10 Amazing Active Small Towns in the [Western] US
Looking to go beyond big cities? Wondering what the coolest active, outdoorsy small towns in [western-ish] United States are? You’re in the right place!
My favorite type of travel is adventure travel, especially when paired with an adorable small town for apres sport hanging out. Over the years, I’ve stumbled on quite a few. These are ten of my favorite small towns based on my own experiences. They aren’t completely unknown, but I tried to go with ones that are lesser known, especially outside of the region.
While I *tried* to pick an outdoor sport of choice, most of these towns are multi-sport towns where it’s hard to pick one – and the activity du jour can change seasonally. I’m mostly a hiker and have hiked in or near all of these locations.
10 Amazing Active Western Small Towns
1. Leucadia, CA
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Surfing
Leucadia, California is technically a subsection of Encinitas, CA which is worth exploring in full. However, Leucadia, specifically, the first place I lived in Southern California and will always have a sweet spot in my heart for its sunsets, surf culture, funky vibe, and Leucadia Donuts.
Interested? Check out 20+ Things to do in Encinitas, CA
2. Cayucos, CA
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Surfing (kite, wind, and traditional!)
Cayucos, California is a tiny but mighty coastal town that with a fishing, surfing (of all types), and an adorable old downtown complete with a local saloon. You can spot the iconic Morro Rock from the beach and pier and might even hop over to Morro Bay, another small town, and get a close up of the majestic rock. In winter, Cayucos, gets a bit of a moody, Ireland-esque vibe, and that has it’s own charm.
Interested in what it’s like? Check out Where to Eat, Drink, & Be Merry in Cayucos, California
3. Redding, CA
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Day trip hiking
Redding, California is in central Northern California, about 120 miles south of the Oregon border, and it’s an fantastic hub for exploring the region. It’s about an hour or two from a host of adventures from the Nor. Cal Coast to Lassen Volcanic Monument to Mt. Shasta to McArthur Burney Falls and much more! The town itself offers some in town trails, the architecturally beautiful Sundial Bridge, cute recently renovated motels, and 300 days of sunshine.
LIKE TRAVEL PHOTOS? Click here to check out my Etsy store with some of my favorite prints (including some from this post) so you can bring a little adventure into your home or office.
4. Trinidad, CA
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Coastal Exploring
Trinidad, California is a northern coastal town and the perfect spot to enjoy the gloriously rugged Northern California coast. The full-time population is less than 400 people as of 2020. Soak in the views on relatively easy beach walks and hikes then support small by visiting the town’s local eateries and shops. Make your beach exploration even more special by hitting the beach at low tide so you can check out marine life in tide pools. And, if you visit on a clear day, make sure to catch the sunset at the coast. And if you like camping, Patrick’s Point State Park is a gem.
5. Stanley, ID
Sport of Choice: Rafting
Stanley, Idaho is a truly small town with a full-time population of around 100(!) as of 2020, but that number swells significantly during peak summer months when rafters, hikers, mountain bikers, horse-rider, and other outdoor enthusiasts who know about this hidden gem flock to the town. Views of the Sawtooth mountains from just about everywhere in Stanley round out the mountain town feel. One of the favorite places I’ve visited and I’m itching to go back.
Interested in visiting Stanley? Check out my Quick Guide to Stanley, Idaho
6. Salida, CO
Outdoor Activity of Choice: River Watersports (kayak, raft, float)
Fishers, kayakers, rafters, and recreational floaters rejoice: during summer months Salida, Colorado is water sport central. But don’t worry, mountain bikers, there are plenty of options for you as well. The adorable (and allegedly haunted) downtown offers ample activities for your downtime, especially if you visit during one of the town’s annual festivals. Fellow beer drinkers, don’t forget to stop into Soulcraft Brewing.
7. Manitou Springs, CO
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Hiking
Manitou Springs is a charming historic Colorado town and as a sub-section of Colorado Springs, one of the more accessible ones. It’s a very quick drive from Colorado Springs airport. The town offers a local hiking challenge, the Manitou Incline, where you hike up 2000 old railroad ties to an epic view of the surrounding area (pro tip: take the scenic Barr Trail on the way down). Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods are also local outdoor highlights that offer a sharp contrast to each other (14k ft mountain v. dry red-rock park).
Interested in Manitou Springs? Check out My 1 – 3 Day Guide to Manitou Springs
8. Silverton, CO
Outdoor Activity of Choice: ATV Riding
Silverton, Colorado is a National Historic Landmark district nestled in the San Juan Mountains, a range of the Rocky Mountains. It is a former mining town with the late 1800s/early 1900s western town look you’d expect from such a town. The historic buildings now host ample eating and drinking establishments to fuel your adventures (but note most close pretty early). The town is well-known for its off-road vehicle riding, but whatever your sport of choice, there’s something nearby for you. As a hiker, watching the sunset from a short hike followed by milky way views was what some might call “epic.”
9. Leadville, CO
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Hiking
Another old mining town, Leadville, Colorado is known for being the highest incorporated town in the United States as well as the punishing Leadville 100 run that gained fame in Born to Run. Although it’s increasingly becoming a popular destination, it’s still one of Colorado’s (relatively) lesser visited towns and still (relatively) unpolished and that’s what gives the town it’s charm. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to buy a jacket (a “Melly”) from the cult-favorite Melanzana while you’re there.
Interested in visiting Leadville? Check out Things to do in Leadville
10. Bandon, OR
Outdoor Activity of Choice: Golf
Bandon, Oregon is billed as a super friendly, laid-back coastal town – and that has been my experience on my visits there. It is home to the famous Bandon Dunes golf course, but as a non-golfer myself, I can tell you, there’s so much more to the town and surrounding areas. The coastline around Bandon is truly world-class. As in a number of Oregon and Nor. Cal coastal towns, clam chowder is the food of choice, and in my opinion Bandon Fish Shop offers a dang good one.
Interested in exploring more of the Oregon Coast? Check out Five Can’t Miss Stops on the Oregon Coast
Gear Check for Visiting Active Small Towns
When traveling to these locations, don’t forget to pack:
Versatile jacket like a windbreaker (warmer months) or a puffer (cooler months)
Solid hiking shoes like KEENs and/or active sandals like Chacos
Gear for your sport of choice. (Looking for a deal? Check out 15+ Places to Find Discounted Outdoor Clothing & Gear)
Sunscreen (yes, even in winter)
