Exploring the National Parks

97: Our Favorite Winter Road Trip through the National Parks

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 itinerary for you, complete with bonus activities from John—for the sake of fun! 
Here’s what we’ll cover:
The best time of year to hit the road for this trip
What to explore in Zion National Park during the winter
The must-see state park you shouldn’t skip along the way
Our favorite foodie stops that are perfect for refueling
The coolest hike that you can’t miss on this trip
Must-do activities in Death Valley
Hidden gems in the Mojave Preserve
Top experiences in Joshua Tree
This road trip is the ideal winter escape for the whole family, offering the best of each park when they’re at their finest. We hope you get to experience it this year!
And now, we want to hear from you! What’s your quirky, off-the-beaten-path family road trip stop? The one only you seem to enjoy?  Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your favorites—we’re building a list!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

96: Exploring Great Basin National Park: Best Tips + Activities

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 Basin is an amazing example of the unique Nevada landscape.  So today, we’re diving into why you should make this underrated park your next destination!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
The best place to stay when visiting Great Basin
Our go-to spots for dining in and around the park
The breathtaking sights that make this park so special
What to expect when navigating the park’s roads
The top trails and our favorite things to do
The fascinating history of Great Basin’s ancient trees
How to find the park’s glacier and what makes it so cool (literally!)
Everything you need to know about exploring Lehman Caves, including how to make reservations
Why the stargazing here is some of the best you’ll ever experience
Great Basin may not be on everyone’s radar, but it’s one of our favorite escapes when we crave peace and quiet. It truly feels like a sanctuary for solitude! We hope this episode inspires you to put it on your bucket list.
And don’t forget your task for the week! What is your favorite of the park’s three standout attractions—the caves, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, or the glacier? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! 
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

95: Haunted National Parks (Vol. 2)

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 enjoy a few ghostly encounters in your favorite national parks.
Join us for stories about:
A skinny-dipping ghost at Indiana Dunes National Park
The Lady of the Lake at Olympic National Park
A creepy ghost town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
We hope you enjoy our Halloween tradition of sharing national park ghost stories! Have a great Halloween, and be sure to avoid the spirits while you’re out trick-or-treating!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

94: Death Valley National Park Fun Facts: 5 Things You Didn't Know

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 into the bizarre and beautiful. What you see may seem like it’s straight out of a movie, but Scout's honor, all of the fun facts we are sharing today about this national park are true!
In this episode, we discuss: 
What makes this park the hottest place on earth
The shocking amount of precipitation that this park gets each year
Why this is the lowest place in North America
The mind-bending phenomenon that happens in this park
How Death Valley became the first and only national park to return lands to the Native Americans
Death Valley is truly unlike any other park, and we hope you get a chance to get out there and experience it for yourself. 
Don’t forget your task for this week! Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know which of the Death Valley extremes you’re most excited to experience. 
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

93: How to Pee and Poop Outside While Hiking

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. Tune in for some handy tips on relieving yourself in the great outdoors—with a sprinkle of potty humor!
In this episode, we discuss: 
Key things to keep in mind when peeing outdoors
The cardinal rule for peeing and pooping in nature
Rules that will keep you out of a bad situation
Our best tips for managing poop while out on the trail
We hope these bathroom tips keep you prepared for your next adventure—and that they give you the tools you need to only get dirt in your shoes and nothing else! 
Don’t forget your task for this week! Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and find the photo of my ziploc bag system. Leave your questions in the comments, or drop some extra potty jokes for John to enjoy!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

92: Exploring Death Valley National Park: Best Tips + Activities

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 know about this underrated gem. If Death Valley isn't on your radar yet, we encourage you to bump it up because you’ll be shocked by how cool this park actually is!
In this episode, we discuss: 
The special connection between Death Valley and Star Wars
The best time of year to visit for an unforgettable experience
How to see what Earth truly looks like at Death Valley
Where to find the most breathtaking views in the park
Our favorite hiking trails you can’t miss
The one spot that should be at the top of your must-see list
What you’ll find in the main hub of the park
Hidden gems on the northern side of the valley
What to know if you’re hunting for the famous “racetracks” of Death Valley
Where to find the iconic Star Wars sand dunes
We hope you enjoyed exploring this uniquely amazing park with us! We are determined to get you to visit this park because it truly is incredible. 
Don’t forget your task for this week! Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram or Facebook page and check out the Star Wars locations at Death Valley and tell us which you are most excited to see!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

91: Small Park Spotlight - Pearl Harbor National Memorial

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 know the history of what happened at Pearl Harbor, but immersing yourself in the events of December 7, 1941, is an unforgettable experience. Standing in this place, you can feel the bravery, courage, and valor that this site now represents. It's a place that leaves a lasting impact, and we're excited to explore its significance with you today!
In this episode, we discuss: 
The history of Pearl Harbor
What you can do at this national memorial
The ultimate can’t-miss sight at Pearl Harbor
We hope you enjoy learning a bit more about Pearl Harbor. This is an incredible small park to visit—an experience you'll never forget. 
It’s one of those sites that fills you with pride, both as an American and knowing that our National Park Service is preserving the story of the brave men and women who fought and died here during World War 2.
Pearl Harbor – We Will Never Forget.
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

90: 6 Fun Facts About Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

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 creation in action. Join us as we explore the unique features that make Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park truly extraordinary!
In this episode, we discuss: 
What makes the plants and wildlife at this park so unique 
How people got to Hawai’i a thousand years ago
What makes the islands of Hawai’i so fascinating 
What the Hawai’ian Hotspot is and how it created the national park we love today
Where you can find the largest active volcano on the planet
Where you can find the most active volcano on earth 
We hope you are blown away by all of these cool facts about Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (and that you get a chance to get out there and see everything for yourself). 
After all, where else do you experience two of the most incredible volcanoes on the planet?! This park constantly changes, so there is always a reason to return.  
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! We want you to pull up Google Maps and look at the satellite view of Mauna Loa! You will be blown away by what you see. 
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

89: Hiking the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park

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 adventurous, and we are excited to dive into what makes this trail so amazing. 
In this episode, we discuss: 
Why Acadia National Park is actually like Neverland
What makes the trails at this park so cool 
Where to park and how to get to the trailhead
Some things you need to remember when hiking the Beehive
What you need to know if you are considering taking kids on the Beehive Trail
Our best tips for navigating this trail and seeing the best views
We hope you enjoy this episode all about the famous Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park. It is one of the most incredible trails you can hike in any national park, and we can’t wait for you to experience it yourself!
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week. Look at our picture of the iron rungs on our Facebook and Instagram page and tell us – would you hike this trail? Or, if you have, is it a trail that you enjoyed? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! 
Check out the full show notes here.

88: Exploring Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: Best Tips + Activities

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 volcanoes when you visit this national park! Join us as we explore our favorite spots in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park together.
In this episode, we discuss: 
Where to go if you want to see the lava lake
Why this park is constantly changing
Where to stay and what to eat while visiting this national park 
Ash’s favorite shave ice stop on the Big Island
Can’t miss sights along the Crater Rim Drive
What is so cool about these volcanoes, specifically 
How you can witness the building process of the Hawaiian Islands
This park isn’t a huge national park, but it is constantly exploding and expanding. We hope you get the chance to experience Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park soon!
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Would you visit Hawai’i Volcanoes during the big eruptions in hopes that you get to see the lava? Or are you more comfortable visiting when things are a little bit quieter? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! 
Check out the full show notes here.