If you’ve ever thought, “Gee, I wish my nature walks came with a side of murder, misadventure, and mildly traumatizing true stories,” then National Park After Dark is your kind of podcast, and you might want to get that checked out.
This charmingly morbid show examines the darker side of the great outdoors, where the only thing more unpredictable than wildlife is human stupidity. I’ve braved the wilderness (okay, I just binge-listened from my couch) to round up the best episodes, because nothing says “relaxing escape into nature” like bear attacks, unsolved disappearances, and haunted trails.
Here are some of the top episodes of the “National Park After Dark” podcast.
Outlaws of the West (Part 1). Capitol Reef National Park.
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During this period, the narrative returns to the nineteenth century American frontier. The story chronicles Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch crew – history’s most successful bandits specializing in financial institution and railroad heists. Butch Cassidy established a highly structured criminal organization whose members dedicated their efforts to evading law enforcement on horseback, retreating into Utah’s most isolated wilderness regions while accumulating stolen fortunes equivalent to millions in contemporary currency.
Diana of the Dunes. Indiana Dunes National Park.
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Alice Mabel Gray earned the moniker Diana of the Dunes following her departure from conventional civilization to survive independently along the Lake Michigan coastline. Her tale was previously explored in part during an earlier installment – concentrating on the supernatural legends surrounding her posthumous existence. The current examination returns to her narrative to explore thoroughly her existence, encompassing her enigmatic companion, a horrific homicide for which they faced accusations, and the reality surrounding Alice’s unfortunate demise.
The Valley Killings. Alpine National Park.
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During March 2020, mere days prior to global lockdown measures beginning, Russell Hill and Carol Clay embarked on a camping expedition to Alpine National Park. When more than a week elapsed without any communication from the pair, relatives of the senior couple became increasingly concerned. Authorities discovered a destroyed campsite upon investigation, though the campers themselves remained absent. The subsequent eighteen-month period developed into one of Australia’s most captivating disappearance investigations – ultimately revealing a secret romantic relationship, a savage killing, and prompting inquiries into additional unexplained incidents from previous years.
A Fatal Lightning Strike and the Jenny Lake Rangers – Grand Teton National Park.
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This episode follows Idaho climbers attempting to scale Grand Teton when lightning strikes six of them simultaneously. Their survival depends on the Jenny Lake Rangers, America’s premier park rescue team. The story comes from Jennifer Woodlief’s true account, A Bolt from the Blue.
You Can’t Grow Weed in a National Park.
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Unlawful cannabis cultivation sites are emerging throughout Western National Parks, generating multi-million dollar profits. The examination covers these operations’ consequences and incidents resulting in detentions and deaths.
The Lava Lake Murders. Deschutes National Forest.
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Following three homicides in the isolated backcountry of Deschutes National Forest, authorities launched an extensive search operation. Law enforcement officials would eventually discover that apprehending the suspect proved far more challenging than initially anticipated.
Caught in the Crosshairs. Yellowstone National Park.
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The bond between humans and creatures extends back millennia. Wildlife brings people happiness and fellowship, while also causing sorrow or inspiring terror. They serve as beloved allies or formidable adversaries, yet among all species inhabiting Earth, one creature triggers a broader spectrum of human feelings than any other. This animal has both separated and brought together humanity. The narrative takes readers on another expedition to Danielle’s preferred destination, Yellowstone, where she recounts the tale of the American Wolf.
Buried Alive in the Australian Outback.
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The story follows Ricky Megee’s 2006 cross-country journey to a new job when he stops to assist stranded motorists in the Australian Outback. After helping them, he awakens buried alive in one of Earth’s harshest deserts, hundreds of miles from civilization.
Trail Tales 29
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The current narratives feature discovering ceremonial locations, hiking guidance, sudden water surges, absence of backup strategies, and gastropod accounts.
Night of the Grizzlies – Part 1 – Glacier National Park
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This episode ventures into Glacier National Park’s remote wilderness, retelling Jack Olson’s Night of the Grizzlies. The true account chronicles two devastating 1967 incidents that forever altered perceptions of Grizzly bears.
A Martyr and a Murder. Everglades National Park.
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During the 1800s, feathers symbolized status and wealth in fashion. Plume hunters devastated Everglades bird populations until Guy Bradley became Game Warden to protect the wildlife. His murder brought global attention to conservation efforts in the Everglades.
Grandma Gatewood. The Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail.
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At age 67, Emma Gatewood achieved the milestone of becoming the initial female to complete a solo trek of the Appalachian Trail, though not without challenges. This installment explores the AT’s background, her expedition, and her enduring influence on long-distance hikers.
Mammoth Mysteries. Mammoth Cave National Park.
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The exploration takes visitors into Mammoth Cave National Park, where countless miles of underground passages and millennia of heritage create a labyrinthine environment. Danielle leads the journey through the location’s vibrant yet sometimes sinister history, sharing accounts of individuals who ventured, resided, and perished within these caverns, possibly remaining forever.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s Historic Tea Room.
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Certain chronicles fade over time, yet traces of their presence endure. Beyond an unmarked path within the park stands a deserted structure that once served as a popular tourist destination. During its prime, visitors from across the globe flocked to experience Anna Wolfrom’s renowned Tea Room. Anna successfully established a thriving enterprise during an era when female business ownership was uncommon, yet her ambitions extended further. Evidence of her business acumen continues to dot Estes Park and beyond.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s Historic Tea Room.
Listen on: Episodes.fm | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts
Certain chronicles fade over time, yet traces of their presence endure. Beyond an unmarked path within the park stands a deserted structure that once served as a popular tourist destination. During its prime, visitors from across the globe flocked to experience Anna Wolfrom’s renowned Tea Room. Anna successfully established a thriving enterprise during an era when female business ownership was uncommon, yet her ambitions extended further. Evidence of her business acumen continues to dot Estes Park and beyond.
The Abduction of Betty and Barney Hill. White Mountain National Forest.
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During autumn 1961, two individuals journeying by automobile through New Hampshire’s White Mountain region came across an inexplicable phenomenon. The subsequent events would evolve into America’s initial extensively documented extraterrestrial kidnapping incident, establishing the template for all future abduction narratives.
In Dog We Trust. Iditarod National Historic Trail.
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Dress in the most insulating clothing available, as the journey leads to Alaska to explore the origins of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Presently recognized primarily for “The Last Great Race on Earth,” this pathway was carved by brave individuals and their most faithful companions. The Iditarod has become linked with sled dogs, though many might find it surprising that the origin tale they recall isn’t completely precise. Join this exploration as the authentic history of the Iditarod emerges and honors its unlikely heroes – both people and creatures.
A Lightning Strike Rescue. Yosemite National Park.
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On July 27, 1985, a party of five individuals ascended Half Dome, among the most notable and recognized cliff formations within the park. A seasonal tempest developed above the peak, yet regardless of the hazards, they pressed forward. When the day concluded, two persons had perished and three sustained severe injuries following lightning strikes, triggering an urgent nocturnal helicopter evacuation.
Honeymoon From Hell. Manuripi-Heath National Amazonian Wildlife Reserve.
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During March 1973, Holly and Gerald Fitzgerald found themselves stranded, famished, and near death in the heart of Bolivia. The initial portion of their intended global honeymoon journey nearly became their final adventure, as they battled for survival on a makeshift raft within a waterlogged wilderness. Their devotion to each other and yearning for a common destiny sustained them through 26 days until, remarkably, a primate guided them to salvation.
Read our review of National Park After Dark