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Our Best Kept Secret? It’s Right Outside

Seattle named most outdoor-friendly city in the U.S.

Sarah Stackhouse By Sarah Stackhouse August 16, 2024

Two people sitting on a grassy area at the edge of a rocky hill, right outside overlooking a scenic view of mountains and a large body of water under a clear blue sky— truly one of nature's best kept secrets.
Rain or shine, Olympic National Park’s beauty never fades.
Photo courtesy of National Park Service

After a recent trip to New England, I returned to Seattle with a newfound appreciation for our outdoor life here. New England’s landscapes are stunning, but the constant worry about pests like ticks, mosquitoes, and biting ants takes away some of the fun. In the 20 years I’ve lived here, I hadn’t even heard of a tick sighting until my friend — a Washington native — had her first experience with one last summer.

RVshare — like Airbnb for RVs — just released a study that confirms this. Seattle was found to be the most outdoor-friendly city in the U.S., beating out places like Denver, Portland, and Grand Rapids. The study, which included cities with populations of 1 million or more, considered factors such as number of visits to parks, proximity to state and national parks, variety of outdoor activities, and overall resident perception. Framed by two mountain ranges, the scenic Puget Sound, and Olympic National Forest, it’s no surprise Seattle ranks in the 90th percentile in seven of the 13 factors. The report notes that “Seattle is renowned for its access to diverse outdoor recreation. The city is surrounded by water, mountains, and forests, offering activities like hiking, kayaking, and skiing.”

A green tent is pitched on a sloping mountainside, right outside snow-capped peaks and evergreen trees in the background under a clear sky.
Olympic National Forest
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service

 

Earlier this year, RVshare conducted separate research and found that while most Americans know time outdoors is beneficial for physical and mental well-being, 57% still crave more time in nature. After spending an average of 10.5 consecutive hours inside, people reported feeling stir-crazy. Time spent outdoors left them feeling more relaxed, clear-minded, and in a better mood, while helping them avoid feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

In Seattle, we’re lucky to have large outdoor spaces right in the city, making it easy to get out.  There’s Green Lake, Discovery Park, Seward Park, the Burke-Gilman Trail — the list goes on. And all the rain? That’s never stopped us. In fact, it’s part of what makes our connection to nature so unique. We don’t wait for sunny days to get outside, we just go with it. And I’ll take the rain over the humidity I experienced in New England any day.

 

A man, woman, and young boy stroll along a lakeside path outside, with daffodils in the foreground and a town on a hill across the water—a best kept secret waiting to be discovered.
Green Lake
Photo courtesy of Seattle Parks & Recreation
Two children and an adult observe a man in uniform as he examines seaweed on a beach covered in patches of water and seaweed, buildings and trees visible in the background—it's the best kept secret, right outside their doorstep.
Discovery Park
Photo courtesy of Discovery Park Staff
A lake with people swimming in the foreground, a motorboat and a sailboat on the water, and houses and trees on the far shore—it's the best kept secret right outside of town.
Seward Park
Photo courtesy of Seattle Park & Recreation
Three people ride bicycles along a paved path surrounded by trees, while another bicycle rests on its kickstand on the side of the path. This serene trail feels like the best kept secret for those seeking a peaceful escape.
Biking the Burke-Gilman Trail
Photo by TIA International Photography, courtesy of Seattle Parks & Recreation

You can see RVshare’s full report here.

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