If you’re an avid hiker, choosing the right place to live can make all the difference. With its stunning mountain ranges, vast forests, and endless trails, the United States offers a wealth of options for those who love to explore the great outdoors on foot. Here are some of the best places to live for hiking, where you’ll find breathtaking scenery, challenging trails, and a vibrant hiking community.
Colorado
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is a hiker’s paradise. With its towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and vast network of trails, the state offers something for every level of hiker. From the iconic Fourteeners to the scenic trails winding through Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado’s hiking opportunities are endless.
One of the best places to live for hiking in Colorado is Boulder. Located at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder offers easy access to countless trails, including the popular Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park. The city also boasts a vibrant hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in Colorado include⁚
- Denver⁚ The state capital offers a surprisingly diverse range of hiking trails, from the urban oasis of Red Rocks Amphitheater to the challenging trails in Lookout Mountain Park.
- Fort Collins⁚ Situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Collins is a great base for exploring the Cache la Poudre River Canyon and the surrounding trails in the Roosevelt National Forest.
- Aspen⁚ This world-renowned ski town also offers some of the best hiking in the state, with trails winding through the stunning Elk Mountains.
- Breckenridge⁚ Nestled in the heart of the Tenmile Range, Breckenridge offers access to a vast network of trails, including the popular Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch trails.
- Vail⁚ This upscale resort town is surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and offers a wide range of hiking trails for all abilities.
No matter where you choose to live in Colorado, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that Colorado has to offer!
Utah
Utah is a hiker’s paradise, with its iconic red rock canyons, towering mountains, and vast desert landscapes. From the world-famous trails of Zion National Park to the hidden gems in the remote canyons of southern Utah, the state offers an incredible diversity of hiking experiences.
One of the best places to live for hiking in Utah is Salt Lake City. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the city offers easy access to a vast network of trails, including the popular trails in Big Cottonwood Canyon and Millcreek Canyon. Salt Lake City also boasts a vibrant hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in Utah include⁚
- Moab⁚ This adventure town is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, two of Utah’s most popular hiking destinations. Moab also offers a variety of trails in the surrounding desert landscapes.
- St. George⁚ Located in southern Utah, St. George is a great base for exploring the red rock canyons of Snow Canyon State Park and the nearby Zion National Park.
- Park City⁚ This historic mining town is now a popular ski resort and hiking destination. Park City offers access to a variety of trails in the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.
- Provo⁚ Situated at the base of Mount Timpanogos, Provo offers easy access to a variety of hiking trails, including the popular trail to the summit of Mount Timpanogos.
- Cedar City⁚ This southern Utah town is a great base for exploring the nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park.
No matter where you choose to live in Utah, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that Utah has to offer!
California
California is a hiker’s paradise, with its towering mountains, pristine forests, and rugged coastline. From the iconic trails of Yosemite National Park to the hidden gems in the remote wilderness areas of the Sierra Nevada, the state offers an incredible diversity of hiking experiences.
One of the best places to live for hiking in California is Los Angeles. Despite its reputation as a sprawling metropolis, LA is home to a vast network of hiking trails in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest. The city also boasts a vibrant hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in California include⁚
- San Francisco⁚ This iconic city is surrounded by some of California’s most beautiful hiking trails, including those in the Presidio National Park and Mount Tamalpais State Park.
- San Diego⁚ Located in southern California, San Diego offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby mountains and canyons, including those in Torrey Pines State Reserve and Mission Trails Regional Park.
- Santa Barbara⁚ This coastal city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains and Los Padres National Forest.
- Lake Tahoe⁚ Situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe offers access to a variety of hiking trails, including those in Desolation Wilderness and the Tahoe Rim Trail.
- Mammoth Lakes⁚ This eastern Sierra town is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Yosemite National Park and John Muir Wilderness.
No matter where you choose to live in California, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that California has to offer!
Washington
Washington is a hiker’s paradise, with its towering mountains, pristine forests, and rugged coastline. From the iconic trails of Mount Rainier National Park to the hidden gems in the remote wilderness areas of the Olympic Mountains, the state offers an incredible diversity of hiking experiences.
One of the best places to live for hiking in Washington is Seattle. This vibrant city is surrounded by some of the state’s most beautiful hiking trails, including those in the nearby Olympic National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park. Seattle also boasts a thriving hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in Washington include⁚
- Spokane⁚ This eastern Washington city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Spokane Valley and Mount Spokane State Park.
- Bellingham⁚ Located in northwestern Washington, Bellingham offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park.
- Leavenworth⁚ This Bavarian-themed town is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Wenatchee National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
- Yakima⁚ Situated in central Washington, Yakima offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Yakima Canyon and Mount Adams Wilderness.
- Olympia⁚ This state capital city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Olympic National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park.
No matter where you choose to live in Washington, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that Washington has to offer!
Oregon
Oregon is a hiker’s paradise, with its towering mountains, lush forests, and rugged coastline. From the iconic trails of Crater Lake National Park to the hidden gems in the remote wilderness areas of the Cascade Mountains, the state offers an incredible diversity of hiking experiences.
One of the best places to live for hiking in Oregon is Portland. This vibrant city is surrounded by some of the state’s most beautiful hiking trails, including those in the nearby Forest Park and Mount Hood National Forest. Portland also boasts a thriving hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in Oregon include⁚
- Bend⁚ This central Oregon city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Deschutes National Forest and Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
- Eugene⁚ Located in western Oregon, Eugene offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Willamette National Forest and Mount Pisgah Arboretum.
- Ashland⁚ This southern Oregon city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Siskiyou Mountains and Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
- Medford⁚ Situated in southern Oregon, Medford offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Crater Lake National Park.
- Salem⁚ This state capital city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Willamette Valley and Mount Jefferson Wilderness.
No matter where you choose to live in Oregon, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that Oregon has to offer!
Arizona
Arizona is a hiker’s paradise, with its towering mountains, deep canyons, and vast deserts. From the iconic trails of the Grand Canyon to the hidden gems in the remote wilderness areas of the Sonoran Desert, the state offers an incredible diversity of hiking experiences.
One of the best places to live for hiking in Arizona is Phoenix. This vibrant city is surrounded by some of the state’s most beautiful hiking trails, including those in the nearby Camelback Mountain and South Mountain Park. Phoenix also boasts a thriving hiking community, with numerous clubs and organizations to connect with fellow hikers.
Other great places to live for hiking in Arizona include⁚
- Tucson⁚ This southern Arizona city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Saguaro National Park and Santa Catalina Mountains.
- Flagstaff⁚ Located in northern Arizona, Flagstaff offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby San Francisco Peaks and Coconino National Forest.
- Sedona⁚ This picturesque city in central Arizona is surrounded by stunning red rock formations and offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Red Rock Country.
- Prescott⁚ Situated in central Arizona, Prescott offers access to a variety of hiking trails in the nearby Prescott National Forest and Granite Mountain Wilderness.
- Yuma⁚ This southwestern Arizona city is a great base for exploring the hiking trails in the nearby Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
No matter where you choose to live in Arizona, you’ll be surrounded by stunning hiking trails and a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. So lace up your boots and get ready to explore the incredible hiking opportunities that Arizona has to offer!