Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Ohio
Ohio ranks #37 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 32.6. Lakewood is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 71.3.
- Ohio, all states
- #37 of 50
- Population
- 50,007
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Ohio
Ohio ranks #37 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. The outdoor access score of 10/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 1.5% 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. Ohio's environment score of 35/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 43) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 92.8) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (73/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Lakewood | A | 71.3 | 64.9 | 65 | 95 | 50,007 |
| 2Dublin | A+ | 69.4 | 71.5 | 59 | 95 | 49,294 |
| 3Kettering | B+ | 68.3 | 61.8 | 69 | 91 | 57,206 |
| 4Parma | B+ | 67.7 | 60.8 | 65 | 92 | 79,870 |
| 5Cuyahoga Falls | B | 64.9 | 57.0 | 74 | 81 | 50,909 |
| 6Euclid | C+ | 62.7 | 52.9 | 65 | 90 | 48,823 |
| 7Elyria | C | 62.7 | 51.9 | 79 | 85 | 53,035 |
| 8Newark | C | 60.8 | 51.2 | 71 | 78 | 50,783 |
| 9Columbus | C+ | 58.7 | 54.5 | 59 | 64 | 914,802 |
| 10Middletown | D | 57.4 | 48.4 | 54 | 84 | 51,617 |
| 11Lorain | D | 54.9 | 44.5 | 79 | 61 | 65,395 |
| 12Hamilton | D | 54.5 | 47.9 | 54 | 71 | 63,468 |
| 13Cincinnati | D | 50.4 | 45.2 | 61 | 31 | 311,224 |
| 14Akron | D | 49.2 | 42.6 | 74 | 31 | 189,247 |
| 15Youngstown | F | 49.0 | 39.7 | 75 | 43 | 59,331 |
| 16Toledo | D | 48.3 | 42.9 | 59 | 33 | 267,463 |
| 17Cleveland | F | 46.6 | 40.5 | 65 | 15 | 366,097 |
| 18Dayton | F | 45.6 | 38.5 | 69 | 14 | 136,579 |
| 19Canton | F | 44.4 | 37.7 | 69 | 19 | 69,755 |
| 20Springfield | F | 42.6 | 36.2 | 68 | 13 | 58,190 |
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: Ohio for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ohio a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Ohio ranks #37 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 32.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Ohio?
Lakewood ranks #1 in Ohio for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 71.3/100, followed by Dublin and Kettering.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Ohio?
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.