1

Mojave Desert

Image: Paulius Dragunas

The possibility of being stranded in the desert has always terrified humankind. Can you imagine being completely alone in the harsh and unforgiving heat? Luckily, nowadays it’s extremely difficult to get lost in the Mojave Desert . However, that doesn’t mean visiting this gorgeous landscape isn’t a demanding endeavor.

The Mojave Desert spans four different western states and is crossed by the Colorado and Mojave rivers. One of its most famous locations is the area known as Death Valley , the point of lowest elevation in North America and the hottest place on Earth during the summer.

2

Mount Rainier

Image: Taylor

Also known as Tahoma, Mount Rainier National Park is located approximately 59 miles from Seattle. As you might guess, the main attraction of this park is the titular Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington and a formidable challenge for daring adventurers.

Mount Rainier’s official summit elevation is 14,410 feet, and it is one of the most popular climbing spots in the world. That doesn’t mean it is an easy climb—quite the contrary, in fact. In order to reach the summit, climbers must traverse glaciers similar to those found in southern Alaska. Of the approximately 11,000 climbers who attempt to summit Mount Rainier each year, only about 50% succeed.

3

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Image: Sauvage

The northernmost park in the United States, Gates of the Arctic National Park, is definitely hard to reach. In fact, it is the least visited park in the country due to its remoteness and lack of infrastructure.

In any case, camping and hiking are allowed in the park, though they are not for the faint of heart. The extreme temperatures, with an annual minimum average of −42.6 °F, make it a challenging yet alluring landscape for those seeking adventure.

4

Glacier National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

While Montana’s Glacier National Park offers recreational opportunities for people of all ages, including kayaking, fly fishing, and hiking, many tourists visit the park seeking a more thrilling experience. They aren’t disappointed, as the park features numerous climbing challenges, including five peaks over 10,000 feet .

However, we recommend visiting during the tourist season. In winter, temperatures can plummet, with a historical low of -38°F. Additionally, the area is prone to sudden temperature changes, which can pose challenges for adventurers.

5

Lake Clark National Park

Image: Clayton Manche

Much like Glacier National Park, Lake Clark is not necessarily a severe environment during the tourist season. It offers a variety of recreational activities, ranging from bird-watching to more thrilling pursuits like kayaking and rafting. However, the extremely low temperatures and intense snowfall make this park much harsher during the winter months.

With a record-low temperature of -18°F, Lake Clark becomes inhospitable during the colder months. Not only that, but the park is not accessible by roads; only air taxis and boats can reach it.

6

Big Bend National Park

Image: Simon Hurry

As with many other parks on this list, we should start with a small disclaimer: Don’t be discouraged from visiting Big Bend National Park . Not that you need our warning—after all, half a million tourists enjoy the park's magnificence every year. However, a point should be made that the harsh desert conditions of Big Bend do provide a challenge that should not be overlooked.

According to Search & Rescue team reports, 1 in 1,000 visitors requires assistance of some kind. Although most of this assistance is not life-threatening (often involving mild dehydration), it highlights the importance of taking necessary precautions when visiting the park.

7

Rocky Mountain National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

Located in the heart of Colorado , Rocky Mountain National Park offers unmatched views of the stunning Rocky Mountains, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush forests that completely surround the park. However, there are many hazards you should be aware of if you plan to visit this beautiful location.

Visitors should be cautious of steep cliffs, falling rocks, cold temperatures, and adverse snow conditions. Additionally, the area is infamous for its recurring wildfires, so campers must be careful not to leave anything that might increase the risk of fire.

8

Great Basin National Park

Image: Shawn Powar

The arid beauty of Great Basin National Park is truly second to none. Although it is located in a desert area , the plants and vegetation have majestically adapted to the dry climate. With that in mind, you can also adapt and thoroughly enjoy this park if you keep these safety suggestions in mind.

We’ll mention just some of the safety tips recommended by the National Park Service for visiting Great Basin: For starters, remember that cell phone service is limited, so don’t rely entirely on your phone. Also, be mindful of sun exposure and take precautions to avoid sunburn and dehydration. One last thing: Like all desserts, heat is not the only concern. The park’s temperature drops significantly at night, so try to not be caught in the open when the sun goes down.

9

Voyageurs National Park

Image: Tim Umphreys

Located in northern Minnesota, right on the border with Canada, Voyageurs National Park was named after the French-Canadian fur traders who frequently traveled the area. It is particularly famous for its many lakes , which offer activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

However, there are a few dangers that boaters should be aware of, such as the many hazardous rocks hidden in the water. Additionally, during the winter season, many visit the park to engage in snowmobiling, which must be practiced carefully to avoid any soft spots.

10

Kobuk Valley National Park

Image: Adrià Masi

Kobuk Valley National Park is as massive as it is undeveloped. Although the park is larger than the state of Delaware, there are no roads leading to it , nor any internal roads or trails within the park. Visitors must arrive by air taxi, weather permitting, and bring all their gear and supplies if they intend to backpack, camp, or boat.

Not only that, the weather conditions in the park can be extreme, even during the summer, and are completely unpredictable. In any case, as with all the other parks in this article, we don’t want to dissuade you from visiting Kobuk Valley if you choose to. We simply want to emphasize the importance of keeping safety a paramount priority during your trip.

1

Lake Superior lives up to its name

Image: Jacob Skowronek

Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, and coldest of the five. It holds more water than the other four lakes combined—enough to cover North and South America in a foot of water. At 31,700 square miles, it’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world.

2

Only one is fully American

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the jurisdiction of the United States. It touches four states—Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan—and its shores are home to major cities like Chicago and Milwaukee. As if this wasn’t enough, this lake also boasts the world’s largest freshwater sand dunes.

3

They create their own weather

Image: Srikanta H. U

The Great Lakes have a powerful influence on regional weather, especially through the phenomenon of "lake-effect snow." As cold air sweeps over the warmer lakes, it picks up moisture, resulting in heavy snowfall in cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago. The lakes also generate localized storms that can rival oceanic tempests in intensity. Yet, not all is harsh; these unique conditions help create microclimates that are perfect for agriculture, supporting a range of crops across the region.

4

A shipwreck graveyard

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

Prone to stormy and unpredictable weather, the Great Lakes are home to over 6,000 shipwrecks. The most infamous of these, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, sank in Lake Superior during a violent storm in 1975, inspiring Gordon Lightfoot's iconic ballad. In fact, many of these wrecks are remarkably well-preserved, thanks to the cold freshwater, which slows down the decay process and keeps these sunken ships intact for decades.

5

They contain a fifth of the world’s freshwater

Image: Sime Basioli

The Great Lakes hold about 21% of the world's fresh surface water. That’s roughly six quadrillion gallons—enough to submerge the lower 48 states under about 10 feet of water. Given this staggering quantity, it's no surprise that the lakes are crucial to American drinking water, agriculture, and industry.

6

The Erie Canal’s role

Image: Lucy M

Opened in 1825, the Erie Canal linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River, transforming trade and settlement patterns. It played a pivotal role in making New York City an economic powerhouse and significantly accelerated the movement of goods between the Midwest and the East Coast. While most traffic now flows through the larger St. Lawrence Seaway, the Erie Canal remains a key chapter in U.S. history.

7

When the Niagara Falls stood still

Image: Vishwesh Jirgale

In 1969, engineers temporarily halted the flow of Niagara Falls due to concerns that erosion was progressing so rapidly the falls could disappear in a few years. After a thorough inspection by the Army Corps of Engineers, they concluded that no immediate maintenance was necessary. Despite this, the endeavor was far from futile—it provided valuable insights that would guide future preservation efforts for the iconic falls.

8

America’s forgotten "Third Coast"

Image: Richard Main

The Great Lakes coastline spans about 10,900 miles, which makes it longer than the U.S. East and West Coasts combined. This hidden "Third Coast" features sandy beaches, towering cliffs, and picturesque lighthouses, making it a popular destination for tourism and outdoor recreation.

9

Once an ancient ocean

Image: Andrzej Kryszpiniuk

Millions of years ago, the region now holding the Great Lakes was covered by an ancient sea. Over time, glaciers carved out the massive basins, which filled with meltwater after the Ice Age. The evidence of this transformation is still visible in the region’s fossils and rock formations.

10

Chicago River’s historic reversal

Image: Jake Leonard

In 1900, engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River to prevent sewage from polluting Lake Michigan, the city’s drinking water source. Using a system of canals, the river was redirected toward the Mississippi River watershed, an astonishing feat of engineering that still works to this day.

11

Protected by an international treaty

Image: Hermes Rivera

The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between the U.S. and Canada governs the Great Lakes, ensuring cooperative water management. It led to the creation of the International Joint Commission, which helps both nations resolve disputes and protect this vital natural resource.

1

Keep Austin weird (Austin, Texas)

Image: MJ Tangonan

We’ll begin with one of the most distinctive unofficial mottos out there. In the year 2000, an Austin resident named Red Wassenich called a radio show and made a pledge encouraging fellow citizens to " Keep Austin Weird ." The phrase resonated with him, and he soon began printing bumper stickers and shirts. It was quickly embraced by other Austinites, eventually evolving into the unofficial motto still seen all over the Texas capital.

2

Al-Ki (Washington)

Image: Toan Chu

The only American state that has a fully unofficial state motto. " Al-Ki " (also written as "Alki") is a word from Chinook Jargon that translates to "by and by," though it’s sometimes interpreted as " hope for the future ." Whichever translation you prefer, both express a beautiful sentiment—one that reflects not only the optimism of early 19th-century settlers but also the warm, forward-looking spirit of the people of Washington State.

3

Land of Lincoln (Illinois)

Image: Joel Mott

Illinois takes great pride in being the home state of our 16th president—and with good reason. Who wouldn’t be proud of " The Great Emancipator "? Interestingly, Lincoln wasn’t born in Illinois; he was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and spent much of his childhood in Indiana. However, Illinois was definitely Lincoln’s home : it was in the "Prairie State" that he made a name for himself as a lawyer and met his future wife.

4

Sportsman’s Paradise (Louisiana)

Image: Fitsum Admasu

If you’ve ever visited the great state of Louisiana, you’ve probably noticed the many outdoor opportunities it offers, including abundant hunting, fishing, and trapping spots. While Louisiana’s official motto is "Union, Justice, and Confidence," many know the Pelican State by another moniker: "Sportsman’s Paradise."

5

Smiling faces, beautiful places (South Carolina)

Image: Jacqueline Munguía

One of the most memorable aspects of visiting the American South is experiencing its famous " Southern hospitality ." People from the South take pride in their warmth, kindness, and the instinctive way they welcome visitors. In that spirit, South Carolina’s unofficial motto perfectly reflects these values . After all, if you ever visit this great state, be prepared to be greeted by the two things it’s best known for: "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places."

6

Taxation without representation (Washington, D.C.)

Image: Louis Velazquez

Most license plate mottos praise the state or city they represent. However, since 2000, Washington, D.C. has famously used a slogan that protests its unique political situation. For over 20 years, D.C. license plates have featured a variation of the phrase "Taxation Without Representation"—a quote that highlights the fact that D.C. residents must pay federal taxes without having voting representation in Congress.

7

Wild, wonderful (West Virginia)

Image: Sharosh Rajasekher

There’s nothing like a good alliteration to lift your spirits. West Virginia is known worldwide for its beauty—a living reminder that good things come in small packages . What the state lacks in size, it makes up for with its stunning scenery. In that spirit, we’d like to celebrate whoever coined West Virginia’s most famous unofficial motto: "Wild, Wonderful." It’s short, simple, and perfectly captures the essence of this remarkable state.

8

America’s Dairyland (Wisconsin)

Image: Brian Suman

Wisconsin is known around the world for the exceptional quality of its dairy products, and Wisconsinites take great pride in that fact. Don’t believe it? Just look at the fans of the Green Bay Packers, who often wear iconic "cheesehead" hats shaped like wedges of cheese, proudly celebrating their state’s most famous export. While the official state motto is the single word "Forward," many prefer Wisconsin’s unofficial title: "America’s Dairyland," a nickname that appears frequently across the state.

9

Life Elevated (Utah)

Image: Taylor Brandon

In 2006, Utah’s Department of Tourism introduced a new slogan to promote tourism and inspire residents to take pride in their beautiful state. The slogan, "Life Elevated," was featured on tourism signs and license plates throughout "The Beehive State." When you think about it, the slogan is quite clever, especially considering it indirectly references one of Utah’s most beloved natural wonders: Arches National Park.

10

Old Dominion (Virginia)

Image: STEPHEN POORE

From "the Mother of Presidents" to "the Mother of States," Virginia boasts a collection of iconic nicknames . While "Old Dominion" may not be as self-explanatory as some other monikers, it’s no less impressive. The name originates from Virginia being the first overseas dominion of the English kings and queens .