Is Nebraska a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?

Nebraska ranks #20 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 56.0/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).

What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Nebraska?

Papillion ranks #1 in Nebraska for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 50.7/100, followed by Fremont and Norfolk.

What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Nebraska?

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.

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Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Nebraska

#20 of 50·Outdoor Enthusiasts Score: 56.0·See all 50 states →

Outdoor Score

22/100

Parks + trails + land

Public Land

1.4%

% of state area · PAD-US

Air Quality

34 AQI

EPA annual median

Environment

44/100

Air + renewables + risk

Cost of Living

BEA RPP · 100 = avg

Nebraska for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture

Nebraska ranks #20 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 22/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 1.4% 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. Nebraska's environment score of 44/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 34) is good, though environmental policy could be stronger. 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 (68/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (71/100) 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	Papillion	A	50.7	61.1	22	44	94	24,063
2	Fremont	B+	49.8	57.0	22	44	93	27,321
3	Norfolk	B+	49.8	56.7	22	44	94	25,962
4	Bellevue	B+	49.6	58.6	22	44	88	64,355
5	La Vista	B+	49.5	57.6	22	44	92	16,594
6	Lexington	B+	49.4	57.6	22	44	90	10,693
7	Gering	B	49.1	53.2	22	44	98	8,567
8	Columbus	B	48.7	54.3	22	44	90	24,188
9	Kearney	B	47.7	55.4	22	44	74	34,024
10	Gretna	B+	47.4	59.1	22	44	68	9,117
11	York	C+	47.3	51.9	22	44	89	8,114
12	Lincoln	B	47.2	55.2	22	44	63	294,750
13	Omaha	B	46.8	54.0	22	44	68	483,362
14	Beatrice	C	46.6	48.8	22	44	92	12,233
15	Chalco	B+	46.0	57.4	22	44	68	10,625
16	Hastings	B	45.7	53.8	22	44	69	25,005
17	South Sioux City	B	45.4	55.9	22	44	75	13,871
18	Grand Island	C+	45.2	52.0	22	44	66	52,761
19	North Platte	C	44.6	48.6	22	44	80	23,030
20	Scottsbluff	C	41.9	45.9	22	44	58	14,406

Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings

Also See: Nebraska for Other Lifestyles

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022

Nebraska for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture

All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts

#	City	Grade	Outdoor Enthusiasts Score	Overall	Outdoor Access	Environment	Safety	Population
1	Papillion	A	50.7	61.1	22	44	94	24,063
2	Fremont	B+	49.8	57.0	22	44	93	27,321
3	Norfolk	B+	49.8	56.7	22	44	94	25,962
4	Bellevue	B+	49.6	58.6	22	44	88	64,355
5	La Vista	B+	49.5	57.6	22	44	92	16,594
6	Lexington	B+	49.4	57.6	22	44	90	10,693
7	Gering	B	49.1	53.2	22	44	98	8,567
8	Columbus	B	48.7	54.3	22	44	90	24,188
9	Kearney	B	47.7	55.4	22	44	74	34,024
10	Gretna	B+	47.4	59.1	22	44	68	9,117
11	York	C+	47.3	51.9	22	44	89	8,114
12	Lincoln	B	47.2	55.2	22	44	63	294,750
13	Omaha	B	46.8	54.0	22	44	68	483,362
14	Beatrice	C	46.6	48.8	22	44	92	12,233
15	Chalco	B+	46.0	57.4	22	44	68	10,625
16	Hastings	B	45.7	53.8	22	44	69	25,005
17	South Sioux City	B	45.4	55.9	22	44	75	13,871
18	Grand Island	C+	45.2	52.0	22	44	66	52,761
19	North Platte	C	44.6	48.6	22	44	80	23,030
20	Scottsbluff	C	41.9	45.9	22	44	58	14,406

Data Sources