15 Best Outdoor Cities In The US For Nature Lovers

While some people prefer the hustle and bustle of the city with buzzing nightlife and shops, others prefer to take it easy with fresh air and the sounds of songbirds rather than traffic horn harmonies.

“America the Beautiful” has something for everyone, including beach cities, mountain getaways and lake life that shows all of the wonders of nature. If you’ve been itching to get out, we’ve pulled the best outdoor cities in the U.S. for every open-air enthusiast.

We started with park data for cities, including:

• Parkland per resident
• Parks within a 10-minute walk
• Park spending per capita
• City Walk Scores

Green space and park accessibility, as well as spending towards park maintenance and recreation, help determine how much public outdoor space is available for residents to explore and enjoy.

We also considered a city’s Walk Score to determine how pedestrian-friendly a city is, as well as its walkability on a scale of 0 to 100. Scores 0–24 indicate car dependence, while scores 70 and higher are very walkable.

Finally, we applied quality of life factors to ensure homeowners would be able to thrive economically in their new outdoor oasis. We ranked cities with metropolitan house price index data, labor growth and per capita personal income.

Moving to a new city or state is a big decision, but nature lovers looking for their next big adventure can rest easy knowing that these cities are sure to deliver fun in the sun, sand or snow – whichever their preference.

Key Findings:

• Paul, Minnesota, takes the top spot, with 4,974 acres of parkland accounting for 15% of the city’s area.
• San Francisco ranks highest for park accessibility, with 100% of residents living within a 10-minute walk to a park.
• San Francisco also has the highest walkability score of 88.7 and invests $420 in parks and recreation per resident annually – the highest of our study.
• Anchorage, Alaska, has the greatest amount of parkland per resident, with 2,941 acres per 1,000 residents.
• Chandler, Arizona, is the lowest ranked city for outdoor recreation, with just 1,518 acres of parkland and a Walk Score of 35.4.

1. St. Paul, Minnesota

St. Paul is known for its cold winters and heavy snowfall, but that doesn’t stop residents from enjoying the great outdoors. It's the third smallest city in our top 15 with just 307,193 residents, but 15.4% of the city is dedicated parkland that covers nearly 5,000 acres.

The city’s expansive park system is just a 10-minute walk away for 99% of residents, and the city spends $247 per resident each year to support outdoor recreation.

Water and land enthusiasts can enjoy the 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River designated the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, home to hundreds of native flora and fauna species.

• Paul offers 16.45 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents to enjoy, for a total of 4,974 acres.
• The city’s ranked third for park accessibility, with 99% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of city green space.
• Minnesota is ranked 15th for outdoor recreation, with annual government spending at $834,315.

2. San Diego, California

Sunny San Diego is beloved for its near-perfect weather and 70 miles of sandy beaches¹ stretching along the Southern California coast.

The city manages nearly 40,000 acres of parkland, offering 29 acres of green space per 1,000 residents, with 81% of the population living within a 10-minute walk to their neighborhood park.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors in San Diego, but the city offers more than just the beach,, including the San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium and museums for every age. 

• California is ranked #1 for outdoor recreation spending, at $3.28 million in government spending.
• San Diego is ranked #16 in the U.S. for parkland acres per resident, with 29 acres available per 1,000 San Diegans.
• Balboa Park covers 1,200 acres and is the United States’ largest urban cultural park.

3. Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is the smallest city in our top 15 and is known for its festivals, craft beer and impressive dairy selection. If you’re still up for an adventure after brews and cheese curds, the city’s 7,106 acres of parkland will keep you busy.

Lake life lovers have their choice of five pristine lakes and 12 waterfront beaches to swim, fish, boat or sail in.

For visitors who never quite developed their sea legs, the University of Wisconsin’s Arboretum, just south of downtown, is home to woodlands, savannahs, prairies and wetlands. Another 13 beautiful state parks are within a one-hour drive of the city, so you’ll never tire of the stunning sights and hiking trails.

• Madison has 269,196 residents and 26.79 acres of parkland per 1,000 citizens.
• Around 95% of residents live within walking distance of a local park.
• Downtown Madison is surrounded by Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, with another three lakes just outside of the city.

4. Portland, Oregon

Portland’s high rank as an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination is no surprise to Oregonians that enjoy the city’s 14,660 acres of parkland. A whopping 90% of the city population lives within 10 minutes of a park, so every neighborhood has plenty of opportunities to get outside.

Parks aren’t all Portland has to offer. Urban forests like the city’s 8-mile Forest Park offer 80 miles of trails to explore and provide environmental benefits like reduced urban heating effects and air pollution.

After a day of hiking or biking, residents can cool off along the Willamette River, which snakes through downtown Portland and carves out several waterfront recreation areas.

• The city of Portland spends $229 per resident on parks and recreation activities.
• Portland is ranked 15^th for the 10-Minute Walk initiative, with 90% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park.
• Portland also ranks 15^th for labor growth, with a 3.6% increase to a 1.3 million-strong workforce in 2021.

5. Cincinnati, Ohio

As the third largest city in Ohio, the Queen City is known for its sports teams, including the Reds and Bengals, Skyline Chili restaurants and the best zoo in the nation.

Cincinnati falls just short of Madison’s parkland per capita, ranking 22^nd, with 25.76 acres per 1,000 residents. The city makes sure there’s plenty to do, spending $182 per resident annually (more than Madison and San Diego) and a total of 8,031 park acres to explore.

Cincinnati is also one of the most affordable cities to live on our list, ranking fifth for house prices. Career opportunities are competitive, however, as the city comes in 39^th on our labor growth rank and 30^th for personal income per capita.

• Ohio ranks eighth for outdoor recreation, with $707,549 in government spending.
• The Trust For Public Land ranks Cincinnati as the fourth best city for parks in 2022.
• Cincinnati scores 24^th for accessibility, with 88% of residents within a 10-minute walk to a park.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

Come for Mardi Gras and music, then stay for the massive amounts of parkland to explore outside of the French Quarter. New Orleans has the most park acres per 1,000 residents in our top 15 list, ranking eighth overall with 62.77 acres.

While New Orleans residents don’t make as much as other ranking cities, they do have the lowest housing price index per city, just behind Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Water enthusiasts get the best of all aquatic worlds with the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico and surrounding swampland available for boating, fishing and wildlife watching.

• The city manages a total of 24,736 acres of public parkland, ranking eighth for parkland acres per 1,000 residents.
• New Orleans is ranked 24^th for outdoor state recreation and 21^st for government spending at $424,676.
• Around 80% of residents live within a 10-minute walking distance to a park – tied with San Jose for the lowest percentage among our top 15 cities.

7. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis is the slightly larger twin city of our top outdoor metropolitan, St. Paul, with 425,336 residents enjoying 5,077 acres of parks and green space. While St. Paul is greener, Minneapolis is hipper, with the most vibrant nightlife in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The city spends an impressive $317 per resident on parks and recreation, and ranks 13^th for walkability – the highest score yet on our list.

Residents can choose between exploring the mighty Mississippi with urban hiking and biking trails, or venture out of the city’s limits to explore one of the many prairie lands and state parks Minnesota has to offer. 

• Minneapolis and St. Paul are the Twin Cities along the Mississippi river.
• Minneapolis offers 11.88 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, ranking 60^th for parkland overall.

Over 98% of residents live within 10 minutes of a city park or green space.

8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Steel City, known for massive sports franchises including the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, offers more than manufacturing and football legacies. The city is also home to 165 parks totaling 4,938 acres.

Three rivers wind through the metropolitan area, bestowing its second name as the City of Bridges and offering several waterfront access points for swimming and recreation.

Pennsylvania is the sixth top-ranking city for outdoor recreation, with over $11.8 million of total outdoor recreation value added and $721,473 in government spending to support recreation.

• Pittsburgh offers 16.09 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
• The city spends $115 per resident on parks and recreation – 39^th
• Pittsburgh ranks 21^st for walkability, with a 62.4 Walk Score.

9. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is famous for its landmarks (like the Golden Gate Bridge) and rich culture as one of the largest cities in the U.S. While it offers the least amount of parkland per resident, it ranks first for park access, with 100% of residents living within a 10-minute walk to local parks.

San Francisco invests $420 per resident into parks and recreation – more than any other city on our list. Combined with California’s impressive $3.2 million spent annually on outdoor recreation, there’s plenty to see and do in San Francisco. 

• San Francisco spends more than any other city on parks and recreation, at $420 a resident.
• The city maintains a total of 6,165 acres in parkland, at 7.06 acres per 1,000 residents.
• San Francisco ranks second for personal income but 74th for house price index.

10. Oakland, California

Just east of the San Francisco Bay, Oakland rounds out our top 10 cities for outdoor enthusiasts with 4,927 acres, providing 11.69 acres of recreational area per 1,000 residents.

Oakland spends significantly less on recreation than its Bay Area neighbor at $111 per resident. Still, the city earns 20th for park accessibility and ninth for walkability.

Residents can explore the 140-acre Lake Merritt,² one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the U.S., or travel outside of the city to admire the 1,400-acre Redwood Regional Park. 

• Oakland ranks 20th for park access, with 89% of residents within a 10-minute walk.
• The city spends just $111 per resident on parks, ranking 41st in our study.
• Oakland ranks ninth for walkability, with a Walk Score of 75.3.

11. Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City is an urban jungle surrounded by natural beauty, including sparkling Lake Michigan, the sandy dunes of northern Indiana and the Chicago River itself.

Inside city limits, visitors can explore stunning botanical gardens, arboretums and 13,865 acres of city parks and green spaces. While 98% of residents live within walking distance to a park, the over 2.6 million residents share just 5.11 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. 

• Chicago ranks 88th for parkland per 1,000 residents, at 5.11 acres.
• Chicago ranks second for labor growth, ninth for income and 10th for house price index, making it one of the most economically viable cities on our list.
• Chicago ranks fifth for walkability with a Walk Score of 77.2.

12. St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis built itself around the Mississippi River and erected the Gateway Arch as the gateway to the West. Blues and barbecue fans will feel right at home in this frontier town with plenty of food and festivals.

St. Louis manages 3,792 acres of parkland serving 293,310 residents. Around 97% of the population lives within a 10-minute walk to a park and the city ranks 18th for walkability.

• Louis offers 12.27 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, spending $128 per resident annually.
• Louis has a Walk Score of 65.7, ranking 18th overall.
• The city is 13th in house price index and 27th in personal income index.

13. Aurora, Colorado

Aurora began as a military town and has evolved into a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including softball, sailing, golf and more.

With 10,673 acres to explore, residents will never tire of fresh air and wildlife watching in and around the city. While there’s plenty to do, you’ll need to find transportation, as the city ranks 54th in walkability – the lowest of our top 15 cities. 

• Aurora has 28.18 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
• The city ranks 69th in home value but 16th in labor growth and sixth in personal income.
• The city spends $159 per resident on recreation, ranking 21st overall.

14. San Jose, California

San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley, so it’s no surprise it ranks first for personal income and 17th for labor growth. However, the highly competitive housing economy ranks 74th for house price index, tied with San Francisco and Oakland.

Tech enthusiasts who want a break from their screens have 17,376 acres of parkland at their disposal, with 80% living a walk away from their favorite park hangout. Despite the city’s wealth and large amount of parkland, it spends just $141 per resident on recreation, ranking 28th on park spending.

• San Jose has the highest personal income ranking of any city in our study, at $121,619.
• The city’s 17,376 acres of parks reduces to 17.11 acres per 1,000 residents.
• San Jose ranks 31st in walkability, with a Walk Score of 50.5.

15. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is bursting with history and is home to some of the best museums in the world. From the National Capital Parks to waterfront spaces along the Potomac River, there’s plenty to do outdoors.

Washington, D.C., has 9,294 acres of parkland split among 502 parks. It’s one of the most walkable cities, ranking sixth, with a Walk Score of 76.7 and 98% of residents living just 10 minutes from a park. 

• The capital manages 13.18 acres of parks per 1,000 residents, ranking 48th overall.
• The city spends $284 on parks and recreation per resident.
• Washington, D.C., ranks 47th in outdoor recreation, with $1.2 million of value added and $286,702 in government spending.

Did your city make our list? Explore the top 86 outdoor cities for nature lovers and their ranking factors below.

Methodology

We analyzed ParkScore data on available parkland, green space access and investments, as well as outdoor recreation data, metropolitan Walk Scores, median home values, labor growth and personal income data to gather our estimates on the best places to live if you enjoy spending time outdoors.

Here are the factors we considered when weighing our rankings:

• Acres of parkland per 1,000 residents – 25%
• Parkland access within a 10-minute walk – 20%
• Parkland investments per resident – 5%
• Outdoor recreation by state – 15%
• Metropolitan Walk Scores – 20%
• Median home values – 5%
• Labor force growth– 5%
• Median personal income – 5% 

Nature and fresh air are vital to our quality of life, directly impacting our mental and physical health.⁹

Whether you’re looking for a sunny beach city to enjoy a fresh breeze and soak up the sun, or you live for an adventure and never leave your hiking boots behind, you’re sure to find what you love in these best outdoor cities across the U.S. 

Sources:

1. San Diego Tourism Authority

2. Lake Merritt Institute

3. Trust For Public Land

4. BEA Outdoor Recreation

5. BEA Personal Income

6. BLS

7. Walk Score

8. St. Louis FED

9. APA