23 Must-Visit American Cities for Outdoor Adventure Travel

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

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.

We Recommend:

• Backpacking/ Camping: Art Loeb Trail, Roan Mountain

• Mountain Biking: Tsali, DuPont State Forest, Bent Creek, Pisgah

• Whitewater Paddling: Nantahala River, Green River, French Broad River

2. Portland | Oregon

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 .

We Recommend: 

• Backpacking/Camping: Eagle Creek Trail, Loowit Trail, Siouxon Creek

• Hiking: Horsetail/ Triple Falls Loop, Paradise Park, Dog Mountain, Opal Creek

3. Hilton Head | South Carolina

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.

We Recommend:

• Coastal Paddling: Calibogue Sound, Pinckney Island, Broad Creek

• Food and Drink: Stu's Surfside Subs, Poseidon Restaurant, Old Fort Pub

4. Cody | Wyoming

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.

We Recommend: 

• Fishing: Clarks Fork River, Lower Dam Road

• Hiking: Lamar Valley, Elk Fork Trail, Heart Mountain

5. Aspen | Colorado

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.

We Recommend:

• Backpacking/ Camping: Conundrum Hot Springs, 10th Mountain Division Huts

• Cross-Country Skiing: Maroon Creek Road, Independence Pass

• Hiking: Maroon Bells, Ute Trail, Lost Man Loop

6. Bellingham | Washington

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. 

We Recommend:

• Climbing: Mt. Baker, Washington Pass, Clayton Beach

• Mountain Biking: Galbraith Mountain (South Side), Galbraith Mountain (North Side)

• Microbreweries: Kulshan Brewing, Boundary Bay Brewing, Aslan Brewing Company

7. Telluride | Colorado

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.

We Recommend:

• Hiking: Bridal Veil Falls, Blue Lakes, Ajax Mountain

• Mountain Biking: Galloping Goose, Deep Creek Trail, Wasatch Telluride

8. Portland | Maine

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.

We Recommend: 

• Hiking: Mackworth Island, Acadia Mountain & St. Sauveur, Penobscot & Sargent Mountain

• Paddling: Scarborough Marsh

9. Boise | Idaho

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.

We Recommend:

• Hiking: Browns Creek Slot Loop, Jump Creek Falls, Sawtooth Lake

• Mountain Biking: Polecat Gulch, Eastside Trail

• Whitewater Paddling: Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Main Section of the Payette River

10. Santa Barbara | California

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.

We Recommend:

• Food and Drink: Cold Spring Tavern

• Hiking: Cold Spring Trail, Gaviota State Park

• Surfing: Rincon, Campus Point

11. Seattle | Washington

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.

We Recommend: 

• Backpacking/Camping: The Enchantments, Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast, Camp Muir

• Climbing: Gold Bar Boulders, Leavenworth, Index

• Hiking: Big Four Ice Caves, Mount Si, High Rock Lookout

12. Chattanooga | Tennessee

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 .

We Recommend: 

• Hiking: Bluff Trail, Lula Lake, Mullens Cove Loop
  

• Mountain Biking: Raccoon Mountain, Five Points

• Paddling: Downtown, Lookout Creek

13. Jackson Hole | Wyoming

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.

We Recommend: 

• Hiking: Paintbrush to Cascade Canyon, Sleeping Indian, Teton Crest Trail, Phelps Lake, Bradley and Taggart Lakes

• Mountain Biking: Hour of Power, JHMR Bike Park, Jimmy's Mom Trail

• Skiing: Mt. Moran, Skillet, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King

14. San Francisco | California

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.

We Recommend: 

• Cycling: Mt. Diablo, Mill Valley - Mt. Tam, Scenic 49

• Hiking: Land's End Trail, Matt Davis Trail, Dipsea Trail

15. Moab | Utah

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 .

We Recommend:

• Backpacking/ Camping: Devil's Garden Campsite, Juniper Campground, Upheaval Dome

• Hiking: Hidden Valley Trail, Delicate Arch, Mary Jane Canyon

• Mountain Biking: Whole Enchilada, Slickrock, Bar M, Magnificent 7

16. Minneapolis | Minnesota

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.

We Recommend: 

• Cycling: Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Midtown Greenway

• Flat Water Paddling: Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka

17. Durango | Colorado

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.

We Recommend:

• Hiking: Animas Mountain, Ice Lake Basin, Engineer Mountain

• Mountain Biking: Dry Fork, Telegraph Trail

18. Austin | Texas

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. 

We Recommend: 

• Food & Drink: Torchy's Tacos, Bangers Sausage House

• Hiking: Hill of Life, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Buescher State Park, Balcones Canyonlands

• Swimming: Krause Springs, Hamilton Pool

19. San Diego | California

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.

We Recommend:

• Hiking: Torrey Pines, Cowles Mountain

• Surfing: Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach

20. Salt Lake City | Utah

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 .

We Recommend: 

• Climbing: Joe's Valley, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Mountain Biking: Corner Canyon, Mid Mountain Trails

• Skiing: Snowbird Resort, Alta Resort, Powder Mountain

21. Boulder | Colorado

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.

We Recommend:

• Backpacking/Camping: East Inlet Trail, Moraine Park

• Hiking: Bear Peak, Chatauqua Park, Green Mountain

• Mountain Biking: Walker Ranch, Betasso Preserve, Hall Ranch

22. Orlando | Florida

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.

We Recommend: 

• Backpacking/Camping: Seminole State Forest, Hal Scott Regional Preserve

• Flat Water Paddling: Econ River, Blue Springs State Park, Blackwater Creek

23. Burlington | Vermont

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

Written by RootsRated for RootsRated.