Exploring the National Parks Podcast Por Dirt In My Shoes arte de portada

Exploring the National Parks

Exploring the National Parks

De: Dirt In My Shoes
Escúchala gratis

Join Ash and John from Dirt In My Shoes as we explore America’s National Parks! We’re taking you around the national parks and talking about our favorite things, fun facts, adventures, and trip planning. Expect big laughs and fantastic information as we tour the parks together. Let’s start exploring!Dirt In My Shoes, LLC Ciencia Ciencias Biológicas Ciencias Sociales Escritos y Comentarios sobre Viajes
Episodios
  • 123: 5 Fascinating Fun Facts about Bryce Canyon National Park
    Aug 20 2025

    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
    Más Menos
    59 m
  • 122: Best National Parks for Teenagers!
    Aug 13 2025

    In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're diving into a topic near and dear to many parents' hearts: finding the perfect national park for your teenagers!

    We're sharing our top picks and strategies for turning those eye-rolls into awe-some moments and Instagram-worthy adventures on epic trails. If you're looking to spark a love for the outdoors in your teens, this episode is packed with our insights and recommendations!

    Join us as we discuss…

    • Why teens can actually be the perfect national park partners
    • What truly makes a national park "teen-approved" like epic adventures and Instagrammable moments
    • Why we consider parks like Zion, Mammoth Cave, and Grand Canyon to be prime destinations for an unforgettable teen adventure
    • How to pick the national park that best suits your teenager's personality and interests
    • The experiences Denali and North Cascades offer, from wildlife spotting to landscapes that will grab their attention
    • Our tips for "warming up" teenagers to outdoor recreation, even if they're hesitant at first
    • Why this list offers fresh ideas beyond the usual suspects and focuses on parks that will resonate with teenagers

    We hope this episode gives you plenty of ideas for your next national park adventure with your teens! Remember, the goal is to create memorable experiences that foster a love for the outdoors.

    Today’s Task: If you've taken your teenagers to a park they've raved about, we'd love to hear about it! Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram pages and chime in on our post.

    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 Zion, Denali, 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!

    • Zion Podcast Episodes
    • Denali Free Resources
    • Master Reservation List
    • National Park Checklist
    • National Park Trip Packing List
    Más Menos
    49 m
  • 121: Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park: Best Tips + Activities
    Jul 30 2025

    In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are diving into our most visited Utah park – Bryce Canyon National Park!

    Get ready to discover why this smaller park packs a massive punch with its otherworldly hoodoo formations. Tune in to hear our own stories in this amazing park, tips for avoiding crowds, and why even a short visit to Bryce Canyon will leave you spellbound.

    Join us as we discuss…

    • Why Bryce Canyon is our most visited Utah park, and the unique charm that keeps us coming back for more
    • The stunning, otherworldly hoodoo formations and the Native American legends behind these incredible rock pillars
    • The best way to experience the main amphitheater, including must-do hikes like the Queen's Garden Trail with its cool tunnels and famous "Queen Victoria" hoodoo
    • Our favorite viewpoints like Sunrise Point, home to our beloved "octopus tree," and Sunset Point, where you can spot Thor's Hammer and the impressive Wall Street
    • Tips for visiting, including why commuting to Bryce Canyon is a bad idea due to limited parking, and how our itinerary can help
    • How you can explore Bryce Canyon year-round, even in the winter, and which trails are safest when icy

    We hope you're as excited about Bryce Canyon as we are! It's a truly unique park that offers incredible experiences, whether you have a few hours or a couple of days. You’re going to  feel the magic with this park, regardless of how much time you're able to spend there. Don't forget to check out our Bryce Canyon itinerary at DirtInMyShoes.com to make your trip planning easy!

    Your task for today: We want to know: which Bryce Canyon amphitheater view are you most excited to see – the close-up hoodoos from Sunrise or Sunset Point, or the bird's-eye view from Bryce Point? Let us know on the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page!

    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.

    ....................................

    Are you hoping for an epic and stress-free national park trip? Check out these FREE resources to make trip planning a breeze!

    • Master Reservation List – learn about the camping, lodging, and activity reservations required for every park.
    • National Parks By Month List – see the best parks to visit during every month of the year.
    • National Parks Checklist – track where you’ve been and where you still need to go.
    • National Parks Packing List – pack the essentials to be confident and prepared as you explore the parks.

    And for more information about Bryce Canyon National Park, check out all of our Bryce Canyon podcast episodes!

    ....................................

    Más Menos
    1 h y 9 m
Todas las estrellas
Más relevante  
A lot of useful information you may need before visiting national parks. They have great ideas on road trip planning to include multiple parks in one trip.

Great source of information for NP trip planning

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Ash and John are adorable, and clearly love what they do. If you love the parks, and enjoy getting into the weeds a bit with trip planning guidance and relevant (and/or amusing) "fun facts" about the wildlife, botany, geology, or cultural heritage of the places your NPS checklist, then give these guys a listen. Note: Ash seems very intentional in finding a reasonable balance between what she shares on the podcast vs the content that is only available on her website. She provides a generous amount of free resources on her website as well, and the paid content seems to be well researched and a good value. Although this podcast is clearly intended to drive traffic to the website (it is their source of income, after all!), Ash and John are careful to not be overly heavy handed with the self-promoting in the way that some podcasts can be. Ash comes across as warm, thoughtful, diligent, playful, equal parts adventurous and cautious, and perky in a way that you will either find delightful or off-putting, depending of your personality. If you are in the later category, than this podcast probably isn't for you, and frankly, that's your loss. John comes across as eager, generous, kind, humble, quirky, and bursting with thoughts and connections that he wants to share. John can also seem a little bumbly and naive some times, but also eager to grow and learn. For instance, on a recent episode, he seemed a bit awkward and tone deaf (but clearly well intentioned!) during the interview with the ranger from Grand Canyon, whereas Ash seemed more comfortable and experienced having conversations of a potentially sensitive nature. But, hey, experience is how we learn, right? John also loves to draw circuitous connections and parallels to the sort of pop culture references that nerds (especially Millennial nerds!) may particularly enjoy- Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, Pokémon, Indiana Jones, 80s and 90s tv shows, superhero lore, etc, etc. Sometimes his analogies are apt and incisive, and other times they can be a little silly and over wrought, but his earnestness and enthusiasm will hopefully win you over if you don't mind the occasional detour. All that to say, these guys are really sweet and helpful, and feel like the sort of hiking buddies that I'd like to introduce to other like minded folks. I hope you feel the same.

Useful, upbeat, and nerdy in all the right ways

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.