Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #50 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 14.3. Ruston is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 55.9.
- Louisiana, all states
- #50 of 50
- Population
- 22,284
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Louisiana
Louisiana ranks #50 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. The outdoor access score of 10/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 4.2% 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. Louisiana's environment score of 16/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 43) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Higher natural disaster risk (score: 52) means weather awareness is essential, particularly for backcountry activities.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 88.2) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (46/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (30/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Ruston | D | 55.9 | 43.6 | 78 | 63 | 22,284 |
| 2Prairieville | B | 51.8 | 58.2 | 42 | — | 35,238 |
| 3Central | C+ | 51.0 | 54.8 | 41 | — | 29,783 |
| 4Kenner | C | 50.5 | 51.0 | 24 | 74 | 64,904 |
| 5Slidell | C | 50.3 | 50.0 | 35 | 72 | 28,561 |
| 6Bossier City | D | 49.6 | 46.5 | 63 | 38 | 62,901 |
| 7New Orleans | D | 48.3 | 48.0 | 31 | — | 371,853 |
| 8Baton Rouge | D | 46.6 | 43.3 | 41 | — | 222,771 |
| 9Houma | D | 45.9 | 48.4 | 29 | 56 | 32,392 |
| 10Shreveport | F | 44.6 | 40.2 | 68 | 17 | 180,982 |
| 11Metairie | D | 43.9 | 46.7 | 24 | — | 139,729 |
| 12Lake Charles | D | 43.4 | 47.7 | 28 | 47 | 81,143 |
| 13Alexandria | F | 42.8 | 38.6 | 76 | 2 | 44,060 |
| 14Laplace | D | 42.1 | 44.1 | 38 | — | 28,343 |
| 15Lafayette | D | 41.5 | 45.2 | 30 | 18 | 121,715 |
| 16Monroe | F | 39.8 | 35.9 | 70 | 6 | 47,004 |
| 17Chalmette | F | 39.3 | 40.0 | 28 | — | 22,616 |
| 18Terrytown | F | 36.9 | 36.0 | 24 | — | 24,726 |
| 19Marrero | F | 34.4 | 32.0 | 24 | — | 32,540 |
| 20New Iberia | F | 31.4 | 36.8 | 5 | 26 | 27,571 |
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: Louisiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Louisiana ranks #50 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 14.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (89/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Louisiana?
Ruston ranks #1 in Louisiana for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 55.9/100, followed by Prairieville and Central.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Louisiana?
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.