New Report Ranks the Best States for Hiking—And Montana’s Not One

Being able to get out of town and go for a hike somewhere in Montana can be something special. For a lot of us, it can take just a ten-minute drive; and you can find yourself at a trailhead near a lake, river, or mountain. We also have some of the most amazing views around the country.  

Even though we may appreciate our many great places for hiking, there are other places that have better hikes. That may be good for us.  

READ MORE: Where to Find Montana’s Hidden Waterfall Gems Near Missoula

Outdoor clothing maker KÜHL set out to rank the best states in the country for hiking. They based their rankings on trails, climate, and safety, and Montana doesn’t make the top ten. 

How KÜHL Ranked the Best Hiking States 

According to their rankings, the best state in the country to take a hike is California, followed by Arizona, Utah, Washington, and Colorado. The West dominates the rankings for the best places to hike. That makes sense, given the number of amazing places we have to hike.

Why Montana Missed the Top 10

What surprised me most was that Florida made the top ten list of best hiking states. Florida for a hike?  

KÜHL cites the state parks, trail maintenance, and weather as the reasons for their ranking. When I think of Florida, the last thing I think about is going for a hike. With their criteria, Montana shouldn't make the top ten list. Even though we have hikes that are beautiful, our unpredictable weather and wildlife can make them dangerous. 

The good news for Montana is that when lists like this come out, it will get more people to visit the other states. That means we can keep some of our amazing hikes to ourselves.