Exploring the National Parks

Tucked between two of Colorado's most towering mountain ranges is a landscape that feels almost fictional. 30 square miles of dunes rising taller than the Gateway Arch, somehow thriving in the heart of the Rockies — it’s a place that you have to see to believe.

In this episode, we're digging into some fun facts that will show you why the Great Sand Dunes National Park is so incredible – including how it came to be and why it almost didn’t survive.

In this episode, we cover:

How the tallest dunes in all of North America came to be

The three main dunes: Star Dune, Hidden Dune, and High Dune

The rare surge flow phenomenon that can send waves 12 to 20 inches high

The naturally magnetic black sand called magnetite, and why a lightning storm can make your compass spin

Why geologists still can't agree on how old these dunes actually are

The Great Sand Dunes gold rush of the 1920s — and the local women's organization that saved the park from becoming a gravel pit

How a water development threat decades later nearly destroyed the sand recycling system

The 2004 legislation that made the park four times larger and solidified its protection

Your task for today: Find the nonprofit partner for your favorite national park, follow them on social, and let us know who they are over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram so we can support them too!

 

Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/great-sand-dunes-fun-facts-everything-that-makes-this-park-so-incredible/

Planning your own Great Sand Dunes adventure?

5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Great Sand Dunes: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-great-sand-dunes-national-park/

Episode 146: Prepare to be Wowed at Great Sand Dunes National Park! (Best Tips + Activities): https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park-best-tips-activities/

Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/ 

National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 

Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Picture this: you’re standing at the foot of the tallest dunes in North America, a snow-capped mountain towering behind you, and nature singing all around you. If it sounds awe-inspiring, that’s because it is! And it’s exactly why  Great Sand Dunes National Park needs to be next on your national park bucket list.



It may not be the country’s most well-known park, but it’s a gem in and of itself! Today, we are exploring Great Sand Dunes and walking you through everything you need to know to plan a perfect day in one of Colorado's most underrated parks.



In this episode, we cover:



The geography that makes this place so amazing


Where to stay near the park


The quiet little nature trail that will soothe your soul


The full Medano Creek experience, including when to come for "Colorado's beach" (yes…it is as interesting as it sounds!)


Sand sledding tips (and why it is so much better here than at White Sands)


Everything you need to know about hiking High Dune


Our perfect day at Great Sand Dunes from sunrise to sunset



 


Your task for today: Have you been to Great Sand Dunes National Park? Tell us your best (or most sand-blasted) memory over on the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram pages — and bonus points if you have a video of yourself sand sledding (gracefully…or ungracefully, no shame)!

 

Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park-best-tips-activities/



 


Planning your own Great Sand Dunes National Park adventure?



5 Things You Can't Miss On Your First Visit to Great Sand Dunes: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/5-things-cant-miss-first-visit-great-sand-dunes-national-park/

Episode 35: Swimming Holes in the Parks: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/swimming-holes-in-the-parks-olympic-great-sand-dunes-and-dry-tortugas/


Episode 110: Colorado National Parks Road Trip!: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/colorado-national-parks-road-trip/


Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/


National Parks Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/


Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of national parks and explore the interesting behavior that can be observed within these amazing landscapes. From hazardous driving incidents to ill-prepared hikers, we discuss the unique experiences that make national parks even more interesting.

We strive to strike a balance between amusement and respectful observation, and hope you enjoy learning about the antics and misadventures that have taken place, leaving us amused and entertained.

In this episode, we cover:

National Park Visitor Bingo

The craziest things we see every time we are in the parks

Two Truths and a Lie

The people who put the wild in wildlife

The things people do for social media 

Why the buffalo is the king of beasts

Sports in the parks

Yes, the water in Yellowstone is boiling

Dumb things the park service has done

Many of these things are funny, but how we interact with these national parks has a significant impact, so it's important to know what to do and what not to do! 

We created a bingo card for all the unusual tourist behaviors we've observed on our National Park visits. Just to name a few: drivers abruptly stopping on highways to capture photos of mundane objects like trees; tourists struggling to open bear-proof garbage cans; first-time RV drivers; people feeding wildlife with their hands; visitors approaching wildlife for selfies; hiking in flip-flops; and many more.

Your Task For The Day: Get ready for your summer travels! Grab our Bingo card so your group can play along on your next national park vacation! >> Download our BINGO card here <<

Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/stupid-national-park-behavior/ 

 

Planning your own National Parks adventure?

Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/ 

Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/ 

Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/ 

National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/  

Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

It’s going down! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, John and Ash, a former park ranger, are fighting it out in the ultimate trail rumble! Join us as we rank our favorite national park hiking trails. 

Buckle up because there will be some fighting.  We both made our own lists, and we are ready to see who comes out victorious!

In this episode, we cover: 

An incredible immersive hike 

A great hike to take during the sunset

Trails to see in Sequoia Kings

Trails full of adventure and amazing sights

A must-see trail in Yosemite 

Trails we love at Acadia 

A couple of epic trails in Mount Rainier National Park

Our favorite mountain trails

It was so hard to rank the trails because there are truly so many amazing ones to see! But we hope you enjoy this fun ranking episode and that it will inspire you to get out on a trail somewhere.

Your task for today:  Have you hiked any of these iconic trails? How would you rank them?  Let us know your favorite hiking trails over on the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page!

Don’t miss the full show notes packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-11-national-park-hiking-trails-ranked/

 

Planning your own National Parks hiking adventure?

Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/ 

Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/ 

Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/ 

National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/  

Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking about what we consider to be one of the top road trips that you can take -- the Grand Circle. This amazing road trip includes nine western national parks! 

You get to see some truly cool stuff on this route, and we are so excited to be sharing what we love about it today. 

In this episode, we cover:

Where to start when road tripping the Grand Circle

Cool things to do in Zion National Park

What you have to see at Bryce Canyon

Our favorite stops along Highway 12

What we love about Kodachrome State Park

What’s so amazing about Capitol Reef National Park

Why Goblin Valley is a must-see

Why you should check out Little Wild Horse Canyon

What to check out if you love Native American art

What you need to do at Arches National Park

The views in Dead Horse Point State Park

The districts in Canyonlands

The most underrated park that you need to visit

Why we love the Million Dollar Highway 

The coolest things about Mesa Verde 

Why you should stop at Chaco Canyon

Other off-route stops you might want to check out 

The amazing fossils at Petrified Forest National Park 

Why you should spend some extra time exploring the Grand Canyon

Don’t miss the *full show notes* packed with all the links we mentioned so you can plan your adventures like a pro: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/episode-15-grand-circle-road-trip-one-trip-nine-national-parks/

 

Planning your own Grand Circle adventure?

Dirt in My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/ 

Dirt In My Shoes National Park Planning Resources: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/  

Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/

National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 

Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/