Exploring the National Parks

Which national park campground is the best? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are doing a full-on WWE-style smackdown! We each picked our top five favorite campgrounds, and we are going to battle it out to see who came up with the best options. 

We were full-time RVers for three years, so we are very familiar with the national park campgrounds, and we are excited to dive into it today! 

Join us as we discuss: 

- The national monuments we both put on our lists

- The things we love about each campground we chose

- The most unique campgrounds we have stayed at

- Some fun and elusive campgrounds you want to check out

- Campgrounds you need to put on your bucket list

We hope you enjoy this National Park Campground Smackdown episode! Camping is one of the best ways to stay in the parks without spending a ton of money, so we highly recommend it! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing 5 fun facts about Big Bend National Park! We recently shared our favorite activities and places to stay in this park, and today we are sharing some incredible fun facts. 

Known as a geologist’s paradise and nightmare, we are so excited to share all of the things that make this place so cool. Join us as we explore this chaotic and fascinating park!

Join us as we discuss:

- The massive events this park has been a part of in the last 340 million years

- The one thing Big Bend has that other national parks don’t 

- What makes the fossils at Big Bend so unique 

- The vast amount of species living in this national park

- What makes the human history in this park so fascinating 

It’s a brand new year, and in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are discussing what you can expect in the national parks in 2024!

Granted, things will change throughout the year, but this is an overview of how things are looking for the 2024 season. I know many of you are planning your trips right now, so our goal is to give you as much insight as possible into what you can expect this year in the parks. 

Join us as we discuss: 

- What you need to know about park reservations this year

- What to know if you are planning to camp in the parks

- Parks with upcoming construction closures you’ll want to know about

- How to prepare for wildfire season in the parks 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Big Bend! It’s a pilgrimage to get to this remote national park, but it’s worth the trek to the bottom of West Texas.

Big Bend is totally different from any other national park, and there are so many fun things you can do during your trip. You’re going to fall in love with the Rio Grande River, the Chisos Mountains, and the unique desert landscape as we explore this park together.

Join us as we discuss: 

- What makes this lonesome park so special 

- Our favorite sections of Big Bend

- The closest gateway towns to Big Bend

- Tips for visiting Mexico while you’re at this park

- The incredible mountains you can see in the area

- Where to stay while visiting Big Bend

- Our favorite trails to hike

- The unexpected wildlife and fossils you’ll find in the area

- The most stunning canyon you’ll find in Big Bend

- Our favorite restaurants in the area 

This is our last podcast episode of 2023, and we are Florida dreaming! Today we are sharing our favorite fun facts about Dry Tortugas National Park.

This park is incredible for many reasons and might be one of the most exciting fun facts episodes we’ve ever done! This national park has a colorful history, and even though it can be challenging to get to, it’s well worth the trip.

Join us as we discuss:

- Florida’s fascinating origin story

- How biology is actually the geology of this park

- The story of how Dry Tortugas was discovered

- Why there is a surprising number of sunken ships in this national park

- The history behind why you can find the largest masonry fort in the Western hemisphere in this park

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Exploring the National Parks! Dry Tortugas is definitely one of the most fascinating parks we have been to, and its history is rich with pirates, ships, and treasure.

Raise the mast!  Swab the deck!  Arrr mateys, do you love pirates? If so, you’re going to love this episode of Exploring the National Parks! 

We are exploring a park that surprised us in every way - Dry Tortugas National Park! We have been to many historical parks, but this one was so much cooler than we expected. Everything about this area will amaze you, and we are excited to share this incredible park with you. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• The only two ways to get to Dry Tortugas (and our traumatic experience getting there!)

• The fascinating history behind Fort Jefferson and the amazing sights to see 

• Why this is one of the best places to go snorkeling and see coral and fish 

• Our experience visiting Key West and what we loved about it

• The interesting things to see and stories you can hear in this area

Wondering how to get your kids to happily hike in the national parks with you? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing our top tips for hiking with kids. 

We have been hiking with kids for many years, and we love how it forces us to slow down and really appreciate the parks even more. Join us as we share our favorite strategies for hiking the national parks with little ones! 

Join us as we discuss: 

• How to choose the right trail length for kids

• How to get your kids to sleep better while on vacation

• Why the gear you get for hiking with kids matters 

• Our go-to trick to keep our kids going on trails 

• How to make hiking extra fun with storytelling

• Our favorite games to play on the trails 

• What you should never hike without 

We love taking our kids on the trails with us because it is a great way to teach them the value of hard work and the reward that they can get at the end of a hike! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are California dreamin’ with some Joshua Tree National Park fun facts.

If you are looking for a warmer park to travel to this winter, Joshua Tree is the perfect location to check out. This is definitely one of those parks that you will appreciate more if you learn something about it first!

Join us as we discuss: 

• The geological forces that created this park a hundred million years ago

• The fascinating fact about the tectonic plates you are standing on in Joshua Tree 

• The two entirely different desert ecosystems that meet in Joshua Tree 

• Why we really don’t know how old Joshua trees are

• Where the name of this park comes from 

• The plant species used by the native people of the area 

We hope this episode helps you appreciate this amazing park even more! It may not seem like much at first glance, but the beauty of this park really is in the details. 

Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing some of our favorite places to eat in the national parks, but with a Thanksgiving twist. 

Get ready for our favorite poultry, berries, and pie recommendations as we eat our way around the national parks.

Join us as we discuss: 

• Where to find the best poultry and berry sandwich you’ll ever have

• The most amazing pies you’ll find in the parks

• The topping you definitely don’t want to put on your Thanksgiving rolls this year

We hope this episode makes you hungry, and we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Let’s head to California to explore a park that is amazing to visit this time of year- Joshua Tree National Park! 

This incredible park has some truly unique trees that will make you feel like you stepped straight into a Dr. Seuss book. Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see if you are in this area of California!

Join us as we discuss: 

• Where to actually find the Joshua Trees

• Tips for exploring the Mojave Desert 

• The date shake you can’t miss when visiting this park

• Rock climbing adventures in Joshua Tree 

• The culture shock you might get in this park 

• How to find a little solitude during busier times of the year

• Our favorite trails in the park

• Tips if you are visiting with your kids 

• The best restaurants in Joshua Tree 

The vibe and culture of Joshua Tree National Park is definitely different from other parks, but it is absolutely worth a visit! 

Thinking about going somewhere fun this winter to break up the long, cold days? You’re going to love this episode of Exploring the National Parks! 

Today, we are sharing our favorite national parks to visit in the winter if you are looking to escape the snow. These are some of our favorite warm-weather escapes, and we are excited to share them with you today! 

Join us as we discuss: 

• The hottest and driest park that is best to visit in the winter

• The national park that we could visit every single winter

• One of our favorite parks to visit in the south

• The best national park in Utah to visit in the winter

• Where you can go in the winter and see some unique trees

• The park we weren’t expecting to love in the winter

• The perfect Hawaii national park getaway 

We hope you enjoyed hearing about our favorite national parks to visit when we need to get away from the cold. We visit at least a few of these parks pretty much every winter, and we hope you get a chance to do the same this year! 

Ready to learn some interesting facts about Zion National Park? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, John is taking the reins and sharing some Zion fun facts! 

This is a very popular national park that sees millions of visitors every year, so we are excited to dive into the history of the park and everything that makes it such a magical place to visit. 

Join us as we cover: 

• A fascinating fact about the rock layers in Zion and the Grand Staircase

• Where the Navajo Sandstone came from

• The amazing history behind all of the rock layers and the rivers in the area

• The destructive, creative, and life-giving force behind the Virgin River

• The wildlife inside this park, despite the overall lack of water in the area

• The surprisingly large amount of ferns you can find at Zion

• What happened in 1776 that put this area on the map

• The interesting human history in Zion

We hope you loved this episode and learning about Zion National Park! It is truly a magical refuge, and we hope you get to get out there and visit the park soon. 

Halloween is right around the corner, and today we are talking about some supernatural and paranormal fun in this episode of Exploring the National Parks! We are sharing our favorite creepy stories from around the national parks that we all know and love. 

These parks are incredible, and they have some pretty insane stories associated with them as well. So gather around the campfire with us for a haunted national parks tour! 

Join us as we cover scary stories from: 

• Yosemite National Park

• Yellowstone National Park

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Mammoth Cave National Park

Looking for an adventure? We have just the park for you! In this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the incredible Zion National Park. 

We have been fortunate enough to spend a ton of time in this park, and it’s probably our favorite place for anyone looking for a stunning and high-adventure national park to visit. If done right, this is one of the most memorable places to visit, so we are excited to explore this incredible park with you today! 

Join us as we cover: 

• Why Zion is such a great place to visit

• What you need to know about the Zion Lodge

• Everything you can see and do in this area 

• Where to find the best views in Zion

• Our favorite things to do in Zion Canyon 

• Tips for how to do this park if you want to bring your kids

• What you need to know before hiking Angels Landing 

• Our favorite trails in Zion

• The smaller, lesser-known places to visit in this park

• The best food in this area 

• Our favorite surprising area in Zion 

We hope you enjoyed exploring Zion National Park with us. You really can’t go wrong with this park – it will blow your mind! You’ll have some adventures that you’ll never forget. 

Are you hoping to show your kids the beauty and wonder of the national parks? We are sharing our favorite parks to explore if you have toddlers or young kids in your adventure group! 

We firmly believe that it doesn't matter how young your kids are, you can have a fantastic time with them in the national parks! Sit back and relax as we share our favorite kid-friendly parks to add to your bucket list. 

Join us as we cover: 

• What makes a good park for kids? Here’s what to keep in mind

• The top 9 parks you’ll want to visit with your kids

• Where to go for epic sand adventures

• Best places to hike with kids

• Where to go if your kids want to hunt for fossils

• The perfect park for trains and animal lovers

• Gateway towns that you don’t want to miss

• Kid-friendly activities in each park

We hope you enjoyed this episode and that you get out there and explore the national parks with your young kids! 

It’s finally October, which means it is prime leaf-peeping season!  In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are excited to talk about one of our favorite leaf-peeping parks - Great Smoky Mountains National Park! 

If you are looking forward to learning five fun facts that will enhance your visit to the Smokies, this is the episode for you.

Join us as we cover: 

• The fascinating roots of the Great Smoky Mountains

• The tallest point in the Smokies 

• The life and biodiversity in these mountains

• The native trees that you can find in this park

• The rich human history in this area 

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about the Great Smokies! This park is truly life-giving, not only for creatures and plants but for the people as well. 

Is there anything more fascinating to us than falling water? We absolutely love waterfalls! So in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing some of the best national parks to visit if you want to see waterfalls and some of the best waterfalls that you can’t miss. 

If you are ready to go on a waterfall-chasing adventure, this episode is for you! 

Join us as we cover: 

• The six best national parks for seeing waterfalls 

• Our favorite tall waterfalls

• The most scenic waterfalls

• Where to find the most powerful waterfalls

• Waterfalls with the best colors

• The splashiest waterfalls

• Waterfalls with the most adventurous routes

We hope you enjoyed this episode and that you get to check out some of these amazing waterfalls on your next trip to the national parks. We would love to hear from you! What are your favorite waterfall parks? 

Is there a more life-giving place than Great Smoky Mountain National Park? We don’t think there is! This is the time of year this park really shines, so in this episode, we are exploring everything the Smokies have to offer. 

We know that some of you are heading out there in the next few weeks to see the fall colors, so we are excited to talk about and celebrate this beautiful national park with you!

Join us as we cover: 

• Why this park is the most visited national park in America

• The most popular part of this park that you don’t want to miss

• Our favorite waterfall hike in this park

• What you need to know about Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

• What we love about Gatlinburg

• If you only have time for one trail, this is the one you want to do

• What you need to know about the trails - and how to pronounce them

• The diverse ecosystems in the park

• What to check out on the North Carolina side of the park

• The best way to get Smoky Mountain views

We hope you enjoyed exploring this stunning park with us! It is truly amazing, and it deserves all of the hype that it gets. There is so much magic in this park, and we know you’ll love it. 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are revisiting one of John’s favorite topics- food! This is Volume 2 of our favorite food that you can find in and near the national parks. 

Food is a huge part of traveling, so we want to make sure you don’t miss any of the delicious eats in the national parks you visit. Join us as we share two great places to eat and one that didn’t quite meet our expectations. 

Join us as we cover: 

• The restaurant you can’t miss in Astoria 

• The best place to get Sonoran hot dogs in Tucson

• The donut shop in Shenandoah that didn’t live up to the hype for us

We hope you enjoyed hearing about our top three picks in this episode! If you head to any of these parks, make sure to stop in and try it for yourself because, hey, what’s a trip without good food?? 

Who’s ready to learn some Rocky Mountain fun facts?! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing some fun facts about this park that you won’t find on the NPS website. 

John did some digging and found some fascinating facts, particularly about the rocks and mountains in this park. Let’s discuss what makes this national park so special! 

Join us as we cover: 

• How old these rocks really are

• Punny jokes you can make in Rocky Mountain to impress your friends your and family

• The magma that brought the amazing colors in the rocks

• The Boulder Creek Batholith

• “The force” that’s raising the Rocky Mountains

• How this area of Colorado really wanted to be like Kansas

• Why John considers Rocky Mountain the “Reluctant National Park”

• The parts of this park that are considered tundra

• The fascinating human history of this national park

We hope you enjoy these Rocky Mountain fun facts! The magic of this park is in the small details, and it truly is an incredible place to visit. 

Fall is here!  The national parks are absolutely incredible this time of year because the crowds die down, the air is crisp, and the colors are vibrant. 

In this episode, we are sharing our top 10 favorite national parks to visit in the fall! *Disclaimer – this episode is heavy on the Lord of the Rings references.  If you are like Ash and can only handle so much, you can read through the full show notes instead for the list of our favorite fall parks :)

Join us as we cover: 

• Our top pick for national parks in the West this time of year

• The national park with the best personality

• The park where you can see the most fantastic fall colors

• The most overlooked national park that is perfect for a fall trip

• Why fall is the best time to be in Zion National Park

• Why Shenandoah is a must-see in the fall months

• The park that you might not think of visiting in the fall, but you definitely should

• A small but mighty national park to visit in the fall months

• A park that is simply otherworldly this time of year

• Where you can see the Northern Lights in September

We hope you enjoy this episode and are able to get out and see some of these parks this fall because the colors are truly so beautiful! 

Ready to get Rocky Mountain high? We are heading over to Colorado for this episode of Exploring the National Parks! 

We recently got back from visiting Rocky Mountain National Park again, and we had such an amazing time. Join us as we share some of our favorite spots, hikes, things to do, and more! 

Join us as we cover: 

• Everything you need to know about the Bear Lake area

• The hike that you can’t miss at this park

• Why you should be taking the afternoon thunderstorms very seriously

• How to prepare for possible altitude sickness

• All of the incredible hiking trails you can check out at this park

• The food in Bear Lake…or lack thereof!

• The famous creepy hotel you can visit during your trip

• Places to camp in Rocky Mountain and the best places to see elk

• The star of Rocky Mountain National Park - The Trail Ridge Road

• What to keep in mind when it comes to elevation in Rocky Mountain

• The insanely cool krummholz trees you can find in this park

• The best side of the park for seeing moose

• What we love about Grand Lake 

• The trail where you get the most bang for your buck

Hitting the trail in Rocky Mountain is where you really see the magic, so we hope you get a chance to get out there and see it for yourself! Any extra time you can spend seeing mother nature in action is humbling, especially while you’re in these mountains. 

Let’s talk about food in the national parks!

One of the top requests we have received on this podcast is to talk about food. So in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking about three of the most memorable places to eat in the national parks. 

Join us as we cover: 

• Where you can find the most heavenly blackberry butter

• Where to get a hearty mountain man breakfast

• The “famous” ice cream you should pass on

There are so many amazing places to eat in the national parks, and some not-so-great options as well.  We hope these recommendations help you discover some delicious food on your next trip!

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into the fun facts of Acadia National Park! 

This park is probably cooler than you think, so we are excited to share what makes it such an incredible park (aside from the gorgeous views!) with you. 

Let’s take a deep dive into the fascinating history that shaped this national park into the awe-inspiring location that it is today. 

Join us as we cover: 

• The massive amount of geological history missing from this park

• The three major unconformities in Acadia 

• The fascinating science behind one of the most striking features of this park

• How glaciers shaped this park into what it is today

• John’s theory of how this park ties into Greek mythology

• The human history of Acadia 

• The moment when things started to change historically in this park

• The story of how Acadia became a national park and how we can give back 

Are you ready to learn about a few more of our favorite places to cool off in the national parks? 

This is part two of the best swimming holes that the National Parks have to offer. This isn’t an all-inclusive list – we truly love so many swimming places in the parks!  

But today, we are sharing three more of our top favorite places to cool off after a long hike. Let’s discuss the best places for a swim during your next trip!

Join us as we cover: 

• The swimming spots with the best views in Grand Teton

• The can’t-miss swimming spot in Redwood National Park

• Where to swim in the Crown Jewel of the Pacific Northwest 

We hope you enjoyed hearing about the best refreshing places to take a swim and cool off in the national parks. 

Let’s take a trip to Ash’s favorite national park on the East Coast - Acadia National Park! If we’re being honest, Acadia is unlike anything you can see in the West. 

In this episode of Exploring the National Park, we are exploring this magical national park and all of the things that make it such an incredible place to visit. 

Join us as we cover: 

• Our favorite spots to visit in Acadia

• Why we love the Beehive Trail

• The family-friendly mountain hike with incredible views

• A fun way to experience the power of the ocean

• The Carriage Roads you can utilize in Acadia 

• Why you haven’t fully experienced Acadia if you haven’t tried the popovers

• The most famous mountain in Acadia and when you should try to see it

• Everything we love about Bar Harbor 

• The other things you need to eat at this national park

• How to find Acadia’s best-kept secret

• Where to find the nicest campground in the park and see an area most people don’t see

We hope you enjoyed this episode all about Acadia National Park! This seaside national park is truly unique and beautiful.  

In addition to all the big adventures you can have here, be sure to try the lobster, the blueberries, and the popovers!

There’s never a dull moment when you’re hiking out in the national parks! In this episode, we are sharing Volume Two of our funny stories in the national parks, and this one centers around our most hilarious moments while hiking! 

Let’s dive into some of our funny and embarrassing moments from the trails. 

Join us as we cover: 

• The time we got punked while whale-watching

• The lengths we went to in order to find a “hair carrot” in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

• The muddy puddle that was actually the lake we were looking for

We hope you enjoyed these funny stories! It’s so fun to look back on our adventures and misadventures in the parks. And hopefully, this summer, you’ll be able to go out on some hiking trails in the national parks and have some of your own adventures! 

Let’s head to the top of Angels Landing! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are covering one of the most epic and well-known hikes in the whole national park system, Angels Landing in Zion National Park! 

This trail has quite a reputation, and it does not disappoint. Join us as we give you all the details and share why this trail is one you can hike with your whole group (yes, everyone!) and a must-do if you are visiting Zion.

Join us as we cover: 

• Why this trail is the most popular in the park

• What you need to know about hiking this trail

• What to do if you don’t want to hike the full trail

• Chicken’s Landing

• The incredible views you get at the top of this trail

Don’t let this trail scare you away! No matter if you hike part of the way or go all the way to the top, it is incredibly rewarding and the views truly can’t get any better. 

If you love to be in the water as much as we do, this episode is for you.  We are sharing a few of our favorite swimming holes in the national parks! 

This is not a complete list, just a few of our top favorite places to cool off while visiting some incredible parks. 

Join us as we cover: 

• The best jumping dock (in the world? Yes, probably!)

• Snorkeling on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere

• The disappearing creek

  
  

Add these swimming spots to your bucket list!  They are family-friendly and will add an extra dose of adventure to your next national park vacation.

Today, we are sharing some funny stories from our adventures! We’ve spent a lot of time camping in the national parks, and we are sharing our most humorous moments from those camping trips in this episode.

Join us as we cover: 

• The Beetle Armageddon of Sequoia Kings

• Sitting in our skivvies in Big Bend

• Nuclear bananas and radioactive mice in North Cascades

  
  

We hope you enjoyed Volume One of our funny stories from the national parks! Despite these wild stories, these incredible parks make all the crazy (and gross) experiences worth it. 

How do you become a park ranger?

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are answering this question! As a former park ranger, Ash has some insight into what it takes if you want to get started in the park service. 

Join us as she walks through the process of becoming a park ranger for anyone who wants to begin an exciting new career!

This episode covers: 

• The different types of park rangers

• Special hiring programs 

• A cool and unique park ranger job that could help you get your foot in the door

• The quintessential park ranger job

• A great entry-level position in the park service

• Reasons to start out at a smaller park

• Admin positions you can get in the parks

• The wildlife and science techs that work in the parks

• The park police that help keep people safe

• Different hiring programs you can check out

• How to become a volunteer in the parks

• Where to find job listings and when to apply for them

• Tips for the hiring process

It’s time for some fun facts about Grand Teton National Park! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring everything that makes this national park amazing. 

Even though Ash was a park ranger at this park, she doesn’t know a whole lot about the geology of this incredible national park, so listen in as John teaches us about the Tetons!

Join us as we cover: 

• The youngest mountain range in North America

• The geological history of this incredible park

• The cool type of rock you’ll find in this park

• Why we love Mount Moran 

• The magma dikes of Grand Teton

• The most interesting mystery of this park

• The cool thing about the Teton Fault 

• What the glaciers tell us about Grand Teton

• The 61 species of mammals in this area and the one that impacted this park the most

• The fascinating human history in Grand Teton

• How Grand Teton became a national park

  
  

The conservation history and natural history of this park are absolutely fascinating – it’s a place that really gets into your soul. We hope you get a chance to visit it soon! 

We are firm believers that the national parks are a people-watching phenomenon, and you will see things there that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. (And we aren’t talking about nature - we’re talking about stupid behavior!) 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are discussing some of the wildest things that we have seen in the parks. Join us for National Park Visitor Bingo and Two Truths and a Lie as we share the good, the funny, and the bad! 

Join us as we cover: 

• National Park Visitor Bingo

• The craziest things we see every time we are in the parks

• Two Truths and a Lie

• The people who put the wild in wildlife

• The things people do for social media 

• Why the buffalo is the king of beasts

• Sports in the parks

• Yes, the water in Yellowstone is boiling

• Dumb things the park service has done

  
  

Many of these things are funny, but the way that we interact with these national parks has a big impact, so it’s important to know what to do and what not to do! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are journeying to Ash’s favorite national park -- Grand Teton! 

Grand Teton is smaller and lesser-known than Yellowstone (its famous neighbor), but it’s gotten a lot more visibility lately and many people are discovering the magic of this gorgeous national park.

Join us as we cover: 

• The special connection Ash has to Grand Teton

• The movie that was filmed in this park

• The road where you’ll find the best Grand Teton views

• Where to stay in the Grand Teton area

• Ash’s crazy moose stories

• The road that takes you to the main viewpoints and mountains

• John’s favorite memory of Grand Teton as a kid 

• Why Grand Teton is a great place to go rafting 

• Our favorite place to eat at this national park

• Why we love Paintbrush Canyon

• Jenny Lake (and the monster you might need to watch out for)

• The best description of Cascade Canyon

• The trail that gives you the most bang for your buck

• The most magical moments we have had in Grand Teton

  
  

There are so many different things you can see in Grand Teton National Park and, in our opinion, it’s one of the greatest national parks you can see in the west. 

Have you ever visited South Dakota? 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring one of our favorite places to visit in this state – the Black Hills! We could honestly spend so much time here because we just can’t get enough. 

You will never run out of areas to explore in the Black Hills, and today, we’re talking all about our favorite places to go and things to do if you’re visiting this area of South Dakota.

Join us as we cover: 

• The understated beauty of Wind Cave National Park

• What we love about Jewel Cave

• Things to do in Custer

• Wildlife sightings and scenic drives in Custer State Park

• Why the Crazy Horse Memorial is a must-see

• Other cities nearby that you can visit

• Our favorite town in the Black Hills

• The old west experience in Deadwood

• Why we love Devils Tower in Wyoming 

  
  

There you have it!  This list of places will give you a nice well-rounded experience on your trip to the Black Hills. 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing five amazing fun facts about Badlands National Park! 

If you haven’t been here, you will want to start planning your trip when you hear about how cool this park is. Let’s dive into the history and wonder of Badlands!

Join us as we cover: 

• The geology of Badlands National Park

• Why you don’t want to miss this national park

• The paleontology and fossils you can find in this area

• The fascinating facts about the grasslands in this park

• The three major wildlife reintroductions in Badlands

• The human history in this park

• How water shapes the Badlands

Badlands National Park will absolutely surprise you, and you’ll appreciate what you’re seeing so much more after learning these fun facts.

Let’s explore Mount Rushmore!

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are focusing on the iconic and historic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. 

We’re sharing some fun facts about Mount Rushmore and the different things you can do there beyond just parking, seeing the mountain, and leaving. Join us as we dive into this amazing, historical location! 

Join us as we cover: 

• The goblin-like name of the sculptor of Mount Rushmore

• The difference between the completed sculpture and the original design

• The size of the heads of the presidents

• Why this site was constructed

• How this mountain got its name

• What the creator was famous for before doing Mount Rushmore

• Why they chose the people they did for this mountain

• Fun things to do at Mount Rushmore

  
  

There you have it! Mount Rushmore is such an amazing historical site and there is more to do here than just looking at the mountain. 

Let’s take a trip to Badlands National Park! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into all things Badlands so that you can plan your next trip to this amazing national park. 

South Dakota is one of our favorite places to go on family vacations because there is so much for everyone to do no matter who you are or what you like. So we are so excited to take you along today as we explore Badlands! 

Join us as we cover: 

• What Badlands actually is

• Hikes in Badlands that you can’t miss

• What it’s like to camp in Badlands and why you need to spend time looking at the stars

• Stops to make while in this park

• The open hike policy at Badlands

• The best overlooks and viewpoints in this park

• The effects of lighting on this park

• The off-the-beaten-path stops you can make at Badlands

• Why your trip isn’t complete without a trip to Wall Drug

• The fascinating stop you’ll want to make in this area

  
  

We hope you enjoyed this episode all about Badlands! This is such an underrated but incredible park and we know you’ll have so much fun on your next trip!

Let’s road trip to the national parks in the Canadian Rockies! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are heading up north to talk about the best Canadian national parks in the Rockies. You’ll want to set aside a couple of weeks for this trip because you definitely won’t run out of fun things to do! 

This road trip covers five different Canadian National Parks, and we are so excited to dive into them with you today. 

Join us as we cover: 

• Why this trip is the perfect addition to your trip to Glacier

• Where to begin this road trip in Canada

• The boat tour with the best views in Waterton National Park

• Where to go for a full Canadian experience

• Our favorite hike at Waterton Lakes

• The killer ants you need to watch out for

• The best stops in Waterton

• What we love about Banff National Park

• Our favorite things to do in Banff

• One of the most incredible drives we’ve ever done

• What we love about the Icefields Parkway

• Why Jasper National Park is a must-visit park

• The wildlife you’ll find in Jasper

• Our favorite areas in Yoho National Park

• Tips for getting reservations for Lake O’Hara 

• Other sites to see on your trip

We hope you enjoyed our tips for this epic road trip through the Canadian National Parks! These national parks are incredible; we know you will have so much fun if you decide to take this trip. 

If you want to learn more about Banff and Jasper, you’ll find can’t-miss articles for these parks on Dirt In My Shoes!

Are you ready to learn some fun facts about Glacier National Park? 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into the amazing history and interesting geology of Glacier. This park is one of the best places to get outside and have an adventure, and you’ll love it even more if you know these five fun facts! 

Join us as we discuss the geology, history, and other amazing facts that make this park the incredible national park it is. 

Join us as we cover: 

• How this park was formed

• Why the Lewis Overthrust is so cool 

• What ancient algae tells us about this area 

• The impact glaciers have on the area 

• Why they named it Glacier National Park

• How climate change is impacting the glaciers

• Where the precipitation from this park goes

• The different ecosystems you can find in Glacier 

• The fascinating human history in this area 

• The most important people involved in the preservation of the park

We hope you enjoy these fun facts about Glacier National Park and that it enriches your next trip to this incredible place. 

Are you looking for a white-knuckle drive in a national park? This episode of Exploring the National Parks is for you! We are talking about the scariest roads we have ever driven in the national parks. 

We’ve driven on many roads in the national parks, and a few of them really stand out because of the fear they induced. Join us as we reminisce about our experiences and rank these scary roads! 

Join us as we cover: 

• The highest paved road in the national park system

• The road that we don’t have the guts to drive

• Our favorite road that looks scary but actually isn’t too bad

• The scariest paved road in the parks

• The coolest road to drive if you’re looking for adventure

• The most deceptively scary road we have been on

• The worst road in any national park!

So there you have it – our list of the scariest roads in the national parks ranked! 

Have you visited Glacier National Park yet? 

This is one of the parks that we get the most questions about! So in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring this fantastic national park and sharing our best tips for your next trip. 

We love Glacier National Park, and if you’re looking for mountains, waterfalls, hiking trails, and tons of wildlife, we think you’ll love it too! 

Join us as we cover: 

• Why Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most epic national park drive

• What you’ll find on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road

• Why Bird Woman Falls is a must-see

• Where to find the best hikes in the park

• What you’ll find on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road

• The best way to see glaciers

• Our favorite hikes on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road

• The most dangerous part of visiting this park

• Why we don’t like to use the Glacier shuttle

• Where to find the best huckleberry foods near the park

• Why you’ll love Many Glacier

• Where to spot wildlife in the park

• Our favorite plants to see in the area 

• What to check out at the North Fork Area

• Bowman Lake and huckleberry bearclaws

There are so many incredible things to do in Glacier National Park. While it is busy, there are also plenty of trails that you can go to to get away from the crowds and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. 

Have you ever been road-tripping through the Pacific Northwest? 

This is definitely one of our favorite sections of the country! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing everything we love about taking this road trip and the incredible national parks you can see along the way. 

This route spans three states and six national parks so it is definitely one you need to set aside some time for. Join us as we share our best tips for making this road trip unforgettable!

Join us as we cover: 

• Where to start with this road trip 

• What we love about Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Our preferred route to take 

• Why Avenue of the Giants is a must-see

• Our favorite ways to see the Redwoods 

• Why you should stop at the Trees of Mystery

• Our favorite stop in Crescent City 

• What you need to see at Crater Lake 

• The Oregon Coast

• Best places to stop for food 

• The most likely place for you to see a Sasquatch 

• The Twilight tour you can take in Forks 

• Why we love Olympic National Park 

• The best trails in Mount Rainier National Park 

• The best time of year to make this trip 

• Why North Cascades is such an interesting park 

• Where to go at the end of your trip

This episode provides a great starting place for structuring your own trip through the Pacific Northwest.  We can’t wait for you to get out and explore!

Are you ready to learn some cool fun facts about Yosemite National Park?

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into the nitty-gritty details of Yosemite. This incredible park has such an amazing story – it not only has great geologic history, but it has a fascinating human history as well!

Join us as we cover:

• The granite you can find in this park
• The cool history of the valleys in this park
• The mystery of Half Dome
• Fascinating water facts about this park
• What makes the Tuolumne Meadows so special
• The changing landscape
• The incredible trees you can find here
• Why fire is required
• The value of the land

Yosemite National Park has played a massive role in the conservation and preservation of beautiful places all over America.  This episode will enrich your appreciation for this amazing national park before your next visit!

Have you ever heard the term “parkitecture”?

You’re in for a treat because, in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are chatting about all things parkitecture and park lodges.

You’ll love learning about the history of parkitecture and why you should be paying attention to it on your next trip to the national parks.  We’ll also talk about our favorite national park lodges and some amazing fun facts about them!

Join us as we cover:

• What parkitecture is
• The history of this style
• What the CCC did for the parks
• The best inn in Yellowstone
• The architects that brought these lodges to life
• The amazing lodge at Yosemite
• The unexpected first jester at the Ahwahnee Hotel
• The must-see hotel in Glacier National Park
• Preservation efforts
• The fate of the sawmill at the Many Glacier Hotel
• Our favorite hotel in Mount Rainier
• The best place to stay at the Grand Canyon
• The crazy history of the Crater Lake Lodge

All of these lodges built in the “parkitecture” style are so cool and definitely worth checking out. If you want to stay in any of these lodges, we highly recommend it! They really do add to the experience of visiting the parks.

Even if you don’t stay in these lodges, you’ll see examples of parkitecture all over the country.  These buildings are an amazing part of the history of the National Park Service!

When you think of a national park that has been on your list forever as a place you want to visit, what do you think of? For us, the answer was definitely Yosemite!

Now, having been to Yosemite many times, we never get tired of the soaring granite peaks and massive waterfalls here!  In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking all about exploring Yosemite National Park.

Join us as we cover:

• Our favorite areas in Yosemite
• What you need to know about driving to this park
• The must-see views on the Mist Trail
• Waterfall season in Yosemite
• Floating the river
• Biking through the Valley
• The gift shops and lodges in the area
• The underrated but beautiful bridges in the area
• What we love about El Cap
• The most iconic view of this park
• Where you can find Giant Sequoias
• What you have to see at Tuolumne Meadows
• Ash’s crazy story from the last time she hiked Lembert Dome

The beauty of Yosemite really can’t be overstated. It truly is a must-see and we hope these tips for exploring this park will make your trip memorable!

Today we want to talk about something incredible that you can see in the parks -- fossils!

When we were full-time RVers through the national parks, we noticed some fun themes. In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into the theme of dinosaurs and all of the cool fossils you can see in the parks.

As the parents of two little boys, we all geek out over stuff like this.  We are excited to share our favorite national parks with fossils today!

Join us as we cover:

• Why you need to see Dinosaur National Monument
• A cool trail nearby to find dinosaur bones
• The dinosaur bones you can see at Big Bend National Park
• Some fascinating dinosaur facts
• Where to find some amazing dinosaur footprints
• The human history in some of the parks
• The footprints that were found in White Sands National Park
• The huge collection of fossils you can see at Badlands National Park
• Cool instances of people finding amazing fossils
• Why the Mammoth Site is a must-see
• Fossils of other “really cool stuff” you have to see
• What’s cool about the Guadalupe Mountains
• The fossils you can see in Petrified Forest

We hope you enjoy our journey on the “dinosaur train” around these amazing national parks!

It’s time for some Grand Canyon fun facts!

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are taking you along with us as we discuss some of the fascinating facts about the Grand Canyon!

Whether or not you have been to the park yet, our goal with this episode is to enrich your knowledge of the Grand Canyon.

Join us as we cover:

• How the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
• The universal wonder and awe of the Grand Canyon
• The elevation changes in this park
• The staircase of the Grand Canyon
• The shocking age of the rocks in this park
• The mystery at the Grand Canyon
• Why this area is the Reader’s Digest of North America
• The amazing animals you can see in this park
• The tribes that have a history in this area
• Early explorers

The human history of the Grand Canyon is ongoing. We are all part of this tradition of visiting it and standing in awe of this incredible place.

Let’s talk about one of the greatest road trips in America!

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking about what we consider to be one of the top road trips that you can take -- the Grand Circle. This amazing road trip includes nine western national parks!

You get to see some truly cool stuff on this route, and we are so excited to be sharing what we love about it today.

Join us as we cover:

• Where to start when road tripping the Grand Circle
• Cool things to do in Zion National Park
• What you have to see at Bryce Canyon
• Our favorite stops along Highway 12
• What we love about Kodachrome State Park
• What’s so amazing about Capitol Reef National Park
• Why Goblin Valley is a must-see
• Why you should check out Little Wild Horse Canyon
• What to check out if you love Native American art
• What you need to do at Arches National Park
• The views in Dead Horse Point State Park
• The districts in Canyonlands
• The most underrated park that you need to visit
• Why we love the Million Dollar Highway
• The coolest things about Mesa Verde
• Why you should stop at Chaco Canyon
• Other off-route stops you might want to check out
• The amazing fossils at Petrified Forest National Park
• Why you should spend some extra time exploring the Grand Canyon

This epic road trip takes you through four different states and nine national parks. You really get the best of the southwest by traveling along the Grand Circle!

Ready to explore the Grand Canyon?

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing our favorite hikes and things to do while exploring Grand Canyon National Park.

The Grand Canyon is such an iconic location. It’s known all over the world, even by people who don’t usually visit national parks! It’s on virtually everyone’s bucket list, which is why we are so excited to be diving into this episode and sharing what we love about it.

Join us as we cover:

• Things to see on the South Rim
• The coolest trails you have to check out
• Tips for escaping the crowds
• Our must-see viewpoints
• Cultural demonstrations you can see in this park
• Wildlife you can see in the area
• Our favorite trail in the park
• Hiking to the bottom
• What we love about the North Rim
• What you need to know about the puddles and mud at the Grand Canyon

We love both rims of the Grand Canyon – they each have so much to offer. We can’t wait for you to get out there and enjoy this park too.

Get on the trail, even just for a second, because it will change the way you see it!