When it comes to trendy trip ideas and buzzworthy vacation spots, America’s cities get a lot of love—maybe because their landscapes are always changing. New York, DC, Chicago and LA hum with new developments and promising projects; every week brings a packed calendar of grand openings and debut performances.

But in a land with hundreds of individual mountain ranges and endless acres of national forests, some of the most exciting destinations in the US boast skylines that haven’t changed in centuries. Home to craggy peaks with steep trails, twisting singletracks and swirling whitewater, this country’s beautiful little mountain towns deserve their own moment in the sun. That’s why we’re featuring 24 scenic communities—each home to less than 10,000 residents—with serious four-season appeal and tons of small-town charm. Continue Reading