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There’s something truly magical about mountain towns. They’re where nature’s beauty meets small-town charm. Imagine the crisp air, stunning peaks in every direction and streets lined with cozy cafes and shops that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook.
These are the best small mountain towns with populations of about 10,000 or fewer that are filled with charm and scenic adventures you'll love. Mountain cabins are easy to find, but there are also some luxurious properties for a getaway into the hills of the U.S.
- Lissa Poirot
Mar 1, 2024 · From the Rockies to the Appalachians, these pint-sized communities boast big personalities loaded with culture, cuisine, and plenty of sights to see. Get ready to be wowed as we reveal the best 20 quintessential mountain towns that deliver thrill and nostalgia with cozy, small-town appeal.
- Cordova, Alaska
- Roanoke, Virginia
- Terlingua, Texas
- Spearfish, South Dakota
- Davis, West Virginia
- Durango, Colorado
- Taos, New Mexico
- Leavenworth, Washington
- Stanley, Idaho
- Bentonville, Arkansas
No roads connect this fishing hub with other towns in Alaska, so you’ll have to catch a seaplane or boat to get here. But once you’ve arrived, the best of the state is just out your back door. The community (population 2,800) sits at the mouth of the Copper River on Prince William Sound, surrounded by glaciated peaks that are protected by Chugach N...
Roanoke gets overshadowed because of its blue-collar bones, but its adventure chops are the real deal. The Blue Ridge Mountains rise directly from downtown, offering immediate access to rigorous road-bike climbs that top out at the Blue Ridge Parkway and 400 miles of flowy singletrack, while the Appalachian Trail skirts the edge of town if you’re i...
The Texas Hill Country is adventure packed and all, but the peaks that define the far western corner of this state are the real deal. The Chisos Mountains hit 8,000 feet, rising from the dusty Chihuahuan Desert, and the entire stretch is contained within the one-million-acre Big Bend National Park. The tiny town of Terlingua, with a population of 5...
Perched on the northern side of Black Hills National Forest and hugging the Wyoming border, Spearfish is an hour and a half from Badlands National Park in one direction and an hour from Devils Tower, one of the country’s finest trad-climbing destinations, in the other. But you don’t need to get in your car to get radical; Spearfish Canyon, with its...
Davis is not large. Its population hovers at 600, and its downtown is just a few blocks, but it has everything you need: a pizza place, a burrito joint, and a brewery. Then there’s the wild and rugged Monongahela National Forest on the outskirts, stacked with some of the most challenging singletrack on the eastern seaboard. The nearby Dolly Sods Wi...
Durango has everything more famous towns in Colorado have, except the crowds. A former mining town and railroad hub, it has since expanded to 25,000 residents, who relish the four seasons of adventure in their backyard. Rafting the Class III–V Animas River, which cuts through the small city center, can be a multiday excursion on the Upper Animas or...
It’s easy to get caught up in Taos’s history—people living here for centuries, starting with the ancestors of the Pueblo, who settled in the area around 900 A.D. Since then it has seen a rotating cast of characters, from Spanish conquistadors to artists like D.H. Lawrence and Ansel Adams. The dining scene is also pretty spectacular for such a small...
OK, Leavenworth has a bit of kitsch to it, thanks to a Bavarian-style downtown complete with copious German beer gardens. It also has the riches of the Cascade Mountains beckoning from nearby, starting with the Icicle and Wenatchee Rivers, where whitewater paddling and fly-fishing are favorite pursuits, and the powdered peaks of Stevens Pass Ski Ar...
If you can’t make the jaunt to Alaska, Idaho will do. The state is as wild as it gets in the lower 48, and Stanley, in the center of the Sawtooth Valley with its 10,000-foot namesake peaks, is the ultimate tiny base camp. The Salmon River helps carve the town’s boundaries, offering immediate access to fly-fishing and Class IV rapids. Fishing and pa...
The Ozarks aren’t known for towering peaks, but don’t mistake their muted summits for humble terrain; the landscape is rugged, especially if you’re on a mountain bike. And Bentonville (population 49,467) has taken advantage of that feature, building more than 300 miles of singletrack in the past decade. One result is a downtown renaissance: its his...
- Graham Averill
May 9, 2024 · We’re uncovering the top 10 small mountain towns that beckon hikers, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts alike. From beginner-friendly trails to rugged heart-pumping pursuits, these off-the-beaten-path gems offer up unforgettable natural landscapes, great local food, and splashes of unique culture.
Jul 8, 2024 · Don’t miss this Colorado local’s list of the best mountain towns in Colorado. All the popular towns to live in & visit, plus hidden local gems!
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May 5, 2024 · From Stowe, Vermont, to Aspen, Colorado, these are the best mountain towns to visit in the U.S., no matter the season.
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