Best US cities for every outdoor lover

Marion Fernandez

For those who get their fun in the outdoors, living in a city can be tough. While most cities have some kind of outdoor escape you can run to when you are in search of a peace of mind, not all cities are created equal.

Here is a list of some cities in the US that have a closer relationship with the outdoors than most, making adventure easier to find for those who seek it.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon

Oregon is well-known for its enthusiasm for nature and the environment. As a result, Portland, the largest city in the state, is littered with hiking trails and parks, which means that nature is rarely more than a few steps away. A short drive from the city is Mount Hood, offering skiing opportunities for the ski lover. Being not too far from the coast, Portland is ideal for outdoor lovers of every season.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington

Just like Portland, Seattle is one of the great centers of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is a larger metropolitan area, which does mean that there are more career options for working professionals, but there is also plenty of outdoor recreation to be had. Sitting along the Puget Sound, Seattle is close to Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains, making it an outdoor wonderland for fishers and hikers alike.

Anchorage, Alaska

Sunset at Kincaid Park. Anchorage, Alaska – Author: Paxson Woelber – CC BY 2.0
Sunset at Kincaid Park. Anchorage, Alaska – Author: Paxson Woelber – CC BY 2.0

Alaska is an oasis of outdoor activity. Whether you are into hunting, skiing, hiking, or fishing, Anchorage really does provide opportunities for them all. Denali National Park is only a short drive away, as is the Kenai Peninsula, making Anchorage an excellent home base for a whole host of outdoor activities.

Missoula, Montana

Sunset over the Clark River in Missoula, Montana – Author:Wesley Fryer – CC BY 2.0
Sunset over the Clark River in Missoula, Montana – Author:
Wesley Fryer – CC BY 2.0

Surrounded by beautiful forests and rivers, Missoula is immersed in outdoor fun and activity. The area is a prime spot for hunters, including hunting for sheep, moose, elk, bear, and deer. The Blackfoot River, just outside of Missoula, is an excellent spot to go fly fishing.

Portland, Maine

Portland Head Light Station, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S.A. – Author: Rapidfire – CC BY-SA 3.0
Portland Head Light Station, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S.A. – Author: Rapidfire – CC BY-SA 3.0

On the opposite side of the country lies the other Portland in the United States. Though less known than Portland, Oregon, as far as the outdoors goes, Portland, Maine, is still an excellent place for outdoor lovers. For hunters, Portland offers deer and bear hunting, with both animals in abundance. Otherwise, as Portland is on the water, making it an excellent place for fishing, camping, sailing, kayaking, and a whole lot more.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Shots from the Fall Photography at the Summit workshop in October 2010 – Author: Larry Johnson – CC BY 2.0
Shots from the Fall Photography at the Summit workshop in October 2010 – Author: Larry Johnson – CC BY 2.0

Sitting just below the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is full of outdoor adventure. With whitewater rafting, skiing, hiking, and camping, there is a lot that you can get out and do. There is also some significant hunting opportunities for the avid hunter.

Haleiwa, Hawaii

North Shore Haleiwa Hawaii Oahu – Author: Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States – CC BY 2.0
North Shore Haleiwa Hawaii Oahu – Author: Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States – CC BY 2.0

On the North Shore on the island of Oahu, Haleiwa boasts some of the best surfing to be found anywhere in the world. Beyond the fantastic waves, the area is also an excellent place for hiking and camping, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors in a tropical place. Keep in mind that the climate is rainy as well, although not as cold as the likes of Portland and Seattle. Hawaii’s outdoor options are really beyond much of what we can get in the continental United States.

You could find that beyond this list there are outdoor oases right outside your front door. Sometimes there are hidden outdoor spaces within cities as well as protected areas that are specifically designed to allow people to get a break away from city life while preserving some the city’s green and natural areas. The United States is so large with every climate possible that you are bound to find the perfect outdoor location somewhere out there.

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marion-fernandez

marion-fernandez is one of the authors writing for Outdoor Revival