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Backpacker Magazine – August 2009

The Best Cities To Raise An Outdoor Kid

Which towns offer the ideal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources? We worked with The Outdoor Foundation to identify America's top 25 places to beat nature deficit disorder.

by: Jason Stevenson




Want More Options? Click on icons below to find out which cities are best for which sports.

Top Place to Raise A...

WANT TIPS ON HOW TO RAISE AN OUTDOOR KID?
BACKPACKER and the Outdoor Foundation present six DIY modules for parents, mentors, and youth leaders looking for new ideas and techniques.

BEST CITIES TO RAISE AN OUTDOOR KID: THE METHODOLOGY
The stats and assumptions behind our grading system.



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Lucy Lynn
Dec 30, 2011

I didn't realize there were so many uptight, angry outdoor types on here, all up in arms because your cities were not selected for this ONE list.

To the person who attacked people from Boulder, you clearly have not met very many people from there. And much like my own family, you assume you KNOW exactly what a Boulderite is. However, not one individual in my family has spent more than a day in Boulder, but they think they know exactly who lives there.

Stop with the preconceived notions. Perhaps you are the one who is the snob, or maybe you aren't, but certainly something is making you hypersensitive. There are terrific people in absolutely every community, and awful people as well. Let's not judge an entire community on the 2-20 people you came in contact with or heard about.

Washington, D.C. resident who most assuredly lives in a more pretentious area than Boulder now.
(formerly lived in south Georgia, Nebraska, Colorado and Oregon)

mike
Oct 31, 2011

fayetteville arkansas is not on here? HUH???

Ben
Jul 18, 2011

The fact is, any city that appears on a public ist would soon be overrun and therefore--->no longer the best place. Who loves crowded trails? Exactly, no one.

Craig
May 05, 2011

This list gets 2 thumbs down. Waaaay too many places to make an accurate list. Everyone will always think that THEIR city is the best. I say, as long as you've got your kids outside, away from TV and video games and big city bustle, you're doing a VERY good thing in making a difference in that child's life.

Pretentious Boulder?
May 04, 2011

For some reason, people in Boulder love to talk about how wonderful they think they are, physically and financially. Boring!
I will pass on Boulder, because of how stuck the Boulderites are on themselves. Never met such snooty people before them.

dani
Oct 08, 2010

...what about chattanooga, tenn.

River Run Cabins at Grand Lake C
Sep 11, 2010

Hello, my name is Sunny and I'm the General Manager of River Run Cabins at Grand Lake. I am interested in advertising my cabins in your magizine. Could you give me more info on this?
Thanks
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Durangokid
Sep 02, 2010

I grew up in Durango, had a great time as a kid and was always busy running round outside. However, even though it is still a great place, the cost of living is very high compared to other towns, even in Colorado. I have since lived in Oregon, Wyoming and northern Colorado. I would place Ft Collins, CO higher on the list, just due to cost of living, good schools, etc, but still great access to outdoor activities for kids.

David V
Sep 02, 2010

How could you fail to list even one town in Southern California? We have more trails, and more families out hiking, than anywhere else in the country. Within two miles of my house, there are a half-dozen world-class day hikes with incredibly spectacular views!

Tricia
Jul 22, 2010

I LOVE MADISON, WI. It is fabulous!! Great choice!

Chris
Jun 30, 2010

How do you list four towns in Colorado and not a single one in Utah? Moab, SLC, Park City, Ogden--take your pick and get a little more well rounded.

Beaumont, TX
Jun 17, 2010

Austin & San Antonio

Stacy
May 14, 2010

Have you ever been to the northern part of Michigan? It's not Detroit!!!! What a bunch of idiots that put this list together. What outdoor kid wouldn't love the big hills, forests, sand dunes, and oh...a whole lot of water!!!

Patti Hartley
Mar 13, 2010

Wyoming, Wyoming, Wyoming!!! Not just Jackson Hole but every where in Wyoming. We have tons of great camping, fishing, hunting, rodeo, ranching, you name it. Jackson Hole is expensive living. If your looking for an all around place to enjoy small towns, friendly people and outdoors all around you, Wyoming is a dream. Can you tell I lived here all my life?

Scott S.
Mar 10, 2010

I suppose you've never heard of Missoula, MT ?

cathy
Mar 06, 2010

i think anywhere in tennessee is great...lots of woods, trails, camping, fishing, are right in the smokies....just wish it was a little warmer year round...lol

Julie California
Mar 05, 2010

Raised three kids in Beautiful Lakeport, CA add this one to your list............

Julie California
Mar 05, 2010

Raised three kids in Beautiful Lakeport, CA add this one to your list............

Anonymous
Mar 05, 2010

how can you truly appreciate the outdoors if you live in a big city. all you weekend outdoors people are crying over nothing

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