Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Washington
Washington ranks #13 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 57.4. Kirkland is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 64.7.
- Washington, all states
- #13 of 50
- Population
- 92,621
Why Washington Works for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Washington ranks #13 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, offering strong outdoor access alongside reasonable livability. The outdoor access score of 35/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 28.5% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Washington's environment score of 73/100 reflects clean air (AQI: 28) and strong environmental conditions. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: above-average living costs (index: 107) can squeeze recreation budgets. Safety (64/100) is strong — important for solo hikers and those exploring remote areas, and the overall health infrastructure (68/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 26 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kirkland | A+ | 64.7 | 70.3 | 36 | 94 | 92,621 |
| 2Redmond | A+ | 63.9 | 71.1 | 36 | 86 | 77,353 |
| 3Spokane Valley | B | 62.6 | 56.4 | 76 | 68 | 106,365 |
| 4Richland | B+ | 62.5 | 60.2 | 59 | 76 | 62,753 |
| 5Bellevue | A+ | 62.3 | 70.0 | 36 | 84 | 151,847 |
| 6Shoreline | A | 61.2 | 64.9 | 36 | 84 | 61,431 |
| 7Pasco | B | 60.5 | 56.2 | 63 | 74 | 79,575 |
| 8Lacey | B+ | 60.0 | 59.0 | 53 | 79 | 57,737 |
| 9Bellingham | C+ | 59.0 | 53.8 | 59 | 66 | 93,438 |
| 10Kennewick | C+ | 58.8 | 54.3 | 59 | 67 | 85,295 |
| 11Olympia | B | 57.9 | 58.1 | 53 | 58 | 55,951 |
| 12Marysville | B+ | 57.8 | 58.8 | 44 | 87 | 73,002 |
| 13Spokane | C+ | 57.0 | 53.8 | 76 | 36 | 230,293 |
| 14Renton | B+ | 56.2 | 59.1 | 36 | 73 | 105,317 |
| 15Everett | B | 55.9 | 56.4 | 44 | 73 | 111,845 |
| 16Vancouver | C+ | 55.9 | 54.3 | 68 | 51 | 195,300 |
| 17Kent | B | 54.8 | 56.8 | 36 | 74 | 135,603 |
| 18Burien | C+ | 54.3 | 55.6 | 36 | 67 | 51,513 |
| 19Auburn | B | 53.7 | 56.7 | 36 | 70 | 85,676 |
| 20Sammamish | A | 53.0 | 64.2 | 36 | — | 66,463 |
| 21Federal Way | C+ | 52.4 | 53.8 | 36 | 65 | 99,493 |
| 22Yakima | D | 51.9 | 47.7 | 49 | 60 | 96,961 |
| 23Seattle | B+ | 51.6 | 61.1 | 36 | 30 | 754,195 |
| 24Lakewood | D | 46.1 | 47.9 | 36 | 55 | 62,937 |
| 25South Hill | C+ | 44.5 | 53.3 | 36 | — | 68,025 |
| 26Tacoma | D | 42.2 | 47.7 | 36 | 23 | 222,758 |
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: Washington for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
Washington ranks #13 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 57.4/100. Its strongest relevant category is Environment (73/100) and its weakest is Livability (34/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in Washington?
Kirkland ranks #1 in Washington for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 64.7/100, followed by Redmond and Spokane Valley.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in Washington?
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.