Budgets are tight this year, cutting into summer travel plans. And for the 26 million Americans spending this summer unemployed or underemployed, there's more time than money. What to do? The old staycation idea seems good, but how do you create a staycation that is actually enjoyable?

The first important step is to set aside time specifically for your staycation. Whether it's two weeks or a weekend, put yourself in an "away" mindset, and avoid calls, emails, chores or any other activity that typifies your everyday. The next critical step is to find some fun things to do. That's where this article can help. We've identified some solid tools for finding memorable outdoor experiences in your area.

Think Big

As a federal taxpayer, you own some extraordinary land, so consider a visit if you live near a national park, national forest, national landscape, national heritage area, national wildlife refuge or a national wild and scenic river. And you've done a good job over the years as a state taxpayer, too, preserving some extraordinary state parks, so don't forget to check with your state's wildlife conservation, parks and historic preservation departments for ideas. Of course, your local tax dollars have helped counties, cities and towns preserve some significant parcels, so don't forget them, either.

See the most visited national parks (and the least)

Several organizations have launched ambitious attempts to catalog nature destinations around the country, and they are tremendously useful for identifying new parks to explore. That said, my endorsements of the tools below come with a caveat. I've compared local searches against my knowledge of New York's Hudson Valley, and found all of the databases lacking. These tools are useful, particularly for those who have taken relatively few nature excursions, but they may leave experienced hikers disappointed. Just be aware that there are many gems missing from these lists.

1. NatureFind, the National Wildlife Federation's map-based tool, includes a wealth of data to help you search for places or events by nearly 40 criteria, from arboretum to zoo. That makes this tool a great starting point for finding a suitable experience for you and your family; contact information and driving directions are provided so you can explore more deeply on your own. Helpfully, it includes not only many national and state parks, but also Audubon Centers and many Nature Conservancy preserves. (But not all: Where's Stissing Mountain?) That said, I found it misses parks preserved by some private land trusts, which in the Hudson Valley means missing extraordinary destinations like the Mohonk Preserve's 70-miles of trails on the Shawangunk Ridge, and Scenic Hudson's network of more than 50 parks and preserves along the Hudson River. And the Catskill Mountains, a world-renowned haven for hikers, birdwatchers, fishers and other nature lovers, wasn't even on the map!

2. LocalHikes.com, provides solid information about specific trails so you can plan for a day outdoors. Whereas you'll find out that The Nature Conservancy operates the Sam's Point Preserve on the Shawangunk Ridge from NatureFind, LocalHikes.com will detail a moderate 10-mile loop featuring a stunning waterfall, dramatic white cliffs, blueberry bushes ripe for the picking and ice caves that stay cool even through the dog days of summer. The site allows you to search by a small set of criteria, including difficulty, so you can find a suitable hike for yourself or your family. LocalHikes.com isn't comprehensive, but it has a great level of detail about some extraordinary hikes selected by a network of "reporters" who seem to know what they are talking about. (If you find yourself scoffing at the choices, then you can become a reporter yourself, and help others discover the hikes you love – a theme that recurs in this article.)

3. Trails.com is a similar, more glossy, tool that allows you to browse and sort a good number of hiking, biking and kayaking trails. Unfortunately, you have to pay for the slick presentation and database of hikes. While I found its level of detail impressive in some areas, it still misses some stand-out hikes (Esopus Meadows Preserve, Vanderbilt Mansion and all of Minnewaska State Park, for instance) that should be included, particularly if you're paying $50 a year for the service (there is a free 14-day trial, but you can't enjoy it without first divulging your credit card info). Even without registering or paying a dime, though, you can access the site's interactive map, which could easily turn you on to a new trail.

4. The Nature Conservancy has hundreds of preserves in the U.S. and around the world, many of them offering unparalleled nature experiences (they pride themselves on protecting the "World's Last Great Places"). Of course, you won't find parks and preserves affiliated with any other group or government, but it's a valuable map, particularly since TNC properties don't all reliably show up with the search tools above.

5. The Sierra Club's new(ish) Trails site is a user-generated database of hikes and outdoor experiences. Unfortunately, it's still of little use to novice hikers because it has very few listings (15 for all of New York State, for instance). If you're an avid hiker, though, consider submitting your favorite hikes and outings so that others can benefit.

6. Land Trust Alliance has a database of local land trusts. You can search in your area to connect to land trusts that may have preserved parks nearby. The process is more convoluted here than on the other sites because the purpose of the Land Trust Alliance's interactive map is to identify land trusts, not parks or trails. You'll have to first identify a land trust, then link to get more information about its preserves. Without using this site, though, you won't find some parks and preserves that the tools above miss, like in my neck of the woods, the beautiful little Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, preserved by the Esopus Creek Conservancy.

From Traverse City, take U.S. 31 north to Eastport. Approximately 1 mile north of Eastport, turn left (west) on Old Dixie Hwy. Follow Old Dixie Hwy. for approximately 4 miles. Look for the Antrim City Cemetery on the east side of the road. Just north of the cemetery, turn left on Rex Beach Rd. (a narrow dirt road). Follow Rex Beach Rd. through the center of the Natural Area down to the beach.

No formal trail system exists.

From Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Eastport and turn right (east) on M-88. Follow M-88 to Central Lake and then turn east on 624. Continue on 624 approximately 5 miles. Less than .5 mile past Six Mile Lake Rd., turn left on Wilson Rd. (a dirt road). The preserve is at the end of Wilson Rd.

From Bellaire, head north on 620 for approximately five miles. Turn east on 624 (Old State Rd.) and go approximately 3-4 miles. Look for Wilson Rd. on your left and take a left onto it. The preserve is at the end of Wilson Rd.

Bauer Preserve features a large parking area and a loop trail, approximately 1 mile long, located to the right of the kiosk. To the left of the kiosk, Polaczyk Preserve features a ¼ mile, wood-chipped path, which leads to a viewing platform on the Dingman River.

From Traverse City, take Front St. west (which becomes North Long Lake Rd.). Follow North Long Lake Rd. around the north end of the lake to Edgewood Ave. (just past Gilbert Park Beach) and turn left. Go ¼ mile and the preserve is on your right.

A short trail system exists at this preserve.

From Traverse City head south on US 31. At 14th St. turn right (west) on Silver Lake Rd. Follow Silver Lake Rd. and turn right on Secor Rd. (follow the signs to Boones Long Lake Inn). Secor turns into S. Long Lake Rd. (and runs southwest along the lake). Continue around the lake about two miles. Turn right onto West Long Lake Rd., go approximately 1 mile, and watch for the preserve sign located on the right-hand side of the road.

No formal parking area or trails yet established.

Cosner Nature Preserve is located approximately 1-1 ½ hours from Traverse City and 20 minutes from the town of Charlevoix. To get there from Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Atwood. In Atwood, turn right (east) on C-48. Follow C-48, then C-65 to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take C-48 east to East Jordan. In East Jordan, take M-66 south for 3 miles. The preserve is located across from the Wagbo Peace Center (¼ mile south of the Antrim/Charlevoix county line). Look for a kiosk and large parking area on the east side of M-66.

This preserve has a .8 mile loop trail.

From Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Acme. Just north of Acme, turn left (west) on Shore Rd., then left on Deepwater Point Rd. The preserve is on the left-hand side, kitty corner from Bertha Vos Elementary School.

A short trail leads down to the water.

The preserve is located on the northernmost shore of the North Arm of Lake Bellaire. By boat: The closest public boat launch is the MDNR’s Noteware Landing. The launch site is located about 2 miles south of Bellaire. From M-88, turn west on North Lakes Rd. and follow it to the end, staying to the right.

By car: From Bellaire, take Bellaire Hwy. (620) 2 miles west. Look for the old two-track on your left and park here. You can also view the loon nest on the property from the MDNR access site, which forms the eastern boundary of the preserve.

The best way to view this preserve is by boat. It is located along the northernmost shore of Elk Lake just south of Kewadin, not far from the Milton Township Park boat launch. To get to Milton Township Park from the Elk Rapids, take a right on Cairn Hwy. (Ames Rd.), which will take you around the tip of Elk Lake to Kewadin. Cairn Hwy. then turns into Cherry Ave. The Milton Township Park is located off of Cherry Ave. in Kewadin.

This preserve is located at the northwestern tip of Skegemog Lake, just north of the Elk/Skegemog narrows and is best viewed by boat. The closest public launch sites are Whitewater Township Park on Elk Lake and the MDNR launch site on Lake Skegemog. To get to Whitewater Township Park from Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Acme. In Acme, turn right (east) on M-72. Take M-72 to Williamsburg and turn left on Elk Lake Rd. (605). Follow Elk Lake Rd. to Park Rd. and turn right. The park and boat launch are at the end of Park Rd. To get to the MDNR launch site, take M-72 east from Acme. Turn left on Baggs Rd. At the end of Baggs Rd. turn left on Lakeside Terrace.

This preserve is best viewed by boat. You cannot access it from the road without crossing private property. It is located along one of the last stretches of undeveloped shoreline on Elk Lake, south of Whitewater Township Park, where there is a public boat launch. To get to Whitewater Township Park from Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Acme. In Acme, turn right (east) on M-72. Take M-72 to Williamsburg and turn left on Elk Lake Rd. (605). Follow Elk Lake Rd. to Park Rd. and turn right. The park and boat launch are at the end of Park Rd.

From Traverse City, take US 31 north to Elk Rapids. At the stop light in Elk Rapids, turn left and then take an immediate right on N. Bay Shore Dr. The preserve is approximately 2 miles up on the left-hand side, where there is a sign and pull-off.

There is a very short trail from the parking area to the beach.

The Elisabeth Parr Nature Preserve is located just a few miles north of Frankfort. To get there from Traverse City, take US 31 south to Beulah/Benzonia. Just after the town of Beulah, turn right on M-115. Take M-115 to Frankfort but turn north on M-22. Off of M-22, turn left on Ness Rd. Follow Ness Rd. to the end and park at the dirt turnaround. The preserve starts at the last driveway.

This preserve contains a towering bluff overlooking the water and 400 feet of shoreline. The inland property contains a northern hardwood forest. There is a short trail from the turnaround to the bluff.

From Traverse City, take M-72 west to Coleman Rd. (669) and turn left (south). Follow 669 4 miles and turn right at the intersection of County Rd's 669 and 610. Immediately after the intersection, turn right again on Almira Rd. (610). Go approximately 2 miles and turn right on Rayle Rd., a small dirt road. Follow Rayle Rd. a little less than 1/2 mile to an iron gate. Park here and follow the old two-track down to the lake.

There is a rustic boat launch located further down Rayle Rd. on state property.

See directions to Bauer Preserve above.

Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve (140 acres):

Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve is located just 20 minutes from Traverse City. From Traverse City, follow Peninsula Dr. north approximately 10 miles. Just past Bowers Harbor Marina, turn left on Neahtawanta Rd. Follow Neahtawanta Rd. ½ mile to Pyatt Rd. Turn right on Pyatt Rd. The parking area is ¼ mile down Pyatt Rd. A bus turnaround is located just past the parking lot.

Visitors can a follow a loop trail, with numbered interpretive stops, around a portion of the 140-acre preserve and to 2 viewing platforms (one overlooking Pyatt Lake and one overlooking a Sedge marsh).

From Traverse City, take US 31 south to Beulah/Benzonia. Just after the town of Beulah, turn right on M-115. Take M-115 to Mollineaux Rd. and turn right. Railroad Point Natural Area is ½ mile down Mollineaux Rd. Look for a small dirt parking area on the right.

The trail at Railroad Point Natural Area consists of an old two track, which leads to the bluff.

Reffitt Nature Preserve is located adjacent to the TART trail, not far from the Traverse City State Park. From US 31 N. (Munson Ave.) in Traverse City, turn south on Three Mile Rd. Then turn right on Parsons Rd. (at the light) and park immediately on the left (next to the TART trail). The Reffitt Nature Preserve trail starts immediately south of the railroad tracks on the left (east) side of Three Mile Rd.

For handicap access:

From US 31 N. (Munson Ave.) in Traverse City, turn south on Four Mile Rd. The first road on the right is Pine Dr. Follow Pine Dr. approximately ¼ mile and you will see the preserve right ahead of you. There is a small parking area marked by a kiosk and gate. ¼ Mile of the trail is handicap accessible from this point.

There is a 1.7 mile loop trail and boardwalk around the preserve.

From Traverse City, take US 31 south toward Beulah. Just before Beulah, turn right (west) on Crystal Dr. (704), which follows the northern shore of Crystal Lake. Approximately 1 ½ miles along 704, turn right (northeast) on Nichols Rd. (before Warren Rd.). Go to the end of Nichols Rd. and park at the side of the road here. The Sagaser preserve spans approximately ¾ mile back up the north side of Nichols Rd. The gate at the end of Nichols Rd., marks private property and is the northernmost boundary of the preserve.

No trails exist at this preserve.

From Traverse City, take US 31 north to Acme. In Acme, take M-72 east to Hill Rd. and go left. Take Hill Rd. to Rapid City Rd. Turn left on Rapid City Rd. and continue to the town of Rapid City. In town, turn right on Valley Rd. Follow Valley Rd. approximately 3 miles. The parking area for the natural area is located on the left-hand side, ½ mile past Underhill Rd.

From Kalkaska, take M-72 west 1½ miles to Valley Rd. Turn right (north) on Valley Rd. and go approximately 7 miles. The parking is located on the right-hand side, 1½ miles north of Dundas Rd.

There are currently 2 undesignated pathways at this preserve. One leads the visitor through the bridges area to a meadow. The other leads to the top of Rickers Mountain on the west-side of Valley Rd.

SCL-SML Natural Area is an hour drive from Traverse City. To get there, take US 31 N. to Atwood. In Atwood, turn right (east) on C-48. Follow C-48, then C-65 to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take C-48 east approximately two miles to South Arm Township Park and a small parking area on the right (south) side of the road. There is a rustic boat launch on the river.

Visitors can follow a wood-chipped trail to a boardwalk that overlooks St. Clair Lake. This one mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline is also excellent for canoeing.

To get to the SLWA main entrance from Traverse City, take US 31 north to Acme. In Acme turn right on M-72. Take M-72 east approximately 8 miles to Hill Rd. and go left. Follow Hill Rd. to Rapid City Rd. Turn left on Rapid City Rd., go 2.3 miles, and look for the sign and parking area on the left-hand side.

You may also visit SLWA by boat. To get to the closest public launch site, take M-72 east from Acme. Turn left on Baggs Rd. At the end of Baggs Rd. turn left on Lakeside Terrace.

Approximately 4 miles of trails exist at this preserve.

With 750 feet of frontage on the southeast shore of Elk Lake, this preserve was established to protect the water quality and shoreline of the lake. No trails or improvements are planned for this ecologically sensitive area. This preserve is accessible by boat only. Whitewater Township Park is the closest public boat launch to the preserve. To get to Whitewater Township Park from Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Acme. In Acme, turn right (east) on M-72. Take M-72 to Williamsburg and turn left on Elk Lake Rd. (605). Follow Elk Lake Rd. to Park Rd. and turn right. The park and boat launch are at the end of Park Rd.

South Island is, obviously, accessible by boat only. Crescent Shores is the closest public boat launch to the island. To get there from Traverse City, take Front St. west (which becomes North Long Lake Rd.). Follow North Long Lake Rd. around the north end of the lake past Gilbert Park beach. Keep going straight on N. Long Lake Rd., which will turn into W. Long Lake Rd. (do not turn right to go to Lake Ann). Follow W. Long Lake Rd. and turn left on Crescent Shores Rd. South Island is located southeast of the boat launch.

Getting to South Island by canoe takes approximately 1 hour. A self-guided nature walk can be followed in a loop trail, which is less than a mile long.

Trapp Farm Preserve is located just a short distance from downtown Beulah. To reach the main entrance from Traverse City, take US 31 S. approximately 32 miles to Beulah. Just past the Cherry Hut, turn left on Narrow Gauge Rd. Follow the road less than ¼ mile and look for the parking lot on the left. To get to the east entrance, turn left off of US 31 S. onto Eldridge Rd as you are heading down the hill into Beulah. ¼ Mile down Eldridge Rd. there is an access to the preserve on the right.

There is a boardwalk and trail that runs between the main entrance and the east entrance.

From Traverse City, take US 31 N. 10 ½ miles north of Elk Rapids turn left (west) on Traverse Bay Rd. (the dirt road directly across from Torch Crest Village.) The preserve is located at the end of the road, on the right.

No formal trails or parking exist at this preserve.

Upper Herring Lake Preserver is approximately 5 miles south of the town of Elberta. To get there from Traverse City, take US 31 S. to Beulah/Benzonia. Just south of Benzonia, turn right (west) on Grace Rd. (606). Follow Grace Rd. until you hit M-22. Turn south on M-22 and continue for a few miles. About one mile past Herron Rd., you will see the sign for the preserve on your left (next to an old schoolhouse). Please park just off of M-22 near the preserve sign.

There is a long two-track trail to a boardwalk. The boardwalk goes through a marsh to several ponds.

Remember when visiting us, please LEAVE NO TRACE!