Exploring the National Parks

White Sands National Park — the national park regarded for its rarity. While it looks like a snowfield, the desert sand actually holds quite a bit of history and geological wonder.

In this episode, we're digging into the White Sands fun facts that rewrite what you thought you knew about New Mexico’s most famous park. From a mineral factory that shouldn't exist to footprints that are quietly rewriting the story of the first humans in North America, buckle up, because this will be a fun one!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why White Sands is the largest — and purest — gypsum dune field on Earth
• How this park is protected, despite the billions of dollars of raw material sitting under the dunes
• The 45+ species of plants and creatures that you can only find in these dunes
• Why the dune field itself is a shockingly young 7,000 to 10,000 years old
• The 2008 discovery of footprints that pushed back the accepted timeline for how long humans have been in North America
• Fossilized proof that humans and Ice Age giants like mammoths and giant sloths shared this exact landscape for thousands of years

Your task for today: Look up a satellite image of White Sands National Park and see if you can spot it from space, the same way astronauts use it as a landmark. Then share what other national park sights you think would be visible from orbit over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page.

Planning your own White Sands National Park adventure?

• Episode 154: Exploring White Sands National Park: Best Tips + Activities: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-white-sands-national-park/
• 5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to White Sands:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-white-sands/
• Episode 49: Best National Parks for Young Kids (White Sands National Park makes the list!): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/best-national-parks-for-young-kids/
• 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/

Our Halloween tradition continues! This year, we're chasing three cryptid legends through the national parks – Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Lake Clark National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.

Are these tales from the spookiest corners of the park fact or fiction? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why old sailors' maps were covered in dragons, sirens, and sea monsters
• What actually separates a cryptid from an animal that science just hasn't caught up to yet
• Why the national parks make the perfect hiding place for a cryptid legend
• Why there might be something lurking outside Guadalupe Mountains National Park (and what that something might be)
• What’s lurking in the water on the way to Lake Clark National Park
• Just how deep Lake Clark and neighboring Lake Iliamna really go
• The Native American legend behind Beartooth Highway in Yellowstone National Park

Your task for today: Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and tell us which cryptid creeped you out the most!

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-white-sands-national-park/https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/haunted-national-parks-vol-4

Planning your own spooky adventure?

• 5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Guadalupe Mountains National Park: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-guadalupe-mountains-national-park/
• See a full trip planning itinerary for Yellowstone National Park: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/yellowstone-itinerary
• Trip Planning Guide for Alaska’s National Parks (Including Lake Clark National Park): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/alaska-national-parks/
• 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/

Picture cloud-white sand surrounding you on every side, with the Sacramento Mountains as your backdrop, and a sunset that turns everything a shade of pink and purple.

THAT’s the awe that is waiting for you at White Sands National Park. Well, that and some other fun activities like hiking through nature trails, and even sledding!

We’ll also take you through all the quirky rules this park has that no other national park does — and what makes White Sands so incredibly unique.

In this episode, we cover:

• The two things that make White Sands totally different from every other national park
• The working missile range, located next to the park
• A driving tour down Dunes Drive, including the Playa Trail, Dune Life Nature Trail, and Interdune Boardwalk
• How to sled the dunes (hint: cardboard boxes don't cut it)
• Why so many commercials, movies, and music videos have been filmed here
• The best ranger program in the park and why sunset is non-negotiable
• Where to stay, eat, and detour in nearby Alamogordo

Your task for today: Have you been to White Sands for sunset? Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page, find your favorite sunset photo from the dunes, and tag us so we can see it too!

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-white-sands-national-park/

Planning your own White Sands National Park adventure?

• 5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to White Sands: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-white-sands/
• Episode 49: Best National Parks for Young Kids (White Sands National Park makes the list!): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/best-national-parks-for-young-kids/
• Episode 105: 8-Day Spring Break National Parks Road Trip (that includes White Sands National Park): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-day-spring-break-national-parks-road-trip/
• 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/

We just spent three days in Zion National Park in the middle of summer, on purpose, in 105-degree heat. Why did we do that, you ask? Because we don’t want you to have to go through all the guesswork that comes with planning a trip to Zion National Park in the summer.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why we deliberately visited Zion National Park in the summer, and what we'd tell you before you do the same
• Why understanding the Zion Canyon Shuttle and the Springdale shuttle together will save you from many days of frustration
• What gear actually works in the Narrows
• The new vehicle restrictions through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, and what changed for regular drivers
• The bighorn sheep herd, deer, and turkeys we spotted once we slowed down and got quiet
• How we weighed location versus price for lodging, and what the South Campground looks like without its shade trees

Your task for today: Have you hiked the Narrows or driven through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel? Tell us about it 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/zion-national-park-trip-report-2026/

Planning your own Zion National Park adventure?

• Zion National Park Itinerary: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/zion-itinerary
• The Ultimate Zion Trip Planning Guide: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/zion-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/

Tennis-ball-sized hail, 100-degree heat, and a weather warning that caused us to miss the glamping trip we’d been looking forward to for weeks. We (almost) risked it all to make the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.

In this episode, we're sharing everything we experienced at the brand-new library in Medora, North Dakota. This is a bit different than our usual content, but if you love Teddy Roosevelt as much as we do, and you’ve been keeping up with our Theodore Roosevelt National Park episodes, you’re in for a treat!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why we headed to Medora, North Dakota for the Library's July 4th weekend grand opening
• The wild weather (including 60 mph winds and tennis-ball-sized hail) that forced an evacuation of our campground
• A first look inside the library, including how the building itself was designed to blend into the Badlands
• The Man in the Arena exhibit room, where Nick Offerman voices Teddy Roosevelt himself
• The Elkhorn Ranch room and the story of the cabin where Teddy Roosevelt went to heal after devastating loss
• The AI Teddy Roosevelt you can actually talk to, plus the AI photo booth that inserts your whole family into his story
• The 1,776-drone show that closed out the celebration

Your task for today: Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and tell us which Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library exhibit you'd want to experience first — the Man in the Arena room, the Elkhorn Ranch cabin, or a chat with AI Teddy himself!

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/theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library-opening/

Planning your own Theodore Roosevelt National Park adventure?

• Episode 141: Our favorite scenic drive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and more https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/best-scenic-drives-in-the-national-parks/
• Episode 149: Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Best Tips + Activities https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-theodore-roosevelt-national-park-best-tips-activities/
• Episode 150: 5 Fascinating Fun Facts About Theodore Roosevelt National Park https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-fascinating-fun-facts-about-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/
• 8 Things You Can't Miss on Your First Visit to Theodore Roosevelt https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-things-cant-miss-first-visit-theodore-roosevelt-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/

This Grand Teton trip report is less about checklists and more about the pull of a place that gets passed down. On this visit, we brought our extended family — parents, siblings, and our four-month-old niece — back to Colter Bay for a summer built around making memories.

During our stay, we adventured to String Lake, saw a rutting buffalo crossing at Elk Ranch Flats, and had a little detour that was unexpected, but proved to be one of the best parts of the trip.

It’s different from our usual trip report, but we can’t think of any better way to spend time at Grand Teton National Park than with the people we love most!

In this episode, we cover:

• A rundown of Grand Teton's 2026 construction projects, from the new Moose entrance station to the Taggart Lake and Mormon Row parking lot overhauls
• Why these construction delays will carry into next summer, too
• What makes Grand Teton a multi-generational, legacy park for us
• Our day at String Lake doing nothing but relaxing on the water
• The rutting buffalo sighting at Elk Ranch Flats and the hike to Moose Ponds
• Ash's Jenny Lake "walk of shame" — and the insider timing trick that usually keeps it from happening

Your task for today: Do you have a legacy park — a place your family keeps returning to, generation after generation? Tell us over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page. If you don't have one yet, let us know which park you want to claim as yours!

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/grand-teton-trip-report/

Planning your own Grand Teton adventure?

• Grand Teton Itinerary:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-teton-itinerary/https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/grand-teton-itinerary
• The Ultimate Grand Teton Trip Planning Guide:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-teton-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/

Theodore Roosevelt National Park — it’s one of those national parks that doesn’t quite get the recognition it deserves. But today, we’re fixing that!

As the show title suggests, we’re taking you around the churned-up, colorful labyrinth of buttes in the quiet North Dakota prairie to share some of our favorite fun facts about Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Theodore Roosevelt National Park was the only unit ever designated a "National Memorial Park"
• The real story behind how the teddy bear got its name (yes, it has everything to do with Teddy Roosevelt!)
• How glaciers, ancient volcanoes, and the Little Missouri River spent 65 million years carving North Dakota's Badlands
• The devastating winter of 1886 that wiped out Roosevelt's cattle herd and changed the direction of his life
• Why Roosevelt called this land "the romance of my life" and how it helped him grieve and heal
• The last-minute "Midnight Forests" scramble that protected 16 million acres of land before Congress could stop him
• Just how much land Roosevelt protected by the end of his presidency

Your task for today: In the episode, we talked about the full list of lands Roosevelt protected through executive action. See if a forest, monument, or refuge near you made the cut, and tell us about it 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/5-fascinating-fun-facts-about-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/

Planning Your Own Theodore Roosevelt National Park Adventure?

• 8 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to Theodore Roosevelt:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-things-cant-miss-first-visit-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/
• Episode 149: Exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Best Tips + Activites:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-theodore-roosevelt-national-park-best-tips-activities/
• Master Reservation List:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Parks Checklist:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/
• Trip Packing List:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

We don’t like to rank national parks because we firmly believe that each one speaks to us all differently. However, there are some parks that end up being unexpected surprises, and quickly turn into lifelong favorites. Because of that, we’re crowning Theodore Roosevelt National Park as one of ours.

Each time we visit, it just gets better and better. And in this episode, we're walking you through all three units of the park, all located in North Dakota, plus our favorite things to see, where to stop, and how we like to experience this hidden gem.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to add Theodore Roosevelt National Park to your South Dakota road trip
• The South Unit scenic loop drive and the best places to pull off for wildlife
• Why Wind Canyon Trail is a must-see at sunset
• Why the Elkhorn Ranch Unit is 100% worth the hour-and-a-half dirt road drive
• The North Unit and its 14-mile scenic drive
• The best overlooks in the park, including River Bend and Oxbow Overlook
• The Medora Musical and why it's the thing to do in the gateway town
• How long to spend here, and why rushing this park takes away the magic

Your task for today: Which wildlife are you most excited to see in Theodore Roosevelt National Park: the wild horses, the rough-and-tumble bison, the very vocal prairie dogs, or something else? Tell us 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/exploring-theodore-roosevelt-national-park-best-tips-activities/

Planning your own Theodore Roosevelt National Park adventure?

• 8 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-things-cant-miss-first-visit-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/
• Episode 141: Best Scenic Drives in the National Parks: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/best-scenic-drives-in-the-national-parks/
• Episode 37: Funny National Park Stories (Vol. 2): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/funny-stories-vol-2-hiking/
• Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/
• Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Bison jams on the lower loop, a rainbow over the Lower Falls that felt like it was made just for us, prairie dog babies popping out of their burrows mid-traffic-stop, and of course, insane views — this is Yellowstone we’ve come to know and love.

And it’s what we experienced on our latest trip there, yes, even in the summer!

Prepare to be amazed, because even after several trips to America’s most well-known national park, there’s still so much to love.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Yellowstone traffic is wild, but how you can still find peace and solitude in the park
• Why Lamar Valley remains the single best wildlife-watching spot in the country (and what we saw this trip)
• Just how big this park really is, and why a good plan makes all the difference
• Why the geothermal features in Yellowstone beat anywhere else on earth
• Geysers you might not have on your radar yet
• Why even frequent visitors to Yellowstone keep getting surprised, including a rainbow at Red Rock Point and a first-ever moose sighting in the park

Your task for today: Have you been to Yellowstone and had one of those moments of pure amazement? Tell us about it 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/yellowstone-trip-report

Planning your own Yellowstone adventure?

• Yellowstone Ultimate Guide: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yellowstone-national-park/
• Episode 112: Yellowstone Tips – What You Need To Know Before You Go!:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yellowstone-tips-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/
• Master Reservation List:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Parks Checklist:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/
• Trip Packing List:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Tucked between two of Colorado's most towering mountain ranges is a landscape that feels almost fictional. 30 square miles of dunes rising taller than the Gateway Arch, somehow thriving in the heart of the Rockies — it’s a place that you have to see to believe.

In this episode, we're digging into some fun facts that will show you why the Great Sand Dunes National Park is so incredible – including how it came to be and why it almost didn’t survive.

In this episode, we cover:

• How the tallest dunes in all of North America came to be
• The three main dunes: Star Dune, Hidden Dune, and High Dune
• The rare surge flow phenomenon that can send waves 12 to 20 inches high
• The naturally magnetic black sand called magnetite, and why a lightning storm can make your compass spin
• Why geologists still can't agree on how old these dunes actually are
• The Great Sand Dunes gold rush of the 1920s — and the local women's organization that saved the park from becoming a gravel pit
• How a water development threat decades later nearly destroyed the sand recycling system
• The 2004 legislation that made the park four times larger and solidified its protection

Your task for today: Find the nonprofit partner for your favorite national park, follow them on social, and let us know who they are over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram so we can support them too!

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/great-sand-dunes-fun-facts-everything-that-makes-this-park-so-incredible/

Planning your own Great Sand Dunes adventure?

• 5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Great Sand Dunes: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-great-sand-dunes-national-park/
• Episode 146: Prepare to be Wowed at Great Sand Dunes National Park! (Best Tips + Activities): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park-best-tips-activities/
• Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/
• Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Picture this: you’re standing at the foot of the tallest dunes in North America, a snow-capped mountain towering behind you, and nature singing all around you. If it sounds awe-inspiring, that’s because it is! And it’s exactly why Great Sand Dunes National Park needs to be next on your national park bucket list.

It may not be the country’s most well-known park, but it’s a gem in and of itself! Today, we are exploring Great Sand Dunes and walking you through everything you need to know to plan a perfect day in one of Colorado's most underrated parks.

In this episode, we cover:

• The geography that makes this place so amazing
• Where to stay near the park
• The quiet little nature trail that will soothe your soul
• The full Medano Creek experience, including when to come for "Colorado's beach" (yes…it is as interesting as it sounds!)
• Sand sledding tips (and why it is so much better here than at White Sands)
• Everything you need to know about hiking High Dune
• Our perfect day at Great Sand Dunes from sunrise to sunset

Your task for today: Have you been to Great Sand Dunes National Park? Tell us your best (or most sand-blasted) memory over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram pages — and bonus points if you have a video of yourself sand sledding (gracefully…or ungracefully, no shame)!

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-great-sand-dunes-national-park-best-tips-activities/

Planning your own Great Sand Dunes National Park adventure?

• 5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Great Sand Dunes: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-great-sand-dunes-national-park/
• Episode 35: Swimming Holes in the Parks: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/swimming-holes-in-the-parks-olympic-great-sand-dunes-and-dry-tortugas/
• Episode 110: Colorado National Parks Road Trip!: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/colorado-national-parks-road-trip/
• Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/
• Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of national parks and explore the interesting behavior that can be observed within these amazing landscapes. From hazardous driving incidents to ill-prepared hikers, we discuss the unique experiences that make national parks even more interesting.

We strive to strike a balance between amusement and respectful observation, and hope you enjoy learning about the antics and misadventures that have taken place, leaving us amused and entertained.

In this episode, 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 how we interact with these national parks has a significant impact, so it's important to know what to do and what not to do!

We created a bingo card for all the unusual tourist behaviors we've observed on our National Park visits. Just to name a few: drivers abruptly stopping on highways to capture photos of mundane objects like trees; tourists struggling to open bear-proof garbage cans; first-time RV drivers; people feeding wildlife with their hands; visitors approaching wildlife for selfies; hiking in flip-flops; and many more.

Your Task For The Day: Get ready for your summer travels! Grab our Bingo card so your group can play along on your next national park vacation!>> Download our BINGO card here <<

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/stupid-national-park-behavior/

Planning your own National Parks adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/
• Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/
• 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/

It’s going down!

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, John and Ash, a former park ranger, are fighting it out in the ultimate trail rumble! Join us as we rank our favorite national park hiking trails.

Buckle up because there will be some fighting. We both made our own lists, and we are ready to see who comes out victorious!

In this episode, we cover:

• An incredible immersive hike
• A great hike to take during the sunset
• Trails to see in Sequoia Kings
• Trails full of adventure and amazing sights
• A must-see trail in Yosemite
• Trails we love at Acadia
• A couple of epic trails in Mount Rainier National Park
• Our favorite mountain trails

It was so hard to rank the trails because there are truly so many amazing ones to see! But we hope you enjoy this fun ranking episode and that it will inspire you to get out on a trail somewhere.

Your task for today: Have you hiked any of these iconic trails? How would you rank them? Let us know your favorite hiking trails over on the Dirt in My ShoesFacebook orInstagram 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/episode-11-national-park-hiking-trails-ranked/

Planning your own National Parks hiking adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/
• Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/
• 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/

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking about what we consider to be one of the top road trips that you can take -- the Grand Circle. This amazing road trip includes nine western national parks!

You get to see some truly cool stuff on this route, and we are so excited to be sharing what we love about it today.

In this episode, we cover:

• Where to start when road tripping the Grand Circle
• Cool things to do in Zion National Park
• What you have to see at Bryce Canyon
• Our favorite stops along Highway 12
• What we love about Kodachrome State Park
• What’s so amazing about Capitol Reef National Park
• Why Goblin Valley is a must-see
• Why you should check out Little Wild Horse Canyon
• What to check out if you love Native American art
• What you need to do at Arches National Park
• The views in Dead Horse Point State Park
• The districts in Canyonlands
• The most underrated park that you need to visit
• Why we love the Million Dollar Highway
• The coolest things about Mesa Verde
• Why you should stop at Chaco Canyon
• Other off-route stops you might want to check out
• The amazing fossils at Petrified Forest National Park
• Why you should spend some extra time exploring the Grand Canyon

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/episode-15-grand-circle-road-trip-one-trip-nine-national-parks/

Planning your own Grand Circle adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/
• Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/ https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-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/

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into one of the parks we get the most questions about - Yellowstone!

Since everyone starts trip planning after the holidays, we figured this was the perfect time to tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful park in case you’re heading there this year. So come along as we explore Yellowstone!

In this episode, we cover:

• What we love about Old Faithful
• Why Grand Prismatic is so cool
• Why the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a must for your first trip
• Our favorite viewpoint in the Canyon area
• Hiking trails you don’t want to miss
• Food to try while visiting Yellowstone
• What we think of the “Great One Buffalo”
• Our favorite things about the Norris Geyser Basin
• The wildlife you can find in Lamar Valley
• The differences between the northern and southern loops

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/episode-10-exploring-yellowstone/

Planning your own Yellowstone National Park adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes Yellowstone Itinerary:https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/south-dakota-itineraryhttps://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/yellowstone-itinerary
• Dirt In My Shoes Yellowstone National Park Planning Resources:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-national-park/https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yellowstone-national-park/https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-national-park/
• Episode 73: The Best Places in Yellowstone to See Wildlife: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/best-places-to-see-wildlife-in-yellowstone-national-park/
• Episode 112: Yellowstone Tips — What You Need to Know Before You Go!: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/yellowstone-tips-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/
• 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/

If you love a drive that has you gasping, laughing, and pulling over every few minutes for “just one more” viewpoint, you are going to have so much fun with this episode. We’re sharing 15 of our favorite scenic drives across the national parks and how you can plan your own visit to each!

In this episode, we cover:

• Our top 15 national park scenic drives, grouped into big bucket list roads, overlooked drives in popular parks, and hidden gems in lesser known parks
• Key logistics for each drive, including typical opening seasons, road lengths, and important vehicle size or road condition notes
• The hikes, overlooks, and viewpoints we love along these roads, plus the wildlife you are most likely to see
• How these drives fit into a bigger trip so you can plan your time around sunrise, sunset, and trail days

Your task for today:

Pick one of the 15 scenic drives from this episode and move it to the very top of your national park bucket list, then head over to the @DirtInMyShoesFacebook orInstagram page and tell us which drive you are most excited to experience next!

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/best-scenic-drives-in-the-national-parks/

Planning your own scenic drive adventure?

• Episode 117: Favorite national parks road trips: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/favorite-national-park-road-trips/
• Episode 23: Scariest national park roads ranked: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-23-scariest-national-park-roads-ranked/
• Episode 81: Insider tips for driving Going to the Sun Road: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/insider-tips-for-driving-glaciers-going-to-the-sun-road/
• Dirt In My Shoes Itineraries:https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/
• 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/

Wind Cave National Park is one of the most surprising, mysterious, and underrated parks in the Black Hills. Today we are diving into Wind Cave fun facts that will completely change the way you see this small-on-the-surface but massive-underground national park.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Wind Cave National Park gets bypassed, and why we think it should not
• The human history that makes Wind Cave feel like an adventure story, including the cave’s Lakota name, Maka Oniye, or “Breathing Earth”
• The teen explorer who mapped the first miles of the cave with string, candlelight, and a whole lot of bravery
• The rare cave formations Wind Cave is famous for, including boxwork and giant helictite bushes
• The secret behind the wind, and why scientists think we have only discovered about 10% of the cave so far

Your task for today:

Spend 15 to 20 minutes on theWind Cave National Park Service website and look up one thing we talked about, like the Lakota emergence story, Alvin McDonald’s diary entries, or the cave formation photos.

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-wind-cave-national-park/

Planning your own Wind Cave National Park adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes South Dakota Itinerary: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/south-dakota-itinerary
• Dirt In My Shoes Wind Cave National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-national-park/
• Episode 135: 139: Exploring Wind Cave National Park: Best Tips + Activities: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-wind-cave-national-park-best-tips-activities/
• Episode 29: The Black Hills (Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Wind Cave, and more!): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/29-the-black-hills-wind-cave-custer-state-park-jewel-cave-and-more/
• 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/

Wind Cave National Park is one of the most underrated stops in the Black Hills, and it is absolutely worth digging a little deeper for. Come with us into the prairies of South Dakota for rare cave beauty, bison sightings, and the kind of quiet that makes you exhale.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Wind Cave is so underrated, and why I recommend it even when people say Jewel Cave is “prettier”
• How to get cave tour tickets (and why you should not wait until the day of)
• Which three tours to choose from as a first time visitor, plus options for special tours
• What to expect on your tour (temperature, what you can and cannot bring, and tips if you have kids)
• Easy, high reward things to do above ground, including wildlife drives, a short scenic hike, and a quick trip to Hot Springs

Your task for today: Have you been to Wind Cave National Park? Tell us what you loved, and share your best photos (because this park is famously hard to photograph!). Head over to our post on the @DirtInMyShoesFacebook orInstagram page and share with us!

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-wind-cave-national-park-best-tips-activities/

Planning your own Wind Cave National Park adventure?

• Dirt in My Shoes South Dakota Itinerary: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/products/south-dakota-itinerary
• Dirt In My Shoes Wind Cave National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/wind-cave-national-park/
• Episode 29: The Black Hills (Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Wind Cave, and more!): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/29-the-black-hills-wind-cave-custer-state-park-jewel-cave-and-more/
• 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/

Cactus, sunshine, and desert drama: this is the episode where we go all in on the most iconic plant of the American West. Saguaro National Park is bursting with towering giants and incredible stories of survival, and we’re digging into all of it!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the saguaro cactus is an American icon (and possibly a giant green lightsaber)
• What makes saguaros so tough, and why they only grow in certain parts of the desert
• The mind-blowing slow growth of a baby saguaro, and how nurse trees help them survive
• The park's wild history of cactus rustling and near collapse
• How the saguaro population is finally bouncing back

Your task for today: Visit Saguaro National Park’s Facebookor Instagram and thank a ranger! Their work protects plants that won’t even reach full height in their lifetimes, and it’s incredible.

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-incredible-fun-facts-about-arizonas-saguaro-national-park/

Planning your own Saguaro National Park adventure?

• Episode 136: Exploring Saguaro National Park: Best Tips + Activities:https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/136-exploring-saguaro-national-park-best-tips-activities/
• 5 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Saguaro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-saguaro/
• 8 Day Spring Break National Parks Road Trip!: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-day-spring-break-national-parks-road-trip/
• 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/

The wildlife showdown is on! We’re covering the best national parks to see animals in the wild. Whether you’re hoping to see wolves in Yellowstone or whales in Glacier Bay, we share our favorite parks for seeing animals across the U.S., from the great plains of Yellowstone to the coastal coves of Glacier Bay.

In this episode, we cover:

• Our favorite national parks for wildlife overall, plus why Alaska is in a whole different weight class
• Where to go for specific animals, including black bears, grizzlies, moose, wolves, and buffalo (yes, we said buffalo)
• The best parks for sea life, from dolphins and manatees to whales you can literally hear from your room
• A rapid-fire list of parks for some surprising creatures, like condors, bats, bighorn sheep, and birds

Your task for today: What wildlife have you not seen yet that you really want to see in a national park? Head over to the @DirtInMyShoesFacebook orInstagram page and let us know!

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/the-best-national-parks-for-wildlife-viewing/

Planning your own wildlife viewing 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/