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 eventually became one of the largest military posts on the Northern Plains. Before its abandonment in 1890, Fort Laramie would also bear witness to sweeping expansion and the heated negotiations between Amer ..read more

In this month's national park news, new-to-science fossils have been uncovered at Mammoth Cave and John Day Fossil Beds, a rabies scare is taking hold at Saguaro National Park, a man gets convicted for diverting the Platte River at Sleeping Bear Dunes, and more. Hosted by Jason Epperson Visit LLBean.com to find great gear for exploring the national parks.  Use promo code PARKS20OFF to get $20 off your next purchase of $200 or more at solostove.com ..read more

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at https://rvshare.com. Join Jason Epperson in this month's National Park news roundup. Key updates include 2025 timed entry requirements for several national parks like Arches, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Yosemite. Discover changes in reservation systems and what it means for your 2025 travel plans. Also, could Chesapeake Bay become a national park? Recent incidents at Yellowstone, policy shifts under the incoming Interior Secretary and more.  Find the America's National Parks Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/123 ..read more

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, pristine and wild scenic rivers, and rugged coastlines hosting whales, seals, and wildflowers in California's Redwood National and State Parks.  Written By Jennifer Molidor Hosted By Jason Eppe ..read more

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 Second World War brought the entire world to a standstill.  But Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR as many would come to know him, would take it all in stride. Born in Hyde Park, New York in 1882, he w ..read more

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 of conservation. Get ready for an unforgettable wild adventure in one of America's most remote national parks.   Written By Jennifer Molidor Hosted By Jason Epperson   Use the code PARKS30 ..read more

  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 $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 Become a Mile Marker Member and su ..read more

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 episode also examines Yorktown's role during the Civil War, focusing on General George McClellan's hesitations during the Siege of Yorktown and contrasting them with General Ulysses S. Grant’s aggressi ..read more

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is one of the greenest buildings in the National Park Service inventory. In this episode, we take a look at how it cools without air conditioners, heats without a furnace, and more. Plus, as park visitation grows, how a second visitor center on the other side of the park could improve the visitor experience.  Use promo code PARKS20OFF to get $20 off your next purchase of $200 or more at solostove.com ..read more

In this month's national park news round-up, we're covering the new National Monuments, one remembering Emmett Till and the other protecting the area surrounding the Grand Canyon. Plus, two men get lost in Death Valley and hike for miles overnight in the grueling heat, and a plane crash in Denali is presumed to have no survivors ..read more