Top Communities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Top Communities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Life doesn’t end at retirement. For most, it’s simply the next phase in a journey of new adventures and discoveries. And for a lot of 21st Century retirees, a period that inspires a healthy, active lifestyle. One way to make sure you remain vital and energetic is to get up, get out, and participate in all that nature has to offer. 

Here, we’ll explore the best places for active adults to retire. And retirement aside, these are some of the best places to live for outdoor lovers of all types and ages. 

So let’s step outside under the sun’s rays to breathe in that pristine air as we get the heart pumping and blood flowing. Because when it comes to capitalizing on the outdoor lifestyle, these communities have a lot to offer. 

Whitetail Club—McCall, ID 

Whitetail Club community in Idaho

Whitetail Club is an established mountain community about two hours north of Boise. This four-season destination in the family-friendly resort town of McCall is surrounded by thousands of acres of unspoiled high country wilderness. The list of outdoor activities is vast with alpine skiing and snowboarding, hiking and camping, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, boating on the glacial waters of Payette Lake, and fishing the nearby rivers and alpine lakes. 

Red Ledges—Heber City, UT 

Red Ledges community in Utah

Just minutes from Park City, UT, this immaculate community is among the best places for active adults to retire. Featuring a collection of neighborhoods designed to complement the rugged beauty of the surrounding high country terrain, skiing abounds in the winter. And in the warmer months, residents revel in a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, as well as biking, hiking, horseback riding, boating, waterskiing, and blue-ribbon fly-fishing on the famous Provo River.

Glade Springs—Daniels, WV 

Glade Springs Virginia community

Residents of Glade Springs can surely scratch their active lifestyle itch with a variety of amenities, including championship golf courses, a fitness center, swimming pools, fishing, and 26 miles of walking, hiking, and horseback riding trails. Just a half hour from West Virginia’s capital, Charleston, outdoor lovers have plenty of options for recreational pursuits such as skiing, fly-fishing, rocking climbing, and whitewater rafting.

Eastman—Grantham, NH 

Eastman NH community

Two hours from Boston and minutes away from Hanover and New London, Eastman encompasses more than 3,700 acres of environmentally protected woodlands with nature trails, an 18-hole championship golf course, a full-service community recreation center, and a sparkling 345-acre lake with boat docks and six private beaches. This setting has attracted an active and dynamic group of families and retirees from diverse backgrounds who share a love of nature and a true sense of community.

RainDance- Windsor, CO

RainDance Colorado Community

Escape to RainDance, a picturesque master-planned community nestled in Colorado's countryside with the Rocky Mountains as its backdrop. RainDance offers a unique blend of sustainability, stunning natural beauty, and modern amenities that foster a vibrant community spirit. Residents enjoy a wealth of amenities centered around the 13-acre RainDance Park, featuring a water park, parks, trails, a stocked trout pond, and Ted's Sweetwater Grill. The crown jewel is the RainDance National Resort & Golf Course, designed by a PGA Tour Champion, offering stunning mountain views alongside rolling hills and lush meadows. 

Big Valley of Blue Ridge- Morganton, GA

Big Valley of Blue Ridge Georgia community

Seeking a secluded mountain escape with convenient access to amenities? Big Valley of Blue Ridge offers a gated community nestled in the Appalachian Mountains near Morganton, Georgia. This picturesque development boasts 78 expansive lots spread across 100 acres, providing stunning wooded, creekfront, and mountain views. Residents enjoy the beauty of the North Georgia mountains with community firepits, a pavilion, a creekside park, and access to nearby hiking trails and Lake Blue Ridge. While the community offers a sense of tranquility, it also provides easy access to the charming towns of Blue Ridge and Blairsville, with world-class golf, healthcare, breweries, wineries, and shops all within reach.