Best Nationalparks Podcasts (2024)

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Traveler's Summer Outlook 51:16

2h ago51:16

51:16

Summer is almost here. The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to the summer travel season, and I’m happy to say that the National Parks Traveler will be continuing to bring you news about the parks and how you can enjoy them. As much as Editor-in-Chief Kurt Repanshek was looking forward to retiring, listener and reader support ha…

1
406 Pikes Peak Update, Fox Run Nature Center, other news 47:55

5h ago47:55

47:55

On this week's podcast, Bob provides an update on the shuttle and reservation system on Pikes Peak. Also, interesting facts around the proposed Fox Run Park Nature Center, a new feature on the COTREX app and website, and Bob is selling one of his cameras. Pikes Peak season/annual passes: https://tinyurl.com/tz94b427 COTREX wildfire alerts: https://…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | NPS Budgetary Blues 48:10

3d ago48:10

48:10

With the summer vacation season not too far off, no doubt many National Park Service Superintendents are trying to figure out how to manage the crowds and avoid impacts to natural resources in the park system. With Memorial Day weekend just two weeks away, and Congress in its usual battles over how to fund the federal government, we wanted to take …

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Smokies Life 42:36

1h ago42:36

42:36

Smokies Life, which most of you who closely follow Great Smoky Mountains National Park know was previously known as the Great Smoky Mountains Association, produces educational and informational materials for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This week we’re joined by Laurel Rematore, the chief executive officer of Smokies Life, to discuss the na…

1
405 City and County Master Plans, Pikes Peak Shuttle 40:22

5h ago40:22

40:22

On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss master plans projects underway for Colorado Springs' Fishers Canyon Open Space and El Paso County's Jones Park. Also, a discussion about timed-entry reservation requirement for Pikes Peak, and a new shuttle system that leaves out recreational users. Fishers Canyon Master Plan: https://tinyurl.com/3ndbv8…

1
404 A hike and conversation with "Hiking Unlimited" 24:12

20d ago24:12

24:12

On this week's podcast, Bob takes a short hike while interviewing Sheila Doherty a/k/a "Hiking Unlimited" on social media. An expert based in Phoenix, she gives advice on hiking in the desert Southwest, chats with Bob about her favorite trips and hikes, and also her future plans. Along on the hike was Sheila's friend, Michelle, a new hiker who was …

101
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Fossilized Parks 49:35

8d ago49:35

49:35

Have you ever closely inspected the landscape when you’re touring the National Park System, particularly in the West? You never know what you might find. Back in 2010 a 7-year-old attending a Junior Ranger program at Badlands National Park spied a partially exposed fossil that turned out to be the skull of a 32-million-year-old saber-toothed cat. I…

1
403 Want to hike to Hanging Lake? Plan ahead. 46:06

12d ago46:06

46:06

On this week's podcast, Bob is joined by co-host Kevin "Wild" Westendorf and they catch up on what Kevin has been doing since he was last on the show. They also discuss people behaving badly on trails, a rescue due to people being woefully underprepared, and if you want to hike to the popular Hanging Lake, you will need to prepare carefully and far…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Wolverine Recovery in Colorado 47:15

15d ago47:15

47:15

Wolverines, the largest land-dwelling members of the weasel family, once roamed across the northern tier of the United States, and as far south as New Mexico in the Rockies and southern California in the Sierra Nevada range. But after more than a century of trapping and habitat loss, wolverines in the lower 48 today exist only as small, fragmented …

1
402 Rocky Mountain Field Institute's Jolie NeSmith 44:29

19d ago44:29

44:29

On this week's podcast, Bob interviews Jolie NeSmith, the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI). They talk about her first year at the helm, including challenges and accomplishments, and then move on to discuss the 2024 work season. The review the projects RMFI will be working on, with an update on the multi-year Devils Pl…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Cultural Resource Challenge 42:15

22d ago42:15

42:15

Spur a discussion about traveling to a national park for a vacation and odds are that it will revolve around getting out into nature, looking for wildlife, perhaps honing your photography skills, or marveling at incredible vistas. Will the discussion include destinations that portray aspects of the country’s history, or cultural melting pot? Equati…

1
401 Luis Benitez and How Outdoor Recreation can Save the World 56:41

29d ago56:41

56:41

Bob chats with Luis Benitez, the author of "Higher Ground: How The Outdoor Recreation Industry Can Save The World". The first head of Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, and a leader in the outdoor recreation industry, he talks with Bob about the need to change how outdoor recreation in the United States is funded and managed, and how he…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Total Solar Eclipse of the Parks 46:29

29d ago46:29

46:29

Tens of millions of people in the United States will be able to witness a Total Solar Eclipse on Monday as the rare astronomical event cuts a path from Texas to Maine, up to 122 miles wide in some spots. This is a great opportunity to see the exact moment when the moon fully blocks the sun, creating a blazing corona visible to those observing from …

1
400 The Healthy Hiker talks about taking care of our feet 1:06:41

1M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

This week's podcast is all about feet and how to take care of them. Bob is joined by frequent guest Physical Therapist and "Healthy Hiker" Alicia Filley, for an enlightening talk about feet. From common injuries, to how to decipher pain, to socks and shoes, they cover almost anything you'd want to know about feet and hiking. The Healthy Hiker websi…

1
Richard Bangs Returns 1:19:34

1M ago1:19:34

1:19:34

Richard Bangs is back! He joins Brian to share stories of first descents of rivers around the world and promote his new book, The Art of Living Dangerously. Enjoy Richard Bangs!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big AdventuresEntertainment LLC.By Brian Dierker, Richard Bangs, Gavin Boughner, Bill Gloeckler, Margaret Knight

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Music Inspired by the Parks 46:52

1M ago46:52

46:52

With March madness down to the Sweet 16, and Opening Day of Major League Baseball having arrived, we’re going to take a break this week and dive into our podcast archives for this week’s show. This is Kurt Repanshek, your host at the National Parks Traveler. My NCAA bracket was busted the very first day, and while the Yankees won their opening day …

1
399 Terrain Hoppers come to Cheyenne Mountain SP 39:03

1M ago39:03

39:03

On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss trail projects at two of Colorado Springs' most popular parks; one master plan is being finalized while another is starting. Also Cheyenne Mountain State Park has new Terrain Hoppers for visitors with accessiblity issues; will you able to see the April solar eclipse from Colorado? And finally, in the af…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Padre Island's Sea Turtles 45:41

1M ago45:41

45:41

One of the most popular public events in the National Park System was the release of sea turtle hatchlings, shuffling off into the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island National Seashore. I say was, because the number of those public events has been drastically scaled back in recent years. The programs featuring the release of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hat…

1
398 CPW update. Also winter driving, choosing footwear and more 31:05

2M ago31:05

31:05

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Wild Westendorf discuss the latest developments with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. Also, winter driving, choosing the right hiking footwear and Kevin has another medical scare. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking…

1
Kelsey Pfendler 1:09:04

2M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Kelsey Pfendler is about to row a boat from California to Hawaii. She sits down with Brian to talk about the race, her team, and the incredible amount of prep work for such an adventure. Enjoy Kelsey Pfendler!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big AdventuresEntertainment LLC.By Kelsey Pfendler, Margaret Knight, Bill Gloeckler, Gavin Boughner, Brian Dierker

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | Polluting the Parks 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

Air pollution and climate change impacts can have outsized effects on the National Park System, as well as lesser noticed but just as concerning effects. But are those impacts spread across the entire park system, or clustered around a few? Back in 2019 the National Parks Conservation Association looked at how air pollution and climate change were …

1
397 What's going on with the CPW Commission? 30:33

2M ago30:33

30:33

On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin talk about Daylight Saving Time, the hubbub over some appointments to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, and why are some hikers and cyclists harrassing construction workers? Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob webs…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | State of the Parks 2024 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

While most visitors to the National Park System view the parks as incredibly beautiful places, or places rich in culture and history, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes within the parks, and with the National Parks Service. Traveler editor Kurt Repanshek has closely followed the parks and the Park Service for more than 18 years. Over that…

1
396 Where are the best behaved hikers? 31:14

2M ago31:14

31:14

On this week's podcast, Bob flies solo! He discusses his next major "bucket list" trip, hiking in the desert, where are the best behaved hikers and cyclists. Also, the master plan process is ending for one Colorado Springs park and starting for another one, controversy with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and more. Fishers Canyon Master …

1
Laurie Dyer 45:06

2M ago45:06

45:06

Laurie Dyer can't get enough of the Grand Canyon. She sits down with Brian to chat about how she came to work for the National Park Service, the state of the park, and her ultramarathon hobby. Enjoy Laurie Dyer!Big Adventures with Brian Dierker is produced with joy by Big AdventuresEntertainment LLC.…

1
National Parks Traveler Podcast | National Park Guidebooks 47:05

2M ago47:05

47:05

With nearly 430 units in the National Park System, of which 63 are National Parks, we all probably could use a little help in planning our adventures into the park system. But do you simply visit a park’s website to plan your trip? Find an online guidebook? Buy a hardcover guidebook? Or simply wing it when you reach your destination? This is Kurt R…

1
395 Meet a US Forest Service Tribal Liaison 55:58

2M ago55:58

55:58

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Dr. Jason Herbert, the Tribal Liaison with the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC). Dr. Herbert, the first person to hold this position with the PSICC, talks about his previous experiences working with Native American tribes in the southern U.S. prior to worki…

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Nationalparks Podcasts

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