Gaze At the National Parks
Episodes
146- Mosaic Canyon Trail: Death Valley National Park
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On what was an extremely hot day in Death Valley National Park, Mike and Dusty scramble over boulders, go up and over dry falls, and follow literal ar...
DeFace the Nation
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike talk about the upcoming entrance fee changes to the National Parks in 2026. For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other Nationa...
145- Ubehebe Crater Trail: Death Valley National Park
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty travel to the North end of Death Valley National Park to hike the large crater and all of the small craters of the Ubehebe Crater area....
Trail Mix: Hiking in the Heat
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike go over safety tips and tricks for hiking in the heat and how to keep yourself safe.For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other...
144- Bridges, Palettes, and Golf Courses: Death Valley National Park
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Featuring small trails of Death Valley National Park, over a few days, Mike and Dusty explore Natural Bridge, Artist Pallette, Stovepipe Wells, and De...
Trail Mix: Top 5 Fall Hikes
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike go over tips and tricks for Fall hiking and camping and discuss their favorite hiking trails for the Fall.For more of our episodes on h...
143- Golden Canyon: Death Valley National Park
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From desire paths in Red Cathedral to guitars at Zabriskie Point to the heat exposure in Gower Gulch, Mike and Dusty make the entire epic loop through...
Trail Mix: Government Shutdown 2025
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Trail Mix episode, Dusty and Mike discuss the 2025 government shutdown and its impact on the National Parks. For more of our episodes on hikes...
142- Badwater Basin: Death Valley National Park
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty can't fight the moonlight on the night they explore Bad Water Basin, from a tent full of sand to a pair of ballet flats flying into...
Trail Mix: Environmental Disaster
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike take some time to look at how the environment and environmental policy is fairing under the current administration (Hint: It's not ...
141- Pup Fish Pools: Death Valley National Park
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of Season 8, Mike and Dusty explore all of the Pup Fish Pools in Death Valley National Park. From Point of Rocks, Devil's Hol...
Season 8 Trail Map
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike are back with a new season on the trails of the National Parks. Learn all about the parks of Season 8 through some trivia that will tes...
S7 Summit- Hiking Trails
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the Final Episode of Season 7, and the final Summit Episode of the series! Mike and Dusty look at all of the hiking trails from Season 7 cove...
S7 Summit- Wildlife
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the third of their four Summit episodes, Dusty and Mike discuss the ecosystems and wildlife of the parks from Season 7 including Olympic National P...
S7 Summit- Histories
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of their four Summit episodes, Dusty and Mike discuss the history of the parks of Season 7.For more of our episodes on hikes in this and...
S7 Summit- Visitorship
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of their four Summit episodes, Dusty and Mike discuss the visitor experience of the parks of Season 7.For more of our episodes on hikes i...
Pride Mix: A Year at Stonewall with Ann Marie Gothard
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this year's Pride Mix Series, Mike and Dusty sit down at World Pride in Washington D.C. with Ann Marie Gothard, one of the two founde...
140- The Big Room: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After hiking down The Natural Entrance, Dusty and Mike take in Carlsbad Cavern's big room and all the cave formations therein.For more of our epis...
Pride Mix: A Year at Stonewall with Diana Rodriguez
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One year after the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center's Opening, Mike and Dusty sit down with Diana Rodriguez, one of the t...
139- Natural Entrance: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dusty and Mike head past dramatically lit speleothems as they descend down the Natural Entrance of Carlsbad Caverns.For more of our e...
138- Lower Cave Tour: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In their first descent into Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Dusty and Mike explore the Lower Cave on a guided tour. For more of our episodes on hikes ...
137- McKittrick Canyon Trail: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty hike up the McKittrick Canyon Trail to explore the Grotto, Notch, and other features along this historic trail in Guadalupe Mountains N...
Trail Mix: BATS!
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Trail Mix Episode, Dusty and Mike discuss the importance of our flying mammal friends, bats!For more of our episodes on hikes in this and othe...
136- Devil's Hall Trail: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty brave the famous staircase on the Devil's Hall Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.For more of our episodes on hikes in this...
Trail Mix: POINT
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Trail Mix episode Dusty and Mike share the story of the paraplegic hikers who hiked Guadalupe Mountain in 1982.For more of our episodes on hik...
135- Manzanita and Smith Springs: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After hiking Guadalupe Peak, Mike and Dusty make their way to the Frijole Ranch area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park and hike the Smith Spring an...
Trail Mix: National Parks Under Attack
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Trial Mix Episode, Dusty and Mike go over the attacks from the current administration on our public lands.For more of our episodes on hikes in...
Trail Mix: Seattle Walking Tour
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike take to the streets of Seattle and explore the city in their favorite way, on foot. For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other...
134- Guadalupe Peak: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On their first day in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Mike and Dusty hike the famous, and very strenuous, 8.4 mile hike up to the tallest peak in T...
Trail Mix: Wildflowers
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Trail Mix Episode Dusty and Mike chat about the splendor and importance of wildflowers in national park spaces and other natural spaces.For mo...
133- Comet Falls and The Trail of Shadows: Mount Rainier National Park
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On their final day in Mount Rainier National Park, Mike, Dusty, and friends trek up the steep grunt to Comet Falls and then explore the natural spring...
Trail Mix: Glacier Retreat
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After hiking in so many parks with glaciers, specifically Mount Rainier, Dusty and Mike take some time to look at glacier retreat and how climate chan...
132- Panorama Point to McClure Rock: Mount Rainier National Park
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On their second day in Mount Rainier National Park, Mike and Dusty hike up the other side of the Skyline Trail and the the sweeping vistas and views o...
Trail Mix: Join the Resistance
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty make their contribution to the Nation Day of Action Protect our Parks and Public Lands created by Resistance Rangers. They cover the cu...
131- Skyline to Golden Gate: Mount Rainier National Park
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty take to new trails as they hike some of the interconnected trails in the Paradise Section of Mount Rainier National Park.For more of ou...
Trail Mix: Marmots!
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of joking about this, Mike and Dusty finally do whole episode on Marmots, the world's cutest, most adorable alpine creature. For more ...
130- Quinault Loop: Olympic National Park
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty take one last hike on their way out of Olympic National Park.For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other National Parks, click ...
Trail Mix: Ring of Fire
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Along with their hikes in the Pacific Northwest in Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, Dusty and Mike look at the mysterious ring o...
129- Ozette Triangle: Olympic National Park
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty head back to the beach to hike the wild, beautiful and eerie Ozette Triangle. For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other Natio...
Trail Mix: Tide Pools
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by hikes in Olympic National Park and also Acadia National Park, Mike and Dusty explore the world of tide pools, how they are formed, and the...
128- Rialto Beach: Olympic National Park
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty take a seaside jaunt down the coast at Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall.For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other National Pa...
127- Hoh Rainforest: Olympic National Park
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty explore the popular temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, Hoh Rainforest. For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other ...
Trail Mix: Science of Rainforests
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After hiking in the temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, Mike and Dusty look at all of the varieties of rainforest found the world over. For...
126- Cape Flattery and Shi Shi Beach: Olympic National Park
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty head to the Makah Reservation on the Olylmpic Peninsula to hike Cape Flattery and Shi Shi Beach.For more of our episodes on hikes in th...
Trail Mix: Banana Slugs
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by what they encountered in Olympic National Park, Mike and Dusty take a look at the life and science of banana slugs including their sordid ...
125- Klahhane Ridge Loop Pt. 2: Olympic National Park
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this second installment, Mike and Dusty continue hiking along Klahhane Ridge, face some treacherous switchbacks and scree, and eventually make thei...
Trail Mix: Go Vote
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty chat the importance of voting, what's at the heart of the election this year, and the date on voter turnout. For more of our episod...
124- Klahhane Ridge Loop Pt. 1: Olympic National Park
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of a two part series, Mike and Dusty hike up to Klahhane Ridge via Lake Angeles to get a stunning view of the Olympics.For more of our ep...
Trail Mix: Zion and Bryce with Maya Silver
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty chat the best ways to explore Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and all of the other National Parks of Utah wiht Maya Sil...
123- Mount Ellinor: Olympic National Park
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty venture slightly outside Olympic National Park to hike one of the hardest hikes they've experienced on Mount Ellinor.For more of ou...
Trail Mix: New England Road Trip with Miles Howard
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty sit down and chat New England hiking, urban trails, leaf peeping, and more with Miles Howard, author of Moon New England Road Trip by M...
122- Shady Lane & Staircase: Olympic National Park
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty find some familiar footing in the Pacific Northwest with a mossy and fern filled wonderland of some east side trails in Olympic Nationa...
Season 7 Trail Map
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Its been a minute, but Mike and Dusty are back with our Trail Map for Season 7. Join us as we reveal the parks for this upcoming season through some t...
S6 Summit- Hiking Trails
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the final Summit episode of Season 6, Mike and Dusty look at all of the hiking trails across the parks of Season 6 including Mammoth Cave National ...
S6 Summit- Wildlife
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the third of the four Summit episodes of Season 6, Mike and Dusty look at the Wildlife and ecosystems of the six parks of season 6 including Mammot...
S6 Summit- Histories
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of the four Summit episodes of Season 6, Mike and Dusty look at the various histories of the six parks of season 6 including Mammoth Cav...
S6 Summit- Visitorship
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of the four Summit episodes of Season 6, Mike and Dusty look at the Visitorship numbers and and ways to access the six parks of season 6 ...
121- Dark Hallow Falls: Shenandoah National Park
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On their final hike in Shenandoah National Park, Mike and Dusty descend into the valley to hike Dark Hallow Falls. For more of our episodes on hikes i...
Pride Mix: Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center with Diana Rodriguez
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leading up to the official opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, Mike and Dusty talk with Diana Rodriguez, the CEO and one of the...
120- Hawksbill Mountain: Shenandoah National Park
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty make a triangle trail out of hiking Hawksbill Mountain just off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationa...
Pride Mix: Te'Ana Boone and the Queer Inclusion Conservation Crew
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first Pride Mix of Season 6, Mike and Dusty sit down with Te'Ana Boone to hear about her work in Saguaro National Park and beyond with the ...
119- Big Rock Falls: Shenandoah National Park
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From Skyline Drive, Mike and Dusty cross Big Meadow to hike the Big Rock Falls Trail to see waterfalls, moss, and even some of the Appalachian Trail. ...
Trail Mix: Northern California Hiking with Felicia Leo Kemp
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike sit down with Felicia Leo Kemp to discuss the trails, parks, and terrain of hiking in Northern California.Felicia Leo Kemp is the autho...
118- Mary's Rock: Shenandoah National Park
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After years of seeing it as a top hiking recommendation, Mike and Dusty hike Mary's Rock via the Pinnacles Picnic Area, just off Skyline Drive, in...
Trail Mix: Colorado Hiking with Josh Berman
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty sit down with Josh Berman, author of the Moon Travel Guides to Colorado Hiking and Colorado Camping, to discuss hiking in Colorado in t...
117- West Side Trails: Hot Springs National Park
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty hike the West Side Trails and make the journey to Tiny Town Depot in Hot Springs National Park. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFace...
Trail Mix: Science of Hot Springs NP
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty break down the Goldilocks circumstance that creates the geothermal features of Hot Springs National Park. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationa...
116- Buckstaff Bathhouse: Hot Springs National Park
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty get the full bathhouse experience at the Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs National Park. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook:...
Trail Mix: National Park Foundation with Lise Aangeenbrug
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty sit down and chat with Lise Aangenbrug of the National Park Foundation and here about their work with the National Park Service and the...
115- Hot Springs Mountain Trails: Hot Springs National Park
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty travel to Arkansas and hike the Hot Spring Mountain trails on the east side of Hot Springs National Park. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationa...
Trail Mix: Manifest Destiny Bullsh*t
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In connection with Gateway Arch National Park and the various moments in history that the Gateway Arch represents, Mike and Dusty look at the history ...
114- Gateway Arch National Park: Part 2
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty explore the grounds of Gateway Arch National Park and venture on the River Boat and head up the Mississippi River.Instagram: @GazeAtTh...
Trail Mix: Corps of Discovery
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the expedition led by Lewis and Clark and the many indigenous tribes that provided them help on their exploration of the West a...
113- Gateway Arch National Park: Part 1
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike hike across St. Louis, Missouri to the Gateway Arch National Park. In this episode, they explore the museum and go to the top of the Ar...
Trail Mix: Campfires
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the new guidance regarding campfires. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at the National Parks#gazeatthenationa...
112- Prairie Trails: Wind Cave National Park
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After touring Wind Cave, Mike and Dusty head above ground to hike the Prairie Vista Trail and the Rankin Ridge Trail in Wind Cave National Park. Insta...
Trail Mix: Cave Formations
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike explore all the different types of cave formations including those found in Wind Cave National Park.Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParks...
111- Fairgrounds Tour: Wind Cave National Park
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty explore Wind Cave on the Fairgrounds Tour in Wind Cave National Park. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at the Nationa...
Trail Mix: Been Outside with Amber Wendler and Shaz Zamore
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty chat with Amber Wendler and Shaz Zamore, contributing authors and editors of the new book Been Outside: Adventures of Black Women, Nonb...
110- Santa Elena Canyon: Big Bend National Park
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty cross a river in order to hike Santa Elena Canyon and later hike the Upper Burro Mesa Pour-Off Trail in the final day in Big Bend Natio...
Trail Mix: Birding in Big Bend
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the various levels of birding, and the birds of Big Bend National Park.Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at th...
109- Small Trails of Big Bend National Park
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty hike three small trails in Big Bend National Parks. The explore the famous cacti of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, the shores of t...
Trail Mix: Eastern Parks vs. Western Parks with Becky Lomax
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty sit and chat with Moon Author Becky Lomax and discuss National Parks of the Eastern United States versus National Parks of the Western ...
108- The South Rim Trail, Part 2: Big Bend National Park
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After waiting for the clouds to part on the South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park, Mike and Dusty hike the Boot Canyon Trail and the Pinnacles Tra...
Trail Mix: Extremophiles
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at and explore the world and environments of extremophiles and how they have been studied in National Parks. Instagram: @GazeAtTh...
107- The South Rim Trail, Part 1: Big Bend National Park
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After being told by multiple people to not leave Big Bend National Park without doing the South Rim Trail, Mike and Dusty brave some questionable weat...
Trail Mix: On the Trails of Acadia with Hilary Nangle
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike hike with Moon Travel Author, Hilary Nangle, on the Ship Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park, hear about the history of the park, the ...
106- The Window Trail: Big Bend National Park
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty encounter Mexican Jays and exposed sun while hiking the famed Window Trail in Big Bend National Park.Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalPark...
Trail Mix: The Rio Grande
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the story of the Rio Grande River, its history as boundary, and it's relationship to Big Bend National Park. Instagram: @G...
105- Lost Mine Trail: Big Bend National Park
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On their first day and first very early morning in Big Bend National Park, Mike and Dusty hike the Lost Mine Trail, on a rather apropos day for this p...
Trail Mix: Caving with Bruce Hatcher
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike sit down with Environmental Scientist and Caving Expert Bruce Hatcher to chat geology, morphology, and cave expeditions in Mammoth Cave...
104- Great Onyx Cave: Mammoth Cave National Park
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty explore Great Onyx Cave with caving expert Bruce Hatcher and learn a lot of the history of the Mammoth Cave Area and encounter some lar...
Trail Mix: The Open Road with Jessica Dunham
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty talk curiosity, roadside attractions, and best practices for the open road with Jessica Dunham, an expert on road trips and the author ...
103- The River Styx: Mammoth Cave National Park
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty finally get to Mammoth Cave National Park and explore the River Styx. Website: GazeAtTheNationalParks.comInstagram: @GazeAtTheNational...
Season 6- Trail Map
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike are back with the Trail Map for Season 6 and reveal the National Parks whose trails are featured in this upcoming season. Website: Gaze...
Trail Mix: Heat Exhaustion
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the current warming of the earth and safe practices for recreating in the heat. Website: GazeAtTheNationalParks.comInstagram: ...
S5 Summit #4- Hiking Trails
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of Season 5, Mike and Dusty look at all of the hiking trails featured in this season including trails in New River Gorge National...
S5 Summit #3- Wildlife
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike look at the Wildlife and Environment of the National Parks of Season 5 including New River Gorge National Park, Theodore Roosevelt Nati...
S5 Summit #2- Histories
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike and Dusty look at the histories of the National Parks from Season 5 including New River Gorge National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Ba...
S5 Summit #1- Visitorship
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dusty and Mike look at Visitorship in the National Parks featured in Season 5 including: New River Gorge National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Pa...