1

Triceratops

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

One of the most popular dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous was found in what is now Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and South Dakota. We're talking about the Triceratops , known for its large bony ridge on the back of its head and its three horns . Despite being a herbivore, the Triceratops was huge, weighing between 6 and 12 tons and growing up to 30 feet in length and 10 feet in height!

2

Allosaurus

Image: The frolicsome Fairy

The Allosaurus lived approximately 150 million years ago, and its fossils were found in the areas occupied today by the states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. With a size that could reach 39 feet in length and weighing about 2.5 tons, Allosaurus was a massive bipedal carnivore, which means it walked on two large, strong hind legs!

3

Ankylosaurus

Image: Blond Fox

If there was one creature that looked truly prehistoric, it was the Ankylosaurus , which lived around 66 million years ago and roamed the areas now known as Montana and Wyoming. It could grow up to 30 feet long and weigh about 8,000 pounds! It was herbivorous, but its body was like a tank, covered with thick bony plates and protective spikes.

4

Ornithomimus

Image: Tina Hartung

Now it's the turn of a very special specimen: the Ornithomimus . This peculiar dinosaur, whose fossils were found in the western United States, was light and fast. It weighed up to 300 pounds, not much compared to its colleagues. It looked more or less like an ostrich, and scientists believe it even had feathers on its forelimbs .

5

Coelophysis

Image: Kvnga

Coelophysis was another bipedal dinosaur that lived about 210 million years ago . Fossils of this species have been found in what is now New Mexico, Arizona, and other parts of the American Southwest. Unlike Allosaurus , Coelophysis was small, light, and fast, measuring between 6 and 10 feet in length and weighing roughly 60 pounds.

6

Maiasaura

Image: Yena Kwon

The incredible Maiasaura lived about 75 million years ago and was discovered in North America, specifically in Montana. It was a duck-billed herbivore, and according to research, it devoted a lot of time and dedication to the care of its eggs. In fact, its name means "Good Mother Lizard." Cute, isn't it?

7

Deinonychus

Image: Jossuha Théophile

Deinonychus is the name of this dinosaur that lived around 110 million years ago , with fossils discovered mainly in Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. This carnivore is believed to have hunted in packs —a behavior that, if true, would have made it even more terrifying!

8

Stegosaurus

Image: Lucas George Wendt

We return to the "-saurus" with Stegosaurus , whose image is one of the most iconic, thanks in part to movies. Yes, it’s the big dinosaur with a long tail and bony plates running along its back . This 7-ton animal’s fossils have been found in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Despite its massive size and weight, Stegosaurus had a very small brain .

9

Diplodocus

Image: Arthur Shuraev

Diplodocus was one of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth , and its footsteps left their mark in the lands of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. It could reach up to 100 feet in length, thanks in part to its incredibly long neck, and weighed between 15 and 30 tons. Yes, it’s the dinosaur that reminds many people of the Loch Ness Monster !

10

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Image: Tofan Teodor

We saved the best for last. The star of the dinosaurs is undoubtedly the popular Tyrannosaurus rex , or T. rex for friends. Its fossils have been discovered mainly in the western United States. This huge dinosaur lived between 70 and 66 million years ago and had an imposing body: it could reach 40 feet in length, stand 12 feet tall at the hips, and weigh an incredible 8 tons —as much as a bus!

1

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Image: Yura Lytkin

Tucked away in eastern Nevada, Great Basin is the park that time forgot—in the best way possible. You can hike to a glacier, explore underground caverns, and camp under skies so dark you’ll see stars you didn’t even know existed , all without waiting in line or fighting for a decent photo spot.

2

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Image: Selma Rizvić

This park protects one of the largest remaining expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, which is a fancy way of saying it's got trees so tall and old they make you feel like an ant at a giant's picnic. The real magic happens at night, when the fireflies put on a light show that'll make you forget all about mosquito bites. Plus, you can rent a canoe and paddle through what feels like the set of a Southern Gothic novel—Spanish moss and all.

3

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

With jagged mountain peaks and more than 300 glaciers, this park offers scenery that’ll make your camera work overtime . The hiking ranges from "pleasant afternoon stroll" to "why did I think this was a good idea?" so there's something for everyone, assuming everyone likes being surrounded by absurdly gorgeous wilderness.

The best part? While everyone's fighting over hotel rooms near Mount Rainier, North Cascades sits there looking spectacular with hardly anyone around. The park sees fewer visitors in an entire year than Yellowstone does on a busy weekend.

4

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Image: Nick Rickert

Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas takes "off the beaten path" to a whole new level: you literally need a boat or seaplane to get there. The turquoise waters are so clear you could see fish judging your swimming technique from 30 feet away . Plus, there's Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fort that feels like someone plopped a Civil War–era fortress in the middle of paradise and said, "Sure, that works."

Just remember: there’s no fresh water (hence the "Dry" part), no food service, and no shade except what you bring yourself. It’s like camping, but surrounded by the kind of blue water that makes you understand why people write songs about the ocean.

5

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Image: Ryuta F.

Home to the highest peak in Texas (Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet), this park offers hiking that'll remind your knees they're not as young as they used to be, but in a rewarding way. The fall foliage in McKittrick Canyon is legitimately stunning , which surprises people who assume Texas is all tumbleweeds and barbecue joints.

The park sits on an ancient fossil reef from when this whole area was underwater, mind-blowing, if you think about it for more than two seconds. There’s no cell service, limited facilities, and the nearest town is about an hour away, which may sound like a complaint, but it actually forces you to unplug and take in the amazing place around you.

6

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Image: Vyacheslav Makushin

Voyageurs is a water-based park that’s basically a summer camp for adults who can legally drink beer. With over 200,000 acres—about 40% of it water—houseboating is the way to experience it.

The fishing here is legendary, the northern lights make regular appearances, and in winter, the frozen lakes become highways for snowmobiles and cross-country skiers . It's remote enough that you feel like an explorer, but accessible enough that you won't actually die if you forget your matches.

7

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Image: Dustin Weist

Colorado has so many stunning places that Black Canyon somehow gets overlooked. This canyon is deep, narrow, and so dramatically steep that parts of it only get 33 minutes of sunlight a day . The Gunnison River carved through 2 billion years of rock to create towering walls that make you feel appropriately insignificant, which is good for the soul occasionally.

8

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Image: Ivan Vashchenko

If you want to really get away from it all, Isle Royale is your jam: an island in Lake Superior that requires either a ferry ride or a seaplane to reach. Once you’re there, you’re committed; same-day visits aren’t really a thing. The park is car-free, crowd-free, and home to a fascinating wolf-and-moose study that’s been running since 1958.

The hiking trails crisscross the island through forests and along rocky shorelines where the lake looks more like an ocean . Backcountry camping is the main event here, and the solitude is so profound you'll hear sounds you forgot existed—like actual silence.

9

Pinnacles National Park, California

Image: Cyrus Crossan

California's newest national park is a playground of volcanic spires, talus caves, and rock formations that look like a giant was playing with clay and just walked away mid-project . The rock climbing here is world-class, and the cave exploration doesn't require any special gear—just a flashlight and a willingness to squeeze through some tight spaces.

The spring wildflower displays are spectacular, and the park is one of the best places to see the endangered California condor, which has a wingspan that makes eagles look modest. It gets hot in summer—and by hot, I mean "surface of the sun" hot—so plan accordingly.

10

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Image: Robson Hatsukami Morgan

This park sits on top of one of the world’s largest plug-dome volcanoes—and yes, it could erupt again—Lassen Peak last blew in 1915, which in geological time is basically yesterday. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs that make you feel like you're walking on another planet .

The hiking is fantastic, with everything from easy boardwalk strolls through geothermal features to challenging climbs up Lassen Peak itself. Add in alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and a fraction of Yosemite’s crowds (despite being just a few hours south), and you’ve got a spectacular California secret.

1

The Miracle on Ice

Image: Jerry Yu

We begin with an unforgettable underdog story. At the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid , New York , the United States faced what many considered a leviathan in ice hockey history. Adding to the challenge, the American team was composed mostly of 21-year-olds, making it the youngest U.S. squad in Olympic history . Yet, against all odds, these determined players triumphed over a heavily favored opponent in what became known as the " Miracle on Ice ."

Do you remember which formidable rival they defeated?

2

Rumble in the Jungle

Image: Attentie Attentie

Many sports historians consider " The Rumble in the Jungle " to be the greatest boxing match in history. Held in 1974 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this legendary bout cemented Muhammad Ali’s place in boxing history. Even more impressively, Ali’s victory came against an undisputed and undefeated heavyweight champion, whom he knocked out in the eighth round.

Though he is not as widely remembered as "The Greatest," this American boxer is still regarded as one of the best fighters of his generation. Can you guess his name?

3

Michael Jordan’s Last Shot

Image: Mike Von

It’s no exaggeration to say that Michael Jordan completely revolutionized basketball worldwide. Over his 15-season career , he delivered countless jaw-dropping moments. As you’d expect, choosing just one was no easy task, but we ultimately selected what is now known as Michael’s "Last Shot."

In the final seconds of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz , Jordan sank a game-winning shot that secured the Bulls’ victory. While you already know which team he scored against, there’s a certain player who is always featured in retellings of this iconic moment. Do you know who we’re talking about?

4

Serena Williams’ Golden Medal in London

Image: Josephine Gasser

What can be said about Serena Williams that hasn’t already been said? Arguably the greatest American tennis player in history, Williams’s career is a collection of remarkable achievements. However, we’ve chosen to highlight one of her later triumphs—her dominant performance at the 2012 London Olympics , where she became only the second woman to complete a career Golden Slam in singles.

Even more impressive was the way she secured her victory, defeating her opponent 6-0, 6-1 to claim the gold medal. Do you know who she faced in that historic match?

5

Michael Phelps's record-breaking achievements in Beijing 2008

Image: Gentrit Sylejmani

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the world was introduced to Michael Phelps , an affable kid from Baltimore who achieved the impossible: breaking seven world records and earning eight gold medals —the first step in his journey to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Phelps’s incredible feats often overshadow his competitors, so we thought we’d take a moment to recognize the swimmers who came close but couldn’t overcome " The Baltimore Bullet ." Do you remember them?

Answers:

6

Miracle on Ice - Soviet Union

Image: Markus Spiske

If you guessed that the Soviet Union was the Goliath defeated by the American team at the Winter Olympics, you were right! At the time of the match, the Soviet team was a four-time defending gold medalist and the heavy favorite to win. Although the United States pulled off a legendary upset, the victory didn’t come easily . The game was a thrilling showdown , with the American team scoring the decisive goal exactly 10 minutes before the final buzzer.

7

Rumble in the Jungle - George Foreman

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

Known as " Big George ," Texas-born boxer George Foreman was defeated by Muhammad Ali in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle." As mentioned earlier, Ali’s victory was even more remarkable given Foreman’s dominance in the sport—he was a two-time world heavyweight champion , an Olympic gold medalist , and the favorite to win the match. Today, Foreman is remembered not only for his boxing achievements but also for his entrepreneurial success: Since 1994, his iconic George Foreman Grill has sold over 100 million units.

8

Last shot - Bryon Russell

Image: Markus Spiske

The play that would become known as " The Last Shot " began when Michael Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone and raced down the court. Before taking the shot, he swiftly dodged Utah Jazz defender Bryon Russell , causing him to trip and fall. By the time Russell got back on his feet, the ball was already soaring through the air, swishing through the net and sealing victory for the Bulls.

9

Serena Williams’ Golden Medal - Maria Sharapova

Image: Valentin Balan

Throughout their careers, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova maintained a high-profile rivalry as two of the biggest names in women’s tennis. Fortunately for tennis lovers everywhere, the 2012 Olympics brought these titans head-to-head, and while Serena dominated the match , it was far from the end of Sharapova’s career—she continued to showcase her talent until retiring in 2020.

10

Michael Phelps - László Cseh and Milorad Čavić

Image: Serena Repice Lentini

As mentioned earlier, Michael Phelps' historic victories at the 2008 Beijing Olympics were unprecedented, and narrowing it down to just one of his competitors wouldn't do justice to the event. Instead, we’d like to highlight a few remarkable runner-ups. Hungarian swimmer László Cseh secured multiple silver medals, often finishing just fractions of a second behind Phelps . Meanwhile, Serbian swimmer Milorad Čavić lost the 100m butterfly by an astonishing one-hundredth of a second —though he still managed to break the European record in the process.