With summer creeping to close, every weekend becomes more crucial—which is reason enough to boogie to folk music in Colorado, climb mountains in British Columbia, stuff yourself at a chicken cook-off in Arkansas, or take full advantage of a free weekend at America’s national parks.

By Steven Kurtz and Nate Storey

19th Annual Folks Festival, August 14-16
Lyons, Colorado

If the combination of camping in a beautiful small town and an excellent line-up of folk musicians is your thing, check out the 19^th Annual Folks Festival in Lyons, Colorado. This small town paradise—population 1,585—will play host to the three-day fest that features a stellar lineup including Rufus Wainwright, Don McLean, Gillian Welch, M. Ward and Susan Tedeschi. Relax and enjoy the scenery with the music, or participate in one of the songwriting workshops happening all weekend. When you need a break, explore the town of Lyons, which offers outdoor activities from hiking any number of trails to tubing down the St. Vrain River. As an added bonus, make the 40-minute drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, and like President Obama and the first family, take advantage of the US Park Service’s free weekend, where all national parks are free on Saturday and Sunday this weekend only. There are several ticket options available for the Folk Festival, with on-site camping included in some packages. Patrons must buy camping tickets in order to camp on site at the festival.

Travel and Accommodation
Lyons is less than an hour drive north of Denver. Camping on-site is included in some ticket packages, and camping is also available at the nearby Meadow Park Campground for $50 per person. There are several hotels to choose from in nearby Longmont and Boulder.

Squamish Mountain Festival, August 12-16
Squamish, British Columbia

For an all-encompassing festival in the great outdoors get to British Columbia this weekend for The Squamish Mountain Festival. A wide-variety of thrills are on the lineup including the Steep Shot ($15), a popular event in which five photographers showcase slides of climbs and destinations from last year’s travels. Along with climbing clinics, speakers, and films, don’t forgo the opportunity to get out on the trail and compete in the Smoke Bluff Scramble, a 5k race on a sinuous path that finishes up at Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company for a happy hour full of “Bailout Bitter,” the brewer’s solution to fighting the recession. Come clad in white trash or superhero attire on Saturday night for the Festival Finale Party and after a few climbs on Sunday, give yourself a proper send-off at the farewell BBQ.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Vancouver and make the hour-and-a-half trip to Squamish. Stay in the Waterfront Suite, which has boundless views of the mountains and river at the Squamish Inn on the Water (rates start at $80 a night). The Inn on the Water is steps away from the weekend events.

Rhythm and Roots Festival, August 14-15
Monticello, Arkansas

If what you need this weekend is some old fashion southern barbeque, then the Rhythm and Roots Festival in Monticello, Arkansas should be your target. The self-proclaimed World’s Greatest Chicken Cook-off goes down Friday with the winner pocketing $1,000. But the real winner is you, as five bucks will land you a full dose of the competitors’ final submissions. On Saturday join up with 5k run or fishing derby in the early morning or stick around for the antique car show and live music. When you’ve had your fix at the festival, head over to Hot Springs National Park, dubbed “America’s Spa,” to take advantage of the free access this weekend. Relax in one of the 47 natural springs or if you’d rather be active, trek through the thick pine forest on the mile-and-a-half David Chief trail.

Travel and Accommodation
The closest major airport to Monticello is Memphis, Tennessee, a couple hours away. The Holiday Inn Express in Monticello has rooms starting at $89 a night. It you plan on staying a night or two in Hot Springs, crash at The Park Hotel, starting at $63 a night.