Exploring the National Parks

135: Our Top 3 National Park Experiences in 2025!

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 share them with you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why Boston is the perfect place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026
What it’s like to kayak Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park
How we managed to see Kilauea erupting in real time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Your task for today: Check the USGS or NPS website to see if Kilauea is still erupting, and start planning your own once-in-a-lifetime lava-viewing trip. Or, if volcanoes aren’t in the cards, look up Revolutionary War sites in the national park system to help plan your 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know what you think!
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/our-top-3-national-park-experiences-in-2025/ 
Planning your own 2026 adventure?
Dirt In My Shoes Itineraries: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

134: Q&A - Recreation.gov Loophole, Hidden Gems, Alaska Parks, and Utah's Mighty Five

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 smarter for 2026!
In this episode, we cover:
When it's definitely worth camping inside the park versus staying in a gateway town
How to outsmart (or at least survive) Recreation.gov reservations and what NOT to do
What to expect in Glacier in June vs. July
Our favorite hidden gems in Yellowstone and Grand Teton
When to road trip the Mighty 5, how we travel with kids, and more!
Your task for today: We want to know whether or not you think Exploring the National Parks should be a video podcast! Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know your thoughts!
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/qa-recreation-gov-loophole-hidden-gems-alaska-parks-and-utahs-mighty-five/ 
Planning your own 2026 adventure?
Dirt In My Shoes Itineraries: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

133: 10-Day Florida National Parks Road Trip!

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 national parks?
Welcome to our 10-day Florida national parks road trip! 
In this episode, we cover:
A full 10-day road trip that visits Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas National Parks
Wildlife-packed trails, guided boat tours, and quiet corners of the Everglades you might miss
Snorkeling, lighthouses, and the island-party energy of Biscayne and Boca Chita
Epic journeys through the Florida Keys on your way to Dry Tortugas
The very best spots for manatees, alligators, dolphins, and key lime pie
Your task for today: Tell us which park on this Florida road trip you are MOST excited to explore (Everglades, Biscayne, or Dry Tortugas) over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page!
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/10-day-florida-national-parks-road-trip/ 
Planning your own Florida adventure?
Episode 6: Everglades Favorites: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-6-everglades-favorites/ 
Episode 7: Everglades Fun Facts: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-7-everglades-fun-facts/ 
Episode 8: Everglades Stories: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-8-everglades-stories/ 
Episode 9: Everglades Trip Planning: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-9-everglades-trip-planning/ 
Episode 58: Exploring Dry Tortugas: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-dry-tortugas/ 
Episode 59: Dry Tortugas Fun Facts: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-fun-facts-about-dry-tortugas-national-park/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

132: 5 Fascinating Fun Facts about Congaree National Park

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 cover:
Why Congaree National Park feels like stepping into a primordial world
Record-breaking floods, champion trees, and the raw power of a living landscape
A Revolutionary War swamp fox and a daring fight for freedom near the McCord Ferry
The hidden history of maroon camps and survival in the Congaree wilderness
Your task for today: Watch The Patriot and notice how the swampy, river-filled landscape mirrors the real environments around Congaree. Then start dreaming about your own visit to this wild place! Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know what you think.
Planning your own Congaree adventure?
Episode 130: Exploring Congaree National Park: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-congaree-national-park-best-tips-activities/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-fascinating-fun-facts-about-congaree-national-park/ 

131: Acadia Trip Report

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 learning moments.
In this episode, we cover:
The absolute chaos of the Jordan Pond parking lot (and how to avoid it)
Why fog and humidity made this one of our trickiest trips yet
Where to find the best lobster rolls outside of Bar Harbor
Mountain summits, hidden gems, and Acadia adventures beyond the crowds
Your task for today: We hope we've convinced you that Acadia is still worth the trip, even with its challenges! Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes  Facebook or Instagram page and let us know what you think. Have you ever witnessed a parking lot brawl or cried over the fog in a National Park? We'd love to hear your story!
Planning your own Acadia adventure?Dirt In My Shoes Acadia Itineraries: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/acadia-itinerary/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/acadia-trip-report/

130: Exploring Congaree National Park: Best Tips + Activities

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 it is to Columbia and Charleston, and why it’s still one of the least visited parks
When to go, including mosquitoes, water levels, and why late March worked so well for us
The boardwalk loop trail from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, side trails, and what you’ll see along the way
How to experience Cedar Creek by kayak or canoe and why we chose a guided tour
Congaree’s synchronous fireflies, plus the lottery and timing compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Your task for today: Make sure to head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know if you’re more excited to see the spiders or the snakes. Bonus points if you have been to Congaree and have stories to share!
Planning your own Congaree adventure?
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-congaree-national-park-best-tips-activities/

129: Haunted National Parks (Vol. 3)

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 friendly specter of Fred Harvey
Big Bend by night, unexplained lights, and why it can feel like the loneliest park in the lower 48
Acadia’s Devil’s Oven sea cave, low tide, and why the NPS wants you to give it space
Your task for today: We hope we've convinced you that there's a lot more to our national parks than meets the eye! Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram pages and let us know what you think. What's your favorite spooky story from a national park?
Planning your own spooky adventures?Dirt In My Shoes National Parks Itineraries: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ 
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/haunted-national-parks-vol-3/

128: Yosemite Trip Report

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 of Yosemite and the persistence of life thriving in every corner of the park.
In this episode, we cover:
The highs and lows of our 2025 trip to Yosemite National Park!
Timing your visit and the best time to explore Yosemite
Iconic sights like Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall, and El Capitan
Six lessons we learned from unexpected events, including weather and wildlife encounters
Your task for today: Head over to the @DirtinMyShoes Facebook or Instagram pages and share your Yosemite plans for 2026! Are you chasing waterfalls, hiking near Half Dome, or exploring the High Sierra? Tell us your dream spots and what you’re most excited to see.
Planning your own Yosemite adventure?Dirt In My Shoes Yosemite Itineraries: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yosemite-itinerary/
Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/
Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yosemite-trip-report/

127: 5 Fascinating Fun Facts about Mammoth Cave National Park

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 discuss some of its most fascinating secrets, from its geological origins to its rich human history. Join us as we get super excited about science, chat a little bit about Lord of the Rings, and share five mind-blowing things you never knew about this amazing national park.
Join us as we discuss...
Why Mammoth Cave is a true "behemoth" in the world of caves, dwarfing its closest competition by a monumental margin
The five distinct levels of passageways in this fascinating park
The unexpected truth about the name of this massive national park 
The inspiring story of the legendary explorers who guided people through the cave and what they did to earn their freedom
The exact moment Mammoth Cave became the longest cave system in the world
We hope we've convinced you that Mammoth Cave is much more than a bunch of empty tunnels. Make sure to put it on your National Park bucket list! 
Your task for today: Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram pages, and let us know what you think! What are you most excited about when it comes to this park? We'd love to hear from you!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources and deals to get your trip-planning started, check out the full show notes.
Getting ready for a trip to Mammoth Cave, or another national park? Check out our free resources, including more podcast episodes, a master reservation list, a national park checklist, and a trip packing list to keep your trip planning stress-free!
Mammoth Cave Podcast Episodes
Mammoth Cave Free Resources 
Master Reservation List
National Park Checklist
National Park Trip Packing List

126: Sequoia and Kings Canyon Trip Report

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 lodging to some serious, heart-stopping experiences with rivers, falling trees, and even a rogue bear. Get ready for a dose of reality and a whole lot of fun as we help you navigate Sequoia Kings!
Join us as we discuss...
Why the lodges in Sequoia Kings are all about location, location, location, and not much else
The heartbreaking reality of the 2021 fire and the lessons we learned about the importance of natural fire cycles
The terrifying moment that reminded us why you need to be extra careful around water
The way that we learned how “widow maker” trees got their name
Why we were completely unprepared for our hilariously disastrous boat ride on Hume Lake
The insane, reality TV-worthy spectacle we witnessed right in front of us
If you’re planning your first or your next trip to Sequoia Kings, we hope these lessons will help you have a smooth and unforgettable trip! 
If you have any of your own stories to share about Sequoia Kings, be sure to head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram pages and let us know!
For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources and deals to get your trip-planning started, check out the full show notes.
Getting ready for a trip to Sequoia Kings, or another national park? Check out our free resources, including more podcast episodes, a master reservation list, a national park checklist, and a trip packing list to keep your trip planning stress-free!
Sequoia Kings Podcast Episodes
Sequoia Kings Free Resources 
Master Reservation List
National Park Checklist
National Park Trip Packing List