Maple Heights-Lake Desire
unincorporated, King County · 4,113 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #124 of 285 in WA
Washington rankings · Outdoors
Best towns for the outdoors in Washington
Maple Heights-Lake Desire ranks first on outdoors among Washington’s 285 towns of 2,500+; 124 of the 285 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
A+
#2Montesano
Grays Harbor County · 4,181 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #117 of 285 in WA
#3Leavenworth
Chelan County · 3,373 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall A− · #31 of 285 in WA
All 285 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.
285 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
1Maple Heights-Lake Desireunincorporated, King County · 4,113 peopleA+among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #124 of 285
10Bainbridge IslandKitsap County · 24,691 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #8 of 285
14Port TownsendJefferson County · 10,678 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #227 of 285
15Ocean ShoresGrays Harbor County · 7,892 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #248 of 285
16Port Hadlock-Irondaleunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,884 peopleA+better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #251 of 285
24Meadowdaleunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,009 peopleAbetter than 95% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #26 of 285
26Rosedaleunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,208 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #68 of 285
29Aldertonunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,706 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #113 of 285
31Vashonunincorporated, King County · 9,934 peopleAbetter than 94% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #90 of 285
34East Port Orchardunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,725 peopleAbetter than 93% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #147 of 285
40University PlacePierce County · 35,479 peopleAbetter than 92% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #103 of 285
46Hansvilleunincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,384 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #116 of 285
47Maltbyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,910 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #18 of 285
50Belfairunincorporated, Mason County · 4,557 peopleAbetter than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #196 of 285
56Sudden Valleyunincorporated, Whatcom County · 6,084 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #169 of 285
61Waunaunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,805 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #60 of 285
64Mountlake TerraceSnohomish County · 25,430 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #100 of 285
72Marietta-Alderwoodunincorporated, Whatcom County · 3,754 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #179 of 285
75Martha Lakeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,634 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #82 of 285
77AberdeenGrays Harbor County · 17,088 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #282 of 285
79Cottage Lakeunincorporated, King County · 22,518 peopleAbetter than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #19 of 285
82Salmon Creekunincorporated, Clark County · 20,017 peopleA−better than 85% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #110 of 285
86Tehalehunincorporated, Pierce County · 9,561 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #84 of 285
89Fairwoodunincorporated, King County · 17,856 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #127 of 285
91Country Homesunincorporated, Spokane County · 6,198 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #43 of 285
92Lexingtonunincorporated, Cowlitz County · 4,413 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #253 of 285
98Port AngelesClallam County · 20,146 peopleA−better than 80% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #230 of 285
103Mill CreekSnohomish County · 20,902 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #24 of 285
104Key Centerunincorporated, Pierce County · 3,544 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #139 of 285
107Picnic Pointunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,261 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #87 of 285
108Hobartunincorporated, King County · 6,552 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #48 of 285
110Mill Creek Eastunincorporated, Snohomish County · 25,453 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #10 of 285
111Birch Bayunincorporated, Whatcom County · 10,837 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #204 of 285
113Silver Firsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,306 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #22 of 285
115Sunnyslopeunincorporated, Chelan County · 3,706 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #145 of 285
117Wallerunincorporated, Pierce County · 7,683 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #105 of 285
119HoquiamGrays Harbor County · 8,710 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #276 of 285
125Camanounincorporated, Island County · 17,303 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #141 of 285
126Wollochetunincorporated, Pierce County · 6,689 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #16 of 285
127Spanawayunincorporated, Pierce County · 34,019 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #180 of 285
128White Centerunincorporated, King County · 14,886 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #191 of 285
129Lake Holmunincorporated, King County · 3,555 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #115 of 285
130East Renton Highlandsunincorporated, King County · 12,582 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #21 of 285
131South Hillunincorporated, Pierce County · 68,025 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #85 of 285
132Felidaunincorporated, Clark County · 10,841 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #101 of 285
136Larch Wayunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,424 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #30 of 285
138White SalmonKlickitat County · 2,655 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #59 of 285
141Fairwoodunincorporated, Spokane County · 10,674 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #20 of 285
145East WenatcheeDouglas County · 14,414 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #158 of 285
147Barbertonunincorporated, Clark County · 8,668 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #94 of 285
148Burbankunincorporated, Walla Walla County · 3,589 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #263 of 285
152Summitunincorporated, Pierce County · 8,791 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #138 of 285
153Indianolaunincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,468 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #58 of 285
154MarysvilleSnohomish County · 77,686 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #185 of 285
155Terrace Heightsunincorporated, Yakima County · 10,041 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #134 of 285
156Walla WallaWalla Walla County · 34,058 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #239 of 285
161Granite FallsSnohomish County · 4,686 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #154 of 285
163Union Hill-Novelty Hillunincorporated, King County · 23,047 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #15 of 285
164Boulevard Parkunincorporated, King County · 4,575 peopleB+better than 67% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #142 of 285
165Mount Vistaunincorporated, Clark County · 10,764 peopleB+better than 66% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #120 of 285
168Lake Cassidyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,292 peopleBbetter than 64% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #89 of 285
170Lake Forest ParkKing County · 13,191 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #33 of 285
171Lake StevensSnohomish County · 42,091 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #25 of 285
172Maplewoodunincorporated, Pierce County · 5,803 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #73 of 285
173Three Lakesunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,055 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #96 of 285
174Minnehahaunincorporated, Clark County · 11,482 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #148 of 285
178Parklandunincorporated, Pierce County · 38,742 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #216 of 285
179Prairie Ridgeunincorporated, Pierce County · 12,074 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #77 of 285
180Fairchild AFBunincorporated, Spokane County · 2,931 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #27 of 285
182Mirrormontunincorporated, King County · 4,019 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #32 of 285
188Orchardsunincorporated, Clark County · 29,438 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #167 of 285
189Esperanceunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,189 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #44 of 285
190Fredericksonunincorporated, Pierce County · 25,383 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #178 of 285
191Lakeland Southunincorporated, King County · 13,100 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #162 of 285
193Brush Prairieunincorporated, Clark County · 2,526 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #106 of 285
197Lake Goodwinunincorporated, Snohomish County · 5,536 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #205 of 285
198Bothell Eastunincorporated, Snohomish County · 14,578 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #5 of 285
201North Yelmunincorporated, Thurston County · 2,522 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #168 of 285
202Artondaleunincorporated, Pierce County · 14,073 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #54 of 285
204Fobes Hillunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,569 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #50 of 285
206Silverdaleunincorporated, Kitsap County · 20,685 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #78 of 285
207Lakeland Northunincorporated, King County · 15,950 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #199 of 285
208Lake Stickneyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 15,890 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #95 of 285
209Longbranchunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,638 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #203 of 285
210Hockinsonunincorporated, Clark County · 6,150 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #41 of 285
211Bunk Fossunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,627 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #112 of 285
213Five Cornersunincorporated, Clark County · 21,194 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #143 of 285
214Bothell Westunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,029 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #13 of 285
215Sisco Heightsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,015 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #175 of 285
217Lake Tappsunincorporated, Pierce County · 12,798 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #69 of 285
219Canterwoodunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,971 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #70 of 285
220Otis Orchards-East Farmsunincorporated, Spokane County · 5,454 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #163 of 285
221Lake Shoreunincorporated, Clark County · 6,978 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #111 of 285
223McChord AFBunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,999 peopleB−better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #218 of 285
224Hazel Dellunincorporated, Clark County · 23,237 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #182 of 285
225Finleyunincorporated, Benton County · 5,634 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #176 of 285
227Bryn Mawr-Skywayunincorporated, King County · 17,638 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #152 of 285
229North Lynnwoodunincorporated, Snohomish County · 23,339 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #61 of 285
231Spokane ValleySpokane County · 108,405 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #184 of 285
232Tanglewildeunincorporated, Thurston County · 6,314 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #119 of 285
233Lake Morton-Berrydaleunincorporated, King County · 11,183 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #137 of 285
234Bryantunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,648 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #160 of 285
235Cascade Valleyunincorporated, Grant County · 4,609 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #271 of 285
236Chicounincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,336 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #29 of 285
237Parkwoodunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,873 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #88 of 285
238Eastmontunincorporated, Snohomish County · 23,721 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #37 of 285
239Town and Countryunincorporated, Spokane County · 4,890 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #35 of 285
241Grahamunincorporated, Pierce County · 35,079 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #194 of 285
243West Clarkston-Highlandunincorporated, Asotin County · 5,444 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #249 of 285
244Elk Plainunincorporated, Pierce County · 14,276 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #231 of 285
245Airway HeightsSpokane County · 11,811 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #254 of 285
246Fox Islandunincorporated, Pierce County · 3,414 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #65 of 285
247North Fort Lewisunincorporated, Pierce County · 6,337 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #206 of 285
249Alderwood Manorunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,266 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #67 of 285
250College PlaceWalla Walla County · 9,923 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #171 of 285
251Port Ludlowunincorporated, Jefferson County · 2,891 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #220 of 285
252Port Angeles Eastunincorporated, Clallam County · 3,137 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #71 of 285
253Desert Aireunincorporated, Grant County · 2,788 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #285 of 285
254Prairie Heightsunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,998 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #79 of 285
255Clover Creekunincorporated, Pierce County · 7,345 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #241 of 285
257Midlandunincorporated, Pierce County · 9,050 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #187 of 285
258Central Parkunincorporated, Grays Harbor County · 3,206 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #219 of 285
259Summit Viewunincorporated, Pierce County · 8,480 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #114 of 285
260Suquamishunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,084 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #80 of 285
261Peaceful Valleyunincorporated, Whatcom County · 2,858 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #284 of 285
262Moses Lake Northunincorporated, Grant County · 4,517 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #269 of 285
263Chain Lakeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,950 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #34 of 285
265Manchesterunincorporated, Kitsap County · 5,956 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #62 of 285
266Clarkston Heights-Vinelandunincorporated, Asotin County · 7,884 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #166 of 285
267Grand Moundunincorporated, Thurston County · 3,287 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #189 of 285
268Suncrestunincorporated, Stevens County · 5,345 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #150 of 285
269Lochsloyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,029 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #129 of 285
270Venersborgunincorporated, Clark County · 4,262 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #192 of 285
271Warm Beachunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,442 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #155 of 285
272Meadunincorporated, Spokane County · 6,893 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #76 of 285
273Clearviewunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,254 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #14 of 285
274High Bridgeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,196 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #108 of 285
275Fort Lewisunincorporated, Pierce County · 15,167 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #250 of 285
276Gleedunincorporated, Yakima County · 2,844 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #217 of 285
277Bethelunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,394 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #83 of 285
278Woods Creekunincorporated, Snohomish County · 6,943 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #165 of 285
279Tracytonunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,137 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #42 of 285
280Canyon Creekunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,910 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #280 of 285
281Rochesterunincorporated, Thurston County · 5,834 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #209 of 285
282Longview Heightsunincorporated, Cowlitz County · 4,357 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #279 of 285
283Bangor Baseunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,112 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #91 of 285
284Ahtanumunincorporated, Yakima County · 3,777 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #190 of 285
285Arlington Heightsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,727 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #188 of 285
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Washington town is best for the outdoors?
Maple Heights-Lake Desire (King County) ranks first on outdoors among 285 towns, with an A+; Montesano and Leavenworth 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 (285 in Washington). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Washington page.
Go deeper
All Washington rankings →More Washington lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live285 towns · #1 SammamishBest small towns152 towns · #1 Medical LakeMost affordable towns285 towns · #1 ConnellSafest towns130 towns · #1 DuvallTowns with the best schools285 towns · #1 Mercer IslandHealthiest towns285 towns · #1 Clyde HillBest towns for jobs & income285 towns · #1 Larch WayMost walkable towns285 towns · #1 SeattleTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk285 towns · #1 Fairchild AFBMost historic towns285 towns · #1 ColvilleTowns with the most civic life152 towns · #1 Friday HarborTowns with the least snow252 towns · #1 RaymondDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns252 towns · #1 LeavenworthDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters265 towns · #1 Ocean ShoresDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers265 towns · #1 ClarkstonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers265 towns · #1 Ocean ShoresDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes285 towns · #1 Clyde Hill and MedinaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes272 towns · #1 MattawaDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns149 towns · #1 RidgefieldDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries20 towns · #1 Port TownsendDescribed, no letters
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