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/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://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/