Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Montana
Why Montana Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Montana ranks #3 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts — a premier destination for those who build their lives around access to nature. The outdoor access score of 72/100 is among the highest in the nation, reflecting abundant parks, public land, and recreation facilities. With 29.9% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Montana's environment score of 63/100 reflects clean air (AQI: 27) and strong environmental conditions. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 90) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (56/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (61/100) 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 | Whitefish | A | 67.9 | 61.6 | 72 | 63 | 86 | 8,422 |
| 2 | Bozeman | A | 67.5 | 62.9 | 72 | 63 | 66 | 55,042 |
| 3 | Belgrade | A | 67.2 | 61.0 | 72 | 63 | 79 | 11,425 |
| 4 | Miles City | B+ | 67.2 | 57.8 | 72 | 63 | 93 | 8,412 |
| 5 | Kalispell | A | 65.8 | 60.7 | 72 | 63 | 62 | 26,830 |
| 6 | Missoula | B+ | 63.6 | 58.6 | 72 | 63 | 44 | 77,763 |
| 7 | Lewistown | C+ | 63.4 | 51.7 | 72 | 63 | 69 | 6,028 |
| 8 | Helena Valley West Central | B+ | 62.7 | 58.8 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 8,224 |
| 9 | Evergreen | B | 62.7 | 56.4 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 8,908 |
| 10 | Helena | B+ | 62.6 | 58.4 | 72 | 63 | 42 | 33,126 |
| 11 | Livingston | B | 62.5 | 54.8 | 72 | 63 | 57 | 8,635 |
| 12 | Sidney | B | 61.8 | 53.5 | 72 | 63 | 68 | 6,235 |
| 13 | Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | C+ | 61.8 | 52.9 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 9,512 |
| 14 | Laurel | B | 61.4 | 53.6 | 72 | 63 | 54 | 7,198 |
| 15 | Helena Valley Southeast | B | 61.2 | 54.0 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 9,533 |
| 16 | Lockwood | B | 60.8 | 54.2 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 7,474 |
| 17 | Butte-Silver Bow | C+ | 60.8 | 51.9 | 72 | 63 | 56 | 34,929 |
| 18 | Great Falls | C+ | 59.0 | 52.0 | 72 | 63 | 37 | 60,412 |
| 19 | Billings | C+ | 58.4 | 52.9 | 72 | 63 | 24 | 120,874 |
| 20 | Havre | D | 53.9 | 44.2 | 72 | 63 | 18 | 9,333 |