America's love of the outdoors is growing, whether it's camping, hiking, kayaking or skiing. But some states are clearly more obsessed than others. Outdoor gear maker KÜHL looked at Google search data from August 2024 to August 2025, investigating queries for 14 outdoor activities across all 50 states. Then they adjusted the results per 100,000 residents to find out which corners of the U.S. are truly the most outdoorsy.
And, no surprise here, Vermont takes the crown, with one in 12 residents searching for outdoor adventures—8,515 searches per 100,000. It makes sense, as the state is home to the nation’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, plus ski culture and lake kayaking are part of daily life here.
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Hawaii is close behind in second place, with 7,796 searches per 100,000. Between volcanic hikes, sunrise paddles and world-famous surf, Hawaiians practically invented the outdoor lifestyle.
Colorado lands third with 7,272 searches per 100,000. N surprise here either, with Rocky Mountain hikes, year-round camping and top-tier ski resorts to keep residents busy.
In fourth is Montana (7,069 searches per 100,000), where wilderness rules. With Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, residents show a strong appetite for camping, skiing and kayaking.
Oregon rounds out the top five with 7,035 searches per 100,000. From misty coastal hikes to snowcapped volcanoes, locals are especially drawn to camping and trekking.
Not every state is so keen. At the bottom are Mississippi (one in 49 residents searching) and Pennsylvania (one in 56). Maybe it’s the humidity. Maybe it’s the Wawa runs. Either way, outdoor curiosity is far lower there.
Where you live shapes how you play. In Vermont, that means skis and kayaks. In Hawaii, it’s all about surfboards. And in Colorado, it’s tents and trail maps. One thing’s clear though, no matter the terrain, more Americans than ever are finding their way outside.