With average temperatures well into the 90’s during summer, staying cool becomes a priority. There is lots of fun to be had in the summer, but breaking the bank isn’t part of it. Here are a few local places that offer an escape from the heat and that are kind to your wallet.

The South Ogden Nature Park offers plenty to do with two playgrounds, a pavilion and a splash pad. The park also hosts large, grassy areas and an extensive trail system that covers more than 50 acres, all of which is available to use free of charge.

The nature park is open year round from 6 a.m. to dusk. The splash pad opens Memorial Day in May and is open through Labor Day in September. Splash pad hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Restrooms are provided for your convenience.

The pavilion offers shaded seating and is a great space to rent for parties or special occasions. South Ogden residents can rent the pavilion for $75 while non-residents can rent the pavilion for $100. Both residents and non-residents are able to get the $25 cleaning refund.

Riverdale City also has a splash pad available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours of operation are usually 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the exception of Wednesdays when the park is closed until noon for routine maintenance. The Riverdale Park Splash Pad is also available to the public for free.

The Riverdale splash pad is located at 4300 South Parker Drive. City officials would like to remind park attendees that if the parking lots are full please use the Community Center parking lot.

For the northern Ogden area, the North Shore Aquatic Center located at 2480 N 200 E is an outdoor water oasis. For the young and young at heart, North Shore offers the fast paced fun of a water park, waterslide and pool, complete with diving board. However, you can slow it down a bit and relax on their lazy river or in the shade of their pavilion.

With admission at $6 and discounts for groups, the North Shore Aquatic Center is a top contender for the coolest summer hang out.

Don’t worry, those in Davis county, we haven’t forgotten about you. The Clearfield Aquatic Center located at 825 South State Street in Clearfield provides a complete withdrawal from the summer sun and heat with their indoor facility.

This indoor facility is also home to a water park, water slide, pool and lazy river. A hot tub is also available to use. Youth admission is $3 and adult admission is $5.50, making this an affordable summer retreat.

Layton City Surf N’ Swim is another refreshing gem found in Davis County. The Surf N’ Swim is open all year long with a giant “bubble” that they cover the facility with during colder months.

Surf N’ Swim is another reasonably priced destination with admission during fall, spring, and winter at $3.50, with summer admission at $4.50.

Another unique characteristic of the Surf N’ Swim is that their pool artificially generates large waves. For an additional charge, they also provide inner tubes and racquetball.

Now for those more athletically inclined, Flowrider in downtown Ogden offers the perfect aqua experience.

Whether you are an apprehensive beginner trying to maneuver and cut through the waves for the first time or an experienced surfer with all the right moves, Flowrider provides indoor surfing opportunities with continuous flowing sheets of water.

This wave-tastic outing comes with a heftier price tag of $20 per hour. Flowrider is open Monday through Thursday, Saturday noon to 9 p.m., Friday noon to 11 p.m. and closed Sundays.

Now on those scorching hot days when the sun is beating down on you and you are dripping with sweat, you can grab your swimming gear and a towel and head on out to these places in the valley to keep your cool.