1

Paul Bunyan

Image: Abby Savage

Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

Image: JosephHershMedia

Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

Image: Joseph Corl

Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

Image: Garry T

Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

Image: Scott Longerbeam

Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

Image: Judy Beth Morris

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

Image: Pablò

James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

Image: Lucio Patone

John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

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

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) arrived in New Salem, Illinois, in 1831 with empty pockets. He clerked in a general store, then split logs into fence rails, a skill from his frontier boyhood, and became postmaster in 1833. He also taught himself surveying to map land for settlers. Decades later, during his 1860 campaign, supporters nicknamed him "the Rail-Splitter" because of those early days swinging an ax.

According to legend, during his mailman days, he carried letters in his hat, but that's unproven. Not bad for the future titan who delivered the Gettysburg Address.

2

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) came home from World War II a Navy hero after a Japanese destroyer rammed his PT-109 patrol boat in 1943. In 1945, partly thanks to his father's connections, Hearst newspapers hired him as a special correspondent , and he covered the founding of the United Nations and the Potsdam talks.

In 1946, he won a seat in Congress representing Massachusetts, and in 1960 he became, at 43, the youngest person ever elected president.

3

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) passed the bar exam in 1907 but left Columbia Law School without a degree. He then clerked at the Wall Street firm Carter , Ledyard & Milburn, handling routine cases he reportedly found dull. A popular tale says he told coworkers he planned to reach the White House, just like his cousin Teddy, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

He won a New York State Senate seat in 1910 and would later become the only president elected four times.

4

Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon (1913-1994) grew up working at his family's grocery store and gas station in Whittier, California, during the Depression. He pumped gas, stocked shelves, and woke before dawn to buy fresh vegetables at the Los Angeles market. After Duke Law School, he practiced law in Whittier.

He entered politics in 1946 and later became famous for the "Checkers" speech about his dog. In 1974, following the Watergate scandal, he became the only president ever to resign.

5

Ronald Reagan

From 1927 to 1932, teenager Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) spent summers as a lifeguard at Lowell Park on the Rock River near Dixon, Illinois. He sat on a tall chair, watched swimmers, and pulled people from trouble. The story goes that he saved 77 lives, marked by notches on a log, though that count came mostly from Reagan himself.

He later became a Hollywood actor , then the 40th president (elected in 1980), nicknamed "The Gipper."

6

Harry Truman

Harry Truman (1884-1972) came home from World War I and, in 1919, opened a men's clothing store in Kansas City, Missouri , with his Army buddy Eddie Jacobson. They sold shirts, ties, and socks to local gentlemen. But a recession hit in 1921, and the shop closed by 1922, leaving Truman deep in debt.

Broke but not beaten, Truman turned to politics in 1922, winning a county judge post with help from the Pendergast machine, the powerful Kansas City political organization run by boss Tom Pendergast, which delivered votes in exchange for loyalty and jobs. He paid off his debts over many years and refused to declare bankruptcy. As president, he kept a sign on his desk reading "The Buck Stops Here," his way of saying the president can't pass the blame to anyone else.

7

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) headed to the Dakota Badlands in 1884 to hunt bison and soon bought a cattle ranch. Then tragedy struck: his wife and mother died on the same day that February. Heartbroken, he threw himself into ranch life , riding herds, roping steers, and living like a cowboy.

That tough image followed him to the White House (serving from 1901-1909), where he gave us the Rough Riders and the teddy bear, named after him.

8

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) graduated from the Naval Academy in 1946 and later joined the submarine program , working with Admiral Hyman Rickover's nuclear team in the early 1950s. When his father died in 1953, he left the Navy and went home to Plains, Georgia, to run the family peanut farm .

As president (1977-1981), he famously helped negotiate the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.

9

Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford (1913-2006) was a football star at Michigan and later studied law at Yale in the early 1940s. Good looks helped pay the bills: he modeled for Look magazine and appeared on a 1942 Cosmopolitan cover.

He became president in 1974 after Nixon resigned, and he’s the only one never elected as either president or vice president: When Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in a scandal in 1973, Nixon appointed Ford to replace him, and Congress approved the pick. Then Nixon himself resigned.

10

Barack Obama

Barack Obama (born 1961) took his first job at age 16, scooping ice cream at a Baskin-Robbins in Honolulu, Hawaii. He wore the uniform, handed out cones, and later joked that the job soured him on ice cream. Like plenty of American teens, he worked to earn spending money.

In 2008, he became the first Black president, and in 2009 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

11

Lyndon B. Johnson

In 1928, before finishing college, Lyndon Johnson (1908-1973) took a year off to teach at a small school in Cotulla, Texas . His students were poor Mexican-American children, many arriving hungry and speaking little English. He pushed them hard, organized games and a debate club, and reportedly spent his own money on supplies.

As president (1963-1969), he signed the Civil Rights Act after taking office following JFK's assassination.