Exploring the National Parks

32: Grand Teton Fun Facts

It’s time for some fun facts about Grand Teton National Park! 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring everything that makes this national park amazing. 
Even though Ash was a park ranger at this park, she doesn’t know a whole lot about the geology of this incredible national park, so listen in as John teaches us about the Tetons!
Join us as we cover: 
The youngest mountain range in North America
The geological history of this incredible park
The cool type of rock you’ll find in this park
Why we love Mount Moran 
The magma of Grand Teton
The most interesting mystery of this park
The cool thing about the Teton Fault 
What the glaciers tell us about Grand Teton
The 61 species of mammals in this area and the one that impacted this park the most
The fascinating human history in Grand Teton
How Grand Teton became a national park
The conservation history and natural history of this park are absolutely fascinating – it’s a place that really gets into your soul. We hope you get a chance to visit it soon! 
Check out the full show notes here.

31: Stupid National Park Behavior

We are firm believers that the national parks are a people-watching phenomenon, and you will see things there that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. (And we aren’t talking about nature - we’re talking about stupid behavior!) 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are discussing some of the wildest things that we have seen in the parks. Join us for National Park Visitor Bingo and Two Truths and a Lie as we share the good, the funny, and the bad! 
Join us as we cover: 
National Park Visitor Bingo
The craziest things we see every time we are in the parks
Two Truths and a Lie
The people who put the wild in wildlife
The things people do for social media 
Why the buffalo is the king of beasts
Sports in the parks
Yes, the water in Yellowstone is boiling
Dumb things the park service has done
Many of these things are funny, but the way that we interact with these national parks has a big impact, so it’s important to know what to do and what not to do! 
Be sure to pick up your National Park Visitor Bingo Card and see the full show notes here.

30: Exploring Grand Teton -- Best Views, Trails, and Activities

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are journeying to Ash’s favorite national park -- Grand Teton! 
Grand Teton is smaller and lesser-known than Yellowstone (its famous neighbor), but it’s gotten a lot more visibility lately and many people are discovering the magic of this gorgeous national park.
Join us as we cover: 
The special connection Ash has to Grand Teton
The movie that was filmed in this park
The road where you’ll find the best Grand Teton views
Where to stay in the Grand Teton area
Ash’s crazy moose stories
The road that takes you to the main viewpoints and mountains
John’s favorite memory of Grand Teton as a kid 
Why Grand Teton is a great place to go rafting 
Our favorite place to eat at this national park
Why we love Paintbrush Canyon
Jenny Lake (and the monster you might need to watch out for)
The best description of Cascade Canyon
The trail that gives you the most bang for your buck
The most magical moments we have had in Grand Teton
There are so many different things you can see in Grand Teton National Park and, in our opinion, it’s one of the greatest national parks you can see in the west. 
If you are looking for some help planning your trip to Grand Teton, pick up an itinerary – we’ve got you covered!
Check out the full show notes here.

29: The Black Hills (Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Jewel Cave, and more!)

Have you ever visited South Dakota? 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring one of our favorite places to visit in this state – the Black Hills! We could honestly spend so much time here because we just can’t get enough. 
You will never run out of areas to explore in the Black Hills, and today, we’re talking all about our favorite places to go and things to do if you’re visiting this area of South Dakota.
Join us as we cover: 
The understated beauty of Wind Cave National Park
What we love about Jewel Cave
Things to do in Custer
Wildlife sightings and scenic drives in Custer State Park
Why the Crazy Horse Memorial is a must-see
Other cities nearby that you can visit
Our favorite town in the Black Hills
The old west experience in Deadwood
Why we love Devils Tower in Wyoming 
There you have it!  This list of places will give you a nice well-rounded experience on your trip to the Black Hills. 
If you need help planning your trip, we’re here for you! You can find everything you need to make your dream trip a reality at DirtInMyShoes.com.Check out the full show notes here.

28: Badlands Fun Facts

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing five amazing fun facts about Badlands National Park! 
If you haven’t been here, you will want to start planning your trip when you hear about how cool this park is. Let’s dive into the history and wonder of Badlands!
Join us as we cover: 
The geology of Badlands National Park
Why you don’t want to miss this national park
The paleontology and fossils you can find in this area
The fascinating facts about the grasslands in this park
The three major wildlife reintroductions in Badlands
The human history in this park
How water shapes the Badlands
Badlands National Park will absolutely surprise you, and you’ll appreciate what you’re seeing so much more after learning these fun facts.
You can find a full itinerary for Badlands and the other South Dakota parks at DirtInMyShoes.com! 
Check out the full show notes here.

27: Exploring Mount Rushmore (and fun facts!)

Let’s explore Mount Rushmore!
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are focusing on the iconic and historic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. 
We’re sharing some fun facts about Mount Rushmore and the different things you can do there beyond just parking, seeing the mountain, and leaving. Join us as we dive into this amazing, historical location! 
Join us as we cover: 
The goblin-like name of the sculptor of Mount Rushmore
The difference between the completed sculpture and the original design
The size of the heads of the presidents
Why this site was constructed
How this mountain got its name
What the creator was famous for before doing Mount Rushmore
Why they chose the people they did for this mountain
Fun things to do at Mount Rushmore
There you have it! Mount Rushmore is such an amazing historical site and there is more to do here than just looking at the mountain. 
We hope you found this episode helpful and that you are excited to plan your next trip to Mount Rushmore.  If you want to check out the new itinerary for Mount Rushmore and the other South Dakota parks, head over to Dirtinmyshoes.com.
Check out the full show notes here.

26: Exploring Badlands -- Best Views, Trails, and Activities

Let’s take a trip to Badlands National Park! 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into all things Badlands so that you can plan your next trip to this amazing national park. 
South Dakota is one of our favorite places to go on family vacations because there is so much for everyone to do no matter who you are or what you like. So we are so excited to take you along today as we explore Badlands! 
Join us as we cover: 
What Badlands actually is
Hikes in Badlands that you can’t miss
What it’s like to camp in Badlands and why you need to spend time looking at the stars
Stops to make while in this park
The open hike policy at Badlands
The best overlooks and viewpoints in this park
The effects of lighting on this park
The off-the-beaten-path stops you can make at Badlands
Why your trip isn’t complete without a trip to Wall Drug
The fascinating stop you’ll want to make in this area
We hope you enjoyed this episode all about Badlands! This is such an underrated but incredible park and we know you’ll have so much fun on your next trip!
If you want to check out the new itinerary for Badlands and the other South Dakota parks, you’ll find it at DirtInMyShoes.com.
Check out the full show notes here.

25: Canada Parks Road Trip -- Banff, Jasper, Waterton, Yoho, and Kootenay!

Let’s road trip to the national parks in the Canadian Rockies! 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are heading up north to talk about the best Canadian national parks in the Rockies. You’ll want to set aside a couple of weeks for this trip because you definitely won’t run out of fun things to do! 
This road trip covers five different Canadian National Parks, and we are so excited to dive into them with you today. 
Join us as we cover: 
Why this trip is the perfect addition to your trip to Glacier
Where to begin this road trip in Canada
The boat tour with the best views in Waterton National Park
Where to go for a full Canadian experience
Our favorite hike at Waterton Lakes
The killer ants you need to watch out for
The best stops in Waterton
What we love about Banff National Park
Our favorite things to do in Banff
One of the most incredible drives we’ve ever done
What we love about the Icefields Parkway
Why Jasper National Park is a must-visit park
The wildlife you’ll find in Jasper
Our favorite areas in Yoho National Park
Tips for getting reservations for Lake O’Hara 
Other sites to see on your trip
We hope you enjoyed our tips for this epic road trip through the Canadian National Parks! These national parks are incredible; we know you will have so much fun if you decide to take this trip. 
If you want to learn more about Banff and Jasper, you’ll find can’t-miss articles for these parks on Dirt In My Shoes!
Check out the full show notes here.

24: Glacier Fun Facts

Are you ready to learn some fun facts about Glacier National Park? 
In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into the amazing history and interesting geology of Glacier. This park is one of the best places to get outside and have an adventure, and you’ll love it even more if you know these five fun facts! 
Join us as we discuss the geology, history, and other amazing facts that make this park the incredible national park it is. 
Join us as we cover: 
How this park was formed
Why the Lewis Overthrust is so cool 
What ancient algae tells us about this area 
The impact glaciers have on the area 
Why they named it Glacier National Park
How climate change is impacting the glaciers
Where the precipitation from this park goes
The different ecosystems you can find in Glacier 
The fascinating human history in this area 
The most important people involved in the preservation of the park
We hope you enjoy these fun facts about Glacier National Park and that it enriches your next trip to this incredible place. 
If you’re ready to plan your trip to Glacier National Park, head over to YouTube to see our trip-planning videos. You can also check out our itinerary to make planning your trip a breeze! 
Check out the full show notes here.

23: Scariest National Park Roads Ranked!

Are you looking for a white-knuckle drive in a national park? This episode of Exploring the National Parks is for you! We are talking about the scariest roads we have ever driven in the national parks. 
We’ve driven on many roads in the national parks, and a few of them really stand out because of the fear they induced. Join us as we reminisce about our experiences and rank these scary roads! 
Join us as we cover: 
The highest paved road in the national park system
The road that we don’t have the guts to drive
Our favorite road that looks scary but actually isn’t too bad
The scariest paved road in the parks
The coolest road to drive if you’re looking for adventure
The most deceptively scary road we have been on
The worst road in any national park!
So there you have it – our list of the scariest roads in the national parks ranked! 
Have you driven any of these roads, or do you have others to add to the list? You can send us a message at DirtInMyShoes.com/podcast and let us know. Safe travels, my friend!
Check out the full show notes here.