Travel Podcasts, Discovered
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into one of the parks we get the most questions about - Yellowstone!
Since everyone starts trip planning after the holidays, we figured this was the perfect time to tell you everything y
If you love a drive that has you gasping, laughing, and pulling over every few minutes for “just one more” viewpoint, you are going to have so much fun with this episode. We’re sharing 15 of our favorite scenic drives across the national parks and ho
Wind Cave National Park is one of the most surprising, mysterious, and underrated parks in the Black Hills. Today we are diving into Wind Cave fun facts that will completely change the way you see this small-on-the-surface but massive-underground nat
Wind Cave National Park is one of the most underrated stops in the Black Hills, and it is absolutely worth digging a little deeper for. Come with us into the prairies of South Dakota for rare cave beauty, bison sightings, and the kind of quiet that m
Cactus, sunshine, and desert drama: this is the episode where we go all in on the most iconic plant of the American West. Saguaro National Park is bursting with towering giants and incredible stories of survival, and we’re digging into all of it!
In
The wildlife showdown is on! We’re covering the best national parks to see animals in the wild. Whether you’re hoping to see wolves in Yellowstone or whales in Glacier Bay, we share our favorite parks for seeing animals across the U.S., from the grea
The silhouettes of giant saguaros against a glowing desert sky are the kind of view that stops you in your tracks. If you want one park that delivers pure golden hour magic, spicy Tucson flavor, and a choose-your-own-adventure split right down the mi
What do an erupting volcano, a flooded forest, and the 250th anniversary of American independence have in common? They all made our list of top national park adventures from 2025! This year gave us some unforgettable experiences, and we can't wait to
Wondering when to visit the Mighty 5 or which parks are best for kids? Trying to figure out if staying inside the park is really worth the price? This episode of Exploring the National Parks is packed with tips and personal stories to help you plan s
Sunshine, salty breezes, and three incredible Florida national parks in one unforgettable road trip: Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas. Ready to chase wildlife, island-hop through the Keys, and discover Florida's wildest surprises in these natio
Congaree National Park feels alive in every direction, thriving with creatures, towering trees, and raw, wild energy. Step inside this primordial world with us and experience the Southeast as it once was through five fun facts!
In this episode, we c
Acadia National Park in July was a whirlwind of foggy mornings, lobster feasts, and sweaty summit hikes! From heated parking lot showdowns at Jordan Pond to the peaceful waves of Schoodic Point, this trip was full of surprises, laughs, and plenty of
The swamp lights up like a galaxy, and the forest hums with life you can hear before you see. Congaree surprised us in the best way, and we left with our socks knocked clean off!
In this episode, we cover:
Where Congaree National Park is, how close
Ghostly holiday parties, dancing desert lights, and a low‑tide cave with a mind of its own. Ready to let curiosity win for one spooky night?
In this episode, we cover:
Halloween traditions in and around the parks!
El Tovar at Grand Canyon and the fr
Yosemite National Park never fails to surprise! This summer, we came for waterfalls and ended up with falling trees, surprise bear encounters, and a lot of laughs along the way. From Yosemite Valley to the High Sierra, every turn revealed the beauty
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re back in the deep, dark underworld of Mammoth Cave, but this time, we’re getting a little nerdy with our five favorite fun facts!
We're diving into the many layers of this incredible park to disc
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're taking you on a trip report of our summer research journey to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks!
Join us as we share our honest and hilarious lessons learned, from the shockingly subpar lod
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re going on a journey deep underground to Mammoth Cave National Park!
Get ready to explore the world's longest cave system, but be prepared to adjust your expectations as we explain why this cave i
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring the incredible Native American sites you can visit through the National Park Service.
From massive cliff dwellings to life-sized petroglyphs, we’re diving into some of our favorite pl
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we delve into the stunning and mysterious Bryce Canyon National Park. Join us as we discuss 5 fascinating, fun facts about Bryce Canyon.
We’ll talk about everything from quirky hoodoo legends to unexp
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're diving into a topic near and dear to many parents' hearts: finding the perfect national park for your teenagers!
We're sharing our top picks and strategies for turning those eye-rolls into awe-s
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into our most visited Utah park – Bryce Canyon National Park!
Get ready to discover why this smaller park packs a massive punch with its otherworldly hoodoo formations. Tune in to hear o
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're spotlighting a gem that's easy to miss: Walnut Canyon National Monument.
We’re here to tell you why you should definitely add this spot to your itinerary, especially if you're cruising between t
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Capitol Reef National Park! We love this place because it's basically Utah's Mighty 5 jammed into one incredible park. The things you can see here are truly jaw-dropping!
We're not ju
Get ready to celebrate Independence Day the national park way! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re sharing our favorite national parks to visit during the 4th of July.
From dazzling fireworks displays in gateway towns to unique pa
Ready to rev your engines and explore the best of America's (and Canada's!) national parks? Join us in this episode of Exploring the National Parks as we round up our all-time favorite road trips- perfect for this road trip season!
From the stunning
Get ready for a wild and informative journey to one of Utah's hidden gems! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are spilling all the details on Capitol Reef National Park.
We'll share our personal experiences, from navigating the park
Get ready to have your mind blown by some Crater Lake National Park fun facts! Sure, it's got that insanely blue water, but this park is hiding some seriously epic secrets.
We're diving deep (pun intended!) into the crazy volcanic history of the par
Afraid of bears while exploring the national parks? You’re not alone! In this episode, we are diving headfirst into the hairy topic of bears in the parks.
From close encounters to bear spray strategies, we’re tackling all your burning questions. Joi
Ever looked into the heart of a volcano? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are going on a journey to Crater Lake National Park, a place where the deepest blue water meets some dramatic volcanic landscapes.
We are so excited to expl
Alright, Yellowstone fans! We're diving deep into the park we all know and love (almost as much as Ash loves scoring Savannah Bananas tickets!)
Today, we're getting into the nitty-gritty information you’ll want to know before you go. Forget the fluf
Join us for a flashback in time as we dive into fun facts about Petrified Forest National Park!
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're going back to the desert to take you on a journey through a prehistoric world that was once a lush
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring the beauty of Colorado's National Parks! We're sharing an epic 12-day road trip itinerary that takes you through four incredible parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon o
Alright, buckle up friends, because we're diving headfirst into the quirky charm of Petrified Forest National Park! Let’s forget those big-name parks for a minute and talk about this hidden gem that deserves to be more than just a pit stop on your Ro
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're diving deep into the top tips you need to know before you go to Glacier National Park.
Glacier is a truly stunning park, but it can be pretty overwhelming to plan a trip there. We'll walk you th
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re diving into some seriously cool facts about John’s favorite Utah park—Canyonlands!
This park often flies under the radar, but we’re here to convince you that it deserves just as much love as the
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we interviewed another park ranger! Meet Kelkiyana Yazzie, the Tribal Program Coordinator at Grand Canyon National Park and a proud member of the Navajo Nation.
Kelkiyana shares the deep cultural sig
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re mapping out the ultimate Spring Break road trip!
Get ready for a journey through five of the most stunning national parks in the West—all packed into one eight-day adventure. This road trip is f
Today, we’re taking you to a hidden gem that deserves to be in the spotlight—Canyonlands National Park!
Though it’s often overshadowed by the other national park in the area (ahem, Arches), Canyonlands is a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes
We’re heading back to Hot Springs National Park for a deep dive into its fascinating personality and rich history!
We’re so excited to share this episode because we’ve uncovered both the heart of Hot Springs and its undeniable swagger! This park has
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re heading to Utah to dive into one of our all-time favorite destinations—Zion National Park!
We’re sharing five essential tips to help you navigate Zion like a pro and make your trip truly unforge
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re taking a deep dive into Hot Springs National Park!
As one of the most-visited national parks in the country, Hot Springs is a destination packed with history, relaxation, and unique experiences.
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes! It’s also the final episode of 2024, so we’re diving into some of our favorite national park adventures from this year.
Whether you're planning next ye
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re back with another Mail From the Trail episode!
We reached out on the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram page for your questions, and today, we’re diving into the answers.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Our t
Happy Thanksgiving! For this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re heading to Great Basin National Park to share some fun facts about this amazing place!
Great Basin is a destination where you can connect with the past and dream about the f
It’s time for another road trip! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we embark on an epic 10-day winter road trip to three unforgettable national parks: Zion, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree.
If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the perfect
In this episode, we’re uncovering one of the most underrated gems in the entire national park system—Great Basin! Hardly anyone talks about this park, but we absolutely love this hidden oasis in the desert.
As the state’s only national park, Great B
In the spirit of Halloween, we’re sharing some spooky stories written by John, inspired by the national parks!
Whether you believe in spirits or not, these tales might just send a shiver down your spine. So gather around the campfire with us and enj
Let’s head out to Death Valley for some fascinating fun facts! This national park protects an extreme landscape that will surprise you at every turn.
From the sand dunes to the extremely hot and dry climate, visiting Death Valley will transport you
How do you go to the bathroom while you’re out hiking? Surprisingly, this is one of the most common questions we get!
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of how to handle bathroom breaks on the trail. T
We have a confession: Death Valley wasn’t even close to the top of our travel bucket list. But once we arrived, we were blown away—it exceeded every expectation!
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re sharing everything you need to k
We give a lot of love to the big national parks, but we also love visiting smaller and off-the-beaten-path sites run by the NPS.
In today’s Small Park Spotlight, we are taking you on a tour of Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawai’i!
Most of us k
If you’re excited about volcanoes, this Exploring the National Parks episode is for you! Today, we're diving into six fun facts about Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
This ever-changing park is a must-see, where you can witness both destruction and
Are you ready to hit the trail in Acadia National Park? Come hiking with us as we share our favorite tips for hiking the famous Beehive Trail in Acadia!
The Beehive Trail is one of the most iconic trails in any national park. It is short but adventu
Aloha friends! Today’s episode takes us on a journey across the ocean to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park!
This park protects some of the most active volcanoes in the world – Kilauea and Mauna Loa. It's crazy that you can get this close to these epic
Let’s go on an adventure! This summer, we took a road trip through some of our favorite parks, plus we added in a few places we had never been to before. And now we want to take you along with us on this epic driving route!
Join us on a 10-day journe
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re going to dazzle you with some fun facts about Mount Rainier National Park!
This mountain has thrumming energy, but it is hard to properly explain the feeling you get when you experience Mount Ra
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are back with another Mail from the Trail episode!
We are diving into your burning questions about the national parks. Join us as we discuss hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, hiking trip necessit
As one of the most intriguing and *potentially* deadly volcanoes in America, Mount Rainier has been on people’s radars for a long time. So today, we're thrilled to be delving into the wonders of the one and only Mount Rainier National Park!
This in
Today, we are going on an adventure in Ash’s favorite national park—Grand Teton! We’re hiking through Cascade Canyon, the most popular longer trail in the Tetons.
Join us as we visit Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and even Lake Solitud
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are headed back to one of our favorite National Parks — Mesa Verde! We are diving into the fun facts about this park and focusing on the people who lived here.
The incredible human history in this
It’s time to drive one of the most epic roads in any national park – Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing our insider tips for this gem of a scenic drive.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts ri
We are exploring Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park in this episode of Exploring the National Parks. This unique national park is for anyone who loves history, especially the fascinating story of the people native to the Southwest!
Mesa Verde is a s
You may not have even heard of this park, so you’re in for a real treat! Today on the Exploring the National Parks Podcast, we’re sharing our favorite fun facts about Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.
This park is more of a blend between a natio
Let’s talk about a national park that we know many of you are visiting this summer -- Yosemite! Today on the Exploring the National Parks Podcast, we’re sharing our top 5 favorite classic Yosemite Valley views.
Few places in the world are as picture
We are doing something new on the podcast! We want to start interviewing some of the coolest people on the planet – park rangers!
For our very first interview, we are talking to Ranger Ryan Cooper, who works for Lewis and Clark National Historic Trai
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio!
This national park is so incredible because it was an important area for the development of the wild frontier. It also sparked a crucial enviro
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are doing a mailbag episode! We are diving into some of the questions we have gotten from you guys about the national parks and sharing our best tips and suggestions.
Join us as we share our favori
Join us as we journey back to Alaska for some fascinating Glacier Bay fun facts! Ash, who worked as a park ranger in Glacier Bay National Park, and John, who loves Glacier Bay and enjoys learning and sharing his discoveries, are here to share our uni
It’s that time of year again — time to start thinking about Yellowstone National Park! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we discuss the amazing wildlife that can be seen in Yellowstone.
The wildlife in this park is incredible. It’s th
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
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 fam
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 f
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
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,
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
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 t
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 f
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 Na
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 b
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 geol
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 th
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 th
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’
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 hi
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
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 defini
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 e
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 N
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
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
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
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
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,
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 forwar
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
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
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
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, parti
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! *Discla