1

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most isolated national parks in the country , accessible only by ferry or seaplane. About 99% of the park is water. Its main landmark is Fort Jefferson, a massive unfinished 19th-century coastal fort built with more than 16 million bricks.

Visitors often go for a day trip, but camping is available for those looking for an overnight experience. The park also offers snorkeling, swimming, and birdwatching.

2

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park protects the world’s largest gypsum dune field, covering about 275 square miles in southern New Mexico. Here is the difference between gypsum and typical sand: the former does not absorb heat the same way, so the dunes remain relatively cool underfoot, even in hot weather.

The park is known for activities like dune sledding, hiking marked trails , and scenic drives through the shifting landscape. While its distance from major cities means it stays less crowded than others, the park is still easily accessible by car.

3

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend National Park covers more than 800,000 acres along the Rio Grande, which forms the natural border between the United States and Mexico. It’s one of the least visited national parks of its size, largely because of its remote location in southwest Texas.

Those who visit come for the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, hikes into Santa Elena Canyon, and some of the best stargazing in the country. The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, spanning over 15,000 square miles, is the world’s largest certified "Dark Sky," an area where light pollution is regulated to preserve wildlife, aid astronomical research, and allow visitors to enjoy a stunning night sky.

4

Pinnacles National Park, California

This national park might be one of the newest —it was designated in 2013—, but that doesn’t mean that its unique rock formations are recent. They were created by an ancient volcanic field that has shifted over millions of years.

The park is best known for its talus caves, one of the few places where you might spot the endangered California condor in the wild. Located about 80 miles southeast of San Jose, it’s relatively accessible but still far less crowded than parks like Yosemite .

5

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

This island sits on Lake Superior and is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, receiving only a small fraction of the visitors seen at major parks. It’s only accessible by ferry or seaplane, and has no roads or cars.

This makes it an ideal destination for hikers, backpackers, and kayakers. Keep in mind, though, that the park is only open from mid-April through October due to harsh winter conditions.

6

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park protects more than 400 miles of mapped underground passages . That makes it the longest cave system in the world —and scientists believe there are hundreds of miles left to be discovered.

Guided tours are available, ranging from easy walking routes to more physically demanding crawls. Even above ground, the park offers hiking, biking, and canoeing along the Green River.

7

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park is named after French-Canadian fur traders who once traveled these waterways. It is made up of nearly 40% water, with a network of interconnected lakes along the Canadian border. That means you can explore it by boat, kayak, or canoe.

Its isolation and lack of light pollution also make it ideal to enjoy gorgeous night skies —to gaze at the stars, the Milky Way, or even the Northern Lights.

8

North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades National Park is one of the most glaciated areas in the contiguous US, with around 300 glaciers. Located about a three-hour drive from Seattle, it remains one of the least visited national parks, largely because it lacks the easy roadside viewpoints found in places like Yellowstone.

Its highlights include Diablo Lake and the Cascade Pass trail. Summer and early fall offer the best access, as many roads and trails are closed by snow in winter.

9

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve, Alaska

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans about 13.2 million acres. That means it’s larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined . The park includes some of North America’s tallest peaks, massive glaciers, and historic mining sites like the Kennecott Copper Mine. Most travelers can explore it via small aircraft, guided tours, or long-distance hiking trips.

10

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large deposits of petrified wood, trees that lived over 200 million years ago and have since turned to stone. The park also includes sections of the Painted Desert, with layered rock formations in shades of red, purple, and orange . It can be easily explored by car, with a scenic drive connecting major viewpoints and short trails.

1

Being annoying

We all have bad days where our mood goes south, but in Florida, you’d better keep those frustrations to yourself . Ever since 1832, the Sunshine State has had a broad nuisance statute that classifies anything that "annoys the community, injures public health, or corrupts public morals" as a second-degree misdemeanor. Of course, the law was intended to address community hazards like toxic waste disposal or unsafe buildings. Modern enforcement targets environmental hazards and serious health violations. Personal annoyances are off-limits, since what qualifies as "annoying" is completely subjective.

2

Honking with no purpose

We’ve all used our car horn to wave at a neighbor or used it to vent a little frustration in traffic. However, in New Jersey, according to their traffic code, your horn is legally reserved for safety warnings only . In this state, using it for any non-emergency reason is technically a traffic violation since 1968. Unless you are trying to prevent a fender-bender or warn a distracted driver, it is best to keep your hands off the steering wheel's center and just give a friendly wave instead.

3

Dangling car decorations

If you have a pine-scented air freshener or a set of graduation tassels swinging from your rearview mirror, you might be looking at a ticket in some states. Laws vary across the country, but for example, in California, the law states that there cannot be anything obstructing the view through the windshield or side window . This rule is part of the California Vehicle Code, enforced in 1959. In Texas, the regulation is similar according to the state Transportation Code, and Minnesota, in turn, has had a law since 1957 making it strictly illegal to hang anything from the mirror. Nobody has anything against a nice-smelling car or a beautiful lucky charm, but when they obstruct your view , that’s a problem for everyone on the road.

4

Handling a stranger’s mail

It’s not unusual to find a stack of letters addressed to the person who lived in your house three years ago, right? Now, your first instinct might be to toss it in the bin . Believe it or not, that’s a big no-no since 1948, clearly stated in the U.S. Code. Tossing out mail intended for someone else into the garbage is considered a federal felony, and penalties can be severe, including up to five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000. The proper way to proceed is to write "refused" or "return to sender" on the envelope and let the post office take it from there.

5

Forgetting to tell the DMV you moved

Life gets busy and messy when you move to a new house, so it’s easy for updating your driver's license to fall to the bottom of the to-do list. However, in most states, you are legally required to notify the DMV of your change of address within a very short window, usually ten to thirty days . In California, for example, you must do this within ten days. If you get pulled over and your license doesn't match your current address, you could get a fine. Time really flies when moving, but make sure to write this on the very top of your to-do list, and you’ll be fine!

6

Letting the engine on

Isn’t it common to start the car on a frosty morning to let it warm up while you finish getting ready? Well, if you do this, you’re technically breaking the law in some states: since 2004, in Ohio and Colorado, this is actually a citable offense known as "puffing." Leaving an unattended vehicle idling in your driveway is illegal because it invites car theft and contributes to unnecessary exhaust emissions. If you want to get the heater going, the law expects you to stay right there in the driver's seat until you’re ready to pull away.

7

Prank pizzas

In Louisiana, ordering a stack of pizzas to be delivered to an unsuspecting friend as a prank is more than just a lousy joke; it’s a crime. Believe it or not, there’s a reason behind this law. Passed in 2018, the Louisiana Revised Statute was specifically written to protect small businesses from losing time and money on fake orders. Can you imagine how annoying it must be to deal with a pranked customer who doesn’t want the five pizzas they got out of the blue? Even if it started as a joke, the authorities now view it as a form of theft that can result in a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

8

Playing hairdresser

If you’ve ever offered to give a friend a quick perm or some highlights in your kitchen, you might be an accidental criminal. In the US, performing any kind of cosmetology service on another person without a professional license is illegal. Forms of enforcement and penalties depend on each state, but most follow the rules established by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, which grants licenses following pertinent examinations. Of course, a bangs cut is not always a problem, but these kinds of regulations were created to ensure that chemicals and sharp tools are handled safely by trained experts.

9

No-hands bike riding

Riding a bike is fun, especially for kids who like to do tricks and take both hands off the handlebars. But in North Carolina, that’s a traffic violation, according to the city code. The statute requires cyclists to keep at least one hand on the grip at all times to maintain control of the bike. Fines for this behavior can go up to $50 and even imprisonment for up to 30 days. Riding a bike without using your hands might feel like a fun way to show off skills, but the consequences can be serious.

10

Tossing out old batteries

When the remote dies, most people are tempted to just drop the old batteries into the kitchen trash can, but you might want to think that over, especially if you live in California. As of 2005, in this state, household batteries are classified as hazardous waste because they contain chemicals that leak into the soil. The California Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act requires you to take them to a proper recycling center instead of the regular landfill. It takes a little more effort to do the right thing, but it keeps the local environment a lot cleaner for everyone.

11

Lending your Wi-Fi password

You’ve just moved, and you ask your friendly neighbor to share their Wi-Fi password until your internet is set up. That’s pretty common, but that’s also been a felony since 1986. The feds view this as unauthorized access to a computer network . Under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, jumping on a signal you don't have explicit and formal permission to use is technically a crime. It’s better to stick to the local coffee shop than risk a run-in over a bit of borrowed bandwidth.

1

A Presidential curse

For almost 140 years, U.S. presidents elected in years ending in zero died while in office. It happened to William Henry Harrison (1840), Abraham Lincoln (1860), James A. Garfield (1880), William McKinley (1900), Warren G. Harding (1920), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1940), and John F. Kennedy in 1960 . Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980 , broke the curse by surviving an assassination attempt.

2

Mark Twain and Halley’s Comet

In the year Mark Twain was born, 1835, Halley’s Comet passed by Earth. The great writer famously predicted he’d "go out with it" as well . Indeed, he passed away in 1910, the next time the comet appeared.

3

Jefferson and Adams

A patriotic yet somber coincidence, indeed. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third U.S. presidents, both died on July 4, 1826 —exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

4

Hoover Dam’s first and last casualties

The construction of the Hoover Dam was a long and difficult process, claiming over 100 lives. The first person to die was J.G. Tierney , and the last recorded death was his son , Patrick Tierney.

5

Lincoln and Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were elected 100 years apart (1860 and 1960). Both suffered fatal head wounds and were succeeded by presidents named Johnson. Their assassins each had three names: John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald. Both were assassinated on a Friday while sitting next to their wives at the time that it happened.

6

Charles Francis Coghlan’s last journey

Actor Charles Francis Coghlan died in Texas in 1899. But his casket was lost at sea during a hurricane. Eight years later, his coffin washed ashore near his birthplace in Prince Edward Island, Canada, more than 3,000 miles away.

7

The Titanic coincidence

A few years before the Titanic sank, Morgan Robertson wrote a short book called Futility , about a massive "unsinkable" ship called the Titan that hit an iceberg and sank. The tale describes a ship with a similar size and a similar lack of lifeboats to the famous vessel.

8

Dennis the Menace

Two comic strips featuring a character named Dennis the Menace debuted in British and American outlets, respectively, on March 12, 1961—only a few hours apart. However, the two creators did not know each other and had no idea of the other’s work.

9

Jim Lewis and Jim Springer

Identical twin brothers separated at birth , Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, were reunited at age 39 and discovered many coincidences: both married women named Linda , divorced, and then remarried women named Betty. Both had dogs named Toy and drove the same model of car. Both grew up with an adopted brother named Larry and had sons whom they named James Allan.

10

Disney magic

A soon-to-be-married couple, Alex and Donna , were looking through old photos to include in their wedding video. They found one photo of Donna posing on a childhood trip to Disney World in 1980. And in the background, they spotted Alex being pushed in a stroller by his father.

11

Moped meets taxi, twice

In 1975, 17-year-old Erskine Lawrence Ebbin was struck by a taxi in Bermuda while riding his moped. A year later, his brother Neville , also 17 at the time, was riding the same moped when he was struck by the same taxi —with the same passenger—on the same street.

12

Lightning strike survivor

Being hit by lightning is an extremely rare occurrence. Park ranger Roy Sullivan was struck not once, but seven times between 1942 and 1977 —and survived them all. The strikes hit him in a fire tower, in his truck, in his yard, while patrolling, and more. His unusual record earned him the nickname "Human Lightning Rod."