25 Cities With Easy Access to the Outdoors

Last year, more and more people took to the outdoors to enjoy all that nature has to offer. We want to encourage your new outdoor hobbies by sharing 25 cities in the U.S. that offer outdoor offerings galore. Enjoy the comfort of a hotel bed and a big city with the added benefit of a wealth of outdoor offerings when you visit these destinations.

The first thing you'll notice about Chattanooga is that it's covered in green forests and surrounded by mountains and hills -- the main one being Lookout Mountain. Atop Lookout Mountain, you'll find free hiking trails (like Sunset Rock), an indoor waterfall called Ruby Falls and a rocky garden with a fairy tale theme, Rocky City.

In addition to a big mountain bike community, a lot of people kayak to Maclellan Island which sits in the middle of the Tennessee River. Take a paddleboard tour to a bat cave with Sunshine's Adventures or hang glide at the largest hang gliding school in the nation. The surrounding area is bursting with outdoor offerings like hiking at Cloudland Canyon State Park and a swimming hole at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area.

We love Madison's outdoor offerings. Lake Monona is a short walk from the capitol and offers a 12-mile biking and walking trail that's open year-round. Rent a kayak to see a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Monona Terrace, from the water. In the winter, you can watch locals race iceboats or ice skate across the frozen lake.

The city has over 260 parks, but locals have some favorites like Picnic Point, a piece of land that juts out into Lake Mendota, where (you guessed it) people have picnics that include delicious Wisconsin cheese. You'll also find an array of great hikes just a short drive from Madison like various sections of the Ice Age Scenic Trail. Head to Gibraltar's Rock for amazing views!

Make your way to North California for an outdoors-themed stay in Oakland. Lots of visitors head to Lake Merritt to walk the outer trail or canoe on its waters. Others explore the redwoods in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park or 70 miles of hiking trails in the 3,304-acre Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Visit nearby beaches or preserves along the bay. If you're willing to rent a car, you can experience even more natural areas within an hour's drive, like rock climbing at Mt. Diablo or bird watching at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area.

Austin sits in the heart of Hill Country, an area of Texas known for its rivers, hills, watering holes and valleys that draw outdoor adventurers from all over the world. Paddle or kayak on Lady Bird Lake or keep your body moving on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. If you like bouldering, Reimers Ranch Park has 300 different routes to climb. There are five state parks within 30-minute drives from ATX, and once you're finished exploring what they have to offer, take a dip in Barton Springs Pool or Hamilton Pool Preserve.

Oklahoma City may surprise you with its outdoor offerings. Lake Hefner draws sailing enthusiasts, while the North Canadian River attracts paddlers and white water rafters. Head to Riversport for a ton of adventure activities from indoor skiing to surfing, tubing and mountain biking on three world-class mountain bike/BMX courses. Dive into nature at Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge or Martin Wildlife Center. If you're willing to drive just an hour away, you'll be able to explore some beautiful spots in Turner Falls Park or Roman Nose State Park.

Estes Park sits at the bottom of Rocky Mountain National Park -- so you know this city is an outdoor haven. Outdoor exploration in Estes Park depends on the time of year, and in the winter, you can ski, snowshoe hike and snowboard in this low-key ski town. In the summer, visitors book white water rafting trips or climb places like Lumpy Ridge and Big Thompson Canyon. Once you've hiked the Rocky Mountains, you should check out the nearby Rosewood National Forest.

Atlanta is surrounded on all sides by natural beauty, which is why it's such a great basecamp for hiking and exploring Stone Mountain Park, Red Top Mountain Park and Etowah Indian Mounds State Park. But you don't need to go too far to enjoy the 'City in a Forest.' Join the rest of the city biking, walking or skating down the Atlanta BeltLine. Kayak or canoe on the Chattahoochee River or merely get lost in the old trees of Fernbank Forest.

Love to be surrounded by greenery? Make your way to Seattle, Washington. This hiking haven offers trails and great views at Discovery Park or atop mountains like Mount Si or Mount Rainier. Have the unique experience of paddling by the floating homes of Portage Bay or take the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Outdoor fun doesn't have to end in the winter. Many take off from Seattle to hit the slopes at Stevens Pass or Crystal Mountain Resort.

It's hard to see where the outdoors end and Sedona begins, and that's because the city is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, four wilderness areas and two state parks. Fish to your heart's desire or hike beloved trails like Cathedral Rock or Boynton Canyon. Two-wheel lovers can mountain bike or hit the scenic roads on motorcycles. Soar to new heights with air balloon rides or climb the world-famous red rocks of Sedona.

Walk outside your hotel in Maui and you'll see a wealth of outdoor activities. The ocean will call you to surf at Ho'okipa Beach, snorkel at Molokini Crater and scuba dive in the reefs. The island is pretty hilly, so don't be surprised if you see people mountain biking up and down Haleakala Volcano. Those who don't want something so strenuous can opt to zipline down the volcano. If you like extreme outdoor fun, consider an ATV tour or waterfall rappelling, which is exactly like it sounds -- rappelling over cliffs, down waterfalls and into the rainforest.

Salt Lake City lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. It's the kind of city where you can ski in the winter and hike or climb in the summers. Although you can use Salt Lake City as a jumping-off point to Utah's best parks like Arches, Bryce and Zion, you really don't need to go far for some spectacular hiking. Check out Ensign Peak, City Creek Canyon and the Living Room hikes. Go fishing at Jordanelle State Park or have a mellow day outdoors in Liberty Park which is home to an aviary, splash pad and Ferris Wheel.

Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills National Forest, making this an exceptional outdoor destination city in the U.S. Discover 470 miles of hiking trails like the one that leads to the highest natural point in South Dakota, Black Elk Peak. Hit trails, like the George S. Mickelson Trail, which is a converted railroad line, by bike or horse. Wonder at the Black Hills from above by air balloon, go swimming at Sylvan Lake or Cascade Falls, pan for gold at Deadwood or windsurf on Lake Oahe.

You'll surely spend more time outside than inside with a visit to Miami. Although the city's wonderful beaches are most likely at the top of your list, take the opportunity to bike on 15 different trails in the Oleta River State Park, snorkel in Biscayne National Park or kayak through mangroves in Biscayne Bay. While you will have a blast jet skiing and deep-sea fishing in Miami, don't overlook how close Miami is to the Everglades. The 1.5 million-acre wetlands offer a wealth of outdoor adventure like boating, bicycling or slough slogging ('wet hiking') -- plus plenty of wildlife viewing!

Enjoy the unique and mesmerizing scenery of Alaska with a stay in Anchorage. You can hike Flat Top Mountain (which is one of the most popular trails in the state), as well as many other hikes that offer spectacular views such as the Arctic Valley. Kayak among glaciers at Spencer Glacier or paddleboard or ice skate (depending on the time of year) in Westchester Lagoon. And if you love mountain biking, you have trails galore in Anchorage, though fat tire biking is always a fun experience, especially on the Coastal Trail.

Taos offers a number of outdoor activities from llama trekking through reservations to rafting or fishing in the Rio Grande Gorge. Whether ballooning or ziplining in Taos, you'll be amazed by the beautiful and otherworldly landscape of this New Mexican town. Bike through Carson National Forest and hike the Taos Valley Overlook. In the winter, you'll have the special opportunity to ski and snowboard at one of the many ski resorts like the Taos Ski Valley Resort or Angel Fire Ski Resort. When your outdoor adventures wear you out, soak in a nearby hot spring, such as Black Rock Hot Springs.

On the very western edge of Texas sits El Paso, a city surrounded by mountains, deserts and lots of outdoor adventures. Hueco Tanks State Park and Franklin Mountains State Park attract bikers, hikers and campers throughout the year for their great trails, unique rock formations and wonderful history. Not too far away is the stunning Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Get your heart rate going with ATVing on desert dunes in Red Sands or look at flora and fauna at the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. Many rave about the birdwatching along the River Park Trail.

Portland, Oregon, serves up outdoor activities at every turn. Unlike a lot of places in the U.S., you can ski and snowboard year-round in the nearby area of Mt. Hood. Closer to the city, you can kayak on the Willamette River or enjoy 80 miles of trails at the 5,200-acre Forest Park. The city is bursting with various gardens to peruse like the Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland Rose International Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. Only 10 miles north of Portland is Sauvie Island which draws visitors to take picturesque bike rides.

Bozeman is a great place for families who love the outdoors. Surrounding the city is the Gallatin National Forest -- an outdoor hot spot for rafting, fishing, hiking and wildlife. Located within the forest is the Bridger Bowl Ski Area. During the winter it draws folks who love sports like skiing and snowboarding. Best yet? It's only a 25-minute drive from Bozeman.

If you'd like something a little more relaxed and fun for the whole family, try tubing on the Madison River. Kids will go crazy for the Montana Grizzly Encounter which lets you get closer to grizzlies than you would ever want to be in the wild. Last but not least, Bozeman is a great base for day trips to Yellowstone National Park.

Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing and paragliding can be experienced in Honolulu, Hawaii. Have a close encounter with sharks, take a fishing escapade with friends or relax aboard a boat. Get your body moving with a hike to the beautiful Manoa Falls or up the Diamond Head volcano. Make sure to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about the various cultures of Hawaii. Here you can paddle in canoes between six different villages where you will learn how to fish without a net, play with twirling poi balls and dance.

The folks in Charlotte know how to have a good time outside. Many people boat and fish on Lake Wylie throughout the year. Beachin Island on Lake Norman brings out boaters on the weekends for music, water and fun. The party may not be for everyone, so enjoy some quiet time hiking on Crowders Mountain or in Morrow Mountain State Park. If you want to stay in the city, you can walk and take photos of the Charlotte skyline on the 3.5-mile Skyline Trail. Don't miss a chance to visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center which offers whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling and rock climbing.

Boulder draws people from all over the world for its stellar outdoor offerings. Skiiers, snowboarders and snowshoers can stay in Boulder and hit the slopes in the nearby ski area of Eldora. Boulder is equally a wonderful destination for summer outdoor experiences. There are numerous places to hike like Eldorado Canyon State Park and Flatirons. Bike along a creek on the Boulder Creek Path and fish in South Boulder Creek. See some phenomenal astronomy shows at the Fiske Planetarium.

Grand Rapids sits on Grand River, a great place for kayakers and paddleboarders to enjoy. Wakeboarders will want to make their way to Action Wake Park for the ultimate wakeboarding experience. Grab a tube and float the nearby Rogue River or swim at Versluis Park at Lake Versluis. Enjoy art and gardens at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is home to a tropical conservatory and multiple gardens. Hiking and fishing are very popular in Grand Rapids, though many are happy just relaxing at one of the many beaches, like Oval Beach.

San Diego has such a temperate climate that it attracts people year-round looking for sand, surf and hiking. After spending some time on the beach, catch some stellar waves with a surf session or rent a kayak and paddle near the La Jolla Caves, where you might see a sea lion or two. If you'd like to enjoy the beauty of the coast, bike along the 10-mile route of the Silver Strand on Coronado Island. Locals and visitors alike love Balboa Park which has multiple trails to hike and plenty of museums to enjoy. Fans of gardens may want to check out the Alcazar Garden and Japanese Friendship Garden.

Park City in the winter is a great place to dog sled or snowmobile. It's an even better place to take to the slopes on skis, snowboards or tubes. This destination may be nationally known for winter activities, but it offers just as much outdoor fun in the warmer months. After the snow melts, fly fishers wade into the Provo River, while rafters hit the rapids of Weber River. Mountain bike at 8,000 feet on the Mid Mountain Trail or enjoy panoramic views of Park City and the Uinta Mountains on a strenuous six-mile hike of the Fantasy Ridge trail.

At the center of Boise's outdoor offerings is the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt, a tree-lined path that follows the river through various parks and natural areas. Along the Greenbelt, you can hop into the river for a swim or tubing experience at Sandy Point Beach or Discovery Park. Enjoy a more leisurely stroll at the Idaho Botanical Gardens. Extreme adventurers will have a blast climbing the Black Cliffs or rafting on the Payette River. In the winter, drive less than an hour from Boise to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area for nordic skiing, snowshoeing or fat-tire biking.