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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Dan and Lyndze Cummins, hosts of Scared to Death join us today to share some creepy tales. First, we chat about their personal thoughts on and experiences with the other side before they bring us to California and Idaho for some very strange stories filled with legends, curses and the unknown. Catch them and their podcasts Scared to Death and Timesuck on your favorite listening platforms! For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our soci...
Today’s stories include ranger reprimands, haunted objects, yellow roses, misplaced eyes, freaky lights, close encounters and NPAD love. 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 acce...
On October 22, 2024 a legacy ended when Grizzly 399 was hit by a car and killed. She was the most beloved bear in the world and the oldest known grizzly to produce cubs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She gained popularity when she strategically raised her cubs by the roadways and tolerated human interaction. In this episode we share her story, the legacy and impact she left on the conservation world, and the problems that her habituation has had and will continue to cause. Hang out until ...
What began as an afternoon high school field trip to observe plants became one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most enduring and puzzling missing persons cases when 16-year-old Trenny Gibson vanished from a trail amongst 40 other students. Her story has stumped investigators and broken hearts for decades, but there is still hope that someone, somewhere knows something that can bring answers and peace. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD...
Today’s stories include confession notes, quicksand escapes, mama grizzlies, spider pets, finding kittens, frog watching, trail tales within trail tales and proof that all dogs go to heaven. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at: Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark Twitter/X: @npadpodcast TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becomin...
The episode recounts the 1990 escape of two dangerous convicts from a Florida prison, their subsequent kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman, and the tragic murder of Ranger Robert McGhee at Gulf Islands National Seashore. It details the intense manhunt, the convicts' capture and sentencing, and Ranger McGhee's widow Linda's relentless fight for justice, leading to significant changes in prison security and state laws. The story further explores a surprising second escape by one of the murderers a decade later.
Delve into the dark past of Sydney Harbour National Park's Q Station, originally a quarantine facility where over 500 people perished from infectious diseases like smallpox and Spanish flu. The episode uncovers the stark realities of class and racial segregation, the horrific treatments endured by patients, and the tragic tales of those who never left. Today, the site is renowned as one of Australia's most haunted locations, attracting ghost hunters with its chilling accounts of apparitions and inexplicable paranormal activity.
Today’s stories include disembodied voices (and fingers ?), questionable aliens, conjuring spirits and peaks beyond the veil. 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-fr...
Today we go to the national park unit that preserves the bloodiest day in American History. During the civil war, 23,000 people were killed or wounded in a single day. Today, this area may contain the spirits of those who lost their lives. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes 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 sho...
A universal desire to have more time to convey our love to those who we have lost has been in existence for as long as humans have. For most of history, those wishing to connect with the deceased relied on mediums, until two of history’s most brilliant minds added science to the equation in hopes of inventing a direct line to the other side. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.c...
Some histories are lost with time, but remnants of their existence remain. Off an unmarked trail within Rocky Mountain National Park sits an abandoned cabin that in its heyday was a popular place for tourists to visit. It was once filled with people from around the world who had ventured to see Anna Wolfrom’s famous Tea Room for themselves. Anna managed to operate a hugely successful business in a time that was not common for women to do so, but she didn’t stop there. Remnants of her entrepreneu...
Today’s stories include life changing treks, Kentucky Bigfoots, dog rescues, evidence destruction, flying deer, bad feelings, heart shaped rocks and good girls in pink bandanas. 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 Pa...
What started off as a 1990’s National Park roadtrip across the West turned into a successful series of books. Randi Minetor joins us to speak about her journey with death in the US National Parks and highlights the importance on mindful recreation. An author of over 90 books, Randi is renowned for her “Death in” works that focus on the stories of visitors who perished in the parks. You can find Randi Minetor’s books in National Park visitor’s centers or your local bookshops For a full list of ou...
In the chilling conclusion to the Wells Gray Provincial Park murders, hosts unveil David Shearing's full confession, detailing the calculated abduction, sexual assault, and murder of six family members. The episode explores the community's shock, the initial trial, and the agonizing parole process that forces victims' families to relive their trauma. It also critically examines the justice system, Shearing's prison life, and the ongoing public and family efforts to keep a convicted mass murderer and pedophile behind bars.
Today’s stories include survival(ish) stories, good guy redemptions, unpredictable rescuers, invisible protectors and someone being naked - and someone being afraid. 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 App...
In 1982, three generations of the Johnson and Bentley families vanished during a camping trip in British Columbia's Wells Gray Provincial Park. What began as a missing persons case escalated to the horrific discovery of their burnt vehicle containing human remains, and later, the finding of a second vehicle, all pointing to a local killer. The episode details the extensive investigation, including an innovative public campaign, which ultimately leads police to David Shearing, a man with a suspicious history and intimate knowledge of the park, setting the stage for his interrogation about the mass murders.
When a fire broke out in Helena National Forest, the newly established Smokejumpers crew were sent to manage it. The fire proved to be larger and more dangerous than anyone could have predicted and when the winds changed, the men found themselves fighting for their lives. Many lives were lost and to this day it remains as one of the worst tragedies in wild land history. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and mor...
Today’s stories include park spirits, strange encounters, Alaskan adventures, embarrassing moments and cocaine heroes. 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 epis...
For generations the stories of ghost lights in the Appalachian forests of North Carolina have captured the attention of locals and piqued the curiosity of travelers. These orbs of light have been witnessed by hundreds over the years, so no one is questioning their existence, but they are questioning their origins. Are they spirits? UFOs? Bioluminescent bugs? Automobile headlights? ETs? Today we discuss the Brown Mountain lights. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For ...
Today’s episode is all about bears as Kevin Grange returns for his second appearance on the show to discuss his newest book Grizzly Confidential: An Astounding Journey Into the Secret Life of North America’s Most Fearsome Predator . We discuss why people love and fear bears, how we can co-exist in a changing world and most importantly - why bears belong. Purchase Grizzly Confidential HERE and learn more about Kevin Grange HERE For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For th...
Today’s stories include woodsy weirdness, prophetic dreams, police run ins, paranormal protection, mountain mishaps and an avalanche survival. 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 gai...
When rumors spread through New York City of horrendous conditions of a nearby asylum, Nellie Bly investigates. She goes undercover as a patient to report back on the conditions of the facility. What she endures horrifies the public and forces reform of mental health institutions. Today she is remembered in history for her book detailing that experience, Ten Days in a Madhouse. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch ...
What began as a camping trip for Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Alpine National Park turned into a shocking missing persons case. This episode explores the discovery of their burnt campsite, the revelation of their secret affair, and the extensive 18-month investigation that led to the arrest and murder charges against Gregory Lynn. It details the trial, a surprising split verdict, and chilling previously undisclosed evidence linking Lynn to other suspicious deaths and a history of violence and animal cruelty.
Today’s stories include trail ghosts, hellish roadtrips, Everest summits, bigfoot kidnappings, foaming pants and being comfortably uncomfortable. 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 ...
This week, Cassie's voice is out of commission so instead of a new episode, we're offering a sneak peak into one of our Outsider Bonus episodes, previously only available on through subscription platforms. Randy Morgenson was a man destined to become a park ranger - growing up in Yosemite and summiting extreme peaks as a child, his love for the outdoors was innate. When he accepted the job in the backcountry in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, he quickly became legendary for his abilit...
This episode delves into the 1918 sinking of the Princess Sophia, often called the "Titanic of the West," near Alaska's Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. It explores the ship's fateful stranding on Vanderbilt Reef during a fierce storm, the agonizing two-day rescue standoff, and Captain Locke's controversial decision not to evacuate passengers. The narrative recounts harrowing details of the sinking, the tragic loss of all 350 lives due to oil suffocation and exposure, the arduous recovery, and the lasting mystery of why this disaster has been largely forgotten, alongside a poignant story of a husband's unwavering search and the miraculous survival of one dog.
Today’s stories include lost and found hikers, eventful honeymoons, stranger danger and beyond the veil experiences. 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 episod...
This week we venture to one of the most iconic waterfalls in the world to talk about the daredevils who have gone over it. Most notably, Annie Edson Taylor, who was the first to ever go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive. For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes 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 becom...
Take to Google, type in “US Virgin Islands” and you’ll be met with photos of turquoise waters and smiling faces sipping on drinks atop sparkling white sand. This destination is among the most popular in the Caribbean for vacationers, but it was once at the core of the transatlantic slave trade and the location of the 1733 Akwamu Insurrection. Thousands of enslaved Africans took fate into their own hands as they rose up against their oppressors - an event which was among the first, longest runnin...
Today’s stories include unlikely reunions, wild horse chases, dog-sent wolves, lifesavers and Alaskan surfing. 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 episodes, bo...
