
National Park After Dark
Hosted by two friends who share a passion for the wilderness and a fascination with what can go wrong there, each week hosts Danielle and Cassie explore the darker side of our National Parks and explore these treasured places in a whole new way - because behind the iconic arches and towering trees lie layered histories, grisly encounters, extraordinary stories of survival, tragic ends and so much more. But it isn’t always chills and thrills. By sharing inspiring tales and their desire for protecting our planet’s wild places, they hope the show will inspire listeners to lace up their own hiking boots and take a walk into the wild to create meaningful adventures of their own.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 27min
293: DDT - So Safe You Can Eat It! Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.
The conversation dives into the historical impact of DDT, a pesticide once marketed as safe, and its devastating effects on wildlife. Rachel Carson's groundbreaking work, 'Silent Spring,' is highlighted as a catalyst for environmental awareness. The hosts reflect on Earth Day traditions and share personal narratives that connect to larger environmental issues. From the deceptive advertising of DDT to the challenges faced by Carson, the discussion emphasizes the ongoing relevance of her legacy in today's environmental movements.

7 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 23min
292: The Conservation President and the Adventure That Almost Killed Him. Part 2.
The harrowing journey of Theodore Roosevelt and Rondon through the Amazon reveals perilous rapids and a confrontation with wildlife. Tensions rise as the team grapples with illness, starvation, and moral dilemmas, leading to intense discussions about trust and survival. The tragedy of losing a team member highlights the emotional toll of their expedition. Amidst the chaos, the duality of nature’s beauty and danger emerges, alongside reflections on the impact of exploration on indigenous cultures and the importance of teamwork in adversity.

Apr 10, 2025 • 51min
291: Trail Tales 67
Today’s stories include disrupting the natural order, shaming tourons, static ghosts, poop strap injuries, hauntings in Japan, Alaskan thank yous, pennies form heaven and cacti-microneedling Brazilian waxes. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers!
Listen to Watch Her Cook on Apple and Spotify!
For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:
Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark
Twitter/X: @npadpodcast
TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark
Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!
Thank you to the week’s partners!
3 Day Blinds: For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/NPAD.
Factor: Use our link and code npad50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.
Redacted: Declassified Mysteries: Follow 'Redacted: Declassified Mysteries' with
Luke Lamana on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.

Apr 9, 2025 • 2min
Introducing: WATCH HER COOK
Hosts Cassie and Danielle from National Park After Dark are launching a brand new podcast, Watch Her Cook!
Watch Her Cook is a weekly podcast that highlights the incredible women throughout history who have shattered the glass ceiling on the expectations of what women "should" be. From trailblazing inventors and fierce activists to notorious outlaws and criminal masterminds, these women proved their capabilities far surpassed domestic duties.
Every episode dives into the lives of these extraordinary women, some changed the world in groundbreaking ways, and others, in chilling ones.
Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes on Apple and Spotify.

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 10min
290: The Conservation President and the Adventure That Almost Killed Him. Part 1.
The podcast dives into Theodore Roosevelt's captivating legacy as a conservationist, exploring his adventurous spirit and personal struggles after a political defeat. Listeners learn about his dramatic Amazon expedition, filled with danger and the complexities of cultural encounters. The discussion also tackles the ethical dilemmas of hunting, while revealing Roosevelt's resilience through nature. With tales of exploration and wellness, the narrative highlights the unpredictability of the wilderness and the bonds formed among the expedition members.

Mar 31, 2025 • 58min
289: The River Ladies of the Grand Canyon.
Botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter changed the stereotype of women in botany when they found a love for not the delicate flowers, but the cacti with thorns and the vegetation that thrived in the most inhospitable environments. They set out to do something that had never been done before, to be the first women to boat the entirety of the Colorado River and map out the flora of the Grand Canyon. If successful, they would be the first women to ever survive the trip.
Listen to Watch Her Cook on Apple and Spotify!
Follow the Watch Her Cook Podcast on Instagram here for more updates!
For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:
Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark
TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark
Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!
Thank you to the week’s partners!
BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.
Smalls: For 50% off your first order, head to Smalls.com and use code NPAD.
Blueland: Use our link to get 15% off your first order.
For a full list of our sources, visit npadpodcast.com/episodes

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 11min
288: Oh, the Places You Won’t Go. Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park.
Discover the thrilling tale of a 1897 balloon expedition aimed at reaching the North Pole. Explore the fierce competition of early Arctic explorers and the daring choices they made. Delve into the challenges faced during their ascent, from unpredictable weather to survival dilemmas. Unravel the mystery of their disappearance and the emotional weight carried by those left behind. Plus, enjoy a fun discussion about polar plunges and the rejuvenating power of sauna relaxation.

Mar 13, 2025 • 52min
287: Trail Tales 66
Today’s stories include slapping the bag, a mother’s intuition, geocaching gone wrong, being saved by spirits, synchronicities and sibling pranks. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers!
For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:
Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark
TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark
Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!
Thank you to the week’s partners!
Graza: Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/NPAD and use promo code NPAD today for 10% off your first order.
Ollie: Use NPAD to get 60% off your first box of meals when you subscribe today.
iRestore: For a limited time only, our listeners get $625 off their iRestore Elite when you use code NPAD at iRestorelaser.com
The Box of Oddities: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Mar 10, 2025 • 50min
286: Peak Danger with Cecilie Skog
In todays episode, we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Cecilie Skog. Cecilie has cemented her place in the world of extreme adventure sports as being the first person in the world to have skied across both the North and the South Poles and to have climbed all of The Seven Summits. She also completed the first unassisted and unsupported trek across the continent of Antarctica and has made several treks across Greenland. Cecilie was also among the 31 climbers who were on K2 on its deadliest day in August 2008. She survived one of the worst tragedies in Himalayan history, witnessed her husband lose his life on the mountain - and has persevered. This isn’t a conversation to miss.
Listen to Extreme: Peak Danger HERE
For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:
Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark
TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark
Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!
Thank you to the week’s partners!
BetterHelp: National Park After Dark is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off.
Lume Deodorant: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with
@lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code NPAD at LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepod
Quince: Use our link to get free shipping and 365-day returns.

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 55min
285: A Love Worth Fighting For. Speaking Up For Our Public Lands.
On Valentine’s Day 4,400 Public Land workers were abruptly and illegally terminated from their positions and since then, news of executive orders threatening to exploit our public lands for their natural resources have been flooding headlines.
To better understand the gravity of this situation and to hear straight from those most directly effected we are joined by Yosemite and Devils Postpile Ranger Alex Wild, Liz Crandall a field ranger in Deschutes National Forest, and Morgan Smith a Biological Science Technician for the US Forest Service. All three were recently terminated from their jobs due to the recent federal budget cuts.
They share their love of the outdoors, explain the importance of their jobs, and speak to the dangerous repercussions our public lands will experience as a result of these terminations and extreme staffing shortages.
How you can help!
SAVE OUR PARKS MERCH! - 100% of our proceeds will be donated to and evenly allocated between The National Park Foundation and The National Forest Foundation.
Sign petitions and write to your reps!
Tell Congress to Protect National Park Service Staff
Tell Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to protect national monuments from oil, gas, and mining
Tell Congress national parks are worth fighting for
Tell Congress to fund historic and cultural sites nationwide
Tell Congress to protect wildlife in national parks
Whitehouse resources:
Unleashing American Energy
Unleashing Alaska’s Resource Potential
Immediate Expansion of Logging Timber (including BLM land, National Forests, and National Parks)
For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:
Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark
TikTok: @nationalparkafterdark
Support the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!
Thank you to the week’s partners!
IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping.
AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/npad.