Switchbacks: Our Year in the National Parks

Cole & Elizabeth Donelson
Switchbacks: Our Year in the National Parks

We spent last year exploring, hiking through, and tent camping inside all 59 U.S. national parks. Now we're here to share our experiences, insights, and advice about our year in the national parks.

  1. 11/24/2020

    81. How to Visit Denali National Park

    Denali National Park, the country's twelfth national park, is home to the highest point in North America, Denali. It's frequently visited by tourists in Alaska, but it requires advanced preparation to visit. By planning ahead, visitors can make the most of their time in this park. In this podcast, we describe what Denali is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Denali: How much does it cost? How do I increase my chances of seeing the mountain? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/denali. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    42 min

  2. 11/08/2020

    80: How to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Lassen Volcanic National Park, the country's eleventh national park, is home to active and dormant volcanoes, hydrothermal features, and beautiful mountain landscapes. It's one of the least visited parks in California, but many people congregate to Lassen Volcanic's main attractions. By planning ahead, visitors can avoid the crowds and see some truly unique sights. In this podcast, we describe what Lassen Volcanic is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Lassen Volcanic: When is the best time to visit? What are some secrets of the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/lassenvolcanic. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    34 min

  3. 10/19/2020

    79. How to Visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

    Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the country's tenth national park, is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world. Most visitors go to try and spot some volcanic activity, like lava flows, steam vents, and lava tubes. Hawai'i Volcanoes is located on the island of Hawai'i and is constantly changing and shifting, so visitors should plan ahead before arriving. In this podcast, we describe what Hawai'i Volcanoes is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes: Will I see lava? Where should I stay? How much time should I spend in the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/hawaiivolcanoes. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    37 min

  4. 10/19/2020

    78. How to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

    Rocky Mountain National Park, the country's ninth national park, is home to spectacular mountain environments, alpine tundra, wildlife, and gorgeous lakes. Most visitors go to drive the Trail Ridge Road or take a hike, and the park is a paradise for those activities. Rocky Mountain is located in north-central Colorado and is surrounded by beautiful natural areas, making and trip to the area well worth it. In this podcast, we describe what Rocky Mountain is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Rocky Mountain: What is the best hike? How do you avoid crowds? How long should you spend in the park? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/rockymountain. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    39 min

  5. 10/13/2020

    77. How to Visit Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, the country's eighth national park, is home to mountains, hundreds of lakes, and 26 rapidly-receding glaciers. Most visitors go to drive the Going to the Sun Road or take a hike, and the park is a paradise for those activities. Glacier is located in Montana along the Canadian border, and is half of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first in the world of its kind. In this podcast, we describe what Glacier is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Glacier: How do you see the glaciers? When should you visit to avoid crowds but not get caught in bad weather? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/glacier. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    39 min

  6. 10/13/2020

    76. How to Visit Mesa Verde National Park

    Mesa Verde National Park, the country's seventh-oldest park, is home to some of the most impressive cliff dwellings in the world. Most visitors go to tour the cliff dwellings, but there is much more to be found in Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is located in southwestern Colorado, in the Four Corners Region, where visitors can find plenty more to see and do. In this podcast, we describe what Mesa Verde is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Mesa Verde: Which tour is best? Is it baby friendly? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/mesaverde. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    33 min

  7. 09/28/2020

    75. How to Visit Wind Cave National Park

    Wind Cave National Park, the country's sixth-oldest park, is home to the densest cave system in the world. Most visitors go to see the cave itself, but there is another world for exploring above ground. Wind Cave is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, situated among several other national parks that would make any trip memorable. In this podcast, we describe what Wind Cave is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Wind Cave: What are reservations like? Is it worth the drive? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/windcave. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    31 min

  8. 09/18/2020

    74. How to Visit Crater Lake National Park

    Crater Lake National Park, the country's fifth-oldest park, is home to the country's deepest lake. Most visitors go to see Crater Lake and its rim trails and scenic drive, which make up most of the park's recreation opportunities. Crater Lake has a relatively short visiting season, and most visitors see the park in July and August, so avoiding the crowds takes some extra planning. In this podcast, we describe what Crater Lake is all about, how to get to the park, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Crater Lake: What is the best airport to fly into? What are some great hikes? For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/craterlake. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids. Music: bensound.com

    38 min
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4.5
out of 5
104 Ratings

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We spent last year exploring, hiking through, and tent camping inside all 59 U.S. national parks. Now we're here to share our experiences, insights, and advice about our year in the national parks.

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