hit the mountain trails on foot or by bike in the ultra running and cycling races, or take to the valley and cool off in your kayak on the Animas river in a 14-20 mile paddle. In any event you choose, you’ll get some killer views of the surrounding San Juan mountains to keep you company. If you feel like going all out and earning the title of Purgatory Challenger, race in all three events and stretch your endurance to the limit. Hefty cash prizes will be handed out to the top three male and female athletes in each event, as well as to the overall champion, the mountain marathon machine who finishes all three with the best combined time. Registration for the races ranges from $55 for kayaking to $250 for the Challenger, and ends at 8 p.m. on June 18.
Travel and Accommodations:
Catch a flight into Durango La Plata Airport, only 11 miles southeast of Durango. Racers get a 20 percent discount on lodging at Durango Mountain Resort just by mentioning they’re with the event. Call 800-982-6103 for reservations, or scout out a local camping area for your stay, like quiet Haviland Lake in the San Juan National Forest area.
Malibu Surf and Sports Festival, June 20
Malibu, California
The Malibu Surf and Sports Festival begins this weekend under a warm Southern California sun at iconic Zuma Beach in Malibu. A diverse lineup of races and events kicks off Saturday morning with the Zuma 1/2-mile swim amid 3 1/2-foot swells ($20, register here). Once you’re good and warmed up, jump in with the paddleboard crowd and gauge where you stack up in the 8 1/2-mile Tom Zahn Memorial Waterman’s Race, concluding on a strip of beach below the Beachcomber Restaurant. Assuming you don’t drift away in the vast Pacific, free food and drinks will quell your après-race hunger ($30, register here). If you still haven’t gotten your ocean fix, round up a squad for the Surfboard Water Polo tournament ($40, register here) or kick it on land with some beach volleyball or bike racing. Make it a point to be in attendance for the Malibu Surf and Sport Hookilau Party on the Malibu Pier as the sun begins to set for the perfect ending to an epic beach day.
Travel and Accommodations:
Fly in to Los Angeles and make your way to the Pacific Coast Highway for a short, ocean-front ride up to Malibu. If you’re looking to shack up near the beach without dropping too much coin, The Surfriders Beach Club is close to Zuma and has rooms starting at $119.
Rafting the Upper Youghiogheny River, June 19 & 20
Friendsville, Maryland
If your up for something a little more adventurous than your typical weekend, head to the Upper Yough for some of the best river rafting of the year, thanks to damn releases this Friday and Saturday. This class V river descends over 1000 feet within seven miles of a ten mile run and with rapid names like Meatcleaver and Little Niagra, this is one for the adventurous soul. If you go with River Riders it’s $135 for 3.5 hours on the river.
Travel and Accommodations:
Fly into D.C. and it’s a 3 hour drive. Stay at Mountain Creek Cabins, rooms start at $159.
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