1

Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Image: Wes Hicks

Yes, the entire Appalachian Trail is extremely long. Actually, it is over 2,190 miles long. But, the Shenandoah National Park, 75 miles from Washington, D.C., has over 500 miles of hiking trails, including more than 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail ; You can tackle a small section in a day’s hike.

The park is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors in Virginia and it consists of 200,000 acres of protected land that are home to animals like deer and songbirds.

2

Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Image: Scott Longerbeam

More than 260 miles of maintained trails lead visitors through peaceful old-growth forests, river valleys, and subalpine meadows on the Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.

The park is home to one of the most iconic mountains in the world: Mount Rainier rises 14,410 feet above sea level straight into the clouds. Check out the Burroughs Mountain Trail for stunning views of mountain peaks and the alpine landscape.

3

Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Image: Tim Golder

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is home to the largest collection of odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion, known as hoodoos. Many of them can be viewed from the 5.5-mile Rim Trail .

The park also offers hikes for all levels, including backcountry options for those looking for a little added adventure and guided Full Moon Hikes for night-owl explorers.

4

Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Image: Jamie Hagan

A park filled with hiking trails for all experience levels, Zion National Park, Utah's first national park , is famous for its massive cream, pink, and red sandstone cliffs, and freestanding arches.

Hikers should attempt to visit at sunrise and sunset to enjoy the breathtaking views of sunlight splashing off the cliffs and into the rivers below. And if it is an approachable trail they’re looking for, the Upper Emerald Pools Trail is an easy hike leading to sparkling waterfalls.

5

Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

Image: Aaron Clinard

Over 700 miles of hiking trails, including more than a dozen options around the Many Glacier area , like the popular Grinnell Glacier Trail , can be found at the Glacier National Park.

Lucky visitors can spot some of the park's varied wildlife, including 71 species of mammals, from the tiny pygmy shrew to one of the largest remaining grizzly bear populations in the country.

6

Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The Great Smoky Mountains are world-renowned for its animal and plant life diversity, as well as for its miles of official and backcountry trails with views of waterfalls and old-growth forests.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spreads across two states and offers plenty of activities for hikers. For a particularly breathtaking vista, hike to Charlies Bunion, a popular outcropping along the Appalachian Trail.

7

Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland

Image: Eduardo Gutierrez

Considered a moderate-difficulty trail, Maryland's Billy Goat Trail has three sections totaling eight miles, though portions are strenuous and challenging . Outdoor enthusiasts can experience the raging Potomac River and the rocky crags of Great Falls. The hike is very popular, so early hours are advisable to beat the crowds.

8

Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado

Image: Leslie Cross

An old park, Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, has been around since 1898. The 80-acre park has miles of hiking, much of which are uphill . But there are less strenuous hikes, too, like the Chautauqua Trail, which offers views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder.

9

Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Image: Alex Diaz

Hikers of every level can find an appropriate trail at Smith Rock State Park, in Oregon. These vary in length and difficulty, but they all offer beautiful views of the Central Oregon landscape**.**

The park offers hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and visitors may spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, river otters, and beavers throughout the day.

10

Petroglyph Wall Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Image: Kristin Melville

As visitors to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area can testify, not all short-distance hikes are the same. Many are labeled difficult, and it can take four to five hours to complete a five-mile hike.

Along the different routes, desert wildlife can be spotted, including lizards, toads, and hawks. One of the park's most beginner-friendly hikes is the 0.2-mile Petroglyph Wall Trail , where centuries-old rock art can be appreciated.

1

The $2 bill is real and still legal

Image: Alicia Razuri

Yep, that mysterious $2 bill featuring Thomas Jefferson isn’t a collector’s fantasy. It’s still produced today (though rarely), and the reverse shows the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. People tend to save them, thinking they’re rare, but you can spend them just like any other bill.

2

The penny used to be made of pure copper

Image: Adam Nir

During WWII, copper was needed for ammo, so in 1943, pennies were made from steel and coated in zinc. They looked silver and rusted easily, some even stuck to magnets! Today, most pennies are actually 97.5% zinc with just a thin copper coating.

3

George Washington didn’t appear on the first $1 bill.

Image: Jonathan Borba

The very first $1 bill (from 1862) featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. Washington didn't show up until 1869, and Chase had a not-so-humble role in placing his own face there.

4

There’s a tiny owl hidden on the $1 bill

Image: rc.xyz NFT gallery

Take a magnifying glass to the upper-right corner of the "1" on a dollar bill. Some people swear there’s a tiny owl or spider hidden in the pattern, said to symbolize wisdom or surveillance. Officially, it's just part of the ornate design, but still a fun little mystery!

5

The $100,000 bill actually existed

Image: Dmytro Glazunov

No, you can’t use it at Target. Printed in 1934 and featuring Woodrow Wilson, this gold certificate was used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It was never meant for public use, and owning one today is illegal!

6

Lincoln faces the other way for a reason

Image: JustStartInvesting

On most bills, presidents face to the right. But on the penny, Lincoln faces left. One theory is that the designer used a portrait that happened to face left, but it also makes Lincoln the only president looking "inward" when coins are lined up in value order.

7

"In God We Trust" wasn’t always on our money

Image: Jonathan Borba

That phrase didn’t become mandatory on U.S. currency until 1955 during the Cold War. It first appeared on coins in 1864, but the push to include it everywhere came as a nod to America’s spiritual identity in contrast to atheistic communism.

8

Coins last way longer than bills

Image: Barry A

Your average dollar bill survives about 6.6 years in circulation. Coins? They can keep going for 30 years or more! That’s why coins are still a budget-friendly way for the government to make money — and we mean that literally!

9

The buildings on the back aren’t random

Image: Ryan Quintal

Each bill’s reverse side typically features a building related to the person on the front. For instance, the Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the $5 bill (with Lincoln on the front), and the White House appears behind Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The choice of course had to do with government history itself! Which building do you think is missing?

10

There are secret codes on every bill

Image: Andrew Dawes

Look closely and you’ll spot tiny letters and numbers that identify which printing plate was used and where the bill was made. Ever see a tiny "F6" on a $1? That means it was printed in Atlanta, Georgia.

11

A dollar is technically made of cloth

Image: Live Richer

Despite calling it "paper money," U.S. bills are actually made of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why they feel so distinct, and don’t shred like regular paper when they get wet (though they still don’t love laundry day).

1

Grand Teton and its central peaks

Image: Toan Chu

No matter how many national parks you visit, Grand Teton will always rank among the most beautiful in the country. As evocative as it is inspiring, this national park in northwestern Wyoming saw the arrival of the first settlers, the brave frontiersmen. It also offers some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the world and is a great place for climbing and hiking enthusiasts.

The highest mountain in the park is Grand Teton itself, standing at 13,770 feet, but there are 10 other peaks that reach an impressive height of more than 11,000 feet. The interesting thing is that, to the naked eye, these mountains appear even larger, since they all rise abruptly from the otherwise flat terrain of the Jackson Hole Valley. Six alpine lakes nestled in the foothills of the central peaks, along with a fascinating array of wildlife, complete the scenery of one of the best parks on the West Coast of the US.

2

Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park

Image: Joris Beugels

The deep blue color of Crater Lake has been the objective of many attempted descriptions, but none comes close to the impact you feel when you see it with your own eyes. In fact, the first name given to it by non-native Americans was simply "Deep Blue Lake." This intense blue color is a result of the lake’s immense depth —reaching 1,932 feet at its deepest point—making it one of the world’s deepest lakes.

Located in south-central Oregon, this volcanic crater lake spans 5 miles in width and 6 miles in length, with a 20-mile shoreline. The dimensions and color are enough to attract visitors, but its setting, surrounded by lava cliffs ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet above the lake's surface, makes it all the more remarkable.

There are many ways to enjoy Crater Lake, which is beautiful all year round. In winter you can rejoice in a true winter wonderland, and in summer, you can hike the trails and go boating or fishing in the bright blue water.

3

Mount Rainier

Image: Peter Robbins

Perhaps the most famous peak in the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Range is Mount Rainier. This dormant—but not extinct—ice-clad volcanic mountain stands at an impressive 14,410 feet. Though it is not the highest of mountains, Mount Rainier’s sheer bulk and the fact that it is set apart from its neighboring peaks make it the dominant landmark of the region. So much so that it is commonly referred to by locals simply as "The Mountain."

Located in Washington State, just 59 miles south-southeast of Seattle, Mount Rainier is visible from over 100 miles away on clear days. Rainier’s legendary beauty is as great as its overpowering size. Its 27 glaciers cover more than 34 square miles, making it the largest single-peak glacial system in the lower 48 states.

4

Half Dome in Yosemite

Image: Aaron Lee

Yosemite National Park in California is justifiably one of America's most famous and beloved parks. Its spectacular scenery is sure to impress even those who have seen practically every other park in the country. And, in turn, probably the most iconic landmark of Yosemite is Half Dome, a quartz monzonite batholith that rises 8,800 feet above sea level.

Once considered impossible to climb, Half Dome now draws thousands of adventurers to its distinctive, hooked summit each year. The 14- to 16-mile round-trip hike via the Half Dome Cable Route offers outstanding panoramic views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra. This is a journey you definitely can't miss!

5

Hyperion Tree in Redwoods National Park

Image: Josh Carter

Redwood National Park in Northern California protects nearly 140,000 acres of land and almost 40 miles of Pacific coastline. Bathed in a temperate rainforest climate, the park receives up to 140 inches of rainfall annually. This cool moisture, along with rich forest-floor soil and the trees' ability to sprout new buds, allows coast redwoods to reach lofty heights and venerable old age.

These exceptional conditions have made this park home to the world's tallest tree. Standing at an astonishing 380.3 feet, Hyperion, a Sequoia sempervirens , is considered the tallest living thing on record, including the plant and animal kingdoms. Most experts say it’s 600 years old, although some think it may be as old as 900 years. Currently, the exact location of Hyperion is not publicized to protect it from potential damage from mass tourism.

6

Mount Mckinley in Denali

Image: John Feng

Mount McKinley is the highest point in North America , standing at an awe-inspiring 20,320 feet. The almost-four-mile-high giant was known to the Native Americans of Alaska as Denali , "The Great One," a fitting tribute to one of the world’s best-known mountains.

During winter, on clear days, it is possible to see the glacier-capped summit, and the true power of nature manifests itself. In spring, when the snow melts, nature unfolds, wildflowers bloom, grizzly bears emerge from their long hibernation, and you can find mooses, caribous, foxes, and wolves roaming around the park for a memorable encounter with the wilderness.

7

Devils Tower National Monument

Image: Mick Kirchman

Devils Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks, not only in Wyoming but in the entire United States. Rising 867 feet, this gigantic monolith is visible from up to 100 miles away on clear days! Devils Tower is particularly striking because of its huge, hexagonal rock columns, estimated to be around 50 million years old. The butte is also among the most unusual of the many geologic formations in the country.

Another interesting fact about Devils Tower is that it was designated as the first U.S. national monument in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt, under the Antiquities Act, due to its scientific and scenic value. Native Americans have long regarded the Tower as a sacred site too. In fact, over 20 Native American tribes have a cultural connection with it, the Lakota people consider it the birthplace of wisdom.

8

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

Image: Zoshua Colah

Spanning 76,680 acres of desert land, Arches National Park in eastern Utah protects more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. But perhaps the most iconic one is the 52-foot-tall Delicate Arch. It’s so famous that its image appears on state license plates as well as on a postage stamp issued in 1996 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Utah's founding. Fun fact: the Olympic torch for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics even passed under this arch!

In addition to checking out its most emblematic landmark, this park is a great place to visit any time of the year thanks to its hot, desert climate . There are lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from biking, horseback riding, and hiking to taking a minute to appreciate the colorful wildflowers while enjoying an idyllic sunset.

9

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

Image: Emily Campbell

Yellowstone is probably the name people are most likely to associate with "national park" and is the very symbol of the American West. It was established by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and is the largest megafauna location in the United States. Apart from its scenic mountains, wildflower meadows, and photogenic canyon, perhaps the most emblematic features of Yellowstone National Park are its geysers.

Among these, Old Faithful is certainly the most famous one. Erupting approximately every 90 minutes, it delights visitors with spectacular displays. Shooting up to 8,400 gallons of boiling water nearly 150 feet in the air, it was the first of its kind to be discovered in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition when they entered the Upper Geyser Basin. Today, Old Faithful attracts around 500,000 visitors a month.

10

Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Image: Fineas Anton

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is famous for its brownish-red mountains with fantastic shades of purple and lilac, skinny slot canyons, and vertigo-inducing cliffs. The most paradigmatic of these rock formations is Angels Landing, a towering 1,488-foot monolith, accessible via a challenging 2.5-mile trail.

The best way to experience Zion is by hiking the trail that hugs the cliffside, crossing a narrow ridge flanked by sheer drops. Sounds too dangerous? Believe us, the reward is worthwhile. Atop Angels Landing you will not only have access to an epic view of Zion Canyon but it's also possible to spot California condors soaring gracefully between the sandstone monoliths, alongside 287 other bird species!