During our year of visiting and documenting all 59 U.S. national parks, we received many, many questions about which was our favorite. 

Well, today we're hear to spill all the beans. We picked our top ten favorite national parks, and we share tips and experiences from each of those parks.

We also chat a bit about the best parks to visit during fall, and we answer a reader question about park do-overs. 

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://www.bensound.com/

#1: Our Top Ten National Parks

We are Cole and Elizabeth Donelson, and we spent all of last year exploring, hiking through, and camping in all 59 U.S. National Parks.

We're here now to share our experiences and insights with all of you. 

In this short introduction episode, hear more of what we're all about. Thanks for tuning in!

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://www.bensound.com/

#0: Introducing Switchbacks

In our latest installment of Top Ten of the National Parks, we are sharing our favorite day hikes. 

Day hikes are a wonderful way to get up and out of the parks' main hubs of activity. Travel light, bring your lunch, reach new heights, climb mountains, and come back. All in the same day. 

From Great Sand Dunes to Pinnacles to Kenai Fjords, here are our favorite day hikes from our year in the national parks.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#6: Our Top Ten Day Hikes of the National Parks

Are the National Parks truly accessible for all Americans? 

We think the National Parks mostly do an amazing job of creating welcoming, affordable places to travel, but occasionally they could do better.

Today we're talking about what that exclusivity costs the parks. We'll be featuring Dry Tortugas National Park, off the coast of Florida, and Lake Clark National Park, in Alaska. These two parks are some of the hardest-to-reach, expensive parks we came across last year. Listen for more!

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#7: National Parks: Are They For Everyone, ft. Dry Tortugas and Lake Clark

During our year visiting all 59 National Parks, we came across several "underdog" parks. We.LOVED.Them. These parks -- often hidden in the shadows of their neighboring parks -- will always have a special place in our hearts. 

Today we're discussing two of those parks: Pinnacles and Biscayne. Heard of them? Maybe? Maybe not. They're certainly low on the list of most-visited parks. And that just might be the best thing about them.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

music: http://bensound.com

#9: Parks that Live in the Shadows, ft. Pinnacles and Biscayne

Some national parks draw in millions of people every year. Other parks see far more caribou than people. 

We're chatting about two of those uncrowded national parks, Big Bend and Kobuk Valley, today on the podcast. Listen for more details about how we spent our time there last year.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#12: The (Park) Road Less Traveled, ft. Big Bend & Kobuk Valley

Our year in the national parks took a lot of planning and a lot of prioritizing spending. If we thought saving money before the trip was challenging, we didn't realize how much we'd always have to consider money while on the trip. Thankfully, parks like Capitol Reef and Redwood made it very easy to save some money.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#24: Budgeting for Our Year in the National Parks, ft. Capitol Reef and Redwood

After a whole year of tent-camping through all 59 national parks in the country, we consider ourselves camping experts. Today we're outlining the four main ways to camp in and around the parks: park campgrounds, backcountry camping, BLM and national forest camping, and private campgrounds. Which is your camping of choice?

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#25: National Park Camping 101, ft. Guadalupe Mountains and Badlands

There are so many options to consider when visiting a national park -- including some of the pricier options. 

Today we're chatting all about those decisions, specifically during our time in Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, both in Alaska.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#26: Weighing Your Options in the National Parks, ft. Glacier Bay and Denali

Cole and I speaking to luxury in the national parks is almost laughable, but stick with us. Even though we spent most of our time in a tent out of cell range and not showering, we did experience many moments of pure luxury throughout our time in the national parks. Today we're sharing two parks that lent themselves to particular extravagance: Virgin Islands and Kenai Fjords.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#29: Luxury in the National Parks, ft. Virgin Islands and Kenai Fjords

Even though the national parks seem like another world from our urban areas, it may be easier than you think to get away.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#31: Big City Getaways in the National Parks, ft. North Cascades and Channel Islands

The National Parks themselves are plenty to keep you happy and entertained, but sometimes modern conveniences can be nice after a long day of hiking.

Enter, gateway cities. Some are better than others, but these two are the best.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#32: National Park Gateway Cities, ft. Acadia and Olympic

Most national parks are known for their natural beauty: think mountains, lakeshores, and canyons. But Mesa Verde and Hot Springs are quite different.

Although still beautiful, these two parks were formed to preserve and protect some of our country's most significant cultural elements. 

Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#35: National Parks for History Buffs, ft. Mesa Verde and Hot Springs

It's always worth the logistics to get deeper into the national parks.

Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: http://bensound.com

#41: Getting Deeper into the National Parks, ft. Everglades and Haleakala

We aren't parents.

But we likely will be someday. So as we were traveling through all 59 national parks in 2015-2016, we often looked at parks through the lens of someday coming back and experiencing them with our own future kids.

Today on the podcast, we're sharing about two parks that (we think) would be great for families of all ages. We offer insight into our own experiences there, and we also share aspects that we think would be ideal for kids. Happy listening!

Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: bensound.com

#50: Family-Friendly National Parks, ft. Great Sand Dunes & Carlsbad Caverns

In February, Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri quietly became the 60th national park. Today we're breaking down the history behind the famous Arch, and the controversy that surrounds its national park status.

Listen for more, and check out today's show notes at switchbackkids.com/podcast.

And check out SwitchbackKids.com for blog posts, videos and ebooks with tips, info and visuals on each National Park. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for much more!

Adventure on!

Music: bensound.com

#55: 60th National Park - Gateway Arch History and Controversy

If you missed the big news out of the National Park Service a few weeks ago, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was renamed Indiana Dunes National Park, making it the U.S.'s 61st national park. 

Of course, we have to talk about it.

We share our thoughts, our experiences at the park, and clips from an interview we recently conducted with Kailey Capuano of Indiana Dunes Tourism.

Enjoy the show!

Music: http://bensound.com

#61: Indiana Dunes, our 61st National Park

It's hard to think about visiting Europe as an American without thinking about the ancient architecture, romantic cities, great food, and backpacking hostel to hostel. But when we planned a six-week Eurotrip last summer, we found that many things we had thought about traveling through Europe weren't exactly what we expected.

In this episode of Switchbacks, we'll lay out five common myths of traveling to Europe, and how we debunked those during our travel process, from planning to transportation and accommodations to activities. We'll also give brief homage to each of the nine countries we visited: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.

Music: http://bensound.com

#66: Debunking 5 Myths of Traveling to Europe

Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is truly one of a kind. Teeming with geothermal activity, wildlife, and vast wilderness, yet chock full of visitor facilities, programs, and tours, Yellowstone is a park for everyone.

In this podcast, we describe what Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone: is it safe for kids? How do you avoid crowds? What is the best itinerary?

For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/yellowstone. For photos and more details about our own experiences, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @switchbackkids.

Music: bensound.com

70. How to Visit Yellowstone National Park

Yosemite National Park, the country's third park, is foundational in national parks history. Surrounded by granite cliffs, sequoias, waterfalls, and history, visitors can easily find something for them. Yosemite is popular, and most visitors congregate into the 7-square-mile area of Yosemite Valley, so visiting the park in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming can be tricky.

In this podcast, we describe what Yosemite 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 Yosemite: is there hiking for beginners? What are some strategies for getting a campsite? What is the best season to visit?

For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/yosemite. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids.

Music: bensound.com

72. How to Visit Yosemite National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, some of the country's earliest parks, protect the world's largest trees, vast wilderness, and diverse ecosystems.

In this podcast, we describe what Sequoia and Kings Canyon are all about, how to get to the parks, where to sleep, what to do, and everything in between. Plus we answer a few of your questions about visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon: how much time should you spend in the parks? How are sequoias different than redwoods?

For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/sequoia. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids.

Music: bensound.com

71. How to Visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Mount Rainier National Park, the country's fourth-oldest park, has a fascinating history of preservation. Most visitors go to see the iconic Mount Rainier, which juts out abruptly along the horizon, twice the height of its surrounding peaks. Mount Rainier has a relatively short visiting season, and most visitors see the park in July and August, so visiting in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming takes some extra planning.

In this podcast, we describe what Mount Rainier 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 Mount Rainier: what are some great hikes in the park? What should you do if the mountain is covered with clouds?

For more details, be sure to check out our park guide at switchbackkids.com/mountrainier. And for more photos and updates, be sure to follow our social media accounts @switchbackkids.

Music: bensound.com

73. How to Visit Mount Rainier 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

74. How to Visit Crater Lake 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

75. How to Visit Wind Cave 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

76. How to Visit Mesa Verde 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

77. How to Visit Glacier 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

78. How to Visit Rocky Mountain 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

79. How to Visit Hawai'i Volcanoes 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

80: How to Visit Lassen Volcanic 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

81. How to Visit Denali National Park

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.

Popular tracks by Switchbacks: Our Year in the National Parks