#1Forest Heights
Prince George's County · 2,618 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #183 of 259 in MD
Forest Heights, #1 on this list · Oxon Cove Park · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainMaryland rankings · Outdoors
Best towns for the outdoors in Maryland
Forest Heights ranks first on outdoors among Maryland’s 261 towns of 2,500+; 109 of the 261 grade A− or better on outdoors nationally.
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. How grades work
#1A+
#2Redland
unincorporated, Montgomery County · 18,665 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A · #26 of 259 in MD
Burtonsville
unincorporated, Montgomery County · 10,203 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A · #38 of 259 in MD
All 261 towns
Outdoors grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
261 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
1Forest HeightsPrince George's County · 2,618 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #183 of 259
2Redlandunincorporated, Montgomery County · 18,665 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A · #26 of 259
3Burtonsvilleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 10,203 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall A · #38 of 259
4Rosaryvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,883 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall C · #211 of 259
5Baltimore Highlandsunincorporated, Baltimore County · 8,206 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall C− · #231 of 259
6Hamptonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 5,372 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #117 of 259
7Columbiaunincorporated, Howard County · 104,338 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #36 of 259
9Savageunincorporated, Howard County · 8,239 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #61 of 259
10Cloverlyunincorporated, Montgomery County · 16,646 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #73 of 259
11Edgemereunincorporated, Baltimore County · 9,061 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #148 of 259
12GreenbeltPrince George's County · 24,948 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #235 of 259
13Potomacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 45,902 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #40 of 259
14Mayounincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 8,694 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #137 of 259
15Chevy Chaseunincorporated, Montgomery County · 9,445 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #44 of 259
16Hillandaleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,060 peopleA+better than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #118 of 259
17Riverdale ParkPrince George's County · 7,343 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #250 of 259
18Brookmontunincorporated, Montgomery County · 3,671 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #17 of 259
19Clarksburgunincorporated, Montgomery County · 30,487 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #45 of 259
20Scaggsvilleunincorporated, Howard County · 10,564 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #43 of 259
22Perry Hallunincorporated, Baltimore County · 29,105 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #122 of 259
23Wheatonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 52,926 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #87 of 259
24Kingsvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 4,687 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #142 of 259
26Fairlandunincorporated, Montgomery County · 26,231 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #72 of 259
27Ilchesterunincorporated, Howard County · 28,364 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #23 of 259
28Eldersburgunincorporated, Carroll County · 31,695 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #33 of 259
29Marlboro Meadowsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,929 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #224 of 259
30South Laurelunincorporated, Prince George's County · 29,272 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #208 of 259
31Olneyunincorporated, Montgomery County · 35,797 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #18 of 259
32Lansdowneunincorporated, Baltimore County · 7,876 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #206 of 259
33Forest Glenunincorporated, Montgomery County · 6,840 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #7 of 259
35Ashton-Sandy Springunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,630 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #4 of 259
37Flower Hillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 13,794 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #58 of 259
39Shady Sideunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 4,727 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #157 of 259
40Ellicott Cityunincorporated, Howard County · 75,257 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #50 of 259
41Konterraunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,641 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #213 of 259
42Pleasant Hillsunincorporated, Harford County · 3,836 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #68 of 259
43Germantownunincorporated, Montgomery County · 90,719 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #19 of 259
44Overleaunincorporated, Baltimore County · 13,035 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #140 of 259
46Brandywineunincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,160 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #220 of 259
47Burnt Millsunincorporated, Montgomery County · 3,751 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #111 of 259
49Damascusunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,640 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 259
50Travilahunincorporated, Montgomery County · 11,721 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #80 of 259
52Odentonunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 45,002 peopleAbetter than 87% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #102 of 259
53Carneyunincorporated, Baltimore County · 28,343 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #172 of 259
54Colesvilleunincorporated, Montgomery County · 14,519 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #29 of 259
55North Laurelunincorporated, Howard County · 25,563 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #28 of 259
56Honeygounincorporated, Baltimore County · 12,250 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #134 of 259
57Grasonvilleunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 3,564 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #124 of 259
59Suitlandunincorporated, Prince George's County · 23,793 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #219 of 259
60Darnestownunincorporated, Montgomery County · 7,051 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #74 of 259
61Seat PleasantPrince George's County · 4,524 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #243 of 259
62Aspen Hillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 53,279 peopleA−better than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #78 of 259
63Maryland Cityunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 19,186 peopleA−better than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #155 of 259
64Montgomery Villageunincorporated, Montgomery County · 34,110 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #53 of 259
65Fort Washingtonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 25,134 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #185 of 259
67BowiePrince George's County · 58,383 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #173 of 259
68Woodlawnunincorporated, Prince George's County · 7,750 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #175 of 259
71Silver Springunincorporated, Montgomery County · 81,462 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #76 of 259
72Kemp Millunincorporated, Montgomery County · 13,042 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #46 of 259
73GaithersburgMontgomery County · 71,113 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #91 of 259
74Accokeekunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,362 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #210 of 259
75Summerfieldunincorporated, Prince George's County · 15,065 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #200 of 259
76BladensburgPrince George's County · 9,671 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #252 of 259
77Four Cornersunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,150 peopleA−better than 83% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #11 of 259
79Ketteringunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,014 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #184 of 259
80Lexington Parkunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 13,252 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #96 of 259
82Lanhamunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,433 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #212 of 259
83Calvertonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,624 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #159 of 259
84CheverlyPrince George's County · 6,164 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #228 of 259
86Towsonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 58,679 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #165 of 259
87Layhillunincorporated, Montgomery County · 5,497 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #41 of 259
88CambridgeDorchester County · 13,457 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #259 of 259
90Cockeysvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 23,962 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #189 of 259
91Joppatowneunincorporated, Harford County · 14,237 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #59 of 259
92Landoverunincorporated, Prince George's County · 24,514 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #225 of 259
93College Park College campusPrince George's County · 35,418 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall B−
94Fultonunincorporated, Howard County · 5,677 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #16 of 259
95Ballenger Creekunincorporated, Frederick County · 26,390 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #31 of 259
97West Laurelunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,428 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #167 of 259
100Friendship Heights Villageunincorporated, Montgomery County · 4,002 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #35 of 259
101Bryans Roadunincorporated, Charles County · 9,371 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #146 of 259
103Hillcrest Heightsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 16,063 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #186 of 259
104LeonardtownSt. Mary's County · 5,033 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #93 of 259
105Clintonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 38,376 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #192 of 259
106Glenmontunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,208 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #66 of 259
107North Potomacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 23,922 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #48 of 259
108Chillumunincorporated, Prince George's County · 34,871 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #230 of 259
109Lake Shoreunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 18,249 peopleA−better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #129 of 259
110Edgewoodunincorporated, Harford County · 24,922 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #119 of 259
111North Kensingtonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,954 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #10 of 259
112Bel Air Southunincorporated, Harford County · 58,137 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #67 of 259
113La Valeunincorporated, Allegany County · 4,196 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #92 of 259
114Chesapeake BeachCalvert County · 6,466 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #24 of 259
115Wildewoodunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 7,552 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #64 of 259
116HyattsvillePrince George's County · 21,158 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #242 of 259
117Mitchellvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,359 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #182 of 259
118South Kensingtonunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,148 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #47 of 259
119Annapolis Neckunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 12,032 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #112 of 259
120Spring Ridgeunincorporated, Frederick County · 5,922 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #6 of 259
121Brooklyn Parkunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 16,067 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #94 of 259
122White Marshunincorporated, Baltimore County · 10,932 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #160 of 259
123Marlboro Villageunincorporated, Prince George's County · 9,382 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #161 of 259
125Takoma ParkMontgomery County · 17,260 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #150 of 259
126Reisterstownunincorporated, Baltimore County · 25,582 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #193 of 259
127Timoniumunincorporated, Baltimore County · 10,304 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #143 of 259
128Walker Millunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,931 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #217 of 259
129Woodmoreunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,613 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #209 of 259
130New CarrolltonPrince George's County · 13,644 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #236 of 259
131Beltsvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 19,176 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #203 of 259
132LaurelPrince George's County · 30,254 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #226 of 259
135Severna Parkunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 40,228 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #79 of 259
137Mays Chapelunincorporated, Baltimore County · 16,066 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #136 of 259
138Fallstonunincorporated, Harford County · 10,013 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #98 of 259
139Glassmanorunincorporated, Prince George's County · 16,981 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #237 of 259
140Californiaunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 13,136 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #39 of 259
141HagerstownWashington County · 44,228 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #244 of 259
142Catonsvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 43,368 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #131 of 259
143Lochearnunincorporated, Baltimore County · 27,074 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #190 of 259
144Largounincorporated, Prince George's County · 12,229 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #180 of 259
145Pocomoke CityWorcester County · 4,421 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #223 of 259
146Stevensvilleunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 8,802 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #82 of 259
147Rosedaleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 20,002 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #149 of 259
148Urbanaunincorporated, Frederick County · 14,260 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #42 of 259
150Dundalkunincorporated, Baltimore County · 65,969 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #221 of 259
151Bowleys Quartersunincorporated, Baltimore County · 7,006 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #218 of 259
153Bartonsvilleunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,282 peopleBbetter than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #52 of 259
154National Harborunincorporated, Prince George's County · 4,454 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #215 of 259
155Ocean Pinesunincorporated, Worcester County · 12,351 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #65 of 259
156Essexunincorporated, Baltimore County · 40,580 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #196 of 259
158Bethesdaunincorporated, Montgomery County · 69,397 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #37 of 259
159Woodlawnunincorporated, Baltimore County · 40,379 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #181 of 259
160AnnapolisAnne Arundel County · 40,634 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #176 of 259
161Arnoldunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 24,303 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #100 of 259
162Bel Air Northunincorporated, Harford County · 31,302 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #62 of 259
163Marlow Heightsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,456 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #246 of 259
164Middle Riverunincorporated, Baltimore County · 31,712 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #216 of 259
165Brock Hallunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,615 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #187 of 259
167Seabrookunincorporated, Prince George's County · 18,317 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #207 of 259
168Croftonunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 29,549 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #104 of 259
169Prince Frederickunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,955 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #75 of 259
170Forestvilleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,495 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #198 of 259
171White Oakunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,329 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #125 of 259
172Springdaleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,226 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #164 of 259
173Capitol HeightsPrince George's County · 4,044 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #197 of 259
174North Bethesdaunincorporated, Montgomery County · 49,677 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #34 of 259
175Pasadenaunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 34,309 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #123 of 259
176Friendlyunincorporated, Prince George's County · 11,119 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #191 of 259
177Monroviaunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,568 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #63 of 259
178East Riverdaleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 18,336 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #240 of 259
179Owings Millsunincorporated, Baltimore County · 37,245 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #163 of 259
180Linthicumunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 11,313 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #77 of 259
181Camp Springsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 22,544 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #174 of 259
182Adelphiunincorporated, Prince George's County · 17,395 peopleBbetter than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #234 of 259
183Mount RainierPrince George's County · 8,307 peopleB−better than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #247 of 259
184Oxon Hillunincorporated, Prince George's County · 17,893 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #168 of 259
185West Ocean Cityunincorporated, Worcester County · 5,198 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #101 of 259
186Arbutusunincorporated, Baltimore County · 22,507 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #109 of 259
187Silver Hillunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,193 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #205 of 259
188Glenn Daleunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,772 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #170 of 259
189Cresaptownunincorporated, Allegany County · 5,121 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #120 of 259
192Linganoreunincorporated, Frederick County · 14,444 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #54 of 259
193Temple Hillsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 8,969 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #238 of 259
194Rossvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 16,059 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #152 of 259
195Chesterunincorporated, Queen Anne's County · 4,797 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #90 of 259
196Langley Parkunincorporated, Prince George's County · 21,508 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #248 of 259
197Coral Hillsunincorporated, Prince George's County · 9,756 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #227 of 259
198District HeightsPrince George's County · 5,938 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #239 of 259
199SmithsburgWashington County · 3,212 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #85 of 259
201Westphaliaunincorporated, Prince George's County · 13,228 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #177 of 259
202Havre de GraceHarford County · 15,630 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #107 of 259
203BrentwoodPrince George's County · 3,828 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #245 of 259
204Parkvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 30,549 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #144 of 259
205GlenardenPrince George's County · 6,422 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #151 of 259
206Riversideunincorporated, Harford County · 6,585 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #5 of 259
207Randallstownunincorporated, Baltimore County · 35,957 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #204 of 259
208Peppermill Villageunincorporated, Prince George's County · 5,238 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #154 of 259
209Lake Arborunincorporated, Prince George's County · 14,335 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #169 of 259
210Robinwoodunincorporated, Washington County · 8,042 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #147 of 259
211Paroleunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 17,229 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #99 of 259
212Pikesvilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 33,524 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #156 of 259
213Edgewaterunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 8,519 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #105 of 259
214Marltonunincorporated, Prince George's County · 10,222 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #222 of 259
215Berwyn HeightsPrince George's County · 3,338 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #171 of 259
216Waldorfunincorporated, Charles County · 82,943 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #162 of 259
217Braddock Heightsunincorporated, Frederick County · 2,892 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #57 of 259
218CentrevilleQueen Anne's County · 4,782 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #84 of 259
219Lusbyunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,595 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #13 of 259
220Bensvilleunincorporated, Charles County · 15,848 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #195 of 259
221Severnunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 58,402 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #116 of 259
222Luthervilleunincorporated, Baltimore County · 6,574 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #110 of 259
223Elkridgeunincorporated, Howard County · 26,283 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #49 of 259
225Fairwoodunincorporated, Prince George's County · 7,526 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #166 of 259
227Halfwayunincorporated, Washington County · 10,849 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #178 of 259
228Milford Millunincorporated, Baltimore County · 30,829 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #202 of 259
231Andrews AFBunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,130 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #179 of 259
232Rivaunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 4,976 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #126 of 259
233Chevy ChaseMontgomery County · 2,804 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #25 of 259
234Riviera Beachunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 12,192 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #89 of 259
235Owingsunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,643 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #3 of 259
237Glen Burnieunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 72,590 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #138 of 259
238Fountainhead-Orchard Hillsunincorporated, Washington County · 6,567 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #55 of 259
239Dealeunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 5,333 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #127 of 259
240Huntingtownunincorporated, Calvert County · 2,689 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #32 of 259
241Jarrettsvilleunincorporated, Harford County · 2,560 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #97 of 259
242Princess AnneSomerset County · 3,642 peopleCbetter than 31% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #258 of 259
243Jeffersonunincorporated, Frederick County · 3,314 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #9 of 259
244Ferndaleunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 17,529 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #128 of 259
245Maugansvilleunincorporated, Washington County · 3,624 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #71 of 259
246Green Valleyunincorporated, Frederick County · 13,602 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #60 of 259
247Fort Meadeunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 11,225 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #135 of 259
248Brown Stationunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,451 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #132 of 259
249Melwoodunincorporated, Prince George's County · 3,401 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #229 of 259
250Jessupunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 9,931 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #139 of 259
251Leisure Worldunincorporated, Montgomery County · 8,882 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #95 of 259
252Abingdonunincorporated, Harford County · 5,019 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #106 of 259
253St. Jamesunincorporated, Washington County · 4,824 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #69 of 259
254Cape St. Claireunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 9,236 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #113 of 259
256Gambrillsunincorporated, Anne Arundel County · 2,830 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #133 of 259
257Garrisonunincorporated, Baltimore County · 9,469 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #145 of 259
258Golden Beachunincorporated, St. Mary's County · 3,830 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #51 of 259
259Chesapeake Ranch Estatesunincorporated, Calvert County · 9,241 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #30 of 259
260Paramount-Long Meadowunincorporated, Washington County · 2,569 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #121 of 259
261Drum Pointunincorporated, Calvert County · 3,589 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #81 of 259
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Maryland town is best for the outdoors?
Forest Heights (Prince George's County) ranks first on outdoors among 261 towns, with an A+; Redland and Burtonsville follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a outdoors grade (261 in Maryland). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Maryland page.
Go deeper
All Maryland rankings →More Maryland lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live259 towns · #1 DamascusBest small towns121 towns · #1 WalkersvilleMost affordable towns260 towns · #1 CresaptownSafest towns52 towns · #1 FrostburgTowns with the best schools261 towns · #1 Berlin and Ocean City and Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City and West Ocean CityHealthiest towns261 towns · #1 BethesdaBest towns for jobs & income261 towns · #1 FultonMost walkable towns261 towns · #1 Friendship Heights VillageTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk261 towns · #1 Naval AcademyMost historic towns261 towns · #1 BaltimoreTowns with the most civic life67 towns · #1 ChestertownTowns with the least snow259 towns · #1 BethesdaDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns259 towns · #1 FrostburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters216 towns · #1 Ocean City and West Ocean CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers216 towns · #1 Brooklyn ParkDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers216 towns · #1 FrostburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes261 towns · #1 Chevy Chase and TravilahDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes251 towns · #1 CresaptownDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns66 towns · #1 DelmarDescribed, no letters
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