Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Arizona
Arizona ranks #28 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 42.7. Lake Havasu City is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 61.8.
- Arizona, all states
- #28 of 50
- Population
- 58,359
Arizona for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Arizona ranks #28 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 38/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 38.6% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Arizona's environment score of 26/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 45) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 100.7) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (63/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (50/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 23 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Lake Havasu City | C+ | 61.8 | 53.0 | 66 | 80 | 58,359 |
| 2Marana | A | 61.4 | 65.9 | 25 | 94 | 56,938 |
| 3Gilbert | A | 59.4 | 63.8 | 23 | 93 | 280,262 |
| 4Queen Creek | A | 59.1 | 66.2 | 23 | 91 | 71,867 |
| 5Chandler | B+ | 59.0 | 61.0 | 23 | 90 | 280,136 |
| 6Surprise | B+ | 58.3 | 60.2 | 23 | 96 | 154,948 |
| 7Scottsdale | B+ | 56.9 | 61.0 | 23 | 83 | 243,821 |
| 8Goodyear | B+ | 55.8 | 60.2 | 23 | 82 | 107,645 |
| 9Buckeye | B | 55.8 | 58.4 | 23 | 91 | 104,923 |
| 10Peoria | B | 55.7 | 58.2 | 23 | 83 | 196,906 |
| 11Tempe | B | 54.3 | 57.4 | 23 | 61 | 188,065 |
| 12Flagstaff | C+ | 53.8 | 53.3 | 29 | 60 | 76,445 |
| 13Mesa | C+ | 53.2 | 54.7 | 23 | 71 | 511,764 |
| 14Yuma | D | 52.9 | 46.1 | 34 | 76 | 100,139 |
| 15Maricopa | C+ | 52.8 | 52.6 | 23 | 86 | 67,163 |
| 16Tucson | C | 52.6 | 50.0 | 25 | 69 | 547,073 |
| 17Avondale | C+ | 52.4 | 55.6 | 23 | 69 | 92,477 |
| 18Catalina Foothills | B+ | 51.9 | 62.9 | 25 | — | 52,593 |
| 19Glendale | C | 50.3 | 52.1 | 23 | 62 | 252,833 |
| 20Casa Grande | D | 49.1 | 48.5 | 23 | 71 | 60,905 |
| 21Casas Adobes | C+ | 48.7 | 53.6 | 25 | — | 72,059 |
| 22Phoenix | C | 48.1 | 51.3 | 23 | 48 | 1,642,323 |
| 23San Tan Valley | D | 40.9 | 45.8 | 23 | — | 109,189 |
City outdoor enthusiasts scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings
Also See: Arizona for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arizona a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Arizona ranks #28 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 42.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (63/100) and its weakest is Livability (24/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Arizona?
Lake Havasu City ranks #1 in Arizona for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 61.8/100, followed by Marana and Gilbert.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Arizona?
Rankings weighted toward outdoor access (parks, public land, recreation), environmental quality, safety, health infrastructure, and affordable housing — for those who prioritize access to nature and an active lifestyle.