Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina

Within driving distance from Atlanta, Charlottesville, or Memphis, the Nantahala National Forest, in far western North Carolina, has it all: excellent white-water kayaking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and four-wheeling. It also happens to be huge, with 530,000 acres wedged against three other major national forests. Check out the Panthertown Valley backcountry mountain-biking trails, the Nantahala River gorge and the incredible hiker's view from Hangover Rock. If you start to feel like you're turning some kind of forest creature, head for the fun little towns of Brevard, Waynesville or Asheville.