Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks #42 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 29.3. Bixby is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 66.9.
- Oklahoma, all states
- #42 of 50
- Population
- 30,155
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks #42 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. The outdoor access score of 13/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 2.2% 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. Oklahoma's environment score of 37/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 46) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 87.8) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (56/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (27/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bixby | A | 66.9 | 66.9 | 48 | 98 | 30,155 |
| 2Jenks | A | 65.0 | 64.9 | 48 | 93 | 27,102 |
| 3Owasso | B+ | 63.8 | 60.8 | 48 | 91 | 40,151 |
| 4Edmond | A | 63.6 | 63.7 | 44 | 90 | 96,825 |
| 5Broken Arrow | B+ | 62.8 | 60.5 | 48 | 87 | 118,180 |
| 6Stillwater | C+ | 60.3 | 53.3 | 41 | 82 | 49,269 |
| 7Yukon | B | 59.5 | 58.0 | 47 | 78 | 25,529 |
| 8Norman | C+ | 59.4 | 55.3 | 44 | 78 | 129,672 |
| 9Moore | B | 58.5 | 56.6 | 44 | 82 | 63,420 |
| 10Midwest City | C | 54.5 | 51.1 | 44 | 68 | 58,297 |
| 11Ponca City | D | 53.7 | 48.4 | 50 | 63 | 24,326 |
| 12Duncan | D | 53.5 | 45.5 | 50 | 71 | 22,958 |
| 13Bartlesville | C | 53.0 | 50.1 | 36 | 67 | 37,878 |
| 14Enid | C | 52.1 | 49.8 | 43 | 55 | 50,653 |
| 15Oklahoma City | C | 51.1 | 51.1 | 44 | 45 | 697,125 |
| 16Shawnee | C | 50.2 | 49.1 | 31 | 60 | 31,671 |
| 17Tulsa | D | 49.0 | 47.3 | 48 | 29 | 413,794 |
| 18Lawton | D | 48.0 | 42.7 | 45 | 41 | 90,595 |
| 19Ardmore | D | 47.7 | 44.0 | 59 | 26 | 24,877 |
| 20Muskogee | F | 43.4 | 39.6 | 47 | 29 | 36,758 |
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: Oklahoma for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oklahoma a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Oklahoma ranks #42 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 29.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (89/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (13/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Oklahoma?
Bixby ranks #1 in Oklahoma for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 66.9/100, followed by Jenks and Owasso.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Oklahoma?
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.