Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Nebraska
Nebraska ranks #19 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 51.4. Papillion is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 71.5.
- Nebraska, all states
- #19 of 50
- Population
- 25,244
Nebraska for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Nebraska ranks #19 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: 90.1) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (78/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (58/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Papillion | A+ | 71.5 | 68.8 | 69 | 99 | 25,244 |
| 2Bellevue | B+ | 67.5 | 61.8 | 69 | 92 | 64,510 |
| 3La Vista | B+ | 67.1 | 60.4 | 69 | 94 | 16,563 |
| 4Gering | C+ | 65.0 | 55.6 | 63 | 97 | 8,550 |
| 5Gretna | A | 64.5 | 65.3 | 69 | — | 9,193 |
| 6Lincoln | B+ | 64.2 | 60.2 | 63 | 66 | 294,856 |
| 7Beatrice | C | 62.8 | 51.5 | 60 | 98 | 12,225 |
| 8Chalco | B | 60.8 | 56.4 | 69 | — | 10,595 |
| 9Omaha | B | 59.9 | 56.8 | 54 | 64 | 488,837 |
| 10Lexington | C+ | 59.0 | 53.6 | 48 | 94 | 10,862 |
| 11Columbus | B | 58.2 | 58.3 | 22 | 96 | 24,488 |
| 12North Platte | C | 58.1 | 51.0 | 48 | 88 | 22,831 |
| 13Norfolk | B | 57.4 | 58.4 | 24 | 86 | 26,054 |
| 14South Sioux City | C+ | 57.4 | 54.2 | 37 | 82 | 13,907 |
| 15Kearney | B | 57.3 | 58.3 | 23 | 84 | 34,246 |
| 16Grand Island | C+ | 57.2 | 53.8 | 49 | 70 | 52,884 |
| 17Hastings | B | 56.2 | 56.7 | 28 | 81 | 25,008 |
| 18Fremont | B | 55.4 | 57.2 | 20 | 83 | 27,567 |
| 19York | C+ | 52.5 | 53.1 | 16 | 79 | 8,141 |
| 20Scottsbluff | D | 52.2 | 45.7 | 63 | 42 | 14,376 |
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: Nebraska for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nebraska a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Nebraska ranks #19 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 51.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (82/100) 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 71.5/100, followed by Bellevue and La Vista.
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.