Best Park: Yellowstone. Geysers, wildlife, recreation, lodges, forests, mountains, waters. Yellowstone is spectacular and the best park in many categories.

Best State: Utah. 5 stunning national parks—Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion—plus 3 more best parks.

• Best Cave: Timpanogos.
• Best Fossils: Dinosaur.
• Best Journey: Rainbow Bridge.

Best Ancient Native American Site: Mesa Verde.

Best Heritage Area: Sangre de Cristo.

Best Paddling: Grand Teton.

Best Place to Lose Yourself in Nature: Theodore Roosevelt.

Best Rangers (tie): Little Bighorn and Fort Union Trading Post.

Best Trail: Lewis & Clark.

Most At Risk: Glacier.

Most Heartbreaking (tie): Sand Creek Massacre and Big Hole Battlefield.

Read about all parks in the Rocky Mountain region.