Exploring the National Parks

100: Our Top 3 National Park Experiences in 2024!

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 year's national park bucket list or just dreaming of your next big trip, this episode is packed with inspiration for unforgettable experiences.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Our trip to Iceland and the national parks we visited while we were there
The backpacking trip you can't miss and why it was one of the highlights of our year
The number one most incredible thing we did this year- a jaw-dropping experience that left us speechless!
Thank you so much for joining us on this journey through 100 episodes of Exploring the National Parks! We hope you loved this special episode and feel inspired to make some of these adventures your own in the coming year.
And don’t forget to complete your task for the week! Have you ever won the lottery for the synchronous fireflies? If so, we want to hear all about it! head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your experience with us!
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.

99: Mail from the Trail: Jr. Rangers + Snowshoeing Parks

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 thoughts on the Junior Ranger programs in the national parks
The best parks to visit during spring break
Where to find the top trails for snowshoeing
Our top tips for arrival times and making reservations at the parks
The best mementos and souvenirs to pick up during your visits
We hope you enjoy this Q&A episode! If you’re not already following us, head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and connect with us there!
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.

98: Great Basin National Park Fun Facts: 6 Things You Didn't Know

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 future, and we’re so excited to show you why. Join us as we explore what makes this park so incredible and its surprising connection to Pokémon—the original Pokémon, that is!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
The three ways that you can define Great Basin
Why and how this park is twice as wide as it should be
The most fascinating thing about the rain and snow in this park
A crazy fact about the last remaining glacier in Nevada 
The rare phenomenon that you can find in Great Basin
What makes the Bristlecone Pines in this park so special
A bonus fun fact about something Great Basin has that other national parks don’t
We hope you enjoy this episode all about Great Basin! We want to hear from you— which Eevee evolution (or fun fact) excited you the most? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know!
And don’t forget, it’s Black Friday season at Dirt In My Shoes! This is the only time of year our itineraries go on sale, so if you’re planning a trip to a national park next year, this is the perfect time to snag one. Visit dirtinmyshoes.com and join our email list to be first in line when the sale begins!
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.

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.