Backpacker Magazine Ranks UW Nations No. 3 Outdoors School

Backpacker magazine has ranked the University of Wyoming No. 3 in a list of the nation’s best colleges for hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts.

In its October 2016 issue, the magazine lauds UW’s proximity to mountains, trails, rivers and other recreational opportunities; its culture, evaluated by the number of outdoor clubs and participation; and the quality and diversity of academic offerings for outdoors-related careers.

UW ranks behind only the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Northland College in Ashland, Wis., in Backpacker’s “Adventure U” list of 20.

In particular, the magazine cites UW’s Outdoor Leadership Development Series, a yearlong program through the Outdoor Program. UW also offers a minor in outdoor leadership through the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources.

“College helps train future leaders, and this university believes roughing it breeds the best ones,” the magazine’s description of UW states.

“This is a fantastic recognition of the access to, and abundance of, recreational opportunities students enjoy here at UW,” says Dan McCoy, assistant director of Campus Recreation and coordinator of the Outdoor Program. “We were really pleased to see that our yearlong outdoor leadership development program was featured as well.”

In 2012, Outside Magazine ranked UW as one of the top 15 schools in the country for students interested in the outdoors.

“This new ranking continues UW’s recognition as a fantastic school to attend for students interested in the outdoors,” McCoy says.