State rankings

Best States for Hiking

California has the highest Total Score (95), followed by Colorado (92) and Washington (90). Oklahoma has the lowest (2).

Sports50 states · 6 metricsUpdated Jul 3, 2023Original page
1 source
50 of 51 states
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Total Score

Darker green is better (higher is better). Click a place to highlight it.

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All 50 ranked

Best first.

Distribution Median and middle halfThe median is the middle value: half of places are above it, half below. The middle half is the range holding the central 50% of places.More in the glossary →

Each dot is one state; the lines mark the median and the middle half.

Median
45
Middle half 20.5 – 69.5
Average
45.26
50 states
Highest
95
California
Lowest
2
Oklahoma

Data

Click a column to sort, a row to highlight that place on the charts.

What correlates with Total Score?

Pearson r against 2,111 other state metrics sharing at least 30 states. Ranks are read by standing: a better rank counts as higher, whether rank 1 is the best place on a list or the worst. Correlation is not causation.

Higher together

Places that have a higher Total Score tend to score higher on these (or rank better)

  1. Scenic Beauty RankMost Beautiful StatesA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = +0.82 · very strong · n = 49
    Plot
  2. State Rank All GovtsPublic Land by StateA rank: rank 1 is the best
    r = +0.73 · very strong · n = 50
    Plot
  3. The highest point in each state in feetHighest Point in Each State
    r = +0.69 · strong · n = 50
    Plot
  4. Highest ElevationFlattest States in the United States
    r = +0.69 · strong · n = 50
    Plot
  5. Flatness (Difference Between Highest and Lowest)Flattest States in the United States
    r = +0.67 · strong · n = 50
    Plot
  6. % UnaffiliatedMost Christian States
    r = +0.66 · strong · n = 50
    Plot

Opposite directions

Places that have a higher Total Score tend to score lower on these (or rank worse)

  1. Indoor Allergy Home Age ScoreAllergy-Friendly States
    r = −0.73 · very strong · n = 49
    Plot
  2. Physically InactiveHealthiest States
    r = −0.69 · strong · n = 49
    Plot
  3. Housing CostPension-Friendly States
    r = −0.68 · strong · n = 49
    Plot
  4. Total TornadoesTornado Alley States
    r = −0.66 · strong · n = 45
    Plot
  5. Avg Indoor Allergy ScoreAllergy-Friendly States
    r = −0.64 · strong · n = 49
    Plot
  6. Average July Temperature (°F)Climate by State (1991–2020 Averages)
    r = −0.63 · strong · n = 50
    Plot

Quick answers

Which state has the highest Total Score?
California has the highest Total Score, at 95, followed by Colorado (92) and Washington (90).
Which state has the lowest Total Score?
Oklahoma has the lowest Total Score, at 2.
What is the median Total Score across US states?
The median is 45 across the 50 US states with data.
Where does this best states for hiking data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Best State for Hiking Ranking - Issuu.

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