5 of the best states for outdoor travel

Discover five of the best states for outdoor travel based on accessibility, trail density, and adventure opportunities

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Outdoor travel used to be easy to define. You went where the mountains were tallest, the parks were biggest, or the wilderness seemed most intimidating. According to Reader’s Digest, things have changed.

Instead of focusing solely on dramatic landscapes or headline-grabbing national parks, the report evaluated states using a broader set of factors: hiking season length, trail density, public land access, and the overall strength of their outdoor recreation economies. The result is a ranking that values usability just as much as natural beauty. Some longtime adventure favorites still earned top spots, but several smaller states climbed surprisingly high thanks to dense trail networks, easy access to outdoor activities, and seasons that stretch well beyond a few peak months.

The findings reflect a shift in what many travelers are looking for today. A destination doesn't have to be remote or rugged........

© Quartz