Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Maryland
Maryland for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Maryland ranks #25 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 12/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. 7.9% public land offers some options, though dedicated outdoor enthusiasts may find themselves driving to reach prime terrain.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Maryland's environment score of 46/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 40) is moderate, though environmental policy could be stronger. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 104) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (51/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (86/100) 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 | Rockville | A+ | 48.4 | 65.0 | 12 | 46 | 88 | 67,298 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | A | 46.1 | 61.1 | 12 | 46 | 81 | 69,572 |
| 3 | Bowie | A | 45.2 | 61.6 | 12 | 46 | 86 | 57,771 |
| 4 | Frederick | B+ | 43.7 | 59.1 | 12 | 46 | 69 | 85,803 |
| 5 | Bethesda | A | 43.6 | 61.8 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 69,966 |
| 6 | North Bethesda | B+ | 43.0 | 59.4 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 49,498 |
| 7 | Potomac | A | 42.4 | 60.4 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 46,230 |
| 8 | Germantown | B+ | 42.0 | 57.1 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 96,698 |
| 9 | Columbia | B+ | 41.5 | 59.0 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 101,379 |
| 10 | Ellicott City | B+ | 41.4 | 60.0 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 74,574 |
| 11 | Towson | B | 41.1 | 55.1 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 57,683 |
| 12 | Silver Spring | B | 40.8 | 54.9 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 84,996 |
| 13 | Aspen Hill | B | 40.2 | 54.2 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 53,752 |
| 14 | Wheaton | B | 39.9 | 53.4 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 52,172 |
| 15 | Bel Air South | B | 39.5 | 54.7 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 57,702 |
| 16 | Severn | B | 39.2 | 55.4 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 58,041 |
| 17 | Baltimore | C | 37.9 | 46.9 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 565,239 |
| 18 | Glen Burnie | C | 37.3 | 48.5 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 79,598 |
| 19 | Dundalk | D | 36.3 | 44.7 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 65,441 |
| 20 | Waldorf | C | 35.4 | 48.2 | 12 | 46 | 51 | 82,770 |