You can find trail towns all over North Carolina. These are unique communities located close to NC’s most cherish outdoor spaces, from Nags Head on the Outer Banks to Bryson City on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. NC is loaded with authentic trail towns that combine proximity to the outdoors with the infrastructure guests need to make the most of their adventures, from seasoned guides to hotels that accommodate gear like bikes, and even a brewery or two for a post-adventure beverage. And many of these communities go above and beyond by becoming certified Outdoor NC Trail Towns, a designation that shows these destinations take extra steps to preserve their natural beauty and cultural heritage. The Outdoor NC Trail Town Guide celebrates the communities that are championing destination stewardship and responsible recreation with a very forward-thinking goal: to sustain our towns and trails for future generations.

Whether you’re planning to ski one of NC’s six resorts, surf the Atlantic or hike a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail, there is a community in the Outdoor NC Trail Town guide for you. Highlighting 30 Trail Town Areas, 108 Trail Towns, and 207 trails across the state, you’ll find small mountain hamlets in the shadows of the state’s tallest peaks, bustling burgs on the banks of meandering rivers in the Piedmont and coastal towns separated from the Atlantic Ocean by tall, grassy dunes. In Bryson City, for instance, visitors can enjoy a guided hike through Great Smoky Mountains National Park before settling in for a beverage in a downtown beer garden. In Lumberton, on the banks of the Lumber River, guests can learn about the traditions of the indigenous Lumbee Tribe and paddle beneath lush cypress trees.

Any visit makes a difference because every Outdoor NC Trail Town gives you tools to ensure your adventure helps preserve the culture and outdoor opportunities that make the destination unique.