Episodes

In this end-of-the-year episode, we talk about many of the topics listeners have suggested to us that aren’t long enough for a full episode.

Little did we know when we cavalierly made the announcement ten years ago that we were going to visit every U.S. national park that we had just signed up for a trip to the Southern Hemisphere.

In this second part of our mini-series about floating the Colorado River in a small wooden dory boat, we share stories from our second trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon.

For years we’d ask people who’d traveled the world, “What’s the best outdoor adventure trip you’ve ever taken?” To our surprise, the same answer came up time after time: floating the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

No state in the Union has more public space than Alaska; nearly 90% of the land is owned by the state or federal government. Lake Clark National Park, about 120 miles southwest of Anchorage, is one of the most remote.

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you have trouble finding the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your list,

Brilliant, breathtaking, and magnificent are just some of the words we would use to describe the scenic drives we discuss in this episode.

Featuring a park in our home state of Washington on this episode, we discuss some of the highlights and must-sees at Olympic National Park.

While visiting Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks in the winter can feel like stepping into a Christmas card photo, staying in a nearby Forest Service cabin with no electricity or indoor plumbing isn’t always so picture perfect.

Had the government not stepped in to protect the land that today makes up these magnificent parks, the Giant Sequoias may have been lost forever.

We had all but given up on ever getting a permit to hike to one of the most sought-after sites in the American Southwest: The Wave in Northern Arizona.

It is by far the most frequent question we get from readers and listeners: How much did it cost you to visit all 62 national parks?

Few places, if any, in the lower 48 states have remained as wild and undisturbed as Yellowstone National Park.

In this episode we explore many of the great public lands that are within day-tripping-distance from—that’s right—Las Vegas.

In this episode, we talk about a buffalo-themed road trip we took across the northern plains states to some national and state parks where we visited as many public bison herds as we could fit into two weeks.

Matt and Karen are joined by friends John and Lolly to recount their misadventure on the Chilkoot Trail as they retrace the footsteps of the prospectors of the Klondike Gold Rush.

The five national parks in Utah are spectacular and draw millions of visitors each year for a good reason. But the public lands surrounding these parks are also packed with natural wonders worth experiencing.

Teardrop trailers sure look cute and romantic, but what’s it like actually sleeping in one?

You’ll often see the same handful of National Parks topping the “best of” lists, but there are some real hidden gems out there too that are worth visiting.

Join us on this episode to hear stories about our incredible bear encounters and our recommendations for planning your own trip to Katmai.

Join Matt and Karen as they descend 750 feet underground to explore what Karen thinks is one of the most magical places in the entire U.S. national park system: Carlsbad Caverns.

Standing in waist-deep water while looking up at the towering canyon walls, the scene was breath-taking.

Have you ever wanted to take an RV on an adventure into the National Parks? So did we, so we rented one in Arizona and toured the southern part of the state for a week.

Matt and Karen gleefully revisit some of their favorite National Park lodges and the adventures they had staying in them.