Since 2023, outdoor recreation has been on the rise. More than 57% of our fellow Americans, age six and older, enjoy spending time outdoors. Depending on where you live, that might mean different things: pitching a tent in one of our National Parks, casting a line with your buddies in a quiet river, chasing waves along the Pacific coast, or dusting snow off your boots after skiing the Copper Mountain.
But which state is the most interested in experiencing its great outdoors? And when it comes to specific activities, which states stand out?
To find that out, we analyzed local Google searches for 14 different outdoor activities across each of the 50 states, then adjusted the results per 100,000 residents for a fair comparison.
Let’s bring in the numbers.
We made this KÜHL interactive map for your convenience. You can filter the data by activity or click on a specific state for more details. At the bottom are four key insights of this research. Have a look:
Displaying data for the most active state...
Vermont leads with 8,515 searches per 100k population
Hawaii dominates surfing with 2,314 searches per 100k
Colorado and western states lead in skiing and mountaineering
Coastal states prefer water activities, mountain states favor winter sports
Summing up the data across all the outdoor activities, we got the final results. These are the top five states most interested in the outdoors:
Vermont’s search activity reflects the state’s culture and traditional connection to the outdoors, so it’s no surprise it ranks as the nation’s most outdoorsy state, with 8,515 searches per 100,000 residents. Even as home to the nation’s oldest long-distance hiking route, Vermontians showed the most interest in skiing, camping, and kayaking.
Hawaii follows closely with 7,796 searches per 100,000 residents. The state’s tropical climate and geography create year-round opportunities for lots of outdoor activities like hiking volcanic trails, morning kayaking to sheltered bays and surfing the biggest waves you’ve ever seen. That high level of search interest goes hand-in-hand with Hawaiians’ reputation for an active, outdoor-oriented way of life
Colorado secures third place, with 7,272 searches per 100,000 residents. With its combination of Rocky Mountain landscapes, alpine ski resorts, and wide range of hiking and camping options, Colorado consistently ranks among the top states for outdoor recreation. Residents’ search interest highlights the state’s blend of adventure and accessibility.
Montana takes fourth place with 7,069 searches per 100,000 residents. With Glacier National Park and Yellowstone in its pocket, the Big Sky Country offers vast wilderness areas for those eager to explore. According to the numbers, Montana’s outdoors are most appealing to campers, skiers, and kayakers.
Rounding out the top five is Oregon, with 7,035 searches per 100,000 residents. The state’s coastline, dense forests, and volcanic peaks provide a variety of outdoor opportunities. The data suggests Oregonians are especially drawn to camping and hiking, two activities that reflect the state’s reputation as a year-round playground for nature lovers.
Camping emerges as the most popular outdoor activity in the United States, drawing nearly 39,975 searches across all states. Close behind is kayaking, with 38,397 searches, reflecting a strong national interest in water-based recreation. Surprisingly, hiking follows in third place, generating only 22,789 searches, even though the U.S. is home to plenty of loved hiking trails. Fishing comes close to fourth place with 21,186 searches per 100,000 residents. Rounding out the top five is skiing, which recorded 19,248 searches per 100,000 residents, highlighting the continued appeal of snow sports among Americans.
But what’s the best state for your favorite outdoor activity? Let’s find out.
Breaking it down further, we looked at which states led in individual activities. The results highlight regional strengths and unique outdoor traditions across the country.
Oregon takes the lead in fishing, recording 652 searches per 100,000 residents. The Beaver State has an incredible mix of rivers, lakes, and ocean access. Anglers can chase salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River, trout in mountain streams, or head to the Pacific coast for deep-sea fishing. With so many options at one place, fishing in Oregon is both diverse and accessible year-round.
For backpackers, Wyoming stands out with 259 searches per 100,000 residents. The state offers huge stretches of untouched wilderness, tough mountain trails, and very few crowds. The Wind River Range, the Tetons, and Yellowstone give backpackers rugged terrain, alpine lakes, and big views, making it one of the best states to get a true backcountry experience.
Delaware ranks first for biking interest, with 636 searches per 100,000 residents. The state's small, flat, and easy to navigate, with a growing network of bike-friendly trails and scenic coastal routes. Riders can cruise along beaches, through state parks, or into historic towns without dealing with steep climbs or long distances, making biking both accessible and enjoyable across the First State.
Vermont emerges as the most interested in birdwatching, generating 59 searches per 100,000 residents. Its forests, wetlands, and mountain ridges create habitats for a wide range of species. The state sits along key migratory paths, so birders can spot everything from warblers in spring to raptors in mud season.
Camping proves most popular in Montana, where residents made 1,905 searches per 100,000 people.
It’s packed with wide-open spaces, mountain ranges, and two of the country’s most famous national parks: Yellowstone and Glacier. The Big Sky’s open skies lets you find solitude, spot wildlife, and sleep under stars that don’t get drowned out by city lights. Speaking of which, it's the 7th best state for stargazing, according to our latest research.
Hawaii leads the nation in hiking interest, with 1,476 searches per 100,000 residents. The islands’ dramatic volcanic landscapes, tropical forests, and coastal trails attract hikers of all skill levels, making outdoor exploration a defining part of local culture.
Wyoming once again tops the list, this time for hunting, with 400 searches per 100,000 residents. The state’s open lands, large populations of elk, deer, and antelope, and strong hunting traditions help sustain its popularity among residents.
Hawaii also claims first place in kayaking, with 1,675 searches per 100,000 residents. The state’s bays, coral reefs, and open-wates filled with colorful fish, sea turtles, and dolphins, make kayaking both an accessible recreational activity and a way to immerse yourself in the islands’ natural beauty.
For mountaineering, Wyoming is again the top state, with 244 searches per 100,000 residents. The state's high-altitude wilderness with towering granite peaks like the Tetons, unpredictable weather, and endless routes that demand grit and skill, giving climbers a pure, no-easy-outs challenge in some of the wildest places left in America.
RV camping interest is also strongest in Wyoming, with 451 searches per 100,000 residents. Wide-open highways, epic views of abovementioned mountains and plains, and public land make it easy for people to roll their home-on-wheels straight into raw Western wilderness without competing for space.
Vermont holds the top spot in skiing, with 1,711 searches per 100,000 residents. The state’s numerous ski resorts and consistent winter snowfall help maintain its reputation as the heart of New England’s ski culture.
Snowboarding interest is likewise centered in Vermont, which records 779 searches per 100,000 residents. The ski resorts cater to both skiers and snowboarders, drawing enthusiasts from across the region.
Unsurprisingly, Hawaii leads in surfing, with 2,314 searches per 100,000 residents. The islands are internationally recognized as the birthplace of modern surfing, and their iconic breaks continue to attract surfers from around the world.
Vermont ranks highest for swimming, having 505 searches per 100,000 residents. Known for its clean lakes, rivers, and hidden swimming holes in the mountains, the state offers freshwater swimming options that are both accessible and popular with residents during the warmer months.
America’s outdoors are as diverse as its people. The data shows that passion for adventure is shared between the states, but each brings its own unique flavor to outdoor recreation.
Americans are most interested in camping, but when we zoom in, regional standouts prove how varied our connections to nature are. No matter where you live, the opportunities to step outside and explore are plenty.
So... what are you up to this weekend?
We used Google search data for 14 outdoor activities for each of the fifty states ((time period August 2024 - August 2025). Results were adjusted per 100,000 residents to make comparisons fair between states of different sizes. Totals were used to find the most outdoorsy states overall, and individual leaders were identified for each activity.
Research done by Nemanja Marinkov.
Featured image by Yifu Wu.
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