
In-depth guides to the places worth the trip, and an Adventure Score for every US town: 0 to 100 for how much quality outdoor sport is close by.
Spots, seasons, travel and budget. Highest Adventure Score first.
Every guide and every US place we score, highest Adventure Score first. Switch to “Guides first” to see the in-depth guides on top.
388 places
NC, US · Forest
Southern Appalachian town with waterfall hikes, technical mountain biking, and solid climbing nearby.
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Looking Glass Rock Trail, Looking Glass Rock
Destination guide →NC, US
Known for: Pisgah National Forest, Table Rock Summit Trail, Looking Glass Rock
NC, US
Known for: Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, Better Late Than Never Wall, Sugar Mountain Bike Park
NC, US
Known for: Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, Upper Tier, Beech Mountain Bike Park
NC, US
Known for: Panthertown Valley Loop, Whiteside Mountain, Jackrabbit Mountain
NC, US
Known for: Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, Upper Tier, Sugar Mountain Bike Park
NC, US
Known for: Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, Little Wilson, Beech Mountain Bike Park
NC, US
Known for: Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, Main Tier, Sugar Mountain Bike Park
NC, US
Known for: Pisgah National Forest, Panthertown Valley Loop, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Whiteside Mountain Trail, Whiteside Mountain, Jackrabbit Mountain
NC, US
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Table Rock Summit Trail, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Table Rock Summit Trail, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Pisgah National Forest, Table Rock Summit Trail, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Table Rock Summit Trail, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Whiteside Mountain Trail, Green River Narrows
NC, US · Forest
A high Blue Ridge plateau of granite domes, roadside waterfalls and wild rivers, shared by two North Carolina villages and the Georgia mountain towns just south.
Known for: Whiteside Mountain Trail, Hospital Boulders, Jackrabbit Mountain
Destination guide →NC, US
Known for: Tsali Recreation Area, Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, Nantahala Gorge Kayaking
NC, US
Known for: Tsali Recreation Area, Cataract Falls, Nantahala Gorge Kayaking
NC, US
Known for: Dupont State Forest, Green River Narrows, Table Rock Summit Trail
NC, US
Known for: Tsali Recreation Area, Cataract Falls, Nantahala Gorge Kayaking
NC, US
Known for: Whiteside Mountain Trail, Dupont State Forest, Green River Narrows
NC, US
Known for: Cataract Falls Trail, Pisgah National Forest, French Broad River State Trail
NC, US · Forest
The Grand Canyon of North Carolina: 11,786 acres of wilderness, big trad cliffs and the best rim views in the Blue Ridge
Known for: Linville Falls Erwin's View Trail, Linville Gorge, Sugar Mountain Bike Park
Destination guide →NC, US
Known for: Tsali Recreation Area, Cataract Falls, Nantahala Gorge Kayaking