Where are the best states to spend the Fourth of July? Idaho made the top 10
Planning a patriotic weekend of sunbathing, barbecue and fireworks in Idaho?
The Gem State is one of the top 10 states for celebrating the Fourth of July outdoors, according to outdoor gear company Kühl.
“The success of an outdoor Independence Day is, ironically, largely determined by lines drawn on a map,” contributor Ivan Slovic wrote in a June 25 article, as well as factors such as weather and access to national parks.
Here’s which states are the best for Independence Day in the great outdoors.
Why is Idaho one of the best Fourth of July destinations?
Idaho took third place on Kühl’s list of the best states to spend the Fourth of July outside with a score of 65.51 out of 100 points.
Idaho’s high desert climate is historically reliable when it comes to planning outdoor events, according to the study.
The Gem State pairs warm summer temperatures — averaging in the high 70s — with “dry skies,” Kühl said, dubbing it the “meteorological ideal.”
On Saturday, July 4, temperatures in Boise are expected to climb into the 90s, according to the National Weather Service’s current forecast for Idaho’s capital city.
Sunshine isn’t a guarantee either, if the thunderstorm that ripped through town just a few days ago is any indication.
“A 10-year historical average is used to establish baseline conditions and is not a forecast for any specific year,” Kühl said.
Low wind speeds and low humidity levels also contributed to Idaho’s high score in the study.
“The interior West possesses a potent combination of geography and climate: low ambient humidity, minimal summer precipitation and vast tracts of protected federal land that provide infrastructure for public gatherings,” Slovic wrote.
How could Idaho improve its score?
Although Idaho may be “the most stable platform for an outdoor celebration in America,” one factor prevented it from seizing the No. 1 spot, according to Kühl.
The culprit was Idaho’s “partial restriction on consumer pyrotechnics,” the company said.
Idaho puts legal restrictions on the use and disposal of fireworks to prevent disastrous wildfires could pose harm to residents, neighborhoods and wildlife, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
Idaho also has a relatively low number of National Park Service sites, making competing with No. 1 pick Alaska a challenge.
Where are top 10 spots to spend Indendence Day outside?
Eight of Kühl’s top 10 picks for Fourth of July destinations can be found in the West, although none were on the coast.
“To truly experience Independence Day as a liberating outdoor ritual, it is time to pack a jacket, leave the coastal biases behind and head toward the mountains,” KÜHL said.
Here’s which U.S. states made the top 10 and their scores:
- Alaska
- New Mexico
- Idaho
- Nevada
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Maine
- Hawaii
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
How did Kühl come up with its list?
To determine the best states for an outdoor Independence Day celebration, Kühl said it looked at three key dimensions: historical weather conditions, outdoor park access and consumer fireworks legality.
Metrics included:
- Temperature comfort
- Dryness
- Humidity comfort
- National Park Service units per million residents
Data came from sources including the American Pyrotechnics Association, National Park Service and the U.S. Census Bureau.
