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Spend time in any mountain town, and it becomes apparent that they all have a few things in common besides puffy jackets and trucker hats. There’s the obligatory handful of craft breweries with outdoor patios and local coffee shops with mountain bikes parked out front and an extensive network of trails for all abilities. There’s also likely a yoga studio and an outdoor retailer or two along the main street with water bowls on the patio for the dogs. Bonus points if a river cuts through town. But over the last several years, a new fixture has started to pop up in these places: electric vehicle chargers.

In the beginning, electric vehicle (EV) chargers were a novelty. In 2011, there were only about 5,000 public EV charging ports and 2,100 stations in the entire U.S. (This data comes from the Alternative Fuels Data Center, the AFDC, and it doesn’t include chargers at private residences.)

I realized that electric vehicles had become mainstream when I spotted them in Yosemite National Park in 2020. They were increasingly common around major cities, but to see them in a place like Yosemite Valley surprised me. Fast forward to June 2026. According to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, a unique collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation formed in 2021, there are just over 176,000 public Level 2 chargers and 73,000 public DC Fast chargers, with more being added. The AFDC reports that California paves the way in terms of sheer number, boasting over 65,000, with New York coming in second with more than 20,000.

As electric vehicles have gained in popularity, some mountain towns have made the upgrades to support EVs faster than others. And it’s made both living in and visiting these places more enjoyable and less stressful for EV owners.

The most EV-friendly locales are those where there’s a diversity in public charging levels, network availability, and, as the old adage goes: location, location, location. My picks are places along major highway corridors, with a good network of chargers near lodging, and in areas where you can combine two tasks à la grocery shopping while charging or going for a trail run while your vehicle is plugged in. (That said, be mindful of signs and etiquette at charging stations. It’s bad form to leave your vehicle parked for hours at a DC fast-charging station, since it means other drivers can’t access it. Move your vehicle as soon as you’re done charging.)

These are the top picks for seven mountain towns where you and your EV are going to feel right at home. These are places where you can trail to town, recap your day over an inventive microbrew, and your vehicle can recharge without a ton of hassle.

Asheville, North Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville (population 94,000) has earned a reputation as one of the Southeast’s top destinations for outdoor recreation, farm-to-table dining, and craft beer (it has more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S.) Its abundance of trails, plus a lively art scene with over 500 artists in the River Arts District alone, give it a quirky and eclectic vibe. And music venues like the Orange Peel, Asheville Yards, and the Grey Eagle bring in big names like Billy Strings and Ben Harper, making it one of the most popular places to visit in the region. Hurricane Helene came through in 2024 and caused massive damage, but the city has made a remarkable recovery and is open and welcoming visitors.

The Recreation: Just minutes from downtown, the Blue Ridge Parkway, an iconic 469-mile scenic stretch of road, links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. It’s a rite of passage to wind your way along this mountain road, stop at overlooks, and hike or run some of the area’s most beautiful trails. Share the pavement with cyclists as well as wildlife, including black bears. Craggy Pinnacle Trail (Milepost 364.1), Mount Pisgah (Milepost 407.6), and Graveyard Fields (Milepost 418.8) are some of the most popular. Mountain biking is also extremely popular in Asheville, with Bent Creek Experimental Forest boasting a network of 30 miles of trails for all abilities. Less than an hour from downtown, DuPont State Recreational Forest has nearly 10,500 acres and 90 miles of fast and flowy trails as well as some rocky and rooted technical sections. And lest you think it’s all about land adventures, folks in Asheville love getting out on the French Broad River with their SUP’s, inner tubes, and floating coolers.

The EV Infrastructure: Asheville has emerged as one of the region’s trailblazers in EV infrastructure, making it a no-brainer of a destination for an EV road trip. On your way into town, stop by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, where you can get a free charge at a Level 2 charging station while you explore downtown and the nearby Reed Creek Greenway. Though normal parking rates apply, there are also free charging stations in all city and county parking garages around town. Mickey Poandl of the city’s tourism department, Explore Asheville, says, “New Belgium Brewing in the River Arts District offers two free visitor J1772 chargers located by the Liquid Center, plus four additional free EVLink chargers in the employee lot that are open to the public after 5 P.M.” Plus, most of the hotels in town, as well as a few bed and breakfasts, have Level 2 EV charging stations for guests, making it easy for you to start your day with a full battery.

Total Charging Stations: 241

Level 2: 156

Level 3: 85

Free Stations: 102

Main Networks: Tesla, Blink

Park City, Utah

Park City (population 8,300) ticks off nearly every box for what makes an epic outdoorsy mountain town. It’s just 30 miles east of Salt Lake City on the eastern slopes of the Wasatch Mountains. Sitting at roughly 7,000 feet, this former silver mining town has evolved into one of the premier destinations for world-class skiing and mountain biking. It’s also home to Utah Olympic Park, the training site where current and future Olympians train. Numerous trailheads downtown mean hikers can also depart for an epic adventure with ease. There is a mix of great coffee shops, local restaurants, and art galleries along a walkable Main Street housed in buildings that date back to the 19th-century mining boom. You can grab a breakfast bagel and a cup of coffee at Atticus Coffee and Teahouse and walk to the Town Lift in just a few minutes. The town’s also known as an arts and culture destination. For years it hosted the Sundance Film Festival and its Kimball Arts Festival is a weekend-long event that brings the art community together. In 2026, the arts festival will celebrate its 57th anniversary.

The Recreation: Ski and snowboard in the winter, everything else in the summer. Especially mountain biking. Deer Valley Resort and City Mountain are open to mountain bikers and hikers during the summer months, so you never have to go without high-altitude adventures. Trailside Bike Park and Woodward Bike Park are also two huge draws for the MTB crowd. And for those who want some dog-friendly and family-friendly miles of easy pedaling, you can get 28 miles along the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail with numerous offshoots that lead to singletrack as well as a section that passes by Echo State Park and reservoir. You can also get a fresh take on the views on a guided horseback ride with the folks at Boulder Mountain Ranch and go fishing for brown and rainbow trout in the Middle Provo and Weber Rivers. There’s more to do in this town than several others combined.

The EV Infrastructure: EV drivers should have an easy time finding a place to get a charge in Park City. Morgan Mingle, the senior director of Sustainable Tourism for Park City, says traveling car-free isn’t just convenient in Park City; it changes how you experience the town. “Free public chargers at spots like City Hall, the China Bridge Parking Garage in Old Town, and the Park City Library sit right on our fare-free bus routes,” says Mingle, “so you can plug in and then hop on the bus instead of circling back for the car.” This, Mingle says, puts you in the middle of the community instead of passing through it, whether that’s chatting with a local on the ride up Main Street or discovering a coffee shop you’d have driven right past. “For EV travelers especially, going car-free for part of the trip means one less thing to plan around charging, and it opens up all of Park City’s walkable, bikeable, transit-connected core.”

Total Charging Stations: 182

Level 2: 146

Level3: 36

Free: 55

Main Networks: Tesla, Blink

Duluth, Minnesota

You can’t mention Duluth without also mentioning Lake Superior. Duluth is an active port city and the lake is so vast that visitors would be forgiven for thinking they’d reached the ocean. In fact, it’s the largest freshwater lake in the world by area and the third largest in volume. You can grab a beer and a front row seat at Grandma’s Saloon and Grill Canal Park location and watch ships thread the needle under the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge. Canal Park was once a junkyard and has made a comeback that’s transformed the area into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the upper Midwest with restaurants, shops, breweries, hotels, and a scenic waterfront. Winters can be long and brutal, but locals embrace the season and are outside in even the coldest weather. And like any good outdoorsy town, it’s got a lively arts scene as well as numerous restaurants and breweries to choose from. Check out Ursa Minor Brewing, which makes wood-fired pizzas to go with its inventive beers and always has a rotating cast of live bands.

The Recreation: Though technically a lake-centered destination and not a mountain town, Duluth, Minnesota, (population 88,000) is a Midwest adventure hub, and despite its lack of elevation, it has one of the best EV infrastructures for outdoorsy towns in the region. It’s also home to more than 9,000 acres of parks and natural areas, 178 miles of trails, cool breweries, a walkable downtown, and an outdoor-centric vibe with fishing, boating, surfing, hiking, and mountain biking all within easy access of downtown. Pick up a cup of coffee and a hoodie at the Back Alley, a surf shop that will outfit you for cold water surfing. (Google Duluth surfing if you think I’m telling tales; the waves are sick.) The Duluth Traverse is a local treasure with 42 miles of trails, 90 percent of which are singletrack. Grandma’s Marathon, one of the nation’s most popular 26.2 races, whose course follows the shoreline of Lake Superior, has been taking place since 1977. At the first race, 150 people toed the starting line, but its most recent running had nearly 24,000 participants.

The EV Infrastructure: Downtown Duluth has a robust network of EV charging stations, including the net-zero-energy, solar-powered EV charging station near Canal Park. The solar panels at that station are mounted on a carport that offers shelter from the elements for you and your vehicle. Plus, the panels give electricity back to the grid when the Level 2 chargers are not in use. Beyond Canal Park, public Level 2 chargers are available throughout downtown and at the Duluth Transportation Center, where you can access nine Level 2 EV charging stations on the first floor of the parking garage. There are also four EV charging stations located around campus at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, though you’re limited to four hours of parking and charging. Several downtown hotels also have chargers, making it easy for you to keep your EV charged while exploring the North Shore.

Total Charging Stations: 50

Level 2: 30

Level 3: 20

Free Stations: 2

Main Networks: ZEF Energy, ChargePoint, Electrify America

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Glenwood Springs (population 10,500) sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers in the Roaring Fork Valley of western Colorado. It’s just off Interstate 70, a major corridor that runs east-west all the way to Baltimore, Maryland. Denver is only about 2.5 hours to the east and Grand Junction to the west. The mountains rise steeply around this four-season mountain town where activities range in intensity from leaf peeping for fall color and soaking in the hot springs at Iron Mountain to whitewater rafting. “Restaurant Row” on 7th Street is home to a variety of local restaurants; lots of them feature outdoor dining patios, many of which are dog-friendly. Casey Brewing and Blending is a fun place to grab a local craft beer. Bethel Plaza is a popular pedestrian-friendly space under Grand Avenue Bridge and is home to local shops and restaurants and hosts farmers markets, movie nights, and Music Under the Bridge, where live music pops up every Friday night during the summer. Amtrak’s California Zephyr makes a stop in Glenwood Springs, and Aspen is less than an hour south of town.

The Recreation: The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort (pictured above) is a major draw for this mountain town. Its historic Grand Pool is the largest hot spring pool in the world. Its turquoise waters span two blocks. The Sopris Splash Zone means the whole family will enjoy the trip, not just adults. The town is also surrounded by the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest. Mountain biking is allowed on numerous forest roads and trails (check the map before you go), but you can also ride the fairly flat 16.3-mile Glenwood Canyon Recreation path for a more relaxed, family-oriented ride. For a longer adventure, run or ride the 42-mile Rio Grande Trail all the way to Aspen. The 3.1-mile Atkinson Canal Trail is an ADA accessible trail that is wheelchair-, stroller-, bike-, and pedestrian-friendly. Get a permit to hike Hanging Lake, a 3.1-mile trail with lots of stairs that leads to an emerald lake and cascading waterfalls.

The EV Infrastructure: There are numerous options to pair charging with an outdoor activity or chore. For example, the Tesla Supercharger station is adjacent to the Natural Grocers store and less than a half mile to the Wulfsohn Trailhead, a three-mile out-and-back trail that meets up with the Midland Avenue Bike Path and allows you to tack on extra distance. There are four Level 2 chargers located at the Glenwood Springs Resort under the Grand Avenue Bridge for customers to use while they are at the pool. Top off before touring Glenwood Canyon, a 12.5-mile gorge with over 40 bridges that some call one of the most stunning stretches of I-70 due to its 1,300-foot canyon walls that rise on each side. Four fast CCS1 chargers are located just north of Roaring Fork Anglers in the Starbucks parking lot so you can sit and enjoy the view of the river or leave your vehicle for a while and go for a spin on the Rio Grande Trail.

Total Charging Stations: 71

Level 2: 57

Level 3: 14

Free Stations: 19

Main Networks: ChargePoint, Tesla, ChargeLab

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, a small town in Northern Vermont (population 5,200), sits in the shadow of Mount Mansfield, which, at 4,393 feet, is the highest peak in the Green Mountains as well as the state of Vermont. The town’s roots are in agriculture and dairy farming and now draws tourism for outdoor fun like skiing, hiking, and leaf peeping. The covered bridges and the Little River set against a backdrop of brilliant red, orange, and yellow leaves make the valley feel as if it’s on fire during the fall months.

The town has an easy-going, laid-back vibe. There’s a weekly farmers market that runs from May through mid-October that boosts the community vibe, and Stowe has successfully managed to keep national chains out of the downtown, which gives the town and its locally owned and independent shops, cafes, and galleries a not-like-anywhere-else kind of feel. Stop in at Shaw’s General Store, which has been outfitting people with both outdoor gear and maple syrup since 1895.

The Recreation: Stowe has earned the nickname “The Ski Capital of the East” in large part because of Nose Dive on Mount Mansfield, which is considered by many to be one of the most challenging ski runs in North America. Stowe Mountain Resort, established in 1937, is a ten-minute drive northeast of town and, like a lot of winter resorts, has found a way to keep people coming year-round. Once the snow has melted, visitors still flock to the area to follow the white blazes and hike along the Long Trail, a 272-mile trail that has a section that crosses Mount Mansfield.

The EV Infrastructure: Stowe Electric Department has invested in nine Level 2 and two Level 3 charging stations located around town. Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, von Trapp Brewing and Bierhall, and the Stowe Recreation Path each have Level 2 charging stations. They work off the ChargePoint App and are open to the public and available 24 hours a day. “We have installed four free EV chargers for resort guests in our Outdoor Center parking lot, as well as two at our Bierhall,” says Bob Schwartz, sales and marketing director at von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort. In addition, there are Level 2 EV charging stations at Stowe Mountain Resort at Lower B lot near Midway Base Lodge. The nearby Lodge at Spruce Peak has Limited Universal and Tesla EV chargers at both valet and self-parking lots, though double-check if you’re having valet parking charge your vehicle to guarantee it is ready to go the next morning.

Total Charging Stations: 45

Level 2: 44

Level 3: 1

Free Stations: 9

Main Networks: ChargePoint, Tesla, SWTCH

Taos, New Mexico

Raw beauty, elevation, culture, and a thriving arts scene? What more could you want in a mountain town? Taos (population 6,500) is a high-altitude mountain community that sits just under 7,000 feet, where all of these elements intersect to create one of the most unique basecamps in the Southwest. The nearby Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the U.S. and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Earthship Biotecture homes nearby showcase inventive sustainability features, and curious adventurers can take a tour at the Visitor Center. Taos’ vibrant arts scene means there’s plenty to do once you’ve come off the trail. When your hunger kicks in, head to La Cueva for authentic New Mexican food. When asked “red or green chile,” answer “Christmas” and you can try both.

The Recreation: While 2025 brought a record-low snow year for the area (it received nearly 18 feet less than its average snowfall), when it’s good, it’s easy to see why it’s considered the skiing and snowboarding capital of the Southern Rockies. But with warmer winters, Taos and its locals have been adaptable and resilient. Over the last several years, Taos Ski Valley has been working to make it a destination with or without snow, and there’s now an MTB skills park as well as a via ferrata and UTV tours for summer visitors. In addition, visitors can also get a new perspective from the basket of a hot air balloon, go rock climbing in the Rio Grande Gorge, and run miles along the West Rim Trail that has panoramic views as well as front row seats on the Rio Grande River below. Link up with the Taos Trail Runners who host free, weekly no-drop group runs.

The EV Infrastructure: Don’t let the historic adobe architecture fool you into thinking Taos is stuck in the past. It is readily equipped for EV travelers. Luis A. Reyes Jr., CEO at Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc., says they have installed 36 EV charging stations with 58 charging ports throughout their service territory, including 10 Level 3 DC Fast Charging stations with 20 fast-charging ports. Reyes also says, “Chargers are available near destinations such as Town of Taos Eco Park, Taos Plaza, Taos Public Library, Red Willow Park, Taos Center for the Arts, Taos County facilities, and other public locations, with several lodging properties also offering overnight charging for guests.”

Taos Ski Valley, located 20 miles north of town, is also taking EV hospitality seriously. The resort recently installed four dual-port Level 3 DC fast chargers and also has 14 public Level 2 chargers. Matt Weyer, the sustainability manager at Taos Ski Valley, says, “The ski valley itself also uses EVs, including one all-electric snow cat (initially the first in North America), six electric snowmobiles, an electric UTV for guest tours, and a number of other electric pieces of equipment like snow blowers and chainsaws.”

Damien Radford, a Taos Trail Runner regular, says that a relatively unknown trick is to park at Taos Ski Valley during summer and plug your EV in while you explore the trails in the area. “From the parking lot you can access Wheeler Peak via Williams Lake, Gold Hill via Long Canyon, or even link up a loop from Gold Hill back via Gavilan trail with a short hike up the road back to the car.” He also says that the Taos Mothership, an outdoor concert venue with panoramic mountain views and craft brews out on the El Prado Mesa, has a station right next to Hotel Luna Mystica. He points out that it’s “a perfect jumping-off point for trails on the west rim, just over the Rio Grande Gorge bridge.” And come wintertime, snow seekers can travel easily between Taos Ski Valley and Angel Fire Resort as both places have Level 2 charging stations.

Total Charging Stations: 36

Level 2: 26

Level 3: 10

Free Stations: 0

Main Networks: Red E, Tesla, Chargepoint

Truckee, California

Seventeen-thousand residents call this California town home, though the population swells during peak winter and summer tourist seasons as people come in for fresh powder and lazy days on the lake. Truckee’s historic downtown is easy and fun to sightsee on foot with its Old West architecture and eclectic mix of shops and coffee shops. Small businesses like the cafe inside Mountain Lotus Yoga add to the unique, small-town vibe. The town parallels both the train tracks and the Truckee River, and a network of multi-use trails makes it easy to get around on two wheels. The weekly farmers market at Truckee River Regional Park and Music in the Park during the summer months attract locals and tourists alike.

The Recreation: Just 12 miles north of the crystalline blue waters of Lake Tahoe, this four-season mountain town in the heart of the Sierra Nevada is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders. It’s also got enough trails to keep even the hungriest of endorphin junkies satisfied with its network of trails for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. The Sawtooth Trail is open to all three. And though Tahoe is the main destination for many, Truckee has easy access to nearby Donner Lake for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking and Donner Summit for rock climbers. You can also float along the Truckee River Water Trail with an easy put-in at Mayberry Park and take out at Idlewild Park.

The EV Infrastructure: Truckee sits along Interstate 80 between Sacramento and Reno, and if you’re traveling between the two, it’s a natural stopping point. The entire route is an EV-friendly corridor. From Sacramento to Truckee, you’ll climb over 7,000 feet, but with numerous charging stations along the way, there’s no need to worry you’ll run out of battery. And while one of the downsides is losing charge in cold weather, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from once you hit Truckee. Many hotels have charging on-site. Jackie Calvert, the executive director for Truckee’s tourism department, Visit Truckee-Tahoe, says that Gravity Haus is a favorite. “Sustainability has been woven into the hotel from day one, making them one of the earliest places in Truckee to embrace EV charging,” she says. Another favorite spot to charge is Raley’s. Calvert recommends stocking up on snacks or groceries while your car charges and then wandering across the parking lot to Truckee Brewing Company to refuel. She says, “You can turn waiting to charge into an excuse to experience a little slice of Truckee.”

Total Charging Stations: 108

Level 2: 49

Level 3: 59

Free Stations: 15

Main Networks: Tesla, Rivian, Chargepoint, Electrify America

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