From the Editors

Outdoor travel often feels locked behind complicated gear lists or remote trailheads. In a feature for Outside, Erin McGrady explores standout American towns designed with direct trail access right from the city center, highlighting places like Bend, Oregon, and Boulder, Colorado. The piece showcases how expansive local park networks, welcoming running clubs, and dirt paths starting mere blocks from downtown allow runners, hikers, and families to step straight into nature without needing a vehicle to launch their adventure.