Small Towns:

St. Johnsbury, VT  |  Dillon, MT  |  Divide, CO  |  Port Townsend, WA
  
Spearfish, SD  |  Waynesville, NC

Dillon, Montana:

Population: 3,998

Median Home Price $139,579

Number of Stoplights: Two

The Scene: Old-time ranchers and Patagonia outlet shoppers may seem a volatile mix, but everyone lives peacefully near the headwaters of the Missouri River, an hour from Yellowstone.

OPTIONS: Fly-fish for trout on the Beaverhead or Big Hole River. Ringed by mountains, Dillon lies on the path of Louis and Clark; explore Beaver Rock and retrace their steps.

OUTFITTERS: The guides at Back Country Angler ($365; www.backcountryangler.com) lead fly-fishing tours on Beaverhead River, The Big Hole River and Madison River for rainbow and brown trout. Travel along Lewis and Clark's route from Beaverhead Rock and "Shoshone Cove" to Sacagawea Monument on the Continental Divide with Great Divide Wildland Tours ($340 per couple; www.greatdividetours.com). Then spend the night with Diamond Hitch Outfitters ($450; www.diamondhitchoutfitters.com) and ride horses through the back country the whole next day.

GOOD EATS: Try the prime rib at the laid back hunters lodge the Lion's Den (+1 406 683 2051).

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!