Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Iowa
Iowa ranks #18 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 52.5. Waukee is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 73.7.
- Iowa, all states
- #18 of 50
- Population
- 29,236
Iowa for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Iowa ranks #18 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 22/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 1.1% public land, access to wilderness requires more effort — but state and local parks fill some of the gap.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Iowa's environment score of 47/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 43) is moderate, though environmental policy could be stronger. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 87.8) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (80/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (60/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Waukee | A+ | 73.7 | 70.9 | 75 | 94 | 29,236 |
| 2Urbandale | A+ | 72.0 | 69.9 | 71 | 95 | 46,595 |
| 3Marion | A+ | 71.2 | 67.3 | 65 | 94 | 41,896 |
| 4Ames | B+ | 70.8 | 60.8 | 74 | 91 | 67,669 |
| 5Ankeny | A+ | 70.7 | 69.0 | 71 | 90 | 72,615 |
| 6West Des Moines | A | 70.2 | 66.1 | 71 | 86 | 71,083 |
| 7Bettendorf | A | 67.4 | 65.5 | 60 | 96 | 39,647 |
| 8Cedar Falls | B+ | 66.4 | 61.5 | 63 | 90 | 40,888 |
| 9Cedar Rapids | B+ | 64.7 | 60.3 | 65 | 75 | 137,264 |
| 10Marshalltown | C+ | 63.4 | 54.0 | 74 | 80 | 27,626 |
| 11Iowa City | B+ | 63.3 | 59.3 | 48 | 79 | 75,752 |
| 12Dubuque | B | 63.0 | 58.6 | 63 | 70 | 59,174 |
| 13Mason City | B | 58.5 | 57.0 | 47 | 66 | 27,050 |
| 14Sioux City | C+ | 57.3 | 54.6 | 59 | 55 | 86,101 |
| 15Des Moines | C | 57.2 | 52.0 | 71 | 46 | 212,421 |
| 16Waterloo | C | 55.1 | 49.8 | 63 | 58 | 67,008 |
| 17Council Bluffs | C | 54.0 | 52.1 | 52 | 57 | 62,586 |
| 18Ottumwa | C | 53.2 | 51.6 | 34 | 74 | 25,430 |
| 19Davenport | C | 52.2 | 49.7 | 60 | 43 | 100,913 |
| 20Fort Dodge | C | 51.8 | 50.1 | 57 | 27 | 24,827 |
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: Iowa for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Iowa ranks #18 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 52.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (86/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Iowa?
Waukee ranks #1 in Iowa for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 73.7/100, followed by Urbandale and Marion.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Iowa?
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.