OUR RATING:
Where Nature Meets Nurture (and Murder)
If you’ve ever looked at a serene national park and thought, “This would be a great place to commit a crime,” congratulations, you think like the subjects of “Park Predators.” Hosted by Delia D’Ambra, this true crime podcast takes the concept of “getting back to nature” and adds a delightfully dark twist: What if nature’s greatest predator isn’t the grizzly bear, but Karen from accounting with a grudge and a tarp?
Every episode explores a real crime that occurred in or around America’s national parks, state parks, and recreational areas. It turns out that while you were worried about ticks and poison ivy on your camping trip, you should have been more concerned about your fellow campers. Who knew that the call of the wild included the call to 911?
“Park Predators” is particularly engaging because of its ability to ruin your next outdoor adventure in the best possible way. You’ll never look at a hiking trail the same way again. That peaceful meadow? Crime scene. That secluded campsite? Murder location. That scenic overlook? Where they found the body. It’s like HGTV’s “House Hunters,” but instead of granite countertops, you’re touring murder locations with surprisingly good views.
D’Ambra’s storytelling strikes an impressive balance between respect for victims and keeping listeners hooked. She doesn’t sensationalize, but she also doesn’t bore you with unnecessary tangents about local geology (unless it’s relevant to where someone hid a body, naturally). Each episode is structured like a campfire story, except instead of trying to scare 9 year-olds with tales of hook-handed men, she’s recounting actual events that will make you triple-check your tent zippers.
The variety of cases is vast. One week you’re learning about a disappearance in Yosemite, the next you’re diving into a murder at a remote campground in Michigan. It’s educational in a macabre sort of way, you’ll come away knowing more about America’s park system than you ever learned in school, plus a healthy dose of paranoia about your fellow recreationalists. It’s the geography lesson your teacher never gave you, and honestly, it’s more memorable.
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of “Park Predators” is how it highlights that people often head to remote locations specifically because they’re remote. Turns out that solitude and lack of witnesses are attractive features for both wilderness enthusiasts and criminals. The show is basically a PSA for the buddy system, except instead of preventing you from drowning, it’s preventing you from becoming a cold case file.
The podcast also inadvertently serves as a true crime drinking game. Take a sip every time someone ignores obvious red flags, someone goes hiking alone without telling anyone, or investigators face challenges due to the remote location. Actually, don’t do that, you’ll need to stay alert for your next camping trip. You’ve got a lot to worry about now.
Darkly amusing is how “Park Predators” makes you reconsider every nature documentary you’ve ever watched. You thought the bears were the dangerous ones? At least they’re predictable. They want your pic-a-nic basket, not to stage an elaborate insurance fraud scheme. David Attenborough really should have warned us more about the apex predator: humans with poor impulse control and access to rental cars.
“Park Predators” is perfect for true crime fans who want their murder with a side of scenic beauty, or outdoor enthusiasts who want to feel a thrill that doesn’t require rock climbing. It’s informative, engaging, and will absolutely make you the most paranoid person at your next campground. So grab your headphones, load up an episode, and prepare to never enjoy the great outdoors quite the same way again. The trees have eyes, but more importantly, they have witnesses.
Where to listen to Park Predators
Pod.link | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Castro
Discover the best episodes of Park Predators