26 Down

NYT Daily • August 20, 2025

Michigan's ___ Royale National Park

Answer:

ISLE

Hint:

This Great Lakes archipelago shares its name with a small, isolated landmass.

Explanation:

This clue is asking for the missing word in the name of Michigan’s only national park, Isle Royale. The answer is "ISLE," which simply means a small island—fitting since the park is located on a large island in Lake Superior. There’s no wordplay here; it’s a straightforward fill-in-the-blank based on geography. If you’ve heard of the park or know Michigan’s landmarks, the answer comes naturally.

More Clues from This Puzzle

1 Across

5 letters

Tycoon

6 Across

3 letters

"Famously friendly" pooch, per the American Kennel Club

9 Across

3 letters

Mystery author Josephine

12 Across

6 letters

Moody hip-hop subgenre