North Carolina City Among America’s Top Outdoor-Friendly Spots
Many people believe that embracing the “outdoor lifestyle” means trekking into the middle of nowhere, but a recent ranking by RVShare, an RV rental company, reveals that you don’t need to venture far off too far to enjoy the great outdoors. By evaluating factors such as access to outdoor recreation, public parks, scenic views, and more, RVShare has identified the most and least outdoor-friendly cities in America.
One of the most outdoor-friendly cities is in North Carolina
According to the ranking, Charlotte is the tenth most outdoor-friendly city in America. The ranking highlights the city’s “ample” outdoor recreation with its greenways and proximity to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. “The city’s numerous lakes, such as Lake Norman, provide boating and fishing opportunities. Additionally, the nearby Appalachian Mountains offer hiking and camping options,” they said.
New greenway sections are continuously expanding in Charlotte, such as the 1.5-mile Brandywine Road to Tyvola Road connector on the Cross Charlotte Trail and the 3-mile extension of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway extending to the South Carolina state line. If you’re looking for outdoor experiences outside of Charlotte, there are plenty of places to explore because North Carolina is home to numerous mountains, trails, and camping areas.
Meanwhile, Raleigh is on the other side of the list being one of the least outdoor-friendly cities. The city ranked at number nine on that list. The ranking points out that Raleigh is placed near the bottom of the ranking due to a lack of equipment for outdoor recreation, low visits to public parks, and the use of planning apps. However, they do mention that the city offers numerous parks, including the William B. Umstead State Park, which offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Additionally, the nearby Falls Lake State Recreation Area provides water-based activities such as boating and fishing.
As far as the number one spot, Seattle, Washington, has that honor. The city had high marks in categories including access to outdoor recreation and several camping options. “Seattle is renowned for its access to diverse outdoor recreation,” the company said. “The city is surrounded by water, mountains, and forests, offering activities like hiking, kayaking, and skiing.”
Additionally, Denver, Colorado, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, are among the top three most outdoor-friendly cities in America.
Houston, Texas ranks as the least outdoor-friendly city. The RV rental company said that this ranking is heavily impacted by residents’ low levels of participation in outdoor recreation overall and little variety of outdoor recreation activities. Houston was also dinged for their proximity to natural lands.
Among the top three least outdoors-friendly cities in America are Rochester, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut.
Take a look at the complete ranking here.
