National Park After Dark
Episodes
277: NPAD Turns FOUR
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our birthday (or, anniversary)! Four years ago this week we released out very first episode with zero clue what we were doing. Since then we ha...
276: Til’ Death Do Us Part" Glacier National Park
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Jordan and Cody met each other they quickly fell in love and tied the knot. But when Cody disappeared only eight days after their wedding, people...
275: Trail Tales 62
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include acts of love, stiff pants, angry neighbors camp ghosts, Gila monsters and cougars in Maine. Outsiders Only bonus stories ava...
274: Lafitte’s Lost Loot: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Birthplace of Jazz, NOLA, The Big Easy - no matter how you know it, New Orleans is world renowned. While we visit today to toss beads and eat beig...
273: Murder on the Appalachian Trail
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Margarett McFaddin Harritt and Joel Polson sparked an unlikely friendship that lead them to plan a thru hike on the AT in 1974. On just their second n...
272: Bringing the Mountain to the Movies ft. Andrew Kightlinger
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Director Andrew Kightlinger joins NPAD to give us all a glimpse into the making of the much anticipated film - Lost on a Mountain in Maine. From his u...
271: Carrying the Torch ft. Leitah Mkhabela of the Black Mambas
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Leitah Mkhabela of the Black Mambas - the world's first officially formed, registered and recognized all-women anti-poaching un...
270: Honeymoon From Hell: Manuripi-Heath National Amazonian Wildlife Reserve
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In March of 1973, Holly and Gerald Fitzgerald were lost, starving and on the brink of death in the middle of Bolivia. The first leg of their planned h...
269: Trail Tales 61
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include boat explosions, unexpected friends, questionable decisions doggie miracles, rescue attempts and almost being killed by a ho...
268: Madness in McCarthy: Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve (Part 2)
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we follow Elishaba and Jerusalem’s escape through the unforgiving terrain of Alaska. With their father right on their tail and temperatures dr...
267: Madness in McCarthy: Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve (Part 1)
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the Pilgrim family ventured to the remote Alaska town of McCarthy, they were in search of a simple life free from the constraints of the modern w...
266: Trail Tales 60
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include cursed stories, near death experiences, whistles in the forest, haunted babies and dead uncles. Outsiders Only bonus stories...
265: Taken? Allagash Wilderness Waterway
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In August of 1976, twin brother Jim and Jack Weiner and their friends Chuck Rak and Charlie Flotz embarked on a two-week camping and canoeing trip to ...
264: National Park After Dark is Scared to Death
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dan and Lyndze Cummins, hosts of Scared to Death join us today to share some creepy tales. First, we chat about their personal thoughts on and experie...
263: Trail Tales 59
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include ranger reprimands, haunted objects, yellow roses, misplaced eyes, freaky lights, close encounters and NPAD love. Outsiders O...
262: The Queen of the Tetons: Remembering Grizzly 399
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On October 22, 2024 a legacy ended when Grizzly 399 was hit by a car and killed. She was the most beloved bear in the world and the oldest known grizz...
261: The Disappearance of Trenny Gibson: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What began as an afternoon high school field trip to observe plants became one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most enduring and puzzli...
260: Trail Tales 58
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include confession notes, quicksand escapes, mama grizzlies, spider pets, finding kittens, frog watching, trail tales within trail...
259: The Murder of Ranger Robert McGhee: Gulf Islands National Seashore
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When two dangerous convicts escaped from a Florida prison they kidnapped a woman and fled to Mississippi. During the ensuing manhunt for the prison es...
258: History and Haunts of Oz: Sydney Harbour National Park
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of Australia’s most haunted locations sits in the same harbor as one of the country’s most visited landmarks. Across the bay from the Opera Ho...
257: Trail Tales 57
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include disembodied voices (and fingers ?), questionable aliens, conjuring spirits and peaks beyond the veil. Outsiders Only bonus s...
256: A Haunted Historic Tour of Antietam National Battlefield
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we go to the national park unit that preserves the bloodiest day in American History. During the civil war, 23,000 people were killed or wounded...
255: Phone a (Dead) Friend: Thomas Edison National Historical Park
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A universal desire to have more time to convey our love to those who we have lost has been in existence for as long as humans have. For most of histor...
254: Rocky Mountain National Park’s Historic Tea Room.
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some histories are lost with time, but remnants of their existence remain. Off an unmarked trail within Rocky Mountain National Park sits an abandoned...
253: Trail Tales 56
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include life changing treks, Kentucky Bigfoots, dog rescues, evidence destruction, flying deer, bad feelings, heart shaped rocks and...
252: Death, She Wrote ft. Randi Minetor
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What started off as a 1990’s National Park roadtrip across the West turned into a successful series of books. Randi Minetor joins us to speak about ...
251: Murder of Six: Wells Gray Provincial Park (Part 2)
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In August of 1982, three generations of one family went on a two week vacation into the mountains of British Columbia. Over a year later, David Sheari...
250: Trail Tales 55
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include survival(ish) stories, good guy redemptions, unpredictable rescuers, invisible protectors and someone being naked - and some...
249: Murder of Six: Wells Gray Provincial Part (Part 1)
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In August of 1982, three generations of one family went on a two week vacation into the mountains of British Columbia. When they failed to return, the...
248: The Mann Gulch Fire Tragedy: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When a fire broke out in Helena National Forest, the newly established Smokejumpers crew were sent to manage it. The fire proved to be larger and more...
247: Trail Tales 54
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include park spirits, strange encounters, Alaskan adventures, embarrassing moments and cocaine heroes. Outsiders Only bonus stories ...
246: Lights on the Mountain: Pisgah National Forest
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For generations the stories of ghost lights in the Appalachian forests of North Carolina have captured the attention of locals and piqued the curiosit...
245: Grizzly Confidential ft. Kevin Grange
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is all about bears as Kevin Grange returns for his second appearance on the show to discuss his newest book Grizzly Confidential: An...
244: Trail Tales 53
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include woodsy weirdness, prophetic dreams, police run ins, paranormal protection, mountain mishaps and an avalanche survival. Outsi...
243: Undercover in an Asylum: Blackwell Island
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When rumors spread through New York City of horrendous conditions of a nearby asylum, Nellie Bly investigates. She goes undercover as a patient to rep...
242: The Valley Killings: Alpine National Park
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In March of 2020, days before the world began to lock down, Russell Hill and Carol Clay ventured to Alpine National Park for a camping trip. When over...
241: Trail Tales 52
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include trail ghosts, hellish roadtrips, Everest summits, bigfoot kidnappings, foaming pants and being comfortably uncomfortable. Ou...
240: Ranger Gone Missing: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Cassie's voice is out of commission so instead of a new episode, we're offering a sneak peak into one of our Outsider Bonus episodes, previ...
239: Titanic of the West: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In October of 1918, just days before the end of the first World War, the Princess Sophia ran aground on Vanderbilt Reef and sank into icy Alaskan wate...
238: Trail Tales 51
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include lost and found hikers, eventful honeymoons, stranger danger and beyond the veil experiences. Outsiders Only bonus stories av...
237: The Heroine of Niagara Falls
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we venture to one of the most iconic waterfalls in the world to talk about the daredevils who have gone over it. Most notably, Annie Edson T...
236: On Our Signal: Virgin Islands National Park
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Take to Google, type in “US Virgin Islands” and you’ll be met with photos of turquoise waters and smiling faces sipping on drinks atop sparkling...
235: Trail Tales 50
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include unlikely reunions, wild horse chases, dog-sent wolves, lifesavers and Alaskan surfing. Outsiders Only bonus stories availabl...
234: Solved: The Shenandoah Murders ft. Kathryn Miles
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In June of 1996 two women, Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, were found brutally murdered in Shenandoah National Park. Their murderer (or murderers) w...
233: Parkitecture and Haunted Tales: Historic Hotels of the National Parks
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we dive into the history of National Parks and how America's best idea almost died. Instead of talking about their landscapes, we take a deep di...
232: Trail Tales 49
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include stargazing gods, being naked and afraid, Holocaust surviving mountain climbers, Grand canyon voyeurs, knotty women, finding ...
231: Blood in the Water: Cape Cod National Seashore
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sharks have swum the world’s waters for millennia – there is a reason they are referred to as living dinosaurs. Their presence globally is not new...
230: The Man Who Came Back: Charley-Yukon Rivers National Preserve
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lt. Leon Crane survived a devastating plane crash only to be stranded in the remote wilderness of Alaska. When a rescue mission fails to locate him, h...
229: She Lived Until Morning ft. Jean Muenchrath
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we sit down for a conversation with Jean Muenchrath. We touch upon her tragic fall off Mount Whitney, but really focused on her story after the ...
228: Survivor(wo)man: Sequoia National Park
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A long awaited 200+ mile trip through the Sierra’s ends in a tragic fall. Jean Muenchrath’s story of survival is an epic one, but also serves as t...
227: The Lost Ranger: Chiricahua National Monument
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It was a normal shift for Ranger Paul Fugate, when he left to patrol a trail and never returned. The investigation into his disappearance unveiled feu...
226: Trail Tales 48
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include scared ceremonies, being petrified in the petrified forest, ghost cowboys, airline premonitions, shadow people, bear sleepov...
225: Catastrophe at Camp: Ouachita National Forest
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On June 10th 2010 all was well at the Albert Pike Recreation Area campground. 24 hours later, 20 people were dead following one the deadliest natural ...
224: Mystery Mashup
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we do things a bit different - today we both share a story, with little to nothing to do with the outdoors! Danielle brings us to Egypt wher...
223: For the Fallen: Project Recover ft. Derek Abbey
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Derek Abbey, Project Recover’s President and CEO to speak about the organization - a collaborative effort to enlist 21st cent...
222: Vanished: Finding Missing WWII Soldiers in Palau
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we visit one of the bloodiest battle sites in WWII and tell the stories of the men who lost their lives there. When Pat Scannon discovered many ...
221: The Disappearance of Joe Halpern: Rocky Mountain National Park
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hundreds of people go missing in US National Parks every year. While many of those cases eventually find resolve, some people, like Joe Halpern, remai...
220: Trail Tales 47
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include life saving butterflies, bobcat guardians, hotdog man rescues, baby trail snacks, puke curses, angel friends, madness at Mes...
219: The Disappearance of Everett Ruess ft. Locations Unknown Podcast
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Mike and Joe, hosts of the Locations Unknown Podcast, as we dive into one of Utah's greatest enduring mysteries. Everett Ruess ...
218: Trail Tales 46
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include hooting in the wrong places, being at the right place at the right time, being Bigfoot, seeing Bigfoot, hot springs horror, ...
217: The Value of Bones: Dinosaur National Monument
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk all things dinosaurs! We discuss an ongoing case of poaching over 1 million dollars worth of dinosaur fossils, discuss why some are so v...
216: Beyond the Bear: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hugh Glass is best known for his incredible survival story. After being mauled by a grizzly, being left for dead and dragging himself nearly 250 miles...
215: Trail Tales 45
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include an Oregon disappearance, tuck and rolling, tiger eyes, solo cougars, mystery lights, accidental bear selfies, haunted castle...
214: Queen of the Skies: Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bessie Coleman was the first woman to get her international pilots license. She was also the first African American woman to become a stunt pilot and ...
213: The Book Women of Appalachia: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the midst of the worst economic disaster in US History hope was being carried through the rural communities tucked amongst the rugged mountains of ...
212: Trail Tales 44
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a very special one - all about signs, synchronicities and loved ones showing their love no matter how far away they seem. Learn ...
211: A Lightning Strike Rescue: Yosemite National Park
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On July 27, 1985 a group of 5 people climbed Half Dome, one of the most prominent and rock faces inside the park. A summer storm brewed over the summi...
210: The Lost Boy: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In July 1939 12-year-old Donn Fendler was separated from his group while hiking Mount Katahdin. What ensued was one of the largest search operations i...
209: The Comeback Kids ft. Rob Edward & Dr. Joanna Lambert: The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Rob Edward and Dr. Joanna Lambert of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project to discuss the recent wolf re-introduction in Colorado. Th...
208: Talk Wolf-y to Me ft. Maeve Rodgers: Voyageurs National Park
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by Maeve Rodgers, wolf predation and research technician, to answer your questions about wolves! Maeve is a wolf researcher who ha...
207: The Crash of Air Florida Flight 90: National Mall and Memorial Parks
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On January 13, 1982 the world watched live as an airplane rescue was broadcasted live on national television for the very first time. The US Park Poli...
206: Trail Tales 43
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include the sisterhood of the frothing pants, powerful manifestors, surprise allergies, stubborn guide dogs, hiking back in time, to...
205: Tales from the Crypt: Waterton Lakes National Park
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On a crisp September day Trevor Janz and Patricia Van Tighem’s lives are changed forever when they encounter a grizzly on their weekend hike. Patric...
204: Two Thousand Miles to Freedom: California National Historic Trail
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bridget Biddy Mason was forced to walk from Mississippi to California when her enslaver followed Mormon leader Brigham Young to the west. While others...
203: Trail Tales 42
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include naked rescues, unfortunate events, dumb Americans, magical moments, eerie encounters and signs of encouragement. Outsiders O...
202: Sometimes the Wrong Decision, Is the Right One: Gates of the Arctic National Park
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When a rafting trip goes wrong deep in the remote wilderness of Alaska, a father and son fight for their lives. With limited supplies the pair have to...
201: The Lava Lake Murders: Deschutes National Forest
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When three murders occur in the remote wilderness of Deschutes National Forest, a manhunt is initiated. Investigators would soon realize that it would...
200: I Escaped: A Sit Down With a Wilderness Therapy Program Participant
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a follow up to last episode, we sit down for a chat with one of Danielle’s oldest friends - Tyler, who has first hand experience with a wildernes...
199: When Good Intentions Go Bad: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wilderness Therapy – some praise it, others shame it. In the 1980’s Steve Cartisano created the Challenger Foundation, the wilderness therapy camp...
198: You Can't Grow Weed in a National Park
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Illegal marijuana operations are popping up around National Parks in West, and they're worth millions of dollars. We examine the impact of these opera...
197: Trail Tales 41
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include haunted school houses, questionable disappearances, LSD UFO sightings, bear dances, keeping traditions and no gear - just vi...
196: The Slenderman Stabbing: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In May of 2014 two 12-year-old girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, lured their friend Payton Leutner into the woods and stabbed her 19 times - all ...
195: A Christmas Massacre: Keweenaw National Historical Park
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Copper Mining Strike of 1913 is one of the most violent in US History. When strikers throw a Christmas Eve Party for their families and children, ...
194: Trail Tales 40
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include horsey adversaries, near death experiences, best burro friends, ghostly smells, unseen predators, suddenly appearing underwe...
193: A Daughter of Adventure: Molly Brown House National Historic Building
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s here, it’s happening - Danielle finally gets to talk about the Titanic .. kind of. Today’s episode will introduce you to the real woman beh...
192: The Last of His People: Lassen Volcanic National Park
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we tell the story of Ishi, the last surviving member of the Yahi people. The Gold Rush of California brought on the mass murder of Ishi's people...
191: Outside for All: How Ranger the Dog Made National Park History
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After Brad was diagnosed with late onset epilepsy, he and his epilepsy alert service dog Ranger decided to set off on a journey across the US National...
190: The Devil’s in the Details: Starved Rock State Park (Part 3)
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* We wrap up our series on the Starved Rock murders by discussing...
189: The Devil’s in the Details: Starved Rock State Park (Part 2)
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* In part 2 of the Starved Rock murders we delve further into the...
188: Trail Tales 39
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include evil raccoons, love for law enforcement, UFOs over Phoenix shi***ing on a perfect day and vibrating packs. Outsiders Only bo...
187: The Devil’s in the Details: Starved Rock State Park (Part 1)
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* In March of 1960, three friends set out for a girls trip to Sta...
186: Trail Tales 38
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include circling hawks, dumb ways to die, trail angels, Maya Rudolph-ing on Mount Washington, dispatching mamas, shark scares, hallu...
185: Behind the Scenes of Rhino Man ft. Director John Jurko II
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined again by John Jurko, director and producer of Rhino Man, a film that follows the courageous field rangers who risk their lives to ...
184: National Park Ghosts, Monsters, and Cryptids
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in South Dakota to witness the screams of the Banshee of the Badlands. Venture to Alaska where a cryptid lurks that disguises themselves as ou...
183: Death Markers in the Live Free or Die State ft. Marianne O'Connor: White Mountains National Forest
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are joined by author of “Haunted Hikes of New England” Marianne O’Connor to talk all things trail death in the White Mountains. A self procla...
182: A Good Ol' Fashioned Séance: The White House and President's Park
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Victorians, they’re just like us! Er, well, kinda. It’s easy to judge a group of people who strapped raw meat to their faces for beauty or fastene...
181: Trail Tales 37
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s stories include killers in the forest, charging cougars, invisible drums, papa bears, death in the White’s and aliens stalkers. Outsiders ...
180: On the Trail of the Lost ft. Andrea Lankford
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Lankford returns! We last spoke with the author of Ranger Confidential last year, but today she is back to discuss her new book Trail of the Lo...
179: Death in Acadia National Park
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kathy was just looking for love, but after she found it, she died under suspicious circumstances inside of Acadia National Park. Her new husband was t...
178: Two for One Special: Banff & Jasper National Park
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you really think we could visit Banff and Jasper and NOT come back with some stories to share? Today we are switching it up to bring you two tales ...