8 Summer Hikes to Help You Cool Off

Rockport State Park
If you’re up for a bit more of a drive, consider this quiet park on Highway 20 near Rockport.  Huge old-growth trees cast a deep shade, and creeks run melodically next to some of the trails.  The West Loop Interpretive Trail (approximately 1.5 miles long) is hard-packed gravel and is suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.  Kids will marvel at the moss and lichen, and interpretive signs will help them learn about this unique ecosystem.  If you’re up for more adventure, follow the Evergreen Trail counterclockwise from the parking lot, around to the Broken Fir, and up into the wildest section of the park.  This park is a treat to visit all year round, refreshing in any season.  Find trail maps and directions on the Rockport State Park website.