Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Iowa
Iowa for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Iowa ranks #21 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. 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: 89) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (67/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (57/100) 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 | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukee | A+ | 55.7 | 69.8 | 22 | 47 | 91 | 26,974 |
| 2 | Urbandale | A+ | 52.5 | 65.7 | 22 | 47 | 94 | 46,026 |
| 3 | Ankeny | A+ | 52.4 | 65.7 | 22 | 47 | 89 | 74,455 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | A | 52.4 | 60.2 | 22 | 47 | 100 | 40,662 |
| 5 | Ames | B+ | 51.7 | 57.6 | 22 | 47 | 86 | 65,676 |
| 6 | Marion | A | 51.5 | 61.7 | 22 | 47 | 88 | 41,690 |
| 7 | West Des Moines | A | 51.0 | 62.1 | 22 | 47 | 80 | 72,161 |
| 8 | Bettendorf | A | 50.5 | 61.1 | 22 | 47 | 93 | 39,297 |
| 9 | Iowa City | B | 48.2 | 53.9 | 22 | 47 | 70 | 75,671 |
| 10 | Dubuque | B | 47.0 | 54.4 | 22 | 47 | 67 | 59,271 |
| 11 | Cedar Rapids | B | 46.6 | 54.4 | 22 | 47 | 66 | 135,960 |
| 12 | Mason City | C+ | 45.9 | 52.8 | 22 | 47 | 72 | 27,135 |
| 13 | Ottumwa | C | 43.5 | 48.7 | 22 | 47 | 65 | 25,352 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | C+ | 43.3 | 50.6 | 22 | 47 | 56 | 62,564 |
| 15 | Sioux City | C+ | 42.5 | 50.1 | 22 | 47 | 44 | 85,172 |
| 16 | Waterloo | C | 42.4 | 47.6 | 22 | 47 | 55 | 66,604 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | C | 42.2 | 47.1 | 22 | 47 | 63 | 27,491 |
| 18 | Des Moines | C | 41.0 | 47.9 | 22 | 47 | 37 | 210,363 |
| 19 | Fort Dodge | C | 40.5 | 47.0 | 22 | 47 | 39 | 24,788 |
| 20 | Davenport | C | 40.1 | 47.2 | 22 | 47 | 35 | 100,361 |