Ogden Utah Sits Minutes From Trails That Park City Charges Twice As Much For

If the summer heat has you dreaming of cooler temperatures but your vacation budget is sending you dirty looks, Cheapism has a few suggestions. The website recently released its list of America's best budget-friendly mountain towns for a summer escape, highlighting places where visitors can enjoy fresh air, scenic views and outdoor recreation without paying luxury resort prices.

Utah earned a spot on the list with Ogden.

Ogden...

Bo Benko via Unsplash

Now, let's address the elephant standing at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Is Ogden really a mountain town? That's a little like calling Cedar City a national park because you can drive to several of them before lunch. Ogden certainly has mountains—beautiful ones, in fact. They're close enough that you can be hiking within minutes. But the city itself? Well, let's just say reasonable people can debate the geography over a plate of fries. With fry sauce, of course.

OK, So It May Not Be In The Mountains, But....

Cheapism's point, however, is a good one. Compared to nearby Park City, where a weekend getaway can cost about the same as replacing your roof, Ogden offers much of the same outdoor experience at a far friendlier price. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and countless trails are all within easy reach, while hotels and restaurants generally won't require a call to your financial advisor.

The list also includes Boone, North Carolina; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Flagstaff, Arizona; Missoula, Montana; Rapid City, South Dakota (another town I'm not sure is really a mountain town); Bend, Oregon; Lake Placid, New York; Asheville, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Roanoke, Virginia; and Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Vidar Mathisen via Unsplash

The article serves as a reminder that some of the best summer vacations don't require valet parking, overpriced souvenir shops or coffee that costs more than your first car payment. Sometimes all you really need is a cool mountain breeze, a hiking trail and enough money left over to buy dinner on the way home.

Read More: Utah Rocks For Outdoor Fun

And if you're still not convinced Ogden qualifies as a mountain town, that's okay. The mountains probably aren't losing any sleep over it.