The Parks Podcast
The Parks Podcast will take listeners on a journey to regional, state and national parks around the United States. We will learn why the parks were created and explore planning your own visit to parks.
Episodes
72 episodes
Leave No Trace w/Subaru "Leave No Trace" Traveling Team, Jeanelle & Rob - Episode 70
The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz sits down with Jeanelle Soland and Rob Pelton from the Subaru Leave No Trace traveling team to bust the biggest myths about outdoor recreation. With a staggering 13 billion trips taken into the outdo...
Appalachian Trail with Cinda Waldbuesser (Episode 69)
Grab your hiking boots and get ready to journey through the "People’s Park." In this episode, host Missy Rentz welcomes Cinda Waldbuesser, President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), to explore the legenda...
LGBTQ Outdoors (Episode 68)
What started as a simple Instagram account to document outdoor adventures quickly evolved into a nationwide movement. In this episode of The Parks Podcasat, host Missy Rentz sits down with Justin Yoder, the founder and ex...
Black Hill Discovery Center - Montgomery Parks (Episode 67)
"I want them to look back and say, 'This was my school'—not just a park I visit."What if a child’s first classroom wasn’t surrounded by four walls, but by 2,500 acres of wild Maryland landscape? In this episode, host Missy Rent...
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Episode 66)
Cuyahoga Valley proves that a park doesn't have to be "untouched" to be transformative. Whether you’re there for a high-intensity hike or a quiet glass of wine at a park-hosted vineyard, there is truly something for everyone.
Crime off the Grid Podcast (Episode 65)
In this episode of The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz sits down with Tara Ross and Nancy Martinz, former National Park Service law enforcement rangers and the creators of the hit podcast Crime Off the Grid
Save the Boundary Waters (Episode 64)
In this urgent episode of The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz sits down with Sam Chadwick, Associate Director of Save The Boundary Waters, to discuss a critical and unprecedented threat to one of Minnesota’s most i...
Our Story: The President's House (Episode 63)
"How is it we hear the loudest yelps for liberty from the drivers of Negroes?" (Samuel Johnson) In the shadow of Independence Hall, where the words "We the People" were first penned, stood the executive mansion of George Washington. But ...
Our Story: An Introduction
Welcome to our story, a new series from The Parks Podcast. I'm your host, Missy Rentz. I've shared that I came to the Parks for nature, but I'm really drawn to the history and the stories that make up our parks. It may be one person whose...
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National Park of American Samoa (Episode 62)
Journey south of the Equator to explore one of the most remote and culturally rich gems in the National Park System. In this episode, host Missy Rentz sits down with PT Lathrop, the Superintendent of the National Park of American Samo...
Face Value: The Battle for the 2026 NPS Park Pass (Episode 61)
Is your park pass still valid? We’re talking with artist Jenny McCarty about the sticker that shook the Department of the Interior. As the 2026 NPS pass becomes a political lightning rod, we dive into a sticker controversy, the administration's...
Voyageurs National Park (Episode 60)
Guest: Kate Severson, Program Manager for Interpretation, Outreach, and PartnershipGrab your life jacket and your sense of adventure! In this episode, we head to Northern Minnesota to explore Voyageurs National Park, a land...
History and the Parks (Episode 59)
This episode of The Parks Podcast explores the deep connection between our national landscapes and the stories that define us. Host Missy Rentz sits down with Beth English, Executive Director of the Organization of American Histor...
Redwoods National & State Parks (Episode 58)
Step into a cathedral of giants. In this episode of The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz journeys to the misty shores of Northern California to explore Redwoods National and State Parks.Join us as we sit down with <...
First Day Hike 2026 (Episode 57)
Kick off the New Year with First Day Hikes - a day to celebrate in our State Parks all around the United States. In this epsiode we'll learn about the origin of First Day Hike, and all the opportunities to play in parks around the country this ...
Winter in the Parks - Indiana State Parks (Episode 56)
Indiana State Parks is kicking off winter with hikes, bird watching, light tours, and more.
Winter in the Parks - New York State Parks w/ Chris Rickard (Episode 55)
New York State Parks & Historic Sites is celebrating winter with hikes, snow and ice activities, craft & creating activities and more.
Winter in the Parks - Virginia State Parks with Katie Shephard (Episode 54)
Virginia is for Lovers...and park lovers! This winter, the Virginia State Parks have activities for all ages and abilities.
Winter in the Parks - Hueston Woods State Park - Ohio (Episode 53)
Hueston Woods State Park is hosting the holidays with movies, breakfast with Santa, hikes, and more. Learn more in this episode.
Winter in the Park - Malabar Farm State Park (Ohio) (Episode 52)
Malabar Farm State Park is an historic farm, and former home to Louis Bromfield. Visit the park during the holiday season to visit the historic home all decked out in its holiday best.
Winter in the Parks - Arizona State Parks & Trails (Episode 51)
Winter is a great time to explore our parks and public lands. Arizona State Parks & Trails offers a variety of activities, including hikes, boat parades, luminary tours, and more. Listen to this episode to learn about all the great th...
GirlTREK w/ Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison (Episode 50)
Finding a community to join and explore our parks is a great entry into outdoor Adventures. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison started GirlTREK with the mission of increasing the life expectancy of black women by 10 years in 10 years. ...
Winter in the Parks - Gratitude After Gravy (Massachusetts) (Episode 49)
Are you celebrating Thanksgiving in Massachusetts? Spend Friday, November 28 outside with "Gratitude After Gravy". Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting guided outdoor recreation throughout the state. Ce...
Our Parks After the Government Shutdown w/ Alan Spears from National Parks Conservation Association (Episode 48)
Alan Spears, from National Park Conservation Association, joins us to talk about the status of our National Parks and public lands after the 43 day shutdown. We also talk about what's next for our beloved places.
Shopping Values w/ Matt Moreau from The Landmark Project (Episode 47)
"Hustle" and "Bustle" have become part of our every day vocabulary. And as we make lists, and check them twice, how can we make sure that our spending power is working for the causes we love. It's time to check our Shopping Values, and th...
