Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Nevada
Nevada ranks #24 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 45.4. Mesquite is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 60.3.
- Nevada, all states
- #24 of 50
- Population
- 22,059
Nevada for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Nevada ranks #24 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 39/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 84.9% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Nevada's environment score of 42/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 41) 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: 100) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (56/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (45/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Mesquite | C+ | 60.3 | 54.3 | 45 | 94 | 22,059 |
| 2Henderson | C+ | 58.9 | 55.3 | 45 | 82 | 332,141 |
| 3Carson | C+ | 55.2 | 55.3 | 36 | 78 | 58,384 |
| 4North Las Vegas | C | 54.0 | 49.1 | 45 | 72 | 278,595 |
| 5Summerlin South | B+ | 53.5 | 61.3 | 45 | — | 31,354 |
| 6Enterprise | B | 53.1 | 56.4 | 45 | — | 240,464 |
| 7Sparks | C+ | 52.7 | 54.3 | 30 | 67 | 110,024 |
| 8Spring Valley | C | 52.2 | 50.7 | 45 | — | 219,187 |
| 9Elko | D | 51.2 | 48.8 | 29 | 76 | 20,696 |
| 10Reno | C | 50.8 | 52.2 | 30 | 55 | 273,212 |
| 11Las Vegas | D | 50.2 | 47.2 | 45 | — | 660,400 |
| 12Paradise | D | 49.9 | 44.7 | 45 | — | 185,913 |
| 13Pahrump | F | 48.7 | 38.9 | 65 | — | 47,347 |
| 14Fernley | C | 47.8 | 50.6 | 38 | — | 24,225 |
| 15Whitney | D | 47.4 | 43.9 | 45 | — | 47,221 |
| 16Dayton | C | 47.3 | 52.0 | 38 | — | 15,781 |
| 17Winchester | F | 47.1 | 39.0 | 45 | — | 37,081 |
| 18Spanish Springs | B+ | 46.5 | 59.3 | 30 | — | 17,980 |
| 19Sunrise Manor | F | 45.9 | 40.0 | 45 | — | 200,218 |
| 20Sun Valley | D | 43.4 | 44.5 | 30 | — | 22,228 |
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: Nevada for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nevada a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Nevada ranks #24 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 45.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (62/100) and its weakest is Economy (28/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Nevada?
Mesquite ranks #1 in Nevada for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 60.3/100, followed by Henderson and Carson.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Nevada?
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.