The inhabitants of Uaban Moab take their city’s role as a paradise for nature lovers so seriously that path management is one of the city’s most popular tasks. Enjoy the hard work by grabbing your mountain bike or the best hiking boots and hitting the trails. Millions of acres of public land surround Moab, including Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Canoeing, kayaking and river hiking are also popular outdoor activities. Whichever way you spend your time outdoors in Moab, you are in good company. World-class athletes, including countless Olympics, regularly enjoy Moab.
Hood River
Oregon’s Hood River has become the unofficial capital of surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing in the continental United States. Go straight to the water if you are a professional or network with one of the many surf teachers in the area to take full advantage of Hood River’s reputation. Aren’t you surfing? Hood Mountain, Mirror Lake and Columbia River Gorge are close by, Hood River offers many other nature-loving activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding and just about anything outdoors.
Waimea / Kamuela, Big Island, Hawaii
Traveling to the Hawaiian Islands, you’re not likely to spend much time indoors, but Waimea, also known as Kamuela, is a unique Big Island town with breathtaking views, hidden waterfalls and black sand beaches. Waime is best known for its rodeos and horseback riding, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll through the Hawaiian countryside. Golf, ziplining, snorkeling and diving are other popular activities. But the best part is hiking, which includes the Waipi’o Valley and Pololu Valley. For a truly unique experience, choose the path that leads you to one of the many hidden waterfalls in the area.
Lander, Wyoming, lives at the National Outdoor Leadership School, where nature enthusiasts can receive academic recognition for their time outdoors. For those who aren’t quite ready to get into books, the Lander is a popular mountain sports destination in the summer. Take a bike and walk to Johnny Behind the Rocks, where you can mountain bike from waterfall to waterfall and cool off in the lakes. Wild Iris and Popo Agie Falls are great places to climb, while the trail between Dickinson Park and Lizard Head Plateau is known for serious hikers and campers.
Probably one of Montana’s most famous cities, Bozeman, is home to Montana State University, and all of these students chose not to visit Montana because of skyscrapers and concrete! Bozeman is a leading destination for nature lovers with an added benefit of art and culture. Popular symphony orchestra concerts and Shakespeare Park are good excuses to spend even more time outdoors. For those who need something a little more active, Bozeman has plenty of options for everything from hiking and camping to mountain biking and fishing.
Roseau, Minnesota, has a long history as a fairytale city. In fact, this city of nearly 3,000 inhabitants was the birthplace of Snescooter and Polaris Industries. Needless to say, winter activities in Little Roseau are hard to beat (the city is also one of the busiest hockey cities in the country). In the warmer months, nature lovers and hikers flock to the Red River Valley, where tamarind bogs, prairie meadows and sandy pine forests offer a variety of natural landscapes and experiences. Most of the city and county have open state parks, and hunting, fishing, wildlife, quad biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, berry picking, hiking and skiing are all popular outdoor activities where Roseau is best known.
Few places are as naturally beautiful as Wyoming, and the small town of Rawlins is hidden in a tranquil prairie area that has fascinated wildlife enthusiasts for generations. While Rawlins doesn’t have an abundance of mountains and rivers that adorn other Wyoming cities of its size, it’s hard to beat Rawlins as a hunting destination. It is one of the few places in the United States where deer, antelope, and mules roam together. In fact, these species are so common that native Rawlins can often hunt directly from their back porch. For those not interested in hunting, Rawlins is attractive with close proximity to several reservoirs as well as fishing and rafting on the North Platte River.