Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Utah
Why Utah Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Utah ranks #12 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: affordable living (index: 95) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (76/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (92/100) 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 | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lehi | A+ | 56.7 | 66.0 | 38 | 29 | 96 | 90,229 |
| 2 | Herriman | A+ | 55.3 | 63.9 | 38 | 29 | 97 | 57,336 |
| 3 | Riverton | A+ | 54.9 | 64.0 | 38 | 29 | 97 | 44,944 |
| 4 | South Jordan | A | 54.6 | 63.5 | 38 | 29 | 93 | 84,508 |
| 5 | Bountiful | A | 54.3 | 61.0 | 38 | 29 | 99 | 45,093 |
| 6 | Logan | B | 53.0 | 55.1 | 38 | 29 | 83 | 53,923 |
| 7 | Eagle Mountain | A | 52.8 | 61.9 | 38 | 29 | 76 | 49,514 |
| 8 | Provo | B | 52.6 | 54.8 | 38 | 29 | 86 | 113,355 |
| 9 | Draper | A | 52.4 | 60.7 | 38 | 29 | 85 | 50,159 |
| 10 | Orem | B | 52.2 | 56.1 | 38 | 29 | 86 | 95,514 |
| 11 | Layton | B+ | 52.1 | 58.5 | 38 | 29 | 88 | 83,523 |
| 12 | St. George | B | 52.1 | 56.1 | 38 | 29 | 88 | 104,592 |
| 13 | Millcreek | A+ | 51.9 | 65.5 | 38 | 29 | 76 | 63,342 |
| 14 | Sandy | B+ | 50.9 | 58.0 | 38 | 29 | 78 | 91,934 |
| 15 | West Jordan | B | 50.0 | 56.4 | 38 | 29 | 73 | 114,908 |
| 16 | Taylorsville | C+ | 49.5 | 51.8 | 38 | 29 | 76 | 59,010 |
| 17 | Murray | B | 48.9 | 54.8 | 38 | 29 | 58 | 49,904 |
| 18 | West Valley City | C+ | 48.8 | 51.3 | 38 | 29 | 76 | 134,466 |
| 19 | Ogden | C+ | 46.0 | 49.8 | 38 | 29 | 55 | 87,272 |
| 20 | Salt Lake City | C | 42.3 | 48.5 | 38 | 29 | 10 | 209,606 |