Outdoor Meccas:

Durango, CO  |  Bend, OR  |  Bishop, CA  |  Ely, MN  

Gainesville, GA  |  North Conway, NH 

Bend, Oregon:

Population: 70,328

Median Home Price: $327,500

Nearby Activities: Everything but surf

The Scene: Bend is growing so quickly that nearly everyone's a newcomer. But there's still plenty of room to play: Paddle the Deschutes River, climb Smith Rock, ski Mount Bachelor, or hike the Deschutes National Forest.  
 
OPTIONS: Bend averages 300 days per year of sunshine, which means more time to ski, climb and hike Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor, or mountain bike Black Butte. Paddle the Deschutes River or trek 4.5 hours to the coast if you really get a craving for some waves.
 
OUTFITTER: Ouzel Outfitters runs two-day rafting excursions down the Deschutes ($345; www.oregonrafting.com).
 
GOOD EATS: Take to the Pine Tavern (+1 541 382 5581) for the marionberry cobbler and gin and tonics.

30 More Places to Live and Play:

Boise or Bust!

Outdoor Meccas  |  Adventure Cities  |  Small Towns

Cultural Hubs  |  Beach Towns  

Adventure's September 2006 issue features 31 amazing adventure towns; chaos at the top of Mount Everest; an inside look at surfing California's Lost Coast; 11 fall weekend getaways near you; the best high-tech footwear, world class adventure travel; hiking the Alps, and more!