Inside Mammoth Cave, people notice that the air seems surprisingly fresh and that their allergies disappear like magic. Observations such as these have been noted for centuries at least. In 1839, the property was purchased by Dr. John Croghan and entered into a most peculiar situation. While still open for tours, Dr. Croghan devised a plan to use the cave for medical purposes.

Written by Lauren Eisenberg Davis

Sponsored by L.L.Bean

From the allure of the Orient Express to the daily grind of commuter trains, rail travel has always captured our imaginations. But did you know you can journey to some of America's most iconic national parks by train? In this episode, discover how you can combine the romance of the rails with the majesty of Glacier, Denali, the Grand Canyon, and more.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Sponsored by L.L.Bean

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of those National Park Service units that doesn't fit into any category, but its importance in American history could not be any greater. It's home to the famed presidential retreat — Camp David — but lesser known is its place in World War 2 as the secret training camp for the OSS, the predecessor to the CIA. 

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Sponsored by L.L.Bean

In this month's national park news round-up, we're covering the new National Monuments, one remembering Emmett Till and the other protecting the area surrounding the Grand Canyon. Plus, two men get lost in Death Valley and hike for miles overnight in the grueling heat, and a plane crash in Denali is presumed to have no survivors.

As the world experiences Christopher Nolan’s new film, Oppenheimer, the world is taking a new look at the development of this great and terrible weapon under the organization of the Manhattan Project.

In this episode, we’re taking a look at the three main sites that would be chosen for the Manhattan Project to develop a bomb that would undoubtedly change the world. America's Secret Cities. 

Visit https://www.nps.gov/mapr/index.htm to learn more about the NPS site covered in this week's episode.

Support this podcast: For only $3 a month, you can support this podcast and our team of writers. https://www.patreon.com/NationalParksPodcast

Set against the backdrop of rolling hills in western Wyoming, Fossil Butte National Monument, like so many other parks, presents a variety of activities. But one exhibit shares the fascinating story of a type of fossil that you probably haven't thought of: Fossilized poop. 

Written by Lauren Eisenberg Davis

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Sponsored by L.L.Bean

At the close of the 2019 visitor season, the JFK National Historic Site closed its doors, the collections were safely secured, and the site prepared for an extensive facelift. The plan involved the installation of an accessible visitor center, along with other much-needed maintenance. Originally set to begin in early 2020, unforeseen hurdles like the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the work to 2022. Now, in 2023, the work is finally reaching completion.

Written By Chris Linn

Hosted By Jason Epperson

Sponsored by LLBean www.llbean.com/guide

In this month's national park news round-up, we're covering the difficult situation at Yosemite, where the timed-entry reservation system is gone for the first year since 2019, causing huge traffic problems. Plus hot weather and roaring waters are taking the lives of several visitors to parks, rules on e-bikes, and more. 

Comment on e-bikes here:

Comment on the Yosemite Traffic Management Plan here: 

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Embark on an exploration of the remarkable women who blazed trails within the National Park Service. Join us as we delve into the lives of Betty Reid Soskin, Dr. Beatrice Willard, Florence Bascom, and more. From Betty's groundbreaking role as the oldest park ranger to Dr. Willard's botanical discoveries and Florence's pioneering work in geology, discover the resilience, passion, and enduring contributions of these extraordinary women as they shaped conservation and preserved history, leaving an indelible mark on our national parks. 

Written by Dr. Charlotte Hacker

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Sponsored by LLBean www.llbean.com/guide

Arizona conjures up images of desert washes, enormous saguaro cacti with arms stretching to the sky, and endless sunshine regardless of the season. But if you travel north to Flagstaff, the environment changes dramatically. Situated at nearly 7000 feet elevation, Flagstaff is surrounded by Coconino National Forest. The many varieties of evergreen trees in the forest color the area green, even in the winter: spruce, fir, pine, cypress, and juniper – multiple types of each. Snow falls in abundance here, as evidenced by the blizzard of 2023. 

From a national park perspective, this area is dominated by the Grand Canyon in many people’s minds. But a plethora of other National Park Service sites fill this part of the state. 

Nestled on the outskirts of Flagstaff is a pair of national monuments accessed for a single entrance fee. Located seventeen miles apart, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument preserve two vastly different worlds: cinder fields versus limestone and sandstone pueblos. 

Written by Lauren Eisenberg Davis

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Sponsored by LLBean www.llbean.com/guide