Back for part two of our Walkable Towns for a Vacation in the US. If you missed that post, read it first so you understand what this list is all about and why we created it. Otherwise, jump right in and start planning your next American walking holiday!
Table of Contents
Our Favorite Walkable Towns, Nebraska to Wyoming
Nebraska: Crawford
Tucked away in the northwestern tip of Nebraska, this tiny town offers a wealth of unique trails. Walk from town via the White River Trail to reach Fort Robinson State Park and enjoy day hikes in neighboring Toadstool Geologic Park, Oglala Grassland and Pine Ridge Ranger District and G H Coffee Park (a green oasis loved by locals).
Nevada: Mt Charleston
The hiking/ski village of Mt Charleston is nestled in the Spring Mountains, less than an hour from Las Vegas. You could stay here for weeks and still not hike all of their beautiful alpine trails.
New Hampshire: North Conway
Popular hiking town with plenty of good eats, perfectly situated in a valley between the White Mountains and Merriman State Forest. Mt Washington is just an hour north, if you feel up to the challenge of hiking America’s tallest northeastern peak.
New Mexico: Santa Fe
We love walking the historic district of Santa Fe, which has everything we love – great food, museums and lots of character. It’s also a hiking mecca with trails leading directly from town into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Bandelier National Monument and Pecos National Historic Park closeby.
New Jersey: Blairstown
Blairstown is a hidden gem, especially if you want to walk around one of the oldest boarding schools in the US. Enjoy a thriving farmers market, walk the Valley Trail from town to the airport where you can book a scenic flight, and hike any of the 120 miles of trails in nearby Delaware Water Gap National Rec Area. Go in October and add stops in Hope and Hackettstown.
New York: Watkins Glen
Almost a tie with Ithaca, Watkins Glen has the edge since you can walk from your lodging directly into Watkins Glen State Park. It’s perfectly placed between the Finger Lakes and several forest areas with plenty of hiking trails. Fans of wiking (wine+hiking) will LOVE this region!
North Carolina: Boone
This university town is entirely walkable, has fun eating options and is surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. In less than an hour, you have challenging hikes such as Grandfather Mountain or take your pick of easy walks off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stop in Blowing Rock for another fun town.
North Dakota: Medora
Home base for the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora has everything you need for good sleep, hearty food and classic hikes through the American West.
Ohio: Peninsula
Tucked away in the Cuyahoga Valley, this tiny dot on the map offers just enough food, lodging and charm to meet our standards and the hiking trails and pristine wilderness that surround this town are why it easily makes this list. We could spend at least two weeks here, easily!
Oklahoma: Medicine Park
This village sits at the base of Lake Lawtonka and the entrance to Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. With easy river walks in town and around the lake and more challenging trails beyond, Medicine Park is a lovely remote town for those who want to get away.
Oregon: Yachats
We could write an entire post just on Oregon hiking towns, so we’ll stick with our all-time favorite. Yachats is a quiet coastal town with rocky cliffside walks, a fabulous farmers market, cute houses and good restaurants. Its location between Heceta Lighthouse, Cape Perpetua and Siuslaw National Forest make for epic coastal hikes and it’s why we often escape to the Oregon coast.
Pennsylvania: Wilkes-Barre
An old coal-mining town that is simply gorgeous, both in its architecture and the natural beauty all around. Located on the Susquehanna River, this artsy town is a joy to walk and there are several state parks and forests within an hour on all sides. Our favorite is Ricketts Glen.
South Carolina: Greenville
Greenville is a happening place and when you add all of the walking trails within city limits it’s easy to see why so many people have been moving here. Walk the Fernwood Nature Trail, Swamp Rabbit Trail, Falls Park on the Reedy, Paris Mountain State Park and Conestee Nature Preserve.
South Dakota: Custer or Deadwood
We call tie with these ‘ole west towns in the Black Hills because they’re both equally fantastic for a walking holiday in South Dakota. Both have trails at their doorstep and offer plenty of character and history. If you can’t choose, consider hiking the Mickelson trail which connects both towns (with lodging options each night).
Tennessee: Sewanee
This university town is hidden in a forest just an hour west of Chattanooga. The town itself is tiny, with everything centered around the campus, and there are trails leading from town all around. Enjoy the selection of foodie approved dining and take your pick of hikes in Savage Gulf State Park, South Cumberland State Park, Grundy Forest and Tim’s Ford State Park.
Texas: Burnet
Stretch your legs with a leisurely walk in Hamilton Park or Longhorn Cavern State Park, then head for the wilderness to hike Inks Lake State Park, Colorado Bend State Park or Balcones Canyonlands. We also love Marble Falls just south of Burnet. Click for tips on hiking near Burnet, plus adorable baby photos.
Utah: Moab
While we love St. George at the entrance to Zion, that national park is just too crowded for us so we’ve chosen Moab – gateway to Arches National Park and Canyonland National Park. For those seeking a challenge, hiking a loop trail in the La Sal Mountains offers a stark contrast with alpine meadows and lakes.
Vermont: Brandon
For a classic Vermont town in close proximity to mountain hikes, we choose Brandon. While we love Stowe and think everyone should visit, we prefer Brandon because it’s less touristy. You can hike Inn to Inn Vermont from here or choose your own trails in the Green Mountains.
Virginia: Damascus
Damascus is known as “Trail Town USA” because several hiking and biking trails run directly through town. The Appalachian Trail is one of those trails and lucky for everyone this town has good places to sleep and eat so it’s a fun place to meet other walking enthusiasts.
Washington: Bellingham
Bellingham is our favorite walking town because there are enough trails within a 30 mile radius to keep you walking for a week. We love walking the forests of Sehome Hill Arboretum and the water trail that connects Bellingham to Fairhaven. Just a little further out lies Whatcom Falls, Saint Clair, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, North Chuckanut and Larrabee State Park.
West Virginia: Thomas
An old coal mining town turned arts hub, Thomas is situated along the Blackwater Canyon Trail which goes through Blackwater Falls State Park and ends in Hendricks which is near the Allegheny Highlands Trail.
Wisconsin: Stevens Point
Home to University of Wisconsin, whose campus is surrounded by ample walking opportunities. Walk the River Trail and Green Circle Trail through Schmeeckle Reserve and Sculpture Park and drive to Emmons Creek Natural Area where you can hop on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Wyoming: Jackson or Sheridan
It’s a tie, depending on what park you want. Choose Jackson if you want to hike the Tetons. If you prefer fewer crowds with equally epic hikes, the town of Sheridan is just as walkable, has plenty of food and fun, and is home base for hiking Bighorn National Forest.
