1

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Image: Nik Shuliahin 💛💙

Imagine camping beneath the biggest trees in North America and in the whole world . That incredible experience is possible in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where some of these trees are thousands of years old.

You can choose from 14 scenic campgrounds—including Grant Grove Village, the foothills of Sequoia National Park, the Lodgepole and Giant Forest areas, Cedar Grove, and Mineral King—and make a reservation.

2

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Image: velichor

Open only during the summer months, Crater Lake National Park is home to the country's deepest lake and a dormant volcano , making it an incredibly photogenic location. Campers can pitch their tents or park their RVs in the forest at Mazama Campground.

As locals say, the best views are from the areas looking out over Annie Creek, but the whole place is a no-miss.

3

Olympic National Park, Washington

Image: Scott Goodwill

Camping along the coastline with the sound of the waves in the background is a beautiful experience that can be accomplished in the Olympic National Park, where you can camp right along the beautiful coastline , which is marked by several sea stacks.

There are many different campgrounds, some next to the ocean and others in the rainforest. While most are first-come, first-served, some allow reservations for stays in the summer.

4

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Image: Levi Jones

Few camping experiences beat waking up on the rim of the Grand Canyon . While the South Rim is easier to get to, the North Rim is usually less crowded. There's one North Rim campground inside the park and another just north of the park boundary, both open from mid-May to mid-October.

Several sites along the South Rim are open year-round, including the Mather Campground and Trailer Village in Grand Canyon Village. Only two other South Rim spots, Desert View and Tusayan Montane, are open seasonally.

5

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado

Image: Mike Erskine

The Rocky Mountains offer magnificent scenery for a beautiful day and a night out. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests have 56 campsites set in a variety of landscapes, including open meadows and evergreen forests, amid mountains, and on lakeshores .

While most are open seasonally, a select few stay open all year long, so make sure to check the website for road conditions beforehand if you plan to camp during the winter months.

6

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

Image: Andreas Rønningen

The Smoky Mountains are a picturesque part of Idaho, with dozens of places to camp. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a fantastic place to go hiking, canoeing, or cycling, and you'll be treated to awe-inspiring mountain views in every direction.

About half the campgrounds welcome campers on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can also make reservations ahead of time to secure a site. The camping season is open in the summer months.

7

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Image: Rahul Bhosale

Don’t mind the name, there is nothing bad about the Badlands. Between the many rock formations you'll see throughout Badlands National Park, you'll also find prairies and places to peek at ancient fossils . The Cedar Pass campground is larger and offers more amenities, but the smaller Sage Creek campground puts you in a better position to see bison wandering around .

8

Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas

Image: Alex Holt

The Natural State has 1.2 million acres of recreational space including beaches, lakes, and streams, and more than 400 miles of hiking trails , in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests. Campers can choose between several developed campgrounds for both RV and tent camping, some of which are open year-round.

Other campgrounds are open from May through October. Primitive camping is also permitted within designated areas—just remember to bring your water (or a water filtration device), and leave the place untouched.

9

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Image: Blake Wisz

At Dry Tortugas National Park, in Key West, Florida, you can camp right outside of one of the world’s largest barrier reefs . Visitors can rent snorkel gear, spend their days relaxing on the beach, or check out Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fortress used by the Union army to blockade Confederate shipping channels during the Civil War.

This pristine area, perfect for stargazing and bird-watching, requires campers to bring everything they will need, including water, fuel, ice, and food. Ferry transportation from Key West must also be secured as early as possible.

10

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, New York

Image: Esther Tuttle

More than 2,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by rocky terrain, Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers a lot of space to hike, bike, and enjoy the view . Reservations for the Sam F. Pryor III Shawangunk Campground can be made online starting each March, as it is closed during the winter.

The campground features 50 parcels, as well as five car-camping sites, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, coin-operated showers, communal fire pits, and picnic pavilions.

1

The case of the suicidal chickens (1932)

Image: Ben Moreland

In A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, a Brooklyn, New York poultry dealer found himself in hot water for selling "unfit chickens" and violating New Deal regulations. The case became known as "the sick chicken case" because Schechter was accused of selling diseased birds that should have been condemned .

The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the chicken seller, striking down key portions of FDR's National Industrial Recovery Act. The justices decided the federal government had overstepped its authority in regulating local businesses.

2

The tomato identity crisis (1893)

Image: Avin CP

Nix v. Hedden asked the Supreme Court to settle a burning question: Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? This wasn't just philosophical pondering—tariff laws taxed vegetables but not fruits, so there was serious money at stake for New York importers bringing tomatoes into the country.

The Court unanimously decided that tomatoes are vegetables for legal purposes, even though botanically they're fruits.

3

The stripper and the sales tax (1991)

Image: Eric Nopanen

In Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc., the Supreme Court had to decide whether nude dancing qualified as protected expression under the First Amendment . An Indiana law required dancers to wear at least pasties and a G-string, and adult entertainment establishments in South Bend challenged this as censorship.

The Court ruled 5-4 that states could require minimal clothing without violating free speech rights. Chief Justice Rehnquist argued that the law wasn't targeting expression but public nudity itself. The dissenting justices felt this was government overreach into artistic expression, making this one deeply divided decision about very little clothing.

4

The prisoner who sued over chunky peanut butter (2011)

Image: The Design Lady

Michigan inmate Robert Procup filed a lawsuit that eventually reached consideration by the Supreme Court, claiming that being served chunky peanut butter instead of smooth violated his rights . He argued this constituted cruel and unusual punishment because he had digestive issues and his religious beliefs required smooth spreads.

The Court declined to hear the case, letting lower court rulings stand that dismissed his claims. While prisoners do have constitutional rights, the justices apparently felt that peanut butter texture preferences didn't rise to that level.

5

The monkey selfie dispute (2018)

Image: Jamie Haughton

In Naruto v. Slater, a macaque monkey in Indonesia took selfies with a photographer's camera, sparking a bizarre copyright battle that reached federal courts. PETA sued on behalf of the monkey, arguing that Naruto owned the copyright to his own selfies, while California photographer David Slater claimed ownership.

The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, letting stand the lower court's ruling that animals cannot own copyrights under U.S. law. The case was eventually settled, but it raised fascinating questions about who owns creative works when the "creator" isn't human.

6

The psychic and the IRS (1986)

Image: Ksenia Yakovleva

In United States v. Zolin, the case involved a psychic in California who claimed the Church of Scientology had tampered with evidence. But the real weird twist was that it raised questions about attorney-client privilege when the communication involved potential criminal activity —in this case, schemes discussed during what were supposedly confidential legal meetings.

The Court established the "crime-fraud exception" to attorney-client privilege, ruling that lawyers can't help clients plan crimes and then hide behind confidentiality.

7

The case of the stubborn mule (1842)

Image: Jeff King

Swift v. Tyson didn't actually involve a mule, but it dealt with commercial disputes in New York that were about as exciting as watching one stand still. A man bought some land using a promissory note, but the land deal turned out to be fraudulent, and he didn't want to pay.

The Supreme Court created the "Swift doctrine," which allowed federal courts to ignore state court decisions in certain commercial cases. This ruling stood for almost 100 years before being overturned .

8

The singing telegram drama (1988)

Image: Vitaly Gariev

Hustler Magazine v. Falwell stemmed from a parody ad suggesting Virginia televangelist Jerry Falwell's "first time" was with his mother in an outhouse . Falwell sued for emotional distress, arguing the fake interview was defamatory and intentionally hurtful, seeking millions in damages.

The Court ruled 8-0 that parody and satire about public figures are protected speech, even when offensive and outrageous. Chief Justice Rehnquist wrote that public figures can't recover damages for emotional distress without proving actual malice.

9

The hotel that discriminated against dogs (1964)

Image: fatty corgi

In Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States, a Georgia motel owner challenged the Civil Rights Act, claiming the government couldn't force him to rent rooms to Black customers. While the racial discrimination was a serious issue, the owner's backup argument was truly bizarre: he claimed interstate commerce laws didn't apply because his guests' dogs didn't cross state lines .

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Civil Rights Act, rejecting all the motel's arguments, including the dog defense. This landmark case confirmed that businesses serving interstate travelers couldn't discriminate, regardless of where anyone's pets came from.

10

The battle over raisins (2015)

Image: Karyna Panchenko

Horne v. Department of Agriculture involved California raisin farmers who refused to surrender part of their crop to a government "raisin reserve" designed to stabilize prices . The farmers argued this was an unconstitutional taking of private property without just compensation, turning dried grapes into a constitutional matter.

The Court ruled 8-1 in favor of the raisin farmers, saying the government can't just seize personal property without paying for it, even if the goal is market stabilization. This case about wrinkled grapes actually reinforced important Fifth Amendment protections. Sometimes defending your raisins means defending everyone's property rights.

1

Area 51

Image: Michael Herren

Location: Nevada

Shrouded in secrecy, this military base has become synonymous with UFOs and government cover-ups. Its official purpose was testing aircraft like the U-2 spy plane and Stealth Bomber, but its classified nature fueled decades of wild speculation, ranging from secret weapons to actual aliens working for the government.

2

Coral Castle

Image: Audric Wonkam

Location: Florida

This massive stone structure was built by a single man, Edward Leedskalnin, using enormous limestone blocks—some weighing 30 tons. According to him, no heavy machinery was ever used during the construction, and he even claimed to know the secrets of the pyramids . To this day, engineers and historians debate how he moved and placed those stones with such precision.

3

Skinwalker Ranch

Image: Jacob Padilla

Location: Utah

This 512-acre property has long been at the center of UFO sightings, cattle mutilations , and alleged portals to other dimensions. The stories were so compelling that, in the ’90s, a private research organization purchased the ranch to try and make some scientific sense of the claims, conducting extensive field studies. However, after nearly a decade of research, they found no conclusive evidence.

4

Mammoth Cave

Image: Ksenia Kudelkina

Location: Kentucky

The world’s longest known cave system has its fair share of unexplored tunnels, ghost stories, and strange air currents. More than 400 miles have been mapped , yet many passages remain uncharted. Researchers have yet to fully understand the cave’s underground ecosystem, and new chambers are still being discovered today.

5

The Marfa Lights

Image: Alexandra Vo

Location: Texas

Reported since at least the late 19th century, floating orbs of light have been seen near this small town with no consistent explanation. Night watchers continue to gather at designated viewing areas along Highway 90, hoping for a glimpse. While scientific studies suggest that distorted car headlights are the most likely cause, many remain convinced otherwise.

6

The Devil’s Kettle

Image: Andrew Ling

Location: Minnesota

This unusual waterfall splits in two—one half flows normally, while the other vanishes into a deep pothole with no known exit. Scientists poured dye, ping-pong balls, and even GPS trackers into the mysterious hole, all to see where the water ends up. While researchers eventually confirmed it rejoins the river underground, exactly how and where remained elusive for decades.

7

Cahokia Mounds

Image: pcrm Dorego

Location: Illinois

Built centuries before Columbus arrived in the Americas, the ancient city of Cahokia featured massive earthen mounds, wooden palisades, and likely formed part of complex trade networks across the continent. Despite having a population rivaling London in the 1200s, according to archaeologists, the city was mysteriously abandoned in the span of a few years. No written records explain its decline, though environmental stress, resource shortages, and internal social factors are often cited as possible causes.

8

Blythe Intaglios

Image: Alexander Schimmeck

Location: California

Similar to Peru’s Nazca Lines, these giant geoglyphs are etched into the desert floor, seemingly visible only from the sky. Created by scraping away dark rocks to reveal lighter earth beneath, the figures are believed to be between 450 and 2,000 years old, depending on the specific design. While their exact purpose remains a mystery, they are believed to have had a ceremonial function.

9

The Spooklight

Image: Ben Griffiths

Location: Missouri-Oklahoma Border

Also known as the Hornet Spooklight, this floating orb has been seen since at least the late 19th century. It appears along a rural stretch of road near the small community of Hornet, Missouri, and Quapaw, Oklahoma. While some theorize it could be caused by car lights from miles away, some sightings predate automobiles.

10

Roanoke Island

Image: Stephen Crane

Location: North Carolina

In the 1580s, an entire colony vanished overnight, leaving behind only the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree. No graves, no remains—just an eerie disappearance that sparked centuries of theories, from disease and starvation to assimilation with local tribes. Modern archaeology uncovered European artifacts at sites associated with Native groups miles away, but no definitive evidence has ever solved the mystery.