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

George Washington

Image: Alonzo Chappel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Founding Father and first president of the United States, George Washington, enjoyed many recreational activities during his free time. He was a true outdoorsman—he loved hunting and fishing and was a devoted gardener and farmer .

It’s common knowledge that after deciding not to run for a third term, he retired to his Virginia farm and dedicated the rest of his life to farming. But one fact you may not know is that, in his youth, Washington was a frequent dancer —and rumor has it, he was even extremely good at it! He considered dancing an important social interaction, describing it as "so agreeable and innocent an amusement."

2

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only president to be elected to four consecutive terms, led the country through the critical years of the Great Depression and World War II. To maintain a clear mind while navigating such tumultuous times, Roosevelt embraced a number of pastimes. He collected books , stamps , and ship models , for example.

In addition, he was an avid swimmer . After losing the ability to walk due to polio, Roosevelt began swimming three times a week to strengthen his muscles. Following his election, the New York Daily News donated a swimming pool to the White House so he could continue his practice.

3

James A. Garfield

Image: Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Before becoming the 20th president, James A. Garfield enjoyed fishing , hunting , and playing billiards . But he was also exceptionally intelligent and studious.

Though many people may know Garfield for serving just four months in office, he was also the first ambidextrous president of the United States . Not only could he write with both hands, but when asked a question, he could simultaneously write the answer in ancient Greek with one hand and Latin with the other. Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

4

Calvin Coolidge

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 30th president of the United States liked riding horses so much that he had an electronic horse installed in the White House. The device had two speeds—trot and canter—and he rode it every day.

That said, Calvin Coolidge was a taciturn man of few words, who enjoyed taking afternoon naps, earning him the nickname "Silent Cal." He also had a very particular sense of humor . He reportedly enjoyed pressing the alarm buttons in the Oval Office or hiding in the garden shrubbery to startle his Secret Service agents.

5

Jimmy Carter

Image: Tuntematon, Valkoisen talon valokuvaajat (01/20/1977 - 01/20/1981), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter was a curious man who never stopped doing things. He studied nuclear physics in college, could read two thousand words a minute, wrote numerous books, and even won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

But what did this brilliant man like to do in his spare time? Carter had a variety of hobbies, including painting , poetry , tennis , cycling , fly fishing , and skiing . However, the one activity in which he perhaps excelled most was woodworking . After retiring, the 39th president of the United States set up a garage workshop on his Georgia ranch, where he built furniture that was later auctioned to benefit the Carter Center.

6

John Quincy Adams

Image: Pieter Van Huffel, 1769 - 1844, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Quincy Adams was notoriously meticulous and kept a diary detailing his daily routine. Thanks to this, we now know that the sixth president of the United States liked to relieve the stress of the presidency with an early morning swim .

After waking up around 4 or 5 a.m., Adams would walk two miles to the Potomac River and leave his clothes on the shore before taking a swim. According to lore, one morning, a reporter named Anne Royall snatched his clothes and demanded that the president give her an interview. Adams had no choice but to answer her questions while standing deep in the river, completely naked.

7

Harry S. Truman

Image: Abbie Rowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Harry S. Truman governed the United States from 1945 to 1953, right after World War II—a difficult and stressful time, to be sure. To blow off some steam, the 33rd president liked to immerse himself in one of his two long-time passions: reading and music .

Truman had eye problems, which prevented him from participating in sports. As a result, he became an avid reader from an early age—in fact, he once boasted of having read every book in the library by the age of 14. He was also a very skilled piano player , having started lessons at the age of seven.

8

Lyndon B. Johnson

Image: Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Living up to the legacy of one of the most popular presidents in American history can't be easy. But it appears that the 36th president of the United States knew just how to maintain a good balance between responsibility and leisure. During his five-year administration, Lyndon B. Johnson spent 490 days —about a quarter of his presidency— at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall , Texas, combining work and vacation so seamlessly that the place became known as "The Texas White House."

At this ranch, Johnson had an extensive collection of vehicles . Among them was the Amphicar, an amphibious passenger car built in the 1960s, which he used to play pranks on his visitors.

9

Richard Nixon

Image: White House Photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not many people know this, but Richard Nixon was an artistic man. He enjoyed theater—he even met his future wife during a community theater audition—and he could play five musical instruments : piano, saxophone, violin, clarinet, and accordion.

But he was also into sports. In addition to being a huge football fan, he and First Lady Pat Nixon enjoyed bowling . In fact, the Nixons were responsible for moving the White House bowling alley back to the Executive Mansion after it had been relocated to a nearby building years earlier.

10

George W. Bush

Image: Series: Photographs Related to the George W. Bush Administration, 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009Collection: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration), 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During his free time, George W. Bush enjoyed golfing, biking, attending baseball games, and reading American history. He was also a very competitive runner .

However, when the 43rd president of the United States left office, he was only 62 years old—plenty of time to acquire a new pastime. In the years following his time in the White House, Bush surprised many by turning to painting . "I’m a painter," he told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show .

11

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Image: ddd

To relieve the stress of leadership, Dwight D. Eisenhower maintained a number of hobbies that he cultivated throughout his life. One of his main passions was golf , which he played during and after his presidency. He even kept a small putting green in the White House garden and had a four-hole practice course installed at Camp David.

But that’s not all. Ike enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, watching Western movies, and playing bridge. He was also an avid painter who often captured natural landscapes and gave them as gifts to friends. After leaving the White House, Ike settled on a farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he raised Black Angus show cows that won blue ribbons at state and county fairs.

12

John F. Kennedy

Image: Robert LeRoy Knudsen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

John F. Kennedy was an exercise enthusiast and something of a jock. He played many sports : golf, tennis, swimming, baseball, and football. Despite being an athletic man, he enjoyed smoking between four and five cigars a day—his favorite brands were Upmanns and Monticellos!

But perhaps the hobby that most helped him relax from the tensions of the presidency was boating. Like many members of his family, John F. Kennedy loved to sail and was often photographed at sea with his wife and young children.

1

Jackson, Mississippi

Did you know Jackson, Mississippi, is named after the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson? It is one of the four state capitals named after American presidents —the other three are Jefferson City (Missouri), Lincoln (Nebraska), and Madison (Wisconsin).

Jackson is the only U.S. capital built on top of an extinct volcano. Interestingly, during the Civil War, the city was burned by Union troops, giving it the nickname "Chimneyville". In addition, Jackson is best known for being the center of the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

2

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610 as the capital of the colony of New Mexico, Santa Fe is the oldest U.S. city that still functions as a state capital today.

But that's not the only peculiarity of this quaint city with a temperate climate and a unique historical and cultural richness. At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is also the highest U.S. capital.

3

Honolulu, Hawaii

Known for its spectacular beaches and rich cultural heritage, Honolulu is the only state capital not on the North American mainland. Considered the birthplace of modern surfing, it also has the highest average annual temperature of any U.S. state capital.

But those aren't the only interesting facts about Hawaii's capital. Here are a few equally (or more) crazy ones: it hosts the only royal palace in the United States (Iolani Palace), the island is made up of volcanic soil, and it houses the world's largest open-air shopping mall (Ala Moana Center).

4

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is a historic city on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, known for its colonial architecture, nautical tradition, and academic value. But did you know it is also the smallest U.S. capital by land area? Just 6.7 square miles!

Annapolis was also one of the nine capitals the United States has had throughout its history. For nine months during the Revolutionary War, Maryland's current state capital served as the seat of the Confederation Congress.

5

Bismarck, North Dakota

If you thought Juneau, Alaska, had the lowest average winter temperature of all state capitals, think again! It's actually Bismarck, North Dakota, where the coldest temperature ever recorded was -45°F. Imagine that!

Bismarck was founded in 1872 on the banks of the Missouri River. The city was named after Otto von Bismarck, the chancellor of Germany, to attract German investors. Another fun fact? In 1930, Bismarck and Fargo had a dispute, known as the "Capitol Tower War," over which city should be the state capital.

6

Charleston, West Virginia

Did you know that the original name of West Virginia's capital was Charles Town in honor of the father of Colonel George Clendenin, one of the first settlers?

Charleston is best known for offering a unique combination of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.

7

Hartford, Connecticut

Founded in 1635, Connecticut's capital is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Hartford is known for being a key cultural center in New England. It was the home of writer Mark Twain and is home to historic sites such as the State Capitol, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, and Bushnell Park, the oldest public park in the country.

Hartford is also called the "insurance capital of the world" due to the presence of major insurance companies. But the city's most curious fact is that it was where Teddy Roosevelt, aboard the Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton, took the first presidential automobile ride in history!

8

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's capital city is best known for its role in the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg has been an important center of transportation and commerce. Today, it is known for its historic architecture, museums, and special events.

Harrisburg is also home to the longest stone arch bridge in the world, the Rockville Bridge, built in 1902. Oh, and in 1979, it came close to a nuclear disaster due to the accident at the Three Mile Island plant, the worst in U.S. history —but that's a longer story for another article!

9

Olympia, Washington

Located at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Washington's state capital is known for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. But did you know Olympia is the northernmost state capital in the contiguous U.S.?

Oh, and it's also a great place to try some of the best craft beer in the country.

10

Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah's state capital is popular for being one of the best places to ski in the United States. But that's not all! Salt Lake City is also the only state capital with three words in its name. Have you ever thought about that?

It has the largest Mormon population in the country and is the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another fun fact? Salt Lake City is home to more plastic surgeons per capita than any other state capital!

11

Montpelier, Vermont

Named after the French city of the same name, Montpelier is the least populated state capital, with a population of just 7,900. Probably for that reason, Vermont's capital prides itself on its small local businesses: it is the only state capital that doesn't have a McDonald's or a Starbucks. Could you live without these fast food chains? It doesn't have a Walmart store either!

12

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas’s state capital, has several interesting tidbits. For example, did you know its name, of Native American origin, means "a good place to dig potatoes"? Interesting, don’t you think?

In 2010, Topeka temporarily changed its name to "Google, Kansas" to attract the attention of the internet giant and become the capital city of fiber optics. Frivolous facts aside, Topeka was also very important in the history of the civil rights movement.