Exploring the National Parks

65: The First Five National Parks

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 way.
Join us as we discuss: 
The interesting history leading up to the establishment of the national parks
The first five national parks that were established in the U.S. 
The key people involved in establishing these national parks 
Fascinating historical events surrounding these parks
The establishment of The National Park Service 
We were so surprised by some of the parks on this list and the history behind it all. We hope you loved this episode and enjoyed nerding out over national park history with us! If you want to see the full list, you can find it here.
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! We want to know which national park surprises you the most according to when it was established. Head to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! 
Check out the full show notes here.

64: Exploring Arches

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 popular arch that Ash is not a fan of
Our tips for visiting Fiery Furnace 
Important things you’ll want to remember before visiting this park
Where to get the best view of Delicate Arch
The best places to experience the sunset in the park
Other great areas in the park to see non-arch formations
Parts of the park to explore if you have a Jeep
What to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Moab
Arches entrance reservations
We hope you get the chance to explore this incredible park yourself this year!  To see the best of the park without getting stuck in the crowds, you’ll find a full Arches National Park Itinerary on the Dirt In My Shoes website.
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes and show us what you like to wear when you’re out exploring the national parks. (This has a funny tie-in with the town of Moab, which we discuss near the end of the episode.)
Check out the full show notes here.

63: Favorite Campgrounds in the National Parks

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 love about each campground we chose
- The most unique campgrounds we have stayed at
- Some fun and elusive campgrounds you want to check out
- Campgrounds you need to put on your bucket list
We hope you enjoy this National Park Campground Smackdown episode! Camping is one of the best ways to stay in the parks without spending a ton of money, so we highly recommend it! 
If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning.
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes, leave us a comment, and tell us about your favorite campground in the National Parks!
Check out the full show notes here.

62: Big Bend Fun Facts

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 last 340 million years
- The one thing Big Bend has that other national parks don’t 
- What makes the fossils at Big Bend so unique 
- The vast amount of species living in this national park
- What makes the human history in this park so fascinating 
From the plants, animals, and geology to the human history, there is so much to appreciate about this one-of-a-kind national park. If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning!
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes and participate in our poll. We want to know what part of Big Bend you are most excited to see!
Check out the full show notes here.

61: 2024 in the National Parks - What to Expect

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 this year
- What to know if you are planning to camp in the parks
- Parks with upcoming construction closures you’ll want to know about
- How to prepare for wildfire season in the parks 
Remember, the parks are always changing, so it’s best to check the official NPS website often. If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning!
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week. If you know that you're visiting a national park in 2024, go and look at the official NPS site for that national park so you know what you need to do before you go.
You can also head over to Instagram and join Ash for a Q&A session where you can ask all of your national park questions!
Check out the full show notes here.

60: Exploring Big Bend

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 lonesome park so special 
- Our favorite sections of Big Bend
- The closest gateway towns to Big Bend
- Tips for visiting Mexico while you’re at this park
- The incredible mountains you can see in the area
- Where to stay while visiting Big Bend
- Our favorite trails to hike
- The unexpected wildlife and fossils you’ll find in the area
- The most stunning canyon you’ll find in Big Bend
- Our favorite restaurants in the area 
We hope you love hearing all about Big Bend. If you are thinking about visiting this park, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to start planning your trip. 
Don’t forget to complete your task for this week. Go to the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram or Facebook page to join in on the fun!
Check out the full show notes here.

59: Dry Tortugas Fun Facts

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 park
- The story of how Dry Tortugas was discovered
- Why there is a surprising number of sunken ships in this national park
- The history behind why you can find the largest masonry fort in the Western hemisphere in this park
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Exploring the National Parks! Dry Tortugas is definitely one of the most fascinating parks we have been to, and its history is rich with pirates, ships, and treasure.
Check out the full show notes here.

58: Exploring Dry Tortugas

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 traumatic experience getting there!)
The fascinating history behind Fort Jefferson and the amazing sights to see 
Why this is one of the best places to go snorkeling and see coral and fish 
Our experience visiting Key West and what we loved about it
The interesting things to see and stories you can hear in this area
Though our first trip was bumpy, we can’t wait to get back – it was such a gorgeous location to visit! Add Dry Tortugas to your bucket list, and get ready to have adventures on the high seas!Check out the full show notes here.

57: Tips for Hiking with Kids

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 kids to sleep better while on vacation
Why the gear you get for hiking with kids matters 
Our go-to trick to keep our kids going on trails 
How to make hiking extra fun with storytelling
Our favorite games to play on the trails 
What you should never hike without 
We love taking our kids on the trails with us because it is a great way to teach them the value of hard work and the reward that they can get at the end of a hike! 
If you want some help planning your next trip to the national parks, head over to Dirt In My Shoes to get hour-by-hour itineraries for the parks (they are kid-friendly). 
Check out the full show notes here.

56: Joshua Tree Fun Facts

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 you are standing on in Joshua Tree 
The two entirely different desert ecosystems that meet in Joshua Tree 
Why we really don’t know how old Joshua trees are
Where the name of this park comes from 
The plant species used by the native people of the area 
We hope this episode helps you appreciate this amazing park even more! It may not seem like much at first glance, but the beauty of this park really is in the details. 
For help planning your trip to Joshua Tree, check out this list of 8 things you can’t miss on your first visit.
Check out the full show notes here.