Where should you move if I love the outdoors? The cities that stand out for outdoor enthusiasts share a rare balance: strong urban amenities alongside a daily connection to nature. Some are surrounded by mountains, others by deserts, lakes, river trails, or forest corridors. What they all have in common is spectacular natural settings that go far beyond the ordinary.
Living in places like these isn’t just about weekend adventures — research shows that even small doses of nearby green space can lower stress, improve focus, and boost long-term well-being.
And if you’re considering moving out of state to find your ideal outdoors hub, working with experienced long-distance movers can make the transition a whole lot easier. Once you’ve gotten past the stress of the move, the right city can foster a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
8 Best Places To Live for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Which city has the most beautiful nature? Here are eight U.S. destinations where you’ll find urban comfort and adventure-packed landscapes in equal measure.
1. Denver, Colorado
Cost of living: 127.6
Walkability: 96
Sunshine: 245 sunny days
Best for: Hiking, rafting, winter sports
Living in Denver is awesome if you love the outdoors. With the Rocky Mountains just a short drive away, you’ve got easy access to hiking, biking, skiing, and climbing almost year-round. The city itself gets tons of sunshine and has plenty of parks, trails, and paths to explore within the city limits.
What really makes Denver stand out is the outdoor lifestyle vibe. People here are into everything from trail running to weekend camping trips, and it’s easy to find spots like gear shops and climbing gyms as well as outdoor-oriented local meetups.
And if you’re craving even more adventure, Boulder is just 30 miles up the road. Known for its open-space trail system, climbing culture, and active community, it’s like Denver’s smaller sibling built entirely around outdoor living.
Favorite outdoor activities in Denver
Go kayaking in Confluence Park.
Hike the Mile High Trail in City Park.
Snowboard or ski at Ruby Hill Rail Yard.
Go dog sledding through Winter Park.
Explore Dinosaur Ridge,
2. Bend, Oregon
Cost of living: 127
Walkability: 32
Sunshine: 162 sunny days
Best for: Mountain biking, rivers, skiing, volcanic landscapes
Bend is a high-desert outdoor playground wrapped inside a city. With Cascade peaks close by, ski access at Mount Bachelor, and volcanic ridgelines all around, you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re off the grid. At the same time, the city supports that lifestyle: bike shops, trailheads, river access, and a local culture built around movement.
What stands out in Bend is how naturally recreation is woven into daily life. People cycle to work, hop on nearby trails on lunch breaks, float the Deschutes in summer, and head for powder in winter — all without feeling like they’re “escaping” to nature. You’re just living inside it.
Favorite outdoor activities in Bend
Mountain bike the Phil’s Trails.
Hike the volcanic terrain at Smith Rock State Park.
Go paddling/river floating on the Deschutes.
Enjoy skiing/snowboarding at Mount Bachelor.
Go rock climbing at Newberry Crater or the Cascades.
3. Boise, Idaho
Cost of living: 119.6
Walkability: 93
Sunshine: 206 sunny days
Best for: River sports, hiking, skiing, trails
What state has the best outdoor life? In Idaho, Boise strikes a sweet spot between small-town charm and serious outdoor access. The foothills, rivers, and trail systems are a part of the city’s fabric. Here, it’s not just about getting outside on the weekend, but being able to sneak some nature into your daily life. With more than 200 sunny days and a relatively modest cost of living (especially compared to major metros) it’s an outdoor town that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
The local vibe is active but not extreme. You’ll see people on bikes commuting, families spending Sunday floating the river, and runners disappearing into Ridge to Rivers trails before dawn. And when snow falls, Bogus Basin is under an hour away, turning Boise into a full four-season playground.
Favorite outdoor activities in Boise
Ride or walk the Boise River Greenbelt (30+ miles of scenic trails).
Hike Camel’s Back, Table Rock, or Hulls Gulch in the foothills.
Ski or snowboard at Bogus Basin in winter.
Paddle or float on the Boise River.
Trail run the Ridge to Rivers network.
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4. Salt Lake City, Utah
Cost of living: 121.3
Walkability: 59
Sunshine: 222 sunny days
Best for: Skiing, hiking, climbing, canyon access
Salt Lake City offers one of the more dramatic dualities: a vibrant urban setting intertwined with immediate access to mountain canyons. Within minutes, you can swap skyscrapers for rugged trails in the Wasatch — the city’s outdoor culture is baked into the identity of neighborhoods and commuting routes alike.
Part of what makes SLC special is how quickly you can “shift gears” from city life to full-on wilderness adventures. Want a big meal downtown? Done. Want a canyon hike in the afternoon? Just head east up Big or Little Cottonwood. Looking to catch some vertical in winter? Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton are all within 30–40 minutes.
Favorite outdoor activities in Salt Lake City
Hike Mount Olympus or the Living Room Rock in the Avenues.
Climb in Little Cottonwood or Big Cottonwood Canyons.
Ride the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above the city.
Paddle or float in the Great Salt Lake or along City Creek.
5. Missoula, Montana
Cost of living: 112.8
Walkability: 45
Sunshine: 159 sunny days
Best for: Hiking, river floats, skiing, wilderness access
Missoula feels like a town built for people who want the outdoors to be part of their daily rhythm. It’s compact enough to get around by bike or foot in many areas, yet surrounded by wild country the moment you cross the city limits. With three rivers, forested hills, and multiple mountain ranges nearby, the sense of connectedness to nature is strong.
What sets Missoula apart is its quiet confidence. It’s not as hyped as some mountain towns, but the community leans into its setting. Locals float the Clark Fork on summer evenings, ski at Montana Snowbowl in winter, hike the “M” or Pattee Canyon trails midday, and more, all while treating those outings as part of life, not just escapes.
Favorite outdoor activities in Missoula
Float or paddle the Clark Fork River through town.
Hike the “M” on Mount Sentinel.
Ski or snowboard at Montana Snowbowl.
Explore Rattlesnake Wilderness or Pattee Canyon.
Mountain bike forest and urban trails.
6. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cost of living: 112
Walkability: 39
Sunshine: 283 sunny days
Best for: Hiking, cultural landscapes, desert + mountain hybrid
Santa Fe offers a distinctive blend of high desert beauty, mountain access, and a deeply rooted cultural identity. At about 7,000 feet of elevation, it delivers four seasons without extreme cold, while being framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Trails, mesas, and canyons are all within reach, giving outdoor lovers a wide palette of terrain to explore.
Even though its walkability score is modest, many of the more walkable neighborhoods cluster around the historic plaza and downtown. From there, you can tap into trails like the Santa Fe Rail Trail (~15 miles), which connects neighborhoods and gives you a route for walking, running, or biking into the foothills. And when you want a different pace, you’re never far from quiet canyons and forested ridgelines.
Favorite Outdoor Activities in Santa Fe
Hike or bike segments of the Santa Fe Rail Trail.
Explore the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail through neighborhoods.
Day hike in the Sangre de Cristo foothills.
Ski or snowshoe at Ski Santa Fe.
Visit Bandelier National Monument or Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks.
7. Asheville, North Carolina
Cost of living: 105.8
Walkability: 37
Sunshine: 212 sunny days
Best for: Mountain hiking, river access, waterfalls, forest trails
Asheville is a southeastern gem for outdoor lovers. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s a city where the outdoors is part of daily life, not just reserved for weekends. The downtown core is quite walkable, and from there you can easily slip into trails, river greenways, and forested hills.
What makes Asheville special is the variety. In one day you could hike a ridge trail in Pisgah or the Blue Ridge Parkway, paddle on the French Broad River, then wind through city trails before grabbing dinner downtown. The outdoors here isn’t a backdrop. It’s intertwined with the culture, and locals take full advantage, while adding plenty of music, a great food scene, and beer.
Favorite outdoor activities in Asheville
Chase waterfalls and hike in Pisgah or Great Smoky Mountains.
Paddle or float on the French Broad River.
Bike trails in Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
Hike sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Explore urban trails and parks just outside the city center.
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8. Portland, Oregon
Cost of living: 127.7
Walkability: 67
Sunshine: 144 sunny days
Best for: Forest trails, coastal + mountain access, biking
Portland is a city that leans into its forests, rivers, and rain while making the most of clearer months. The surrounding Cascades, Mount Hood, and the Oregon Coast are all day trip– accessible, letting you swap cityscapes for waterfalls, forest trails, or snowfields by sunset.
Inside the metro, neighborhoods like the Pearl District, Alberta, and Sellwood are highly walkable, full of transit options, and close to green corridors. You’ll see locals biking, walking to coffee shops, and rolling through parks even during the wetter seasons. Portland’s outdoors identity is about mixing nature with everyday life: forested hills just outside your window to gaze at over morning coffee, with bike commutes, river walks, and weekend escapes to the coast or alpine slopes.
Favorite Outdoor Activities in Portland
Hike Forest Park (one of the largest urban forests in the U.S.).
Bike the Springwater Corridor or Eastbank Esplanade.
Day-trip to Mount Hood for skiing or hiking.
Explore waterfalls along the Columbia Gorge.
Paddle or kayak the Willamette or Columbia rivers.
Ready to Make the Move into Nature?
From high desert trails in Santa Fe to river floats in Boise, these cities prove that the best places to live for outdoor enthusiasts don’t all look the same. What they share is a balance: access to world-class nature with the amenities of a city that feels like home.
When it comes time to relocate, the journey is easier with full-service movers on your side. Colonial Van Lines has more than 50 years of experience handling long-distance moves. Whether you’re heading for mountain trails, coastal forests, or desert landscapes, our team can help you get there smoothly. Start planning your next chapter with a free quote today.