5 of the best states for outdoor travel

Outdoor travel used to be easy to define. You went where the mountains were tallest, the parks were biggest, or the wilderness seemed most intimidating. According to Reader’s Digest, things have changed.

Instead of focusing solely on dramatic landscapes or headline-grabbing national parks, the report evaluated states using a broader set of factors: hiking season length, trail density, public land access, and the overall strength of their outdoor recreation economies. The result is a ranking that values usability just as much as natural beauty. Some longtime adventure favorites still earned top spots, but several smaller states climbed surprisingly high thanks to dense trail networks, easy access to outdoor activities, and seasons that stretch well beyond a few peak months.

The findings reflect a shift in what many travelers are looking for today. A destination doesn't have to be remote or rugged to feel adventurous. In fact, some of the highest-ranked states make it remarkably easy to get outside, whether that's a quick afternoon hike, a weekend cycling trip, or a kayaking excursion that doesn't require hours of driving to reach. The takeaway is simple: the best outdoor destination isn't always the wildest one. Sometimes it's the place where adventure fits naturally into your trip instead of requiring weeks of planning and a spreadsheet full of backup plans.

Here are five of the best states for outdoor travel.

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Colorado may not be at the top, but it remains one of America's defining outdoor destinations. The state is packed with towering peaks, extensive public lands, and a culture that treats hiking boots as acceptable formalwear.

The report found that shorter seasonal accessibility and longer distances between recreation areas kept Colorado from ranking higher. Even so, few places can match its combination of mountain scenery, hiking trails, biking routes, and family-friendly adventures.

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Vermont ranked fourth overall thanks to its exceptional trail density and easy access to outdoor recreation. Travelers $TRV can move quickly between mountain towns, forests, and scenic routes without spending half the vacation stuck in a car.

The state's compact size works in its favor. Outdoor experiences feel woven into everyday life, whether you're hiking through the Green Mountains or exploring Vermont's famously scenic backroads.

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Rhode Island secured third place despite having no federal public lands.

Its secret is accessibility. Rhode Island's trail density is more than four times greater than Colorado's, according to the report. That means travelers can spend less time getting to outdoor adventures and more time actually enjoying them.

Sometimes convenience beats sheer size.

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Alaska came within striking distance of the top spot thanks to its enormous public lands and legendary wilderness. Few places in the world offer such a vast sense of space and adventure.

The state's relatively short four-month hiking season ultimately held it back, according to the report. During peak summer, however, Alaska transforms into one of the planet's great outdoor playgrounds, with glaciers, wildlife, mountains, and remote landscapes stretching in every direction.

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Hawaii topped the ranking by a wide margin, and the reason is straightforward: outdoor adventures rarely need a season here.

According to the report, Hawaii's year-round hiking climate, strong outdoor recreation economy, and extraordinary variety of landscapes helped it pull ahead of every other state. Travelers $TRV can explore volcanic terrain, rainforest trails, coastal cliffs, and marine ecosystems throughout the year.

Many destinations offer great outdoor experiences. Hawaii offers them in every month on the calendar.