23 Must-Visit American Cities for Outdoor Adventure Travel

April 22, 2016
by RootsRated
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San Francisco sightseeing at the Golden Gate Bridge - Jake Wheeler

So much to do, so little time. From the rolling mountains of the Southeast, to the jagged peaks of the West, to the river canyons, waterfalls, and old-growth forests of the Pacific Coast, the Continental United States is home to a lifetime’s worth of places to visit and things to do.

RootsRated works with outdoor and adventure travel experts across the United States, and to produce this piece, we’ve polled our network to showcase their suggestions for the best adventure travel experiences in their towns and cities.

So, without further ado, here’s our breakdown of 23 American cities that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Some are small; some are huge; some are obvious choices, others are towns you’ve possibly never heard of. All are incredible for the modern day adventure traveler.

Editor’s note: Every image within this post links to a more in-depth, insider’s guide about the best places to go outdoors within that city. 

1. Asheville | North Carolina

Backpacking along the Art Loeb Trail Jeff Bartlett

If there’s one mountain town in the Southeast that needs very little introduction, it’s Asheville, NC. Well-known for being a creative hub for art and music, a craft-beer mecca, and a gateway to endless Appalachian adventure, Asheville is a place that’s practically overflowing with all the right ingredients for a world-class outdoor town. Thousands of trail miles crisscross the surrounding mountains, and a vast network of waterways run through and around the town, making Asheville a dream destination for any outdoor enthusiast.

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2. Portland | Oregon

Trail running high above the Columbia River Gorge Jake Wheeler

Situated in the Willamette River Valley, at the base of towering volcanic mountains and sprawling evergreen forests, Portland is a Pacific Northwest city that’s well-known for being an adventure paradise. Within city limits, the most impressive natural area to visit is Forest Park—home to 5,000 acres of green space filled with classic moss-covered Oregon forest. Just outside of Portland, the 11,250-foot Mount Hood is an accessible peak for aspiring mountaineers, with endless amounts of trails and world-class ski areas. And closer to the city, the Columbia River Gorge has a seemingly endless amount of hiking and biking trails, plus some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the country.

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3. Hilton Head | South Carolina

Coastal paddling near Hilton Head’s Daufuskie Island Jake Wheeler

In the heart of the Lowcountry, with beaches and surf breaks that beg you to stay outside from sunup to sundown and an enticing local history, Hilton Head might be one of the Southeast’s most inviting coastal destinations. Whether trail running through live oak forests, or kayaking next to dolphins, or going for sunset bike rides on the beach, Hilton Head offers up all sorts of irresistible Lowcountry adventure. And the nightlife is equally lively, as you can have your pick of the litter between classy wine bars, underground sub shops, or some of the best oysters and seafood in the country.

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4. Cody | Wyoming

Cruising through East Yellowstone Jake Wheeler

Situated on the eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park and the western edge of the Bighorn Basin, Cody is a cowboy town that serves as the ultimate gateway to Wyoming adventure. It’s the type of town where you can summit towering peaks in one of the four surrounding mountain ranges, whitewater paddle down the Shoshone River, or venture off to Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, and then make it back in time to catch a local rodeo in the evening.

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5. Aspen | Colorado

The Maroon Bells in all their glory John Fowler

Aspen is at the heart of the best the Rocky Mountains have to offer. No matter what season you find yourself in Aspen, there’s always great food, a laid-back vibe, and all the adventure you can handle. Its unique location in the Elk Range Mountains offers incredible access to year round adventures. In the winter, you can choose between three different ski mountains—Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, and Aspen Highlands—and there’s nothing quite like turning down a slope that ends directly at the shops and hotels of downtown Aspen. In the warmer months, a visit to the Maroon Bells is an absolute must, as these twin summits offer one of the most breathtaking views in all of Colorado.

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6. Bellingham | Washington

Bombing down Bellingham’s infamous Mt. Galbraith Courtney Nash

Mount Baker, the snow-covered volcano ripe for winter sports and summer hiking, provides a regal backdrop to Bellingham, WA, and the town’s famous Ski to Sea race is a rigorous trek from the slopes of Mount Baker to the waters of Bellingham Bay. Bellingham’s extensive trail networks offer year-round biking, hiking, and trail running, and the town’s lakes and coastal waterways make it a perfect place for kayakers and SUP enthusiasts. The microbrewery scene is on the rise as well, so there’s no shortage of places to grab a locally-brewed, post-adventure pint. 

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7. Telluride | Colorado

Taking on the legendary Via Ferrata in Telluride Brian Bates

It’s almost as if the San Juans surrounding Telluride were handcrafted by a mountain biking, ultrarunning, olympic-skiing, adventure-loving demigod, and then carefully placed into the most gorgeous box canyon in the world. Telluride is undoubtedly one of the strongest contenders for best all around mountain town.

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8. Portland | Maine

Time to get crackin’ at Portland Lobster Company Jake Wheeler

A city by the bay, within touching distance of Acadia National Park as well as Baxter State Park and its most famous peak, Mt. Katahdin, Portland is Maine’s largest and most-visited city. The Old Port district is home to cobblestone streets, 19th Century buildings, and New England-style fishing piers that are frequented by seagulls, seals, and hungry tourists who sit at dockside restaurants and listen to live music while indulging in some of the finest lobster rolls in the country.

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9. Boise | Idaho

The sun rises near Boise’s Bogus Basin Charles Knowles

Situated on the edge of the mountains and high desert, Boise offers a network of roughly 130 miles of trails at the edge of its city limits, as well as one of Southwest Idaho’s best canoeing rivers, the Boise River—which cuts right through downtown. The city is situated in a valley roughly an hour away from three whitewater rivers, hundreds of miles of high-desert trails in the Owyhee Canyonlands, and trailheads on the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness.

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10. Santa Barbara | California

Casual evening surf sessions in Santa Barbara Diesel Demon

Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is the northernmost gate of the Southern California Kingdom. Blessed with a year-round, Mediterranean climate and topography that allows for surf sessions and mountainside hot spring soaks in the same day, the greater Santa Barbara region is a certifiable Garden of Eden for folks who love to get their kicks in the great outdoors. A bounty of outdoor opportunities, coupled with a culture that prioritizes working to live rather than living to work, has helped turn Santa Barbara into a year-round hub for outdoor adventure travelers.

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11. Seattle | Washington

Seattle from Kerry Park shortly before sunset Jonathan Miske

Encased by forests, mountains, and sea, there are few major cities in America that have it as good as Seattle when it comes to outdoor adventure. Whether it’s paddling in the Puget Sound, or traipsing to the top of evergreen-strewn peaks in the Cascades, or even making the short two-hour journey to America’s fifth most visited national park, there’s much to experience in this Pacific Northwest gem.

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12. Chattanooga | Tennessee

The view of Downtown Chattanooga from Lookout Mountain’s Point Park Ry Glover

As the only city to have won Outside Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” on two separate occasions, it’s safe to say that the secret is out about Chattanooga. In the summer, don’t miss putting-in to the Tennessee River from the downtown riverfront and SUPing to Maclellan Island, or hiking on Lookout Mountain to Sunset Rock and Point Park for beautiful vistas of the city. From the summit of Lookout, you’ll witness the undulating ridgelines of the Cumberland Plateau and Missionary Ridge, which constitute sections of the Appalachian chain’s southern terminus. For paddlers and climbers, the Tennessee River Gorge—also known as the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee—offers miles of gorge-lined flat water and sandstone cliff bands. In the evening, head to the Flying Squirrel Bar, and in the morning, don’t miss brunch at The Farmer’s Daughter.

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13. Jackson Hole | Wyoming

Enjoying a plate of Buffalo bolognese at Dornan’s Restaurant with the Tetons looming in the background. Jake Wheeler

Every season in Jackson Hole brings with it particular marvel. Winter brings skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and skinning into the Teton backcountry. In the spring, there’s road running and road biking in the National Elk Refuge, plus muddy trail sports and whitewater paddling. Teton summers are prime time for hiking, camping, and climbing, as well as flatwater paddling on the Snake River and at String Lake. And there are few images in the world more iconic than a Jackson Hole autumn with golden Aspens along Jenny Lake.

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14. San Francisco | California

San Francisco sightseeing at the Golden Gate Bridge Jake Wheeler

Take a simple stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge, embark on an overnight backpacking trip in the Marin Headlands, tackle the singletrack terrain where mountain biking was born, paddle through marine sanctuaries or through the challenging waters of the San Francisco Bay, and reward your efforts with a post-excursion pint of Northern California beer. No matter what appeals to your adventurous taste, you can find it in San Francisco.

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15. Moab | Utah

Arches National Park is even more stunning under a blanket of snow. NPS/Kait Thomas

Located in the red rock desert of Eastern Utah, on the back doorstep of two national parks—Arches and Canyonlands—Moab is an otherworldly destination town with staggering adventure opportunities. Mountain bikers know the name all too well, as it’s consistently ranked as one of the top towns for mountain biking in the world. In town, there’s a long list of outfitters and touring companies that can set you up with gear and local beta, and as the sun goes down over the desert, there are plenty of top-notch margarita and taco joints, including our favorite Miguel’s Baja Grill.

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16. Minneapolis | Minnesota

Summer cycling at its finest—Minneapolis consistently ranks as one of the top bicycle-friendly cities in the US Ry Glover

Outside Magazine published an article called The 16 Best Places to Live in the US: 2014, and Minneapolis made it to #3, based on the city’s “access to adventure, healthy eating options, bike lanes, and green space.” With more parks per square mile than in any other city, and with more than 70 miles of well-maintained trails, it’s no wonder that Minneapolis is garnering such well-deserved acclaim.

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17. Durango | Colorado

Taking the Durango Silverton Train straight to the trailhead Philms

Situated on the dry side of the San Juans, Durango is a much-loved hub for endless Southwestern Colorado adventure. With the Animas River snaking through and Animas Mountain rising high above, not to mention gigantic swaths of wilderness and towering mountain peaks within an hour’s drive of downtown, it would be a mistake to pass over Durango on a Colorado tour.

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18. Austin | Texas

Taking in the view of downtown Austin and Ladybird Lake Jake Wheeler

Although Austin isn’t on the sea or high in the mountains, its location in the Hill Country of Central Texas means that it’s home to a diverse and inviting mix of tree-covered limestone ridges, creek-filled valleys, ancient 500-year-old cypress groves, and underground springs that feed a multitude of watering holes and create a vast network of underground (and mostly undiscovered) caves. Such topography offers outdoor enthusiasts everything from premier mountain biking at Reveille Peak Ranch, to excellent hiking at Balcones Canyonlands, to limitless limestone climbing along the Barton Creek Greenbelt. 

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19. San Diego | California

Sunset body surfing in San Diego Jake Wheeler

Although there are many fine cities in America, there is only one city that bears the title, “America’s Finest City.” And it’s San Diego, California. San Diego is a city that has it all—from the best beaches in Southern California, to an amazing amount of wilderness diversity, where you can go from ocean, to foothills, to mountains, to desert, and back, all in time to enjoy fresh, authentic tacos and Mexican lagers back in the city center. Simply put, if you like constant sunshine, gorgeous beaches and bluffs, super-model-esque people, and a never-sleeps kind of energy that pulses throughout the city, you’ll love San Diego.

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20. Salt Lake City | Utah

Shredding at Solitude Mountain Resort Thomas Bracken

For decades, whisperings of beer scarcity kept the outdoorsy masses away from Utah. But in recent years, skiers, climbers, runners, cyclists, and paddlers are all flocking to Salt Lake City as they discover its an enticing blend of proper city and rugged mountain town. You can mountain bike in the morning, ski in the afternoon, catch an evening symphony, and of course, top it all off with a few local microbrews. And let’s not forget that Salt Lake might be known best of all for its peerless Utah powder.

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21. Boulder | Colorado

A gateway town to the Rocky Mountains Jake Wheeler

Boulder’s wealth of outdoor adventures and its more than 300 days of sunshine make it the ideal place for those looking to get out for some classic Front Range adventure. Located at the divide between prairie and mountain, the foothills around Boulder leading into the mountains are home to excellent rock climbing, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and wildlife watching (including mountain lions). Within jogging distance of Boulder’s lively Pearl Street are trailheads that lead straight into the Flatirons, so don’t be surprised to find world class mountain athletes training at altitude.

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22. Orlando | Florida

A prehistoric walk in the woods along the Florida Trail B A Bowen Photography

Without any mountains to speak of, Orlando may not be at the top of anyone’s adventure bucket list, but it actually has quite a bit going for it. The Chuluota Wilderness area offers pristine woods only a few minutes outside of Orlando. The Hal Scott Preserve has nearly 17 miles of trails and 9,300 acres along the Econlockhatchee River, where you’ll alternate between grass and-hard packed sand. And there’s also world-class paddling along the numerous creeks, springs, and rivers that ink their way through the tropical forests and marshes of Central Florida.

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23. Burlington | Vermont

A midsummer night’s paddle along the glasslike surface of Lake Champlain Jake Wheeler

Burlington’s location along Lake Champlain would be good enough to make it a great adventure destination. But throw in the Green Mountains, miles of open forests, and the entire wilderness of the Northeast Kingdom, and it becomes one of the crown jewels of northern New England. Hikers, mountain bikers, and backpackers have access to Vermont’s finest less than an hour away: Mount Mansfield (the state highpoint), Camel’s Hump, and the Long Trail are all great places to get lost, and of course, there is always paddling on Lake Champlain, which never ceases to amaze.

Hiking: Camel’s Hump, Sunset Ridge Trail

Mountain Biking: Adams Camp Loop, Cady Hill Forest

Originally written by RootsRated

Featured image provided by Jake Wheeler

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