Hosted by two friends who share a passion for public lands and a fascination with what can go wrong there, each week hosts Danielle and Cassie explore the darker side of our National Parks. But it isn’t always chills and thrills. By sharing inspiring tales and their desire for protecting our planet’s wild places, they hope listeners will be inspired to take a walk into the wild and create meaningful adventures of their own.
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This episode delves into the story of Forrest Fenn, an eccentric millionaire who hid a $2 million treasure in the Rocky Mountains, accessible only by solving a cryptic poem. What started as an adventurous endeavor, inspired by his battle with cancer, led to thousands searching the wilderness, causing environmental damage, legal issues, and tragically, multiple deaths. The hunt finally concluded in 2020 with the discovery of the treasure by Jack Stoof, who maintains its secret location to preserve the natural site. Inspired by Fenn's legacy, a new $10,000 treasure hunt has now begun in Utah.
For this week’s adventure, we are heading to somewhere that prides itself on exploration of the park after dark. Bring those night vision goggles and an open mind as we travel to Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park where we discuss one of the state’s longest running unsolved mystery - the case of Snippy the horse, lights in the sky above Colorado, and contemplate the age-old question – are we alone? For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast...
Bring your life preserves, lots of food and water, and a camera! We are taking you down an epic trip in the Grand Canyon down the Colorado River in a sweep scow boat. When newlywed couple Glen and Bessie Hyde set out to the Grand Canyon to set records, they had high hopes, but just after a month on their journey - they disappear. Their disappearance is anything but normal and it sparks lots of rumors and theories of what could have happened to them. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel deta...
To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, we take a step back in history as Danielle flips back the pages of time and brings us to a dark chapter in US history. National Parks, some of our favorite places in the world, were once home to hundreds of indigenous nations. The lands we benefit from and enjoy today as parks came at the expense of others, others who lived and worshiped on those same lands for millennia. Lands that were stolen. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, me...
We are heading to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest in Sagarmatha National Park. In the past 80 years over 300 people have died on this mountain and many of their bodies have never been recovered. While tourism to summit Mount Everest has brought money to the country of Nepal it has also brought a huge problem - litter. In a climate where survival is more important than being respectful to our planet, over 100,000 pounds of trash have been left on top of Mount Everest, contaminati...
Fasten your seat belts folks, we are in for a wild ride. Come along if you dare as we wade through Everglades National Park. Walking the line between elegant and eerie, dynamic and deadly this is a park with danger around every murky corner. The largest wilderness east of the Mississippi has larger than life stories, and we have just barely skimmed the surface. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at: Instagram: @ nation...
Part two of "Night of the Grizzlies" continues the tragic story from Glacier National Park, recounting the desperate rescue missions for Julie Helgeson and Michelle Koons after horrific bear attacks. The episode details the gruesome discoveries, the courageous but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to save Julie, and the subsequent misguided bear hunts that killed innocent animals. It concludes with critical lessons on bear safety, emphasizing the importance of respecting wildlife and preventing human-wildlife conflict through responsible behavior in national parks.
Explore the harrowing true story of the 'Night of the Grizzlies' in Glacier National Park during the summer of 1967. This episode delves into a period of escalating bear aggression, fueled by human negligence and a complacent park service that repeatedly dismissed warnings and failed to enforce safety protocols. It sets the stage for two catastrophic incidents that would forever alter perceptions of grizzly bears and highlight the dire consequences of underestimating wildlife in their natural habitat.
Set aside your fear of heights and keep an open mind as we embark on the Observation Point Trail in Zion National Park – the same trail where Patricia Bottarini lost her life. 24 years later it is unclear if her death was a result of an ill intentioned husband or a tragic accident. In this week’s episode listen as Danielle walks us through the events leading up to her death, and the controversy that followed. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpod...
Pack your bags and bring plenty of supplies, who knows how long you will be joining us in Isle Royale National Park. In this episode we are taking you back to the 1800s during the Copper Rush around Lake Superior. When an indigenous woman and her French-Canadian voyageur husband are asked to head to Isle Royale to scope out copper they agree to stay there for three months during the summer, but when no one comes back for them they need to figure out how to survive the harsh winter of northern Mi...
Pack your overnight back and don’t forget to sign the guest book, this week we are headed to one of the most famous - and haunted - hotels in America. Bordering Rocky Mountain National Park, for over 100 years the walls of this building have been filled with laughter, music and joy, but those same walls have also trapped spirits - spirits who have no problem making their presence known. Today, we are checking into the Stanley Hotel. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and mo...
Check the weather before you head out on this adventure and leave any metal objects at home. In this episode we head to Grand Teton National Park and follow the journey of a group of climbers from Idaho who head out to summit the Grand Teton. When a lightning bolt hits 6 climbers at once, their only chance of survival are the Jenny Lake Rangers, the most elite group of rescue climbers in the entire US National Park system. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow...
Designated as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is unique in so many ways. From its distinct thermal features, various species of iconic wildlife and picturesque landscapes this park draws in millions of visitors annually. 149 years of people flooding the gates, roadways and trails has left Yellowstone with its fair share of tragedy. So much in fact, that hundreds of stories have filled thousands of pages in our history books. As with every historical event, there is always a lesson t...
Grab your camping gear and make sure you bring plenty of water. This might be a good time to leave your best friend at home. This week we are taking you to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. When two friends from Boston head out on a cross-country road trip to California, they stop at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico to camp for the night. What was supposed to be a one night camping trip ends up being longer than either of them expected and only one of them makes it out alive. Join us t...
Delve into the enigmatic Lake Crescent within Olympic National Park, a place of stunning beauty yet profound mystery. This episode recounts the chilling discovery of "The Lady of the Lake" and the investigation into her tragic murder, alongside the decades-long disappearance and eventual finding of the Warren family's car. Listeners will also learn about serial killer Israel Keyes' connection to the lake and a remarkable story of survival and retrieved memories from its depths.
Grab your passports and your life jackets. In our very first episode completely dedicated to a National Park abroad we head to Patagonia. In this episode we explore the iconic lives of Kris and Doug Tompkins and all the strides they've made in the world of conservation. Unfortunately, in the midst of these accomplishments, Doug passed away in a tragic kayaking accident. We discuss exactly what happened the day of his death and the extreme conditions that led to his demise. This power couple, eve...
Throughout history women of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities have made monumental impacts on National Parks here in the US and throughout the world. But why don't we learn about them? Men like John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt make frequent appearances in our history books when it comes to National Park history, but as the old saying goes - behind every great man is an even greater woman. In honor of Women's History Month we want to share stories a sampling of stories from the great women of...
Bring your hiking boots and pack all your summer camping gear. We are taking you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This episode is inspired by a viral Tik Tok video that surfaced with the claims of cannibals living inside the park and specifically, these cannibals are the reason for the long time debated disappearance of 6 year old, Dennis Martin. We're diving deep into this entire investigation of his disappearance, day by day, and debunking the mystery of what could have happened to ...
Dive into the tragic 1946 Curtis Commando R5C crash at Mount Rainier National Park, where 32 U.S. Marines lost their lives. This episode details the challenging search and recovery efforts hampered by severe weather and treacherous terrain, culminating in the difficult decision to leave the fallen entombed in the glacier. It also explores the cultural significance of Mount Rainier to indigenous tribes and reveals a surprising, related UFO sighting.
Gather round as we share stories from you, to you in our first ever listener episode! From UFOs to the paranormal, spooky findings and search and rescue missions, you really nailed it! All stories shared with the permission of submitting parties We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon ...
Hosts Cassie and Danielle recount the chilling true crime story of Carrie Stainer, the Yosemite serial killer, whose crimes left the park a ghost town. The narrative explores Stainer's deeply troubled childhood, including the abduction of his brother Stephen, and his bizarre obsession with Bigfoot, which he linked to his violent fantasies. The episode details his gruesome murders and the surprising confession, leading to a discussion on the complex nature vs. nurture debate surrounding his actions.
Pack all your gear and don’t forget the bear spray as we head out to Alaska. In this week’s episode, Cassie starts us off in Denali National Park and recounts the tragic tale of the deadliest climbing accident in the Park’s history. Then, Danielle takes us to Katmai National Park where she shares with us the tragic demise of grizzly bear researcher and advocate Timothy Treadwell. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at: I...
Grab your flashlight and stick with the group as we enter Mammoth Cave National Park. With hundreds of miles of caves and thousands of years of history, it's easy to get lost in here. Come listen as Danielle guides us through the park's colorful and at times, dark, past. Hear the stories of those who have explored, lived and died in these caves, and perhaps never left. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at: Instagram: @...
Lace up those hiking boots and get ready to enter Shenandoah and Acadia National Park. In the first episode of National Park After Dark, listen along as Cassie and Danielle tell the tragic tales of Julianne Williams, Lollie Winans and Leslie Spellman – three women who came to explore these parks, but never left. As of June 20, 2024 Julie and Lollie's case has been officially solved. Link to the FBI announcement here . We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, r...
