What Are the Best States for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026 with a weighted score of 71.1/100, followed by Montana (64.3) and Vermont (64.0). Custom rankings weight outdoor access, environment, safety based on what this group cares about most.
By America's Dashboard · 8 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
Top 10 states for outdoor enthusiasts
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.
Wyoming leads the outdoor enthusiasts rankings with a persona-weighted score of 71.1/100. Montana (64.3) and Vermont (64.0) round out the top three.
The gap between #1 and #10 is 16.6 points. What separates these states from the rest is consistent strength across the categories that matter most for outdoor enthusiasts: outdoor access, environment, safety.
| Rank | State | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming | 71.1 | 95.7 | 46.6 | 86.1 |
| #2 | Montana | 64.3 | 71.7 | 62.9 | 60.9 |
| #3 | Vermont | 64.0 | 55.6 | 76.3 | 77.7 |
| #4 | Idaho | 62.7 | 50.2 | 70.0 | 86.6 |
| #5 | Maine | 61.2 | 45.0 | 77.1 | 94.5 |
| #6 | Alaska | 59.8 | 100.0 | 49.5 | 29.5 |
| #7 | New Hampshire | 57.6 | 43.0 | 45.2 | 94.3 |
| #8 | South Dakota | 57.3 | 45.8 | 53.3 | 71.8 |
| #9 | Oregon | 54.8 | 53.4 | 64.2 | 59.6 |
| #10 | Rhode Island | 54.5 | 37.4 | 53.4 | 90.8 |
#1: Wyoming
Wyoming leads the outdoor enthusiasts rankings with a weighted score of 71.1/100. The state scores 95.7 in outdoor access, 46.6 in environment, 86.1 in safety. Overall rank: #2 (79.9/100, A+ grade). Median income: $75,532. Cost of living: 92.7.
Wyoming's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 42.5, but the weights for outdoor enthusiasts put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.4%. Violent crime: 179.9/100K. Life expectancy: 76.8 years.
#2: Montana
Montana scores 64.3/100 for outdoor enthusiasts, with strength in outdoor access (71.7) and environment (62.9). The state ranks #7 overall and offers a cost of living index of 94.6 with a typical home value of $471,746.
Montana's weakest area for this ranking is economy at 51.5, but the weights for outdoor enthusiasts put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.3%. Violent crime: 419.1/100K. Life expectancy: 77.3 years.
#3: Vermont
Vermont scores 64.0/100 for outdoor enthusiasts, with strength in outdoor access (55.6) and environment (76.3). The state ranks #8 overall and offers a cost of living index of 98 with a typical home value of $399,053.
Vermont's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 29.9, but the weights for outdoor enthusiasts put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.7%. Violent crime: 214.4/100K. Life expectancy: 78.3 years.
#4: Idaho
At #4, Idaho scores 62.7/100. Outdoor Access: 50.2. Environment: 70.0. Safety: 86.6. Overall rank: #4. The state's safety score of 86.6 is a standout.
Idaho's weakest area for this ranking is livability at 39.6, but the weights for outdoor enthusiasts put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.7%. Violent crime: 217.3/100K. Life expectancy: 78.4 years.
#5: Maine
At #5, Maine scores 61.2/100. Outdoor Access: 45.0. Environment: 77.1. Safety: 94.5. Overall rank: #9. The state's safety score of 94.5 is a standout.
Maine's weakest area for this ranking is outdoor access at 45.0, but the weights for outdoor enthusiasts put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.4%. Violent crime: 93.2/100K. Life expectancy: 76.6 years.
How these rankings differ from overall rankings
Our overall state rankings use fixed weights led by economy (15%) and safety, health, and education (12% each). Outdoor Enthusiasts rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: outdoor access (30%), environment (15%), safety (15%). Categories like fiscal health and education carry zero weight.
This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for outdoor enthusiasts if its strengths align with the weighted categories. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for outdoor enthusiasts — in this case, both rankings agree.
States to avoid for outdoor enthusiasts
The bottom of the outdoor enthusiasts rankings: Louisiana (29.5), Arkansas (34.1), Alabama (35.1). Lower scores in outdoor access and environment are the primary reasons.
Louisiana scores 29.5/100 with outdoor access at 10.3, environment at 16.0, safety at 45.5. These aren't necessarily bad states — they just don't align well with what outdoor enthusiasts prioritize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026?
Wyoming ranks #1 for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026 with a weighted score of 71.1/100, followed by Montana (64.3) and Vermont (64.0). The ranking weights categories that matter most to outdoor enthusiasts: outdoor access (30%), environment (15%), safety (15%). Wyoming scores 95.7 in outdoor access, 46.6 in environment, 86.1 in safety. The gap between #1 and #10 is 16.6 points, showing meaningful differences in how well states serve this lifestyle.
What categories matter most for outdoor enthusiasts?
The top-weighted categories for outdoor enthusiasts are outdoor access (30%), environment (15%), safety (15%). Categories like fiscal health and education carry zero weight because they are less relevant to this specific lifestyle profile. This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for outdoor enthusiasts if its strengths align with the weighted categories. The weighting reflects real-world priorities — different life stages and lifestyles genuinely value different things, and a one-size-fits-all ranking can miss important nuances.
How do outdoor enthusiasts rankings differ from overall rankings?
Our overall state rankings use a standard weighting across all 11 categories. Outdoor Enthusiasts rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: outdoor access (30%), environment (15%), safety (15%). This means a state that ranks #1 overall might rank significantly lower for outdoor enthusiasts if its strengths don't align with the weighted categories, and vice versa. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for outdoor enthusiasts — in this case, both rankings agree.
Which state ranks worst for outdoor enthusiasts?
Louisiana ranks last for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 29.5/100, primarily due to low outdoor access (10.3) and environment (16.0) scores. Arkansas (34.1) and Alabama (35.1) also rank near the bottom. These aren't necessarily bad states overall — they just don't align well with what outdoor enthusiasts prioritize. A state that ranks poorly for one lifestyle may rank well for another, depending on which categories are weighted.
Can I customize these rankings for my own priorities?
Our outdoor enthusiasts rankings use a specific weighting that reflects typical priorities for this lifestyle. While we don't offer fully customizable weights on the site, you can use our state comparison tool at /compare to evaluate any two states side by side across all 11 categories. For a more tailored analysis, look at individual category rankings at /rankings — if you care most about safety and education, compare those specific rankings. Our city-level data at /cities also provides more granular information for 1,312 cities, including every city of 50,000 or more. For households focused on finances, the affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model costs for specific income levels.