Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Minnesota
Minnesota ranks #12 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 58.6. Plymouth is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 73.3.
- Minnesota, all states
- #12 of 50
- Population
- 79,220
Why Minnesota Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Minnesota ranks #12 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 31/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. 10.9% 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. Minnesota's environment score of 51/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 36) 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: 98.6) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (77/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (75/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Plymouth | A+ | 73.3 | 71.5 | 68 | 96 | 79,220 |
| 2Edina | A+ | 72.6 | 72.2 | 68 | 94 | 53,262 |
| 3Minnetonka | A+ | 72.5 | 71.8 | 68 | 91 | 53,064 |
| 4Eden Prairie | A+ | 72.0 | 71.7 | 68 | 96 | 63,051 |
| 5Lakeville | A+ | 71.8 | 70.9 | 76 | 97 | 74,354 |
| 6Woodbury | A+ | 71.6 | 68.4 | 74 | 94 | 78,305 |
| 7Maple Grove | A+ | 70.7 | 69.2 | 68 | 90 | 71,173 |
| 8St. Louis Park | A+ | 70.0 | 68.0 | 68 | 77 | 49,594 |
| 9Eagan | A | 69.7 | 65.7 | 76 | 89 | 68,000 |
| 10Apple Valley | A | 67.9 | 64.0 | 76 | 83 | 55,679 |
| 11Burnsville | B+ | 67.0 | 61.7 | 76 | 86 | 64,463 |
| 12Bloomington | B+ | 65.9 | 62.8 | 68 | 68 | 88,665 |
| 13Duluth | B | 65.4 | 58.6 | 71 | 70 | 87,093 |
| 14Blaine | A | 64.8 | 63.8 | 55 | 95 | 72,488 |
| 15Brooklyn Park | B+ | 64.5 | 61.6 | 68 | 71 | 83,876 |
| 16St. Paul | B | 64.0 | 57.9 | 80 | 55 | 307,284 |
| 17Rochester | B+ | 63.7 | 62.4 | 49 | 85 | 122,330 |
| 18Coon Rapids | B+ | 61.6 | 59.7 | 55 | 87 | 63,468 |
| 19St. Cloud | C | 59.3 | 51.3 | 62 | 66 | 70,629 |
| 20Minneapolis | C+ | 54.5 | 54.0 | 68 | 11 | 427,246 |
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: Minnesota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minnesota a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Minnesota ranks #12 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 58.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (77/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (31/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Minnesota?
Plymouth ranks #1 in Minnesota for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 73.3/100, followed by Edina and Minnetonka.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Minnesota?
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.