In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring a park that is near and dear to our hearts – Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska!  Ash worked as a park ranger in Glacier Bay and has so many amazing experiences to share about living in this part of Alaska! This national park has tidewater glaciers, massive mountains, and wildlife galore, so we’re excited to explore Glacier Bay with you!  In this episode, we discuss:  Our special connection to this national park The unique...

Let’s hit the road and travel to some of the most beautiful national parks in the country! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re taking you on a journey through our home state.  This epic 10-day Utah National Parks road trip is a family favorite, and we can’t wait to show you our favorite spots. Join us as we share a really cool sample itinerary that you can enjoy with your family while exploring Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion!  On the episode’s...

Let’s head back to Olympic National Park for some fun facts! There is so much to share about this unique national park that it was kind of hard to narrow it down to just five.  Olympic has so many distinct ecosystems and areas that are so different from the others in this park, and we are excited to dive into what makes this park so special!  Join us as we discuss:  Where the rocks at Olympic National Park come from  The surprising number of glaciers you can find in this park The plants and...

Curious about potential future national parks? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're diving into emerging candidates that you won't want to miss. Join us as we explore seven key locations where people are advocating for national park status! Join us as we discuss:  What has to happen for a new national park to be established Seven locations that may become national parks in the future What makes these locations so cool Things to do at each of these parks  The fascinating...

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Olympic National Park! This huge national park has so much diversity and unique qualities that we can’t wait to explore with you all.  Plus, it’s Ash’s turn to nerd out because Forks, Washington, home to a certain sparkly vampire and werewolf from Twilight, is one of the gateway towns to this park.  Join us as we discuss:  Everything you need to know about Port Angeles  The best way to see Hurricane Ridge and Mount Olympus Our...

Want to explore the national parks but on a tight budget? You’re going to love this episode of Exploring the National Parks!  Visiting the national parks is actually a great option for you if you love to travel but don’t have a ton of money to spend on it. We are sharing all of our top tips for traveling to the national parks while spending as little money as possible!  Join us as we discuss:  The benefits of an annual pass When to travel for the most savings Why we love camping in the...

It’s time to learn some fun facts about Arches National Park!  This is one of the coolest parks to visit, so we are so excited to jump into these truly fascinating fun facts about this national park. From the geology to the wildlife to the stars in the sky, we are covering everything that makes this park so incredible. Join us for this exciting episode! Join us as we discuss:  The crazy number of natural arches this park has  The cryptobiotic crust you’ll find in this park The fascinating...

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are getting a little nerdy! We have been making lists of the national parks by size, visitation, and date established on Dirt In My Shoes.  Today, we’re sharing some interesting information on the first five National Parks that were established. As National Park enthusiasts, we think everyone should know what the first five national parks were! So, let’s explore the first five national parks and learn some interesting history along the...

Let’s explore Arches! We visit this national park at least once a year, and we never run out of things to do because there is just so much to see in the area.  Whether it’s the well-known sights or the hidden gems, in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re discussing it all. This park is truly iconic, and we hope this episode helps you plan your next trip! Join us as we discuss:  Our favorite arches in the Devils Garden  Where to go for a quiet place to experience the arches  The...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...