20 Beautiful Little Mountain Towns Across America

Serene beauty, jaw-dropping mountains, year-round outdoor recreation, and incredible wildlife, are some of the many things you have to look forward too when visiting these stunning mountain towns. These towns are an adventurer's paradise. Regardless to the season, there is something fun to do and explore. During the winter months you can go skiing, dogsledding, snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. While during the summer you may have the option to go biking, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, skydiving, and more.

Girdwood is also known as the Glacier City because of the two giant snow summits nearby. If you ever wanted to go glacier hiking, Girdwood, which is near Anchorage, should be on your list. Kenai Fjords National Park is close, too. The icebergs and glaciers there are majestic year-round. Complete the strenuous Harding Icefield Trail and you'll have bragging rights for life. Visit the historic Crow Creek Mine, hop on the Alaska Railroad, and eat delicious fresh seafood.

The show doesn't ever stop in Ashland. The mountain town offers the perfect mix of high culture and high adventure, with or without snow. Hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, a section that crosses above Ashland, in the morning and relax in the afternoon watching an astounding theatre performance. There are many museum, art, music and movie options to consider as well. Mt. Ashland Ski Area is just 20 minutes away, if you feel like hitting the slopes in the winter. It peaks at 7,533 feet. The 200-acre area has 23 trails and four lifts.

The cultural life in the city is getting richer. Galleries are opening and music events are being scheduled quite often – all of that on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest. Locals' favorite activities are mountain biking – but go to the Greenbrier State Forest which has an easier terrain than the Monongahela – and fly fishing on the Greenbrier River. Tourists should start their visit on the first Friday of each month when shops and galleries open with wine tastings.

Bryson City is the home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. It will take you through spectacular old-growth forests and meadows. The charming small town is very close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which means you have access to everything that one of the most visited parks in the country has to offer, and the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in the country. Stay at in a log cabin as a mountaintop hideout and relax in a hot tub on the deck.

People who are not huge fans of the whole ski resort scene and vibe will like Driggs. It's more for winter adventurers who like to hike, snowshoe, snowmobile, and dogsled. You'll easily find a nice log cabin with a fireplace and good kitchen. You will be surrounded by beautiful views of the Teton Mountains. The average snowfall in December is 44 inches. Go on a fatbike ride out in Horseshoe Canyon for some deep snowbanks and great views. The Teton Valley Snowfest is drawing more and more visitors every year. People love everything from the Snow Sculpting demonstration to Nordic races.

Truckee is the place to be in the colder months if you want to escape huge crowds and still be in a winter wonderland. This is the Lake Tahoe area, after all. Skiers and snowboarders love it because of the many different slopes and trails that trick them through the woodsy and mountainous scenery. If you'd prefer exploring less-elevated areas, cross-country skiing and snowshoes let you trek through the snow. If you want to add a fun twist to your skiing, try a winter biathlon class.

People visit Eureka Springs in different seasons for different reasons, but winter is the time they can have it all – festivals, hiking, culinary adventures, and cozy spa experiences – minus all of the tourists. You can stay in a unique treehouse or a haunted hotel. Take your family for some quality time, and explore the dozens of natural springs tucked into the mountains and winding trails, small lakes and pocket parks.

Leavenworth has it all in the winter – skiing and snowboarding, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, ski jumping and snowshoeing, snowcat skiing, and dog sledding. You will never be bored there as long as you don't mind playing with snow. You won't regret going to a wine tasting. The Leavenworth Valley Wine Country is one of the hottest up-and-coming wine hotbeds in the Northwest. The town is also an amazing place to climb. You'll find whatever level of adventure you're looking for. The faux Bavarian-themed town adds a nice element to the pristine natural atmosphere.

West Glacier is your way into the Glacier National Park. Visitors love it for the town's golfing, hiking, biking or cruising nearby Lake McDonald on a boat tours or rafting the Flathead River. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available in the winter, too, according to Visit Montana. This little bit of civilization is worth visiting, even if you don't go to the park. Wild deer and mountain goats wander through West Glacier. Rugged mountains frame the town, so you're always looking at mountain splendor.

This is one of the most well-known mountain towns in Colorado. Some of the wealthiest people in the world live here, and for good reason. There are tons of world-class recreational opportunities – skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing, to name a few. The Marron Bells are a favorite among hikers and Snowmass – Aspen's largest ski area – is popular among winter sports enthusiasts.

Stowe is an ideal mountain town any time of the year. Although, the winter months attract the most visitors due to its famous Stowe Mountain Resort. Visitors will enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking and dogsledding. Head to town and enjoy tons of fairs, theatrical performances, museums and festivals.

Park City is famous for its two year-round resorts – Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort. Visitors enjoy mountain biking and hiking on over 300 miles of maintained trails, and bobsledding and zip lining in Utah Olympic Park. Visit in January for the annual Sundance Film Festival and during August for the Kimball Arts Festival.

This beautiful mountain town is perfect for adventure seekers. There are tons of recreational activities available year-round. Go skiing and snowboarding on Mammoth Mountain; visit Rainbow Falls and the Devils Postpile National Monument in the summer; view incredible foliage in the fall; and don't forget to visit one of our country's most spectacular national parks – Yosemite National Park.

Whitefish is famously known for its incredible hiking opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Whitefish Trail, the Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Fish Trails, and the Living Wetlands Interpretive Trail, to name a few. But the most exciting thing about visiting this mountain town is that you are only about 25 miles from Glacier National Park. While you are there you can go biking, boating, horseback riding, hiking and more.

This mountain town is frequently visited in the winter months. Visitors enjoy spending time in Jackson for its three local ski areas – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort and Snow King Resort. Go skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowmobiling, hiking and even embark on a wildlife safari.

Charlottesville is a stunning mountain town that offers tons of year-round outdoor adventure opportunities. Stay at the Wintergreen Resort for the chance to go skiing and snowboarding, go boating on Beaver Creek Lake, canoeing on Chris Greene Lake, and cycling on the Saunders-Monticello Trail. Other things to do in and around the area include boating, ballooning and skydiving.

Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The weather is incredible year-round; the sun shines more than 300 days a year. Biking on the scenic Boulder Creek Path is just one way to enjoy this beautiful mountain town. Visitors also enjoy hiking trails through the Rocky Mountains and downhill skiing at Eldora Mountain Ski Resort.

Get away for the weekend, clear your mind and head to the gorgeous Lake Placid, located in the Adirondacks. Regardless to the season, visitors flock to this mountain town. However, spring and winter may just be the best times to visit as they offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. In the spring you can go hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and horseback riding. During the winter months you can go skiing down Whiteface Mountain, ice climbing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Walk through the quiet alpine meadows of Telluride on a snowshoeing adventure, or put on your skis and embark on the thrill of a life time down the town's world-class ski slopes. Visit Bridal Veil Falls, the longest natural free-falling waterfall in Colorado, head to Town Park for scenic walking paths, and make sure you climb Ajax Peak for panoramic views of Telluride, Bridal Veil Basin, Silver Lake, Imogene Pass, and more.

This far-out mountain town, an underrated adventure destination, is unlike any other place on earth—and that's the appeal. Bordered on three sides by the towering red peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is positioned in a high desert valley and is one of the few places that retain its native culture, thriving art scene and connection to the great outdoors. The town has spas and health clubs so you can make the most of your trip to this tiny town of about 5,000 people and its hot springs. The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is a "hidden gem," ideal for hiking, camping or simply enjoying a breathtaking view.