Just based on the outdoor part of your request you made I am going to recommend the college towns of Boulder, CO and Knoxville, TN. Both are gateways to National Parks (Rockies and Smokies), and have tons of outdoorsy type stuff to do (each have everything you requested plus tons more). Honestly Boulder, CO might be my favorite city in America. Knoxville has the bonus of mild winters and low cost of living.
Also I agree with Asheville, NC. That said I don't think it is a college town as I do a place like Athens or Knoxville (to be honest I think of Boulder as an outdoor town first). Asheville is just Asheville, and I love it.
Edit: To be clear I hate winters. So I am bias against more northern areas.
Also I agree with Asheville, NC. That said I don't think it is a college town as I do a place like Athens or Knoxville (to be honest I think of Boulder as an outdoor town first). Asheville is just Asheville, and I love it.
Edit: To be clear I hate winters. So I am bias against more northern areas.