Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Oregon
Oregon ranks #9 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 63.4. Bend is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 69.7.
- Oregon, all states
- #9 of 50
- Population
- 103,390
Why Oregon Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Oregon ranks #9 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts — a premier destination for those who build their lives around access to nature. The outdoor access score of 53/100 reflects decent but not outstanding access to parks, trails, and recreation. With 52.6% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Oregon's environment score of 64/100 reflects clean air (AQI: 32) and strong environmental conditions. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 103.4) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (60/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (64/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bend | B+ | 69.7 | 62.2 | 82 | 85 | 103,390 |
| 2Lake Oswego | A+ | 66.4 | 68.7 | 60 | 97 | 40,381 |
| 3Redmond | B | 66.3 | 58.7 | 82 | 78 | 36,092 |
| 4Bethany | A+ | 64.3 | 75.7 | 57 | — | 33,106 |
| 5Oregon City | B | 61.6 | 57.8 | 60 | 84 | 37,755 |
| 6Hillsboro | B+ | 61.1 | 60.9 | 57 | 74 | 108,231 |
| 7Beaverton | B+ | 60.8 | 60.0 | 57 | 73 | 97,812 |
| 8Albany | C | 60.2 | 52.2 | 55 | 85 | 56,839 |
| 9Tigard | B+ | 59.5 | 60.9 | 57 | 65 | 56,011 |
| 10Corvallis | B | 57.6 | 56.7 | 24 | 80 | 59,960 |
| 11Keizer | C+ | 57.5 | 54.1 | 54 | 78 | 39,082 |
| 12Aloha | B+ | 56.1 | 58.8 | 57 | — | 52,389 |
| 13Gresham | C | 55.9 | 52.0 | 52 | 67 | 112,378 |
| 14McMinnville | C+ | 55.3 | 54.2 | 33 | 87 | 34,596 |
| 15Salem | C | 55.0 | 51.9 | 54 | 63 | 178,865 |
| 16Eugene | C | 53.4 | 51.9 | 35 | 64 | 179,591 |
| 17Springfield | C | 53.3 | 50.7 | 35 | 73 | 61,499 |
| 18Grants Pass | D | 52.4 | 47.5 | 41 | 67 | 39,311 |
| 19Portland | C+ | 51.2 | 54.3 | 52 | 25 | 641,165 |
| 20Medford | C | 51.1 | 49.7 | 40 | 54 | 86,315 |
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: Oregon for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Oregon ranks #9 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 63.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Transportation (66/100) and its weakest is Growth (23/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon?
Bend ranks #1 in Oregon for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 69.7/100, followed by Lake Oswego and Redmond.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon?
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.