Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Utah
Utah ranks #17 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 55.1. Logan is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 65.6.
- Utah, all states
- #17 of 50
- Population
- 54,907
Utah for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Utah ranks #17 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 38/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 64.9% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Utah's environment score of 29/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 44) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 98.9) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (76/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (69/100) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Logan | C+ | 65.6 | 54.3 | 61 | 89 | 54,907 |
| 2Bountiful | B+ | 65.4 | 62.5 | 55 | 89 | 45,023 |
| 3Layton | B+ | 64.4 | 62.0 | 55 | 88 | 83,286 |
| 4South Jordan | A+ | 62.9 | 67.3 | 30 | 93 | 82,686 |
| 5Riverton | A | 62.9 | 66.3 | 30 | 98 | 45,457 |
| 6Herriman | A | 62.8 | 65.6 | 30 | 99 | 59,346 |
| 7Orem | B+ | 61.8 | 59.2 | 36 | 89 | 97,182 |
| 8Provo | B | 60.9 | 56.3 | 36 | 88 | 114,766 |
| 9Draper | B+ | 58.4 | 62.2 | 30 | 87 | 50,278 |
| 10Murray | B | 58.1 | 58.7 | 30 | 76 | 50,188 |
| 11Sandy | B+ | 57.9 | 60.9 | 30 | 80 | 94,291 |
| 12St. George | B | 57.9 | 57.3 | 30 | 89 | 101,995 |
| 13Taylorsville | C+ | 56.9 | 54.5 | 30 | 82 | 58,678 |
| 14West Jordan | B+ | 56.8 | 58.8 | 30 | 78 | 116,692 |
| 15Ogden | C+ | 56.6 | 53.5 | 50 | 67 | 87,413 |
| 16Lehi | B+ | 55.5 | 62.1 | 36 | — | 85,173 |
| 17Millcreek | B+ | 53.6 | 60.8 | 30 | — | 63,648 |
| 18West Valley City | C+ | 53.1 | 52.9 | 30 | 71 | 138,437 |
| 19Eagle Mountain | B+ | 52.8 | 59.0 | 36 | — | 53,290 |
| 20Salt Lake City | C | 45.6 | 49.8 | 30 | 18 | 208,007 |
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: Utah for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Utah a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Utah ranks #17 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 55.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (76/100) and its weakest is Livability (20/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Utah?
Logan ranks #1 in Utah for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 65.6/100, followed by Bountiful and Layton.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Utah?
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.