Where are good vacation mountain/lake getaway in the eastern US?

My parents, sister, and I are looking for a mountain/lake getaway for our next vacation. We all love hiking, fishing, horseback riding, bike riding, and outdoorsy stuff like that. We don't want another average Ocean City vacation and we are looking to get away to a nice country area. We live around the Pittsburgh area and don't want to go too far, an eight hour drive would be maximum. If you have been anywhere amazing that sounds like what I am looking for could you please just let me know where and what the place is all about. Also, the area DOESN'T have to be a vacation zone, we actually prefer just a small town that isn't in a big uproar, just a small quaint cottage/cabin to spend a nice country weekend in. Thanks!