National Park After Dark

*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 Starved Rock State Park. When they were discovered brutally murdered inside the park – the pressure was on to find who was responsible. After months of investigation, a state park employee confesses to the crimes and is sent to prison. Despite his initial confession, Chester Weger maintains his innocence over six decades later, and he isn’t the only one. This case has it all - twists, turns and question marks, and in part 1, we are just getting started. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Athena Club: Use code NPAD at checkout to get a free Gentle Body Scrub with the purchase of a Razor Kit. Or get started with Athena Club today by shopping in-store at Target nationwide. Embrace Pet Insurance: Use our link to sign up for pet insurance today! Beam: Use our link and code NPAD for up to 40% off. Microdose Gummies: Use code NPAD to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. Sources The Murders at Starved Rock (HBO Documentary Series), The Andy Hale Podcast, Chicago Magazine, Rolling Stone, Daily Journal, Starved Rock Lodge, Iowa Cold Cases, Medium

Today’s stories include circling hawks, dumb ways to die, trail angels, Maya Rudolph-ing on Mount Washington, dispatching mamas, shark scares, hallucinating on the dunes and butterscotch smelling pines. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Prose: Use our link for a free in-depth hair consultation and 50% off your first subscription. Plus 15% off and free shipping on all future subscription orders. Athena Club: Get started with Athena Club today by shopping in-store at Target nationwide. Hello Fresh: Use our link and code npadfree for free breakfast for life. CoPilot: Use our link to get a 14 day free trial with a personal trainer.

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 every day to protect South Africa's rhinos from being poached to extinction. A lot has happened since our first discussion with John last year, and he catches us up with all the developments regarding the film, his life and the legacy work he and his team continue to dedicate in memory of Anton Mzimba. Please visit the following links for more information, further listening and to lend your support. Website: rhinomanthemovie.org Podcast: rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast Anton Mzimba Education Fund: antonmzimba.com Justice for Anton Petition: justiceforanton.org Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off. Beam: Use our link and code NPAD for up to 50% off.   Zocdoc: Use our link to download the Zocdoc app for free. Apostrophe: Use our link and code NPAD to get your first visit for only $5.

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 our favorite... otters?  Do you believe in the Lizard Man of South Carolina? Because the police sure do, and one sighting led to manhunts with bounties for his capture. Today we're taking you to several different parks to explore the creatures that lurk there. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping. Miracle Made: Use our link and code NPAD to save over 40% and get 3 free towels. Quince: Use our link to get free shipping and 365-day returns. Beam: Use our link and code CYBER for up to 40% off.   Resources: https://geologyscience.com/gallery/geological-wonders/the-badlands-national-park-usa/?amp https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/cave/blogs/the-mystery-of-the-sloth.htm https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/texas/big-bend-national-park/experiences/news/photos/why-big-bend-is-americas-creepiest-national-park https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/kushtaka-land-otter-legend-ak/ https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/congaree-national-park

What an exciting episode! Today 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 proclaimed collector of ghost stories, NH native Marianne is an avid hiker and historian. Today she shares with us the stories behind some of the most notable death markers in the White’s and what we can learn from the tragedies. You can find more information on hiker safety cards here and find her book here! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Uncommon Goods: Use our link and get 15% off your next gift. Zocdoc: Use our link to download the Zocdoc app for free. Lume Deodorant: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code [NPAD] at lumepodcast.com! #lumepod Beam: Use our link and code NPAD for up to 40% off.  

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 fastened taxidermy cats on their hats for fashion, but their obsessions went far beyond beauty and style. They were fanatic about death, and speaking to the deceased. Today we dive into the history of Spiritualism and get familiar with one of its most famous and loyal followers, Mary Todd Lincoln. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off. Microdose Gummies: Use code NPAD to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. Badlands: Listen Badlands wherever you listen to podcasts. Embrace Pet Insurance: Use our link to sign up for pet insurance today! Sources NPS, The White House Historical Association, Daily Beast, The New Yorker, History, Smithsonian, Pearce Museum, Beyond the Veil: Spiritualism in the 19th Century, Mental Floss, Abraham Lincoln Online, History of American Women, History Book Recs: Occult America, The Psychic Life of Abraham Lincoln

Today’s stories include killers in the forest, charging cougars, invisible drums, papa bears, death in the White’s and aliens stalkers. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Prose: Use our link for a free in-depth hair consultation and 15% off your subscription. Athena Club: Get started with Athena Club today by shopping in-store at Target nationwide BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.

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 Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. The book outlines the stories of missing hikers Chris Sylvia, David O'Sullivan and Kris Fowler, their families and the lengths they (and complete strangers) have gone to find them. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! CoPilot: Use our link to get a 14 day free trial with a personal trainer. Earth Breeze: Use our link got get 40% off when you subscribe. MasterClass: Use our link to get an additional 15% off an annual membership. IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping.

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 the prime suspect. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Microdose Gummies: Use code NPAD to get free shipping and 30% off your first order. Hello Fresh: Use our link and code 50npad for 50% off plus free 15% off the next 2 months. Beam: Use our link and code NPAD for up to 40% off.   Apostrophe: Use our link and code NPAD to get your  first visit for only $5. Resources: https://downeastacadia.com/story/otter-cliffs https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914c021add7b049347b1fee https://www.newspapers.com/article/68662973/police-checking-suspicious-aspects-of/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/68674778/victims-mother-takes-stand-by-a-jay/ https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/04/15/news/from-the-bdn-archives-bones-found-in-montana-may-have-link-to-87-maine-murder/ https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/04/15/news/from-the-bdn-archives-inmate-who-pushed-3rd-wife-off-otter-cliffs-in-87-leaps-to-his-death/

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 we were introduced to on our travels to the park. Get to know Grizzly 122 aka The Boss and learn about Operation Habbakuk an idea so crazy, it may just have worked - a prototype aircraft carrier for use against German U-boats … made out of ice(?). We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon  or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Miracle Made: Use our link and code NPAD to save over 40% and get 3 free towels. Care/Of: Use code npad50 to get 50% off your first order.   BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off. Prose: Use our link for a free in-depth hair consultation and 15% off your subscription. Sources Parks Canada, Parks Canada (2), Whyte Museum , National Geographic , CBC, CBC (2), National Wildlife Federation, Code Name Habbakuk