Living near a national forest can mean weekend trail access, cleaner views, and a slower pace without giving up basic services. The challenge is finding places where housing and daily costs still feel within reach.

Beneath the mountains around Franklin, North Carolina, visitors can do more than admire the scenery. They can dig into the region’s long mining history, sift through buckets of native soil and potentially uncover their own rubies, sapphires and other gemstones.

When the sun disappears over West Texas, Big Bend National Park reveals another side of its wild landscape. With exceptionally dark skies, remote campsites and some of the best stargazing in the country, the park turns nighttime into its own outdoor adventure.