Best Park: Isle Royale. Wildlife, wilderness, multi-day hiking, boating, camping, forests, mountains, waters. Isle Royale, above, is the best Midwest park in many categories, despite being the least visited national park in the lower 48.

Best State: Missouri. Under-appreciated Missouri has Ozark Scenic Riverways, a karst-cavern, spring-fed paddling, sparkling gem, and Ste. Geneviève, a cultural midwestern marvel, not to mention Gateway Arch and more.

The Midwest specializes in history, exemplified by these best-in-class parks.

• Best Historic Park: Clark.
• Best Presidential Site: Lincoln Home.
• Hidden Gem: First Ladies.
• Most Educational: Brown v. Board.

Best Bicycling: Cuyahoga Valley.

Best Heritage Area: Freedom’s Frontier.

Best Museum(s): Dayton Aviation.

Best Native American Site: Pipestone.

Best Place to Lose Yourself in Nature: Voyageurs. (Get a boat-in campsite.)

Best Ranger: Nicodemus. She’s part of the living heritage.

Best Scenery: Pictured Rocks.

Best Trail: Learn About all the Pioneer Trails at Scotts Bluff.

Best World Heritage Site: Taliesin.

Most Tragic Folk Song: Keweenaw.

Read more about all parks in the Midwest region.