The Best Towns to Live in the US if You Love Nature
Imagine stepping outside your front door to find endless hiking trails, pristine lakes, or towering redwoods waiting to be explored. Some towns make living in harmony with nature easy, offering breathtaking landscapes, a slower pace of life, cleaner air, and an outdoor culture that keeps residents active and connected.
If you’re searching for a place where the beauty of the wilderness is part of everyday life, these towns should be at the top of your list.
Bend, Oregon
The town of Bend exists solely to serve the outdoor enthusiast population. It sits directly on the Deschutes River bank, so visitors can enjoy outdoor activities every season, including Mount Bachelor skiing during winter and river rafting during summer.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder functions beyond nature recreation because its residents harmoniously integrate their existence with the natural environment. The town provides more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails and the commanding Flatirons mountain range to create an outdoor playground for residents.
Asheville, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains embrace Asheville, a picturesque town that defies any photograph. Thick forested hills surrounding the area provide endless hiking routes, waterfalls, and spectacular viewing points. Plenty of scenic drives are possible because the Blue Ridge Parkway passes directly through this area.
Jackson, Wyoming
People who wish to experience genuine wilderness living should make Jackson their home choice. Residents of this town enjoy access to Grand Teton National Park, and they can visit Yellowstone easily by car because it is an ideal spot for hiking, wildlife observation, and skiing.
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman unites its natural wilderness character with the inviting essence of a traditional small community. The Bridger Mountains surrounding the town provide residents unlimited access to adventure trails, rivers, and skiing areas. Fly fishing, climbing, and hiking are common outdoor activities in the town.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is one of those rare destinations that have descended from dreamlike realms. The historic mining town is now an outdoor paradise, nestled in a canyon between mountains and snow-covered peak summits.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is one of the most spectacular lakes, and it takes the crown for absolute beauty. The Sierra Nevada mountains surround this place, and the blue waters create a perfect setting for all outdoor enthusiasts. Winter brings skiing to residents of this town, followed by summer activities that include paddleboarding and hiking.
Bar Harbor, Maine
The natural elegance of Bar Harbor demonstrates that mountains do not own all beauty in nature. The coastal town positions itself at Acadia National Park’s border, where residents can encounter ocean panoramas combined with rocky coastlines and thick woodland regions.
Stowe, Vermont
Wishing to live in a postcard setting? Consider moving to Stowe. New England residents love this town for its world-class skiing, yet they discover its beauty during spring and summer when mountain trails replace snowy slopes. The year’s various seasons enable people to witness seasonal transformations, including autumn flames and winter snow at their peaks.
Hood River, Oregon
Hood River’s location in the Columbia River Gorge offers people who enjoy mountains and water the perfect combination. Since persistent winds blow through the area, the Columbia River Gorge provides perfect conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.