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Which cities have the best natural areas (forests, grasslands, gorges, hills/mountains, bluffs, marshes, beaches, etc)? By natural areas, I mean natural open space that is publicly accessible? So not manicured parks or privately owned properties that are off limits to the general public.
One of my favorite places in Seattle is Discovery Park which has bluffs, forests, hills, beaches all in one park. Feels wild even though it's in the city proper. Several city buses stop there.
On the bluffs at Discovery Park. Own photo.
Own photo. Seattle Discovery Park, down at the beach.
Forest trail within Discovery Park. Own photo.
There are other good ones in Seattle too including Lincoln Park, Seward Park, Carkeek Park, all give off a feeling of wilderness. The burbs have some good ones as well.
Cities like San Diego and Portland have parks with similar vibes. The worst performers are the Texas cities as there are very little public lands, most of their parks are near undevelopable water reservoirs, drainage canals and swamps.
In the Mid-Atlantic Wissahickon Valley Park in Philly and Rock Creek Park in DC standout. Both are 2,000 acre stream valley parks that cut through the Piedmont Plateau as it meets the coastal plain. You have steep slopes, rock outcrops, old growth forests and rapids. In two of the most densly populated cities in the country you can get lost in the sounds of nature: rustling leafs, wildlife, rushing water.
In the Mid-Atlantic Wissahickon Valley Park in Philly and Rock Creek Park in DC standout. Both are 2,000 acre stream valley parks that cut through the Piedmont Plateau as it meets the coastal plain. You have steep slopes, rock outcrops, old growth forests and rapids. In two of the most densly populated cities in the country you can get lost in the sounds of nature: rustling leafs, wildlife, rushing water.
Yeah I really enjoyed Wissahickon, nice stone bridges too.
The worst performers are the Texas cities as there are very little public lands, most of their parks are near undevelopable water reservoirs, drainage canals and swamps.
Austin is an exception in Texas with an extensive collection of trails and greenbelts around the city, including the picturesque riverfront near downtown.
Birmingham. Not only does it have two huge public parks for hiking within its city limits, but it also has a huge stage park twenty minutes' south of town, several others within an hour, two national forests within an hours' drive, a enormous number of lakes within ninety minutes, etc.
Birmingham. Not only does it have two huge public parks for hiking within its city limits, but it also has a huge state park twenty minutes' south of town, several others within an hour, two national forests within an hours' drive, a enormous number of lakes within ninety minutes, etc.
Just a step away from touching the urbanized area, but still within the metro include examples like Tannehill State Park (1500 acres), Rickwood Caverns State Park (380 acres), and Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge (3690 acres). I want to give Horse Pens 40 a shoutout, since although it's a bit further out, it's still in the metro and can get missed since it's not publicly owned (though still open to the public).
Talladega National Forest is technically in part of the metro, but the majority of the 392,600 acres aren't. So it feels weird to mention it.
Las Vegas is a valley in a mountain range to the west and north. Clark County includes mountains with very little development. From our backyard we see towering mountains to the west and north.
In Portland, the Sandy River Delta is one of our favorite places to take the dogs. It's an off leash park but it's managed by the US Forest Service and feels very wild and natural with wetlands, fields, and forests. It's located just outside of city limits.
Forest Park is located within city limits and it definitely feels like a lush wilderness forest rather a city park. It's absolutely massive at 5,200 acres.
Lastly, Sauvie Island is a really cool spot 10 miles northwest of downtown. It's known for its sandy beaches, farmland, and wildlife refuges.
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