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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Today we welcome Dave and Ilyssa Kyu, the masterminds behind the books you’ve probably seen at your local outdoor shop - Campfire Stories! Volume II is out now and is full of amazing stories from parks around the country. Dave and Ilyssa speak to us about the inspiration behind the books and share some of their personal favorites. You can find Campfire Stories Volume I and II at your local bookstore, outdoor outfitter or online. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, ...
Today we visit the Flight 93 National Memorial to remember 9/11 and how 40 heroic individuals saved the lives of thousands onboard United Flight 93. Please take care while listening. Learn more about the passengers of Flight 93 here For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content...
Arthur Kingsley Porter aka “The Indiana Jones of Architecture” seemed to have it all, and although it can be easy to judge the Gatsby’s of the world, appearances can be deceiving – they can prove that sometimes having it all just isn’t enough. What would you do if you had the world, but desperately wanted to leave it all behind? Antarctica Trip For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikT...
Today’s stories include a near miss with a serial killer, ghost children, feathered signs and finding out what meta means. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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 or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free ...
John Tornow left the societal world to live a reclusive life within the forests of what today is Olympic National Park. When he is accused of murder, he flees into the thick brush of the PNW evading capture for months. But is he a villain? or a victim? Antarctica Info For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and rece...
When conservationist Dr. Greg Rasmussen is flying the skies alone above Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe his ultralight plane experiences a malfunction causing him to crash land in the open African bush. Severely injured and without any food, water or emergency kits he must survive his injuries, the elements – and the predators. Just when he is about to give up, the thought of saving the very animals who could end his life gave him the will to live. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel deta...
Today’s stories include mushy moments, thin veils, searching for friends and getting haunted. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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 to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our social...
This episode delves into the harrowing experiences of three families camping near Yellowstone National Park during the catastrophic 1959 earthquake. It details the immediate chaos, the immense power of the 7.5 magnitude quake and resulting landslide, and the challenges faced by trapped survivors and makeshift medical aid stations. Ultimately, it highlights both tragic losses and miraculous survivals, and the enduring legacy of Quake Lake.
Today we are teaming up with Corinne and Sabrina from Two Girls One Ghost to investigate just what makes Gettysburg one of the most haunted locations in America. This episode is all about the supernatural side of Gettysburg! We talk free range ghosts, afterlife matchmaking and paranormal activity galore Check out part 1 of our chat on Gettysburg HERE to catch up on the stories about women soldiers who fought in disguise and learn how the civil war changed the way death was viewed and handled in ...
Today’s stories include calling 911 on raccoons, aliens in Oregon, swans faking their own deaths, first hand third man encounters and almost but not really murder stories. Cassie also sprinkles in some Flash Trivia to embarrass Danielle! Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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...
The story of NPS Ranger Roy Sullivan and his repeated run-ins with one of nature’s deadliest forces will have you thinking of lightning every time you hear the phrase – what are the odds? For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts . Want...
Michelle Dowd was raised within the boundaries of Angeles National Forest inside of a religious cult her grandfather created. She was raised to believe that the end of the world was near and in turn, was taught to forage off the land, navigate by the stars, and survive off the land. After enduring years of abuse she finally escaped. After years of healing and moving forward with her life, she has authored a book detailing her story. In this episode, we all get the chance to know Michelle as we d...
Today we are joined by Delia D’Ambra of the Park Predators podcast as she walks us through what chilling cases season 4 has in store and shares her process investigating some of the most horrific true crime cases in the wilderness. Delia is an investigative journalist from North Carolina who started her career in journalism in 2014. She specializes in re-investigating cold case homicides and unsolved crimes. Like all of us, she is an outdoors enthusiast and is currently on a mission to check off...
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the nation’s best “hidden” jewels. It’s the perfect destination, until it isn’t. The park can be a risky place to be with notoriously rough coastal waters when weather turns, but it wasn’t until 2006 when it saw its first documented fatal fall. Since then, what truly happened surrounding Juanita Richardson’s death among the cliffs of Pictured rocks has been a topic of fierce speculation. The event tore a family apart, and this story proves the most dan...
Today we visit the Giant Sequoias of California and tell the tales of their exploitation to gain recognition at the World's Fair in the United States. The length people went through to cut down some of the largest trees in the world to ship them across the country was extensive, but many questioned whether the trees were real. People laughed at the idea of these enormous trees and when they tried to show them off in hopes of profits, many deemed it all as an unbelievable “hoax.” Come see us live...
Today’s stories include disembodied voices, justice from beyond, haunted happenings, high adventures and the bestest bark ranger. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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 to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus ...
When a notorious pirate named Captain Gregory Dwargstof sought out the distant Aleutian Island of Adak to stash his stolen gold, he didn’t count on dying before he could get back to it. Over 130 years later a team is put together to uncover the millions of dollars worth of gold not to hoard for themselves, but to pay forward to a community in need. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark ...
Today we trek into Muir Woods National Monument to explore the decaying community of Druid Heights, once a thriving hub for artists, philosophers and those who felt they couldn’t find acceptance in the world. We look back on what it once was and discuss the controversy surrounding its current preservation, or lack of. But we aren’t alone! We are joined by Justin Yoder, founder of LGBT Outdoors. After our tour of Druid Heights, Justin tells us more about his organization, what inspired him to cre...
Today’s stories include encountering the unexplained, unexpected finds, killer squirrels, coincidence cats and stepping out of your comfort zone. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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 to gain access to ad-free ...
Smokey Bear has been an iconic National forest Service symbol and has served as a staple in fire prevention safety education for generations. However, not only is Smokey’s origin story dark, but he was also once a living, breathing, American black bear. Stick around for the end of the episode as Cassie's partner Al, a long time wildland firefighter, shares his experiences in the field and tips on fire prevention. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npa...
Stories that make up the world’s collective rich history of legends and folklore are riddled with mysterious creatures. But what if one of these made-up beings jumped right off the page right into our very real world. And what if we looked into the face of that creature, only to discover it is more like us than we could have ever imagined? Today we venture to the island of Sumatra to discuss the Orang Pendek and its alleged last holdout deep within the forests of Kerinci Seblat National Park. Fo...
Today’s stories include wildin coyotes, trips from hell, riding the struggle bus, caffeinating bears, surviving storms and train stalkers. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Trammel Evans, please reach out to Joshua Tree Search and Rescue at (909) 383-5652 or email findtrammellevans@gmail.com Follow, find additional details and spread the word @findtram on all social accounts. We love our National Par...
This episode explores the compelling story of wild horses at White Sands Missile Range, who endured decades of military testing, including the first atomic bomb. Faced with mass starvation and public outcry, a compassionate veterinarian, Dr. Don Hoagland, led a monumental rescue. The episode details the challenges of capturing and rehoming these resilient animals, highlighting the complexities of wildlife conservation and Dr. Hoagland's unwavering dedication to their survival and welfare.
Join us on a very special episode as we trek to Missouri! This time around, we get to sit back and learn as we are guided through Mark Twain National Forest by Christie and Heather from Sinisterhood podcast. We talk all about cryptids, mysteries, missing persons and more with amazing company. Be sure to check out Sinisterhood HERE to catch their latest episodes and grab a ticket to one of their upcoming live shows! Make sure to listen to their Freaky Friday segment to hear us share our own perso...
Today we welcome Steph Jagger, author of Everything Left to Remember: My Mother, Our Memories and a Journey Through the Rocky Mountains for a conversation about adventure, loss, gain, forgetting and remembering. Following her mother's Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the duo embarked on a grand adventure through three of our nation’s most beautiful national parks and her book is one of grief, celebration, surrender and acceptance. Steph can be found on Instagram HERE and through her website HERE . While s...
The podcast recounts the chilling cold case of the Cowden family, who vanished from their campsite in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in 1974. Following a massive search, their remains were discovered seven months later, revealing a brutal multiple murder. The investigation eventually pointed to Dwayne Lee Little, a convicted murderer with a history of violence and a suspicious presence in the area at the time, yet he was never officially charged, leaving the case unresolved.
Join us this week in the Alaskan Wilderness to the site of a plane crash on Redoubt Volcano. Four military men find themself stranded for weeks in a place where no rescue team has ventured to before. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Pod...
Today’s stories include finding ritual sites, trail advice, flash floods, lack of Plan B’s and snail tales. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! 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 to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Fol...
We’ve all experienced it – the feeling of someone watching us, or in the room with us when we are by all accounts seemingly alone. A shift in the air or a tingle down your spine usually sets off these spider senses. Traditionally, when we think of this feeling, we are afraid. But what happens when this unseen force is helpful? And provides companionship in times of desperation and need, in circumstances of life or death? Today we travel the globe and through time to visit stories of survivors fr...
Hot Springs National Park was nicknamed the loose buckle in the Bible Belt for its long history of criminal operations, speakeasies, and mob lore. Today we conduct a historic tour of the park, visiting the favorite haunts of infamous gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider...
