6 Best Small Towns for Summer
Don’t overlook these quaint vacation spots, which offer hiking, swimming, and charming main streets galore.
There’s no shortage of summer vacation destinations in the West, whether you prefer big cities, theme parks, resort communities, or national parks. But sometimes, the most memorable trips are those that allow you to more fully explore and immerse yourself in a community. Enter the destination-worthy small town.
What these destinations lack in size they make up for in charm, personality, and access to stunning surrounding areas—not to mention food, drink, and art scenes that often punch well above their weight. All that, plus the chance to become a regular at your favorite local spots in a short time frame? Sounds like an ideal way to spend a summer vacation.
Guerneville, California
Tucked amid the redwood forests 75 miles north of San Francisco, Guerneville offers stunning trip-worthy natural scenery. Hugging the banks of the Russian River, surrounded by towering trees, this serene Sonoma County town shines in the summertime thanks to ample opportunities for riverfront recreation, including floating, canoeing, swimming, and sunbathing. Guerneville is home to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, a destination for walks and hikes through groves of old-growth redwood forests; you’ll also find yourself an easy drive from the wineries of Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley and the rugged, wild Sonoma coast.
But it’s also worth making time to explore the town itself. Historically an LGBTQ+ vacation destination, Guerneville now boasts top-notch food, drink, and accommodations that would fit in the big city (yet still maintain a low-key charm). Try seasonal Californian fare at boon eat + drink, like a Niman Ranch steak with fingerling potatoes and broccolini, or mezcal cocktails with chips and local goat cheese queso at El Barrio, before partying with the locals at the Rainbow Cattle Company. The next afternoon, grab a seat on the patio at Stumptown Brewery, an unparalleled riverfront setting for a burger and a beer.
Oatman, Arizona
Get a real taste of the Wild West in this tiny former mining town, which hit it big in the early 20th century after gold was discovered in the nearby Black Mountains. While those days, and the boom that followed, are long gone, Oatman remains a destination for the wild burros (descendants of the animals brought to the area by miners) that wander its wooden-planked sidewalks. The town has a charming, historic Main Street that pays tribute to its colorful history, and hosts regular staged shoot-outs courtesy of the Outlaws.
Oatman is also worth exploring for its location on Historic Route 66, with access to the Colorado River and striking desert mountainscapes. Just outside of town, check out the Cool Springs Station, a hub for Route 66 memorabilia. Back on Main Street, plan on spending some time exploring the Oatman Hotel (formerly known as the Durlin), where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon in 1939. It’s still a great place to get a burger and a “dust quencher” of a drink. Be sure to bring cash to add to the dollar bills peppered across the ceiling and walls.
Ely, Nevada
Deep in the high desert of eastern Nevada, this historic mining town is a fitting destination for history buffs, outdoor adventurers, and art lovers. Originally a stagecoach stop along the Pony Express, Ely experienced a copper mining boom (and subsequent bust) in the early 20th century. But an embrace of its Wild West history, Ely Shoshone Tribe traditions, and creative pursuits has made it a worthwhile destination along Highway 50—commonly called “the Loneliest Road in America” for its strikingly desolate desert location. Known as a gateway to Great Basin National Park, Ely is the perfect jumping-off point for hikes through ancient bristlecone pines or epic stargazing. You’re also a 20-minute drive from Cave Lake State Park, a major destination for fishing, boating, mountain biking, and camping.
In town, check out the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, a National Historic Landmark offering rides on old-school steam and diesel trains, or take a public art tour through town, exploring striking sculptures and murals. Summers bring live music to Broadbent Park and a multi-day Fourth of July festival.
Green River, Utah
Less than an hour from tourist-packed Moab is tiny Green River, a perfect place to post up and explore the stunning scenery of wild eastern Utah. While you can easily travel to heavy hitters like Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks from this hub, Green River is also an excellent base from which to visit lesser-trafficked marvels, including the wild rock formations in Goblin Valley State Park and mysterious rock art in Sego Canyon.
When you’re not taking in the wonders of the desert or plotting a river float or rafting trip on the Green River itself, stop by Ray’s Tavern for a burger—established in 1943, it maintains a real-deal cowboy charm and a display of river rafting history on the walls. Or try Tamarisk Restaurant for Navajo tacos served on freshly made fry bread. Should you find yourself in Green River come September, you can partake in the town’s Melon Days Festival, a celebration of all things melon.
Red Lodge, Montana
With the Beartooth Mountains as its backdrop, Red Lodge is far more than “the Gateway to Yellowstone” or the “Base Camp to the Beartooths,” though you can, and should, drive the magnificent Beartooth Highway to the famed national park. The town, a hub for outdoor adventures including hiking, fishing, climbing, rafting, and hunting, is as much a destination for its charming downtown full of antique shops, galleries, and restaurants.
While there’s not a slow season to be found here, summer is a particularly joyous time to visit thanks to a slate of can’t-miss events, including the Home of Champions Rodeo, a four-day event stretching over the Fourth of July. Less epic in scale but wildly entertaining are the pig races at the Bear Creek Saloon & Steakhouse, held Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day through Labor Day. Be sure to stop in for coffee and treats at Cattail Bakery, cocktails at One-Legged Magpie, and scope (and shop) stunning ceramics at the Red Lodge Clay Center.
Homer, Alaska
Perched on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula at the end of the U.S. highway system, Homer is a worthy destination for its stunning surroundings alone: The majestic Kenai Mountains ring the cerulean waters of the Kachemak Bay, where the Homer spit extends 4.5 miles. As such, it's a stellar base for fishing (it’s known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”), whale watching, wildlife viewing, kayaking, camping, and more.
But Homer’s value doesn’t rest on beauty points alone. Charming and packed with art galleries, bars, and restaurants, the town celebrates both the abundance of the surrounding land and waters and the boundless creativity of its residents. Get to know the history of the region at the Pratt Museum, and the details of the area’s wildlife at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Come July the town is buzzing with the annual Peony Celebration, which includes opportunities to tour peony farms, pick blooms, and shop peony-centric products (through Aug. 14). No matter when you visit, be sure to stop into the Salty Dawg Saloon, housed in one of the first cabins built in the area in 1897, perched on the far end of the Homer Spit.
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