Hiking in the summer can be a fun weekend activity for the family, but hitting the trails in hot temperatures also comes with its dangers.

“Kind of on any hike in the summer, small or long, whether you're going to a peak or not, you really should be having at least two liters of water for any of these trips," said New York Forest Ranger Seamus Peterson. "Dehydration is very real. Heat exhaustion is very real. And we have a number of rescues every year that are ... because of that."

Peterson's tips for staying safe include researching your route, carrying a water filter and wearing loose-fitting clothing.

"[You should be] bringing electrolytes — stuff that you're going to mix in your water that's going to help those salts that you're getting rid of as you're sweating — and also checking the weather," Peterson said.

In addition to the hot temperatures, Peterson says there can be a lot of flash flooding in the summer months. The Department of Environmental Conservation says there have been around eight heat-related rescues throughout the state since mid-May.

Even if you’re not hiking a high peak, Peterson says to still be cautious, especially with children.

“So on these summer hikes, we're not only concerned about your safety, [but] also the safety of your children and animals," he said. "They can be reacting to the heat a lot different from you, and they have less control of their water consumption than you do. So we want to make sure that all these kids are staying hydrated."

He stressed that if it’s too much to handle, don't be afraid to go back another time.