National Parks Traveler Podcast

National Parks Traveler is the world's top-rated, editorially independent, nonprofit media organization dedicated to covering national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Traveler offers readers and listeners a unique multimedia blend of news, feature content, debate, and discussion all tied to national parks and protected areas.

National Parks Traveler Episode 127: Santa Monica Mountains Wildlife Corridor

Mountain lions in California, in and around Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, have many challenges they must overcome to survive. The species faces a continuous onslaught of threats -- from poaching, disease and poisoning to drought and wildland fires. But one threat tops them all -- a fragmented habitat that prevents this stealthy and solitary creature from safely accessing the huge territory it needs to find genetically diverse mates.

July 18th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 126: Saving Santa Monica Mountains' Mountain Lions

A whopping $38 million has been raised to date for the construction of a wildlife corridor over the 101 Freeway west of Los Angeles. When completed, the overpass will be the largest in the world, spanning 10 lanes of highway and access roads and connecting the fragmented wildlife habitat around the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It will benefit all wildlife in southern California’s richly diverse ecosystem, but especially the declining mountain lion population.

July 11th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 125: A Fort McHenry Fourth Of July

In 1814 Fort McHenry in Baltimore was a regular army garrison. That year Britain, at war with France since 1793, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay with 5,000 soldiers and a plan to retaliate American attacks in Canada. British troops fought a battle at Bladensburg, Maryland, and went on from there to seize control and burn a number of government and military buildings in Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Capitol.

July 4th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 124: Subpar Parks

When traveling to a national park, not everything goes as planned. Maybe you’ve been disappointed about the crowds. Or maybe couldn’t find lodging. Or maybe you weren’t able to squeeze in everything you wanted to do. But have you ever found yourself complaining about scenery that you determined to be substandard…or dismissing the exact feature for which the park is known? Today the Traveler’s Lynn Riddick -- with voice talent courtesy of Susan Emerson and Stuart Eldridge -- talks to a graphic designer and illustrator wh

June 27th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 123: Brewing Park Research And Understanding Visitation

How can aspiring scientists and researchers get a hand in conducting research in the National Park System? Ryan and Julie Sharp, who both spent time working for the National Park Service, work to raise funds for scholarships for college students hoping to conduct research in the parks.

June 20th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 122: Grand Canyon's Ailing River

Warming temperatures associated with climate change are affecting the Colorado River, and those impacts also are showing up in national parks along the river’s path. In this episode, we look at how the ailing river is impacting Grand Canyon National Park.

June 13th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 121: The Plight Of Our National Scenic Trails

There are 11 trails across the United States that carry the designation of National Scenic Trail. Are they all treated equally when it comes to funding, maintenance, and even completion of an uninterrupted path? Not at all, and we’ll dive into those issues and why they are what they are in a minute.

June 6th, 2021 Read More

National Parks Traveler Episode 120: Is The National Park Service Struggling With Its Science Mission?

For many, the National Park Service is seen as an agency of friendly rangers tasked with helping them get the most out of their national park vacation. But the agency is much more complex than that. Indeed, it could be seen as one of the country’s most science-focused agencies, as it deals with all sorts of "ologies" – biology, paleontology, archaeology, sociology, ecology, cetology, bioecology, and, in light of the popularity of dark night skies, even planetology.

May 30th, 2021 Read More

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The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks