In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re heading to Utah to dive into one of our all-time favorite destinations—Zion National Park!

We’re sharing five essential tips to help you navigate Zion like a pro and make your trip truly unforgettable. This park can be a bit tricky to explore, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Tune in for must-know advice to make your Zion adventure the best it can be!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Why timing is everything when visiting this park
• The one season you’ll want to avoid
• How far in advance you need to make reservations
• What you need to know about park shuttles before you go
• Why stepping out of your comfort zone at Zion is a must

We hope these tips help you plan an incredible trip! If you’re as excited about Zion as we are, don’t miss our Exploring Zion National Park and Zion Fun Facts episodes for even more insights.

Now, it’s your turn! If you’ve been to Zion, we’d love to hear your best tips for visiting the park. Let’s create a helpful thread for first-timers. Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your Zion experience with us—we can’t wait to hear from you!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re taking a deep dive into Hot Springs National Park!

As one of the most-visited national parks in the country, Hot Springs is a destination packed with history, relaxation, and unique experiences. Today, we’re uncovering everything that makes this incredible park so special, from its relaxing waters to its other unique experiences.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What Hot Springs is and why it is so special
• What makes this park unlike any other national park you’ll go to
• The breweries and snacks you can get in the park
• What to expect in the different bathhouses
• Where to try the mineral water- yes, you can actually drink it!

We hope you loved learning all about Hot Springs National Park! Don’t forget, we’ll be diving even deeper into this park in our upcoming Fun Facts episode, so make sure you tune in.

And don’t forget to complete your task for the week! Which bathhouse would you choose? Or, if you’ve already been, what did you love most about your experience? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your experience with us!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re celebrating a huge milestone—100 episodes! It’s also the final episode of 2024, so we’re diving into some of our favorite national park adventures from this year.

Whether you're planning next year's national park bucket list or just dreaming of your next big trip, this episode is packed with inspiration for unforgettable experiences.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Our trip to Iceland and the national parks we visited while we were there
• The backpacking trip you can't miss and why it was one of the highlights of our year
• The number one most incredible thing we did this year- a jaw-dropping experience that left us speechless!

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey through 100 episodes of Exploring the National Parks! We hope you loved this special episode and feel inspired to make some of these adventures your own in the coming year.

And don’t forget to complete your task for the week! Have you ever won the lottery for the synchronous fireflies? If so, we want to hear all about it! head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your experience with us!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re back with another Mail From the Trail episode!

We reached out on the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram page for your questions, and today, we’re diving into the answers.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Our thoughts on the Junior Ranger programs in the national parks
• The best parks to visit during spring break
• Where to find the top trails for snowshoeing
• Our top tips for arrival times and making reservations at the parks
• The best mementos and souvenirs to pick up during your visits

We hope you enjoy this Q&A episode! If you’re not already following us, head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and connect with us there!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

Happy Thanksgiving! For this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re heading to Great Basin National Park to share some fun facts about this amazing place!

Great Basin is a destination where you can connect with the past and dream about the future, and we’re so excited to show you why. Join us as we explore what makes this park so incredible and its surprising connection to Pokémon—the original Pokémon, that is!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The three ways that you can define Great Basin
• Why and how this park is twice as wide as it should be
• The most fascinating thing about the rain and snow in this park
• A crazy fact about the last remaining glacier in Nevada
• The rare phenomenon that you can find in Great Basin
• What makes the Bristlecone Pines in this park so special
• A bonus fun fact about something Great Basin has that other national parks don’t

We hope you enjoy this episode all about Great Basin! We want to hear from you— which Eevee evolution (or fun fact) excited you the most? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know!

And don’t forget, it’s Black Friday season at Dirt In My Shoes! This is the only time of year our itineraries go on sale, so if you’re planning a trip to a national park next year, this is the perfect time to snag one. Visit dirtinmyshoes.com and join our email list to be first in line when the sale begins!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

It’s time for another road trip! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we embark on an epic 10-day winter road trip to three unforgettable national parks: Zion, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree.

If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the perfect itinerary for you, complete with bonus activities from John—for the sake of fun!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The best time of year to hit the road for this trip
• What to explore in Zion National Park during the winter
• The must-see state park you shouldn’t skip along the way
• Our favorite foodie stops that are perfect for refueling
• The coolest hike that you can’t miss on this trip
• Must-do activities in Death Valley
• Hidden gems in the Mojave Preserve
• Top experiences in Joshua Tree

This road trip is the ideal winter escape for the whole family, offering the best of each park when they’re at their finest. We hope you get to experience it this year!

And now, we want to hear from you! What’s your quirky, off-the-beaten-path family road trip stop? The one only you seem to enjoy? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and share your favorites—we’re building a list!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

In this episode, we’re uncovering one of the most underrated gems in the entire national park system—Great Basin! Hardly anyone talks about this park, but we absolutely love this hidden oasis in the desert.

As the state’s only national park, Great Basin is an amazing example of the unique Nevada landscape. So today, we’re diving into why you should make this underrated park your next destination!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The best place to stay when visiting Great Basin
• Our go-to spots for dining in and around the park
• The breathtaking sights that make this park so special
• What to expect when navigating the park’s roads
• The top trails and our favorite things to do
• The fascinating history of Great Basin’s ancient trees
• How to find the park’s glacier and what makes it so cool (literally!)
• Everything you need to know about exploring Lehman Caves, including how to make reservations
• Why the stargazing here is some of the best you’ll ever experience

Great Basin may not be on everyone’s radar, but it’s one of our favorite escapes when we crave peace and quiet. It truly feels like a sanctuary for solitude! We hope this episode inspires you to put it on your bucket list.

And don’t forget your task for the week! What is your favorite of the park’s three standout attractions—the caves, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, or the glacier? 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/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.

In the spirit of Halloween, we’re sharing some spooky stories written by John, inspired by the national parks!

Whether you believe in spirits or not, these tales might just send a shiver down your spine. So gather around the campfire with us and enjoy a few ghostly encounters in your favorite national parks.

Join us for stories about:

• A skinny-dipping ghost at Indiana Dunes National Park
• The Lady of the Lake at Olympic National Park
• A creepy ghost town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

We hope you enjoy our Halloween tradition of sharing national park ghost stories! Have a great Halloween, and be sure to avoid the spirits while you’re out trick-or-treating!

For a full summary of this episode, links to things we mentioned, and free resources/deals to get your trip planning started, check out the full show notes here.