Fontana Lake outside of Bryson City, N.C. Photo: Tom Branch/Bryson City CVB

You already love towns like Charlottesville, Asheville, and Fayetteville for their outdoor vibe, but the Southern Appalachians are full of lesser-known small towns that boast vibrant scenes and access to incredible adventure. Here’s a short list of candidates poised to become the South’s Next Great Mountain Town.

BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA

Blue Ridge (pop. 1,200) has been a tourism hotspot since the scenic railroad started operating in the mid-90s but has somehow managed to keep its small town vibe.

“The town has done a good job of keeping the ‘Applebees’ out of the city limits, so people can still come here from Atlanta to spend a day in Mayberry,” says Sam Curlee, owner of Cycle South and Blue Ridge resident since 1998.

While the chains have been kept at bay, outdoor lovers have been welcomed with open arms. More than 40 percent of the county surrounding Blue Ridge is occupied by the Chattahoochee National Forest, and in the last few years, a younger, more active crowd has discovered that this hamlet, an easy 90-minute drive from Atlanta, is perched at the edge of some of North Georgia’s best recreation. With the development of new businesses like a brewery and a paddleboard surf shop, you’ve got the makings of a mountain town on the rise.

Play:Hikers can pick up the Benton Mackaye Trail off Highway 60 and hike three miles to the Toccoa River suspension bridge. Bring lunch and take a dip. Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters also offers guided hikes to more adventurous spots inside the Cohutta Wilderness. Cycle South owner Sam Curlee says the Aska Trails, 15 minutes outside of town, are the toughest in Georgia: “Expect steep and rough riding, but true singletrack.” You can piece massive rides together in the 20-mile trail system, but start with the Flat Creek Trail for a self-contained loop. Rent a stand up paddleboard from Surf Blue Ridge and head downriver on the Toccoa below the dam for some fun class I-II river running, or cruise the 3,000-acre Lake Blue Ridge for a more mellow vibe.

Eat:For coffee and a homemade muffin, L&L Beanery (706-632-3242) downtown is a local institution. Blue Jeans Pizza and Pasta (706-632-4936) has casual Italian with hefty portions, which could be just what you’re craving after a full day on the trails.

Stay:The Morganton Point Recreation Area has camping on Lake Blue Ridge 15 minutes from town. The Aska Lodge B&B is only two miles outside of downtown and features a bottomless cookie jar.

Events:Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race attracts the best teams from the Southeast. The ever-evolving course typically includes 46 miles of running, mountain biking, and kayaking through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Culture:Bill Oyster makes top-notch bamboo fly rods in his downtown shop and teaches classes where you build your own bamboo rod.

Mingle: Head to Blue Ridge Brewery, just off Main Street, for an outstanding beer selection. Join the weekly local group rides of Aska or the Whitewater Center on the Ocoee.

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