After moving to Indiana, it took me a while to realize the natural appeal of the Midwest. Without an ocean or towering mountain ranges, the landscape looked deceivingly simple. But the American Midwest is a vast region, brimming with burbling streams, grassy fields, and hidden caves and cliffs within forests that change from eye-popping green to rust-red to brilliant white with each passing season.
So, what will you discover in the national parks in the Midwest? Fewer crowds, for one! The national parks in the West often attract more attention, especially from summertime road trippers. Take advantage of the Midwest’s under-the-radar national parks if you enjoy hiking through pristine pine forests, clambering along shady cliffsides, and watching for myriad animals and birds along the way.
Add the following Midwest national parks to your bucket list. Explore them in the season that’s most convenient for you, but then make a note to revisit at a different time of year. This region’s shifting weather patterns offer beauty in winter, spring, summer, and fall.