Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Maryland
Maryland ranks #36 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 33.6. Rockville is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 73.2.
- Maryland, all states
- #36 of 50
- Population
- 67,671
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Maryland
Maryland ranks #36 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. 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: 105) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (60/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (64/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rockville | A+ | 73.2 | 71.4 | 81 | 91 | 67,671 |
| 2Bethesda | A+ | 72.4 | 76.7 | 81 | — | 69,397 |
| 3Gaithersburg | A+ | 70.9 | 68.2 | 81 | 86 | 69,825 |
| 4North Bethesda | A+ | 70.3 | 72.1 | 81 | — | 49,677 |
| 5Ellicott City | A+ | 70.1 | 74.3 | 87 | — | 75,257 |
| 6Columbia | A+ | 69.6 | 71.5 | 87 | — | 104,338 |
| 7Potomac | A+ | 68.0 | 72.9 | 81 | — | 45,902 |
| 8Germantown | A+ | 67.8 | 67.5 | 81 | — | 90,719 |
| 9Silver Spring | A | 65.8 | 63.2 | 81 | — | 81,462 |
| 10Wheaton | A | 65.8 | 63.0 | 81 | — | 52,926 |
| 11Bowie | A | 65.4 | 64.8 | 80 | 80 | 57,926 |
| 12Aspen Hill | B+ | 65.0 | 62.8 | 81 | — | 53,279 |
| 13Frederick | A | 64.8 | 63.5 | 78 | 71 | 83,395 |
| 14Towson | B+ | 64.3 | 61.8 | 75 | — | 58,679 |
| 15Bel Air South | A | 63.2 | 64.9 | 77 | — | 58,137 |
| 16Severn | A | 62.5 | 66.0 | 80 | — | 58,402 |
| 17Glen Burnie | B | 60.0 | 56.6 | 80 | — | 72,590 |
| 18Dundalk | D | 56.1 | 45.5 | 75 | — | 65,969 |
| 19Waldorf | B | 55.3 | 56.7 | 82 | — | 82,943 |
| 20Baltimore | D | 50.2 | 48.0 | 76 | 15 | 573,243 |
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: Maryland for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maryland a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Maryland ranks #36 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 33.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Economy (65/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (12/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Maryland?
Rockville ranks #1 in Maryland for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 73.2/100, followed by Bethesda and Gaithersburg.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Maryland?
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.