Exploring the National Parks

Discover the wild fun facts behind Great Sand Dunes — the tallest dunes in North America!

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/

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/

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/

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/

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

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re going on a journey deep underground to Mammoth Cave National Park! Get ready to explore the world's longest cave system, but be prepared to adjust your expectations as we explain why this cave is more about its sheer size and history than dazzling rock formations. We’re sharing our favorite tours, including one that might feel a little too familiar to Lord of the Rings fans, as well as our hilarious mishaps while navigating tight spots and low ceilings. Join us as we discuss... Why Mammoth Cave's "subway tunnels" and vast size are more impressive than traditional cave decorations The importance of booking your cave tour reservations in advance to avoid disappointment Our top tour recommendations for first-time visitors, including the "Historic Extended" and "Domes and Dripstones" tours John's hilarious struggles with low ceilings and narrow passageways in sections like "Fat Man's Misery" and "Tall Man's Agony" The fascinating history of Mammoth Cave, including its use as a tuberculosis ward and the role of enslaved African-Americans as early tour guides. Whether you're a seasoned caving pro or just curious about what lies beneath the surface, we hope these tips will have you ready to explore this spectacular underground world. Just be sure to check how tall you are before you go! Today’s task: Would you prefer to take a tour to learn about the human history of Mammoth Cave, or are you more interested in learning about the domes and dripstones? 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 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

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we delve into the stunning and mysterious Bryce Canyon National Park. Join us as we discuss 5 fascinating, fun facts about Bryce Canyon. We’ll talk about everything from quirky hoodoo legends to unexpected geology revelations that might just blow your mind. If you've ever stood at the rim and wondered how those spiky rock towers came to be (or if they’re secretly watching you), this episode is for you. Grab your hiking boots and a sense of curiosity because we’re diving deep into the awe and wonder of this incredible landscape! Join us as we discuss… Why Bryce Canyon holds the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth—and what exactly a "hoodoo" is! A shocking discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about how hoodoos form The rare “Goldilocks Zone” conditions that make Bryce Canyon one-of-a-kind in the world of geology How Bryce Canyon fits into the Grand Staircase and how you can literally see millions of years of Earth’s history from the rim A legendary tale from the Paiute people that gives Bryce Canyon its unforgettable spiritual vibe We hope you enjoyed diving into the magic and mystery of Bryce Canyon National Park! Awe is such a deeply human response to this landscape, and we hope you get the chance to experience it for yourself. Your task for today? Look for the faces in the hoodoos, embrace the wonder and the eerie mystery of this place, and let that sense of awe take your visit to the next level! If you have photos of the faces, share them on the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram pages! 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 Bryce Canyon 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! Bryce Canyon Podcast Episodes Bryce Canyon Free Resources Master Reservation List National Park Checklist National Park Trip Packing List