Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #11 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 59.9. Dickinson is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 72.7.
- North Dakota, all states
- #11 of 50
- Population
- 25,357
Why North Dakota Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
North Dakota ranks #11 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 39/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 3.9% 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. North Dakota's environment score of 39/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 38) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Higher natural disaster risk (score: 52.7) means weather awareness is essential, particularly for backcountry activities.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 89) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (70/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (59/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Dickinson | B+ | 72.7 | 62.7 | 92 | 84 | 25,357 |
| 2West Fargo | A+ | 70.9 | 69.3 | 61 | 88 | 40,094 |
| 3Grand Forks | A | 70.5 | 63.9 | 80 | 75 | 59,042 |
| 4Minot | B+ | 70.1 | 62.1 | 83 | 80 | 47,791 |
| 5Williston | B+ | 69.1 | 60.4 | 99 | 67 | 28,056 |
| 6Wahpeton | C+ | 69.0 | 54.4 | 83 | 92 | 8,010 |
| 7Grafton | C+ | 67.3 | 54.9 | 78 | 89 | 4,102 |
| 8Devils Lake | C | 66.6 | 50.0 | 90 | 84 | 7,308 |
| 9Beulah | B+ | 66.3 | 60.1 | 62 | 94 | 3,040 |
| 10Jamestown | C+ | 64.4 | 53.2 | 72 | 88 | 15,787 |
| 11Minot AFB | C+ | 64.3 | 53.7 | 83 | — | 4,878 |
| 12Watford City | B+ | 63.8 | 61.3 | 74 | 68 | 6,039 |
| 13Fargo | B+ | 63.4 | 62.0 | 61 | 59 | 131,627 |
| 14Horace | A+ | 61.9 | 69.0 | 61 | — | 4,588 |
| 15Lincoln | B | 60.8 | 58.0 | 40 | 100 | 4,381 |
| 16Bismarck | B+ | 60.7 | 61.8 | 40 | 78 | 75,556 |
| 17New Town | F | 57.9 | 42.0 | 94 | — | 2,721 |
| 18Valley City | C | 57.2 | 52.2 | 29 | 95 | 6,541 |
| 19Casselton | C | 57.0 | 52.1 | 61 | — | 2,953 |
| 20Mandan | C+ | 55.0 | 53.2 | 32 | 76 | 24,522 |
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: North Dakota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Dakota a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
North Dakota ranks #11 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 59.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (84/100) and its weakest is Environment (39/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in North Dakota?
Dickinson ranks #1 in North Dakota for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 72.7/100, followed by West Fargo and Grand Forks.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in North Dakota?
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.