Each year, USA Today picks the 10 best travel businesses and destinations in dozens of categories, from food and lodging to events and attractions. The media company’s editors select the nominees, then its readers make the final decision by casting their votes. The results are published as the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. You can see all the contests and winners at 10best.usatoday.com, but to save you time and effort, we’ve pulled our regional outdoor standouts and listed them below. Congratulations to those selected!

  • The Running From Yeti 5K in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, was named the second-best 5K race.
  • Forest Park in St. Louis was named the third-best city park.
  • The Katy Trail in Missouri was named the third-best recreational trail.
  • Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, was named the third-best lake for water sports.
  • RYZE Adventure Park in Maryland Heights, Missouri, was named the third-best aerial adventure park.
  • Grafton Zipline at Aerie’s Resort in Grafton, Illinois, was named the fifth-best aerial adventure park.
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis was named the ninth-best sculpture park.

Top image: Laumeier Sculpture Park (Nathan Mast)