4 Affordable Summer Activities Near Manchester, IA

Summer is the perfect time to explore the outdoors and scenery of Manchester, IA. Whether you are looking to spend time at the town’s parks, bike or hike along nature trails, or attend live music and games, this city has you covered. Here are affordable summer activities in the area that you and your family can enjoy without breaking the bank.

Backbone State Park

Only fifteen minutes from the heart of the town, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park and offers visitors with a wide variety of summer activities. Backbone is home to 21-miles of hiking and biking trails, rock climbing walls, and trout fishing. Entrance to the park is free, but rental equipment for any activities is provided if needed.

Delaware County Fair

The Delaware County Fair is the place to be in mid-July and is well-known for its live music and friendly competition between visitors. The fair hosts a salsa-making contest, beer and wine contest, cutest baby contest, cornhole tournament, and a wide range of more fun activities, for both adults and children.

This year, the fair will be held from July 8th – July 14th. The fair uses a “Pay-One-Price” system, so after paying the $15 fee at the door, everything inside the fair is completely free. The fair is held at 200 East Acers Street.

Local Biking Trails

The beautiful summer weather of Iowa coupled with the town’s beautiful scenery and trails makes a day of summer biking hard to resist. The Riverfront Trail runs along the rapids of the Maquoketa River and through the cornfields of the city’s east. The bike trail is wide and runs along the side of the town’s road for the better part of the city. The town’s Nature Center is a great starting point, and from there signs and trail markers will lead you for as long as you are willing to ride.

Whitewater Park

Whitewater Park is a free, public park where visitors can swim, raft, and kayak through the slow rapids of the Maquoketa River. For those interested in a thrill, the rapids include six 18-inch drops that occur over 800-feet of water. If you have a tube, bring it, but rental equipment is available around the park, too. For those interested in a relaxing day in the water, there are sections of the water without rapids, offering visitors the option to lay back and enjoy the summer weather.

The town and its surrounding areas offer a variety of cheap, fun summer activities for people of all ages. Visit Bob Stephen Motors in Manchester, IA to find the perfect vehicle for you and your family’s next adventure.

Image via Chevrolet

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