Parkography

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Parkography! This episode is the first of our monthly comprehensive news roundups on national parks and public lands. Today' we're covering the reinstatement of federal employees, cuts to federal facilities, an executive order on historic monuments, military deployments to Big Bend National Park, potential changes to Yosemite's timed-entry reservation system, Al...

We're coming back, and it's a whole new ballgame! Parkography (formerly known as the America's National Parks Podcast) is the new home for the powerful stories, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes of America’s national parks and public lands. Through immersive storytelling, vivid soundscapes, and in-depth research, we explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the wild place...

Between avoiding snakebites and fending off the dreaded dysentery, fans of the popular game “The Oregon Trail” are sure to be familiar with Fort Laramie. Situated roughly a quarter of the way through the historic trek from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in modern-day Oregon, the Fort began as a fur trading post, served as a critical juncture for emigrants heading west, and eventua...

Standing in the shadows of giant redwood trees is an awe-inducing experience. In California, there's a national park protecting those redwoods and it's one of the state's best-kept secrets. Home to the world's tallest living trees, this world heritage site and international biosphere reserve protects nearly half the world's old-growth redwoods. Come discover thousands of acres of protected forests...

By the start of 1933, thousands of banks across America had already closed their doors. 13 million Americans were unemployed and the stock market had crashed, leaving the United States in the worst economic crisis in modern history. In the twelve years that would follow, the Dust Bowl would ravage the plains and render former farmland useless, heightening the impacts of the depression as the Secon...

On this episode of America's National Parks podcast, we explore the incredible Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Discover the park's unique geological features, including one of the world's most active volcanic areas, and witness the annual spectacle of brown bears gorging on salmon during Fat Bear Week. Learn about Katmai's rich biodiversity, fascinating history, and the essential role...

  Join Jason Epperson for crucial updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in National Parks affected by hurricanes. Other stories include the renaming of Clingman's Dome to Kuwohi, new memorials in Washington, D.C., and the 2025 U.S. Forest Service hiring freeze. Stay informed about park closures, maintenance needs, and the latest developments in our national parks!   ***** Use code PARKS30 for $3...

This episode of America's National Parks delves into the historic significance of the Yorktown Battlefield within the Colonial National Historic Park. It explores the climactic moments of the American Revolutionary War in 1781, where British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington, highlighting Washington's tactical brilliance and the dire conditions faced by both armies. The e...

From the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the cliffs of Capitol Reef, there is no shortage of beauty in Utah. Still, the stunning landscape of Utah goes far beyond the “Mighty Five.” A wealth of National Monuments, Historic Parks, Recreation Areas, and Historic Trails can be found within its borders, and in the southeastern corner of the state sits one unit that receives barely over 100,000 visitors per...

In this episode, we're sharing some national park trip tips for those who feel that national parks aren't all they've cracked up to be. Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com . Find the America's National Parks Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1238438736287784

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com. In this episode, we cover a high-speed chase through Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Canyon's water crisis and recovery, Yosemite's indefinite closure of the historic Wawona Hotel, Death Valley's record-breaking summer temperatures, and the adoption of electric bikes and buses at various parks. Learn about these critica...

This episode delves into the history of the Teton Valley, focusing on early settlers, dude ranches, and the eventual creation of Grand Teton National Park. Highlights include transforming harsh, isolated land into thriving dude ranches by pioneers like Struthers Burt and Louis Joy, the romanticized Western experience sought by Easterners, and the rise of commercial developments that threatened the...

From rumored Bigfoot sightings to a vanishing island, there is no shortage of mystery in the waters of Crater Lake. At 1,943 feet, the lake is the seventh deepest in the world and is best known for its sapphire blue color and astonishing size. Visitors can marvel at the massive crater formed thousands of years ago in a volcanic eruption and enjoy many activities that change with the seasons, but m...

Join us for the latest updates in National Park news. This episode covers the collapse of a popular double arch in Glen Canyon, the establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, and new features on Recreation.gov for park entry bookings. You’ll also hear about recent lightning strike incidents at Horseshoe Bend, prohibited base jumping in the Grand Canyon, vandalism at Joshua...

  In this episode of America's National Parks, explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Delve into its rich fossil record, uncovering the exceptional dinosaur discoveries unique to the area. Discover the park's crucial scientific contributions to understanding prehistoric climates, evolutionary patterns, and current biodiversity, including a significant bee study.    Hosted...

 Discover the mesmerizing natural wonders of Yosemite through the eyes of 19th-century photographer Carleton Watkins. Travel back to the time when photography was in its infancy, and learn about Watkins' grueling journey with almost a ton of photographic equipment to capture the untamed splendor of Yosemite. Witness how Watkins' stunning images influenced pivotal figures, including President Abrah...

In this episode of America's National Parks, host Jason Epperson interviews Nate Hegyi, host and senior producer of the acclaimed Outside/In podcast. They discuss Nate's journey from an outdoor-averse child to an enthusiastic adult exploring North America in a camper van. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities in environmental journalism today, focusing on how to tell engagi...

In this month's National Park News Round-Up, we're sharing the story of how Yellowstone rangers stopped a plot for an independence day mass shooting, a string of heat-related and drowning deaths in parks around the country, a piece of Theodore Roosevelt history is returned after a theft in the 70's, and more. Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

On a hot Texas day, the splash of water from an irrigation gate is a welcome sound to those who rely on it this water to grow corn, peppers, squash and other foods. Water is the lifeblood of the farming communities of the San Antonio missions.  But how do you irrigate arid landscapes without modern plumbing? You build acequias. Brought by 18th-century Spanish missionaries, these gravity-based cana...

Just about 40 miles outside of Chicago and nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park, combined with the neighboring state park of the same name, protects over 17,000 acres of sand dunes, ecological wonders, and diverse habitats. Amongst them sits a swell dedicated to the life and legacy of one of the earliest advocates of the park. To those of her time, she was known as t...

In Buffalo, New York, a collection of paintings lay neglected in a storage area of the Museum of Science for many decades. Once coveted, these paintings were no longer deemed aligned with the museum’s vision. How had a science museum become interested in art depicting Zion National Park? And what was to become of the paintings? Art and the national parks go hand in hand in many ways, especially fo...

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com. In this episode, Yellowstone plans to keep more bison each year, Teton Pass could wreak havoc on Grand Teton and Yellowstone visitors, a rare white bison is born, a grizzly has a litter of five cubs, and a whole lot more.    ***** Become a Mile Marker Member and support this content. Learn more at https://RVMiles.com/milema...

Despite its proximity to major metropolitan areas, Assateague Island National Seashore offers a serene escape that feels worlds away. With its sweeping beaches and wild horses, the island embodies the natural beauty preserved by dedicated conservationists. But the island's story is unique, shaped not only by human efforts but also by one of the most destructive hurricanes of the 20th century. Join...

On May 10th 1855, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis personally penned one of the most unusual orders in the US Army’s history to Brevet Major Henry C. Wayne. It read, in part: "Sir: [You are] assigned to special duty in connection with the appropriation for importing camels for army transportaion and for other military purposes." The order represented a victory for Davis in a four-year struggle wit...

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com . When John Wilkes Booth shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln, he broke his left leg in the process, leaping to the stage at Ford's Theater. He and his getaway man on the door of Dr. Samuel Mudd at four in the morning for assistance. Mudd set, splinted, and bandaged the broken leg. The two stayed with Mudd for about 12...