Forget stamp collecting – let's go national parks collecting!
If you love the national parks in the USA, then you’re in the right place. You’ll get help with national parks trip planning. Learn what to expect on hikes and scenic drives. Discover fun facts about the national parks in America. Find out what to see and do in the US national parks. Whether you’re about to visit your first park or up to number 63, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to have the absolute best experiences when you’re on your national park trips.
I’m James Ian and I’m a national park expert. I’ve been featured in USA Today’s annual National Parks special print edition and numerous online publications. I have my own website Parks Collecting and have helped over 500 people plan their trips with my detailed published itineraries.
So, let’s start collecting information, experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime.
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In this Yellowstone National Park First-Timer’s Guide, James Ian shares a practical first-time visitor’s overview of Yellowstone, explaining why the park is easy to plan badly due to its huge size, slow roads, wildlife traffic, crowds, and limited parking.
He breaks Yellowstone into regions along the Grand Loop Road “figure eight,” covers all five entrances and gateway towns, and recommends planning by “experience zones” rather than a checklist: Geyser Country (Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful, Norris), Wildlife (Lamar and Hayden Valleys), Canyon and Waterfalls (Upper/Lower Falls and key overlooks), Hot Springs and Historic Mammoth (terraces, Fort Yellowstone), and the quieter Yellowstone Lake area. He outlines visitor centers, lodging (nine lodges, 12 campgrounds), the benefits of staying inside the park or splitting stays between loops, driving and safety notes, legal swimming spots, and a shoulder-season lesson about road closures like Dunraven Pass.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
If You’re Visiting Acadia for the First Time, Watch This
Season 2 · Episode 16
Sunday, May 24, 2026 • Duration 21:56
If you’re visiting Acadia National Park for the first time and have just started planning your Acadia trip, this episode is for you.
James Ian introduces an overview for first-time planners visiting Acadia National Park, emphasizing that the park is fragmented, crowded in peak season, and highly timing-dependent. He explains Acadia’s three main areas: Mount Desert Island (including Bar Harbor, Park Loop Road, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, Ocean Path, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain), the quieter Schoodic Peninsula (reachable by car or boat from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor with a free Island Explorer shuttle), and remote Isle au Haut (boat from Stonington, primitive camping).
He covers multiple access points, the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, entrance fees, Cadillac Mountain vehicle reservations (May–October), lodging options outside the park, four public campgrounds, and summer traffic/parking.
Highlights include carriage roads, iron-rung hikes (with seasonal peregrine falcon closures), water activities, Jordan Pond House popovers, Sand Beach, and Echo Lake’s warmer swim beach, and he recommends early starts or the free Island Explorer shuttle and not missing Schoodic.
00:00 Planning Acadia Basics
01:56 Park Areas Overview
02:50 Loop Road Highlights
03:33 Quiet Side Spots
04:05 Schoodic Peninsula Escape
05:10 Remote Isle au Haut
06:19 Entrances and Passes
07:16 Cadillac Mountain Reservations
08:25 Where to Stay
If You’re Planning Olympic for the First Time, Listen to This
Season 2 · Episode 15
Sunday, May 17, 2026 • Duration 17:51
Planning an Olympic National Park trip? In this episode, James Ian shares a beginner‑friendly Olympic National Park Guide to help you confidently plan your trip.
James explains how to experience the diverse ecosystems of the park, including mountains, temperate rainforests, lakes, and rugged Pacific beaches. Since there are no roads crossing the park and most of the park is designated wilderness, visiting Olympic National Park, USA requires driving Highway 101 to reach key areas like Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Falls, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, and Kalaloch’s Tree of Life. For those planning a trip to Olympic National Park, James shares essential tips on lodging, limited services, parking closures, road conditions, and why you should split stays between Port Angeles and Forks. If you’re wondering how to visit Olympic National Park Washington, this Olympic National Park travel guide will help you plan efficiently and make the most of your adventure.
01:37 Park Overview: Layout
03:40 Hurricane Ridge Highlights
04:31 Deer Park
04:50 Elwha
05:16 Lake Crescent
06:00 Sol Duc
06:30 Pacific Beaches
08:33 Rainforests: Queets & Quinault
08:58 Entrance Fees
09:31 Parking
10:12 Gateway Towns
11:08 Facilities
11:47 Lodging
12:39 Driving & Roads
If You’re Planning Your First Arches Trip, Listen to This
Season 2 · Episode 14
Sunday, May 10, 2026 • Duration 14:21
Planning an Arches National Park trip? In this episode, James Ian shares a beginner‑friendly Arches National Park guide to help you confidently plan visiting Arches National Park.
He explains how to visit Arches National Park Utah, covering the single entrance, visitor center, and the 22‑mile scenic drive with key stops like Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows section, Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace (guided hike), and Devil’s Garden with trails to Landscape Arch and his favorite arch.
James also shares essential tips about limited parking, possible entrance closures, and the lack of food services inside the park, plus suggestions for pairing your visit with Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park and using a detailed Arches National Park itinerary to maximize your time.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
The 10 Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park
Season 2 · Episode 13
Sunday, May 3, 2026 • Duration 16:32
James Ian reveals his top 10 Yellowstone waterfalls and explains what makes each waterfall Yellowstone experience unique, including how much effort it takes to reach them.
This guide to the most impressive Yellowstone National Park waterfalls covers everything from easy roadside stops like Lewis Falls, Undine Falls, Gibbon Falls, and Firehole Falls Yellowstone, to scenic hikes such as Mystic Falls, Fairy Falls (with views of Grand Prismatic and options to continue to Imperial and Spray Geysers), and the dramatic 150‑foot Osprey Falls. For adventurous hikers, he highlights Union Falls, a stunning 250‑foot backcountry trek, and Tower Fall. James concludes at the iconic Yellowstone Upper Falls and Yellowstone Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Whether you’re chasing the tallest Yellowstone falls or looking for quick roadside viewpoints, this episode helps you plan the perfect waterfall-focused trip, with links to his detailed 1–4 day itineraries and Yellowstone planning resources.
00:00 Yellowstone Waterfalls Preview
01:32 Mystic Falls
02:27 Lewis Falls
03:10 Undine Falls
03:38 Osprey Falls
04:19 Fairy Falls
05:43 Gibbon Falls
06:18 Firehole Falls
06:53 Union Falls
07:58 Tower Fall
09:19 How to Include these waterfalls in your itinerary
12:41 Upper Yellowstone Falls
13:58 Lower Yellowstone Falls
7 Things You MUST Pack for a Summer National Park Trip
Season 2 · Episode 12
Sunday, April 26, 2026 • Duration 16:10
National park expert James Ian shares seven game-changing items to pack for summer national park trips to stay safer, cooler, and more comfortable.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
For hiking, he recommends cooling neck towels, a hiking umbrella, and electrolyte powder to help avoid hyponatremia from overhydration. He also advises bringing the right park pass, highlighting the America the Beautiful pass and special options for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and the Every Kid Outdoors program, plus buying passes online to save time. For road trips, he suggests keeping a large water container in the vehicle, using GPS-triggered audio tours for flexible in-car learning, and his top item: a foldable cooler for fly-and-drive trips to keep food and water cold without waste.
How to See Grand Prismatic Spring the Right Way
Season 2 · Episode 11
Sunday, April 19, 2026 • Duration 18:07
In this episode, James Ian explains why Grand Prismatic Spring is a must‑see highlight of Yellowstone, describing The Grand Prismatic Spring as the largest hot spring in the United States and one of the most stunning sights in the park.
Located in Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring is famous for its vivid rainbow colors—created by heat‑loving microbes that shift in tone throughout the seasons. James outlines two main ways to experience Grand Prismatic Spring Yellowstone National Park: the 0.8‑mile Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk loop for close‑up views of Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, along with Excelsior Geyser Crater, Turquoise Pool, and Opal Pool; and the 1.2‑mile round‑trip Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail from the Fairy Falls trailhead, which leads to the iconic panoramic view of Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic Spring. He shares essential tips on safety, parking challenges, and timing tradeoffs. He also mentions seasonal closures and concludes with which experience is not to miss.
Top 5 National Parks Packing Essentials People Forget
Season 2 · Episode 10
Sunday, April 12, 2026 • Duration 14:37
James shares five commonly overlooked items that can improve a national parks trip, based on his experience visiting parks across the U.S. in all seasons.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
If Long Hikes Aren’t Your Thing in Mount Rainier, Listen to This
Season 2 · Episode 9
Sunday, April 5, 2026 • Duration 20:22
Looking for the best easy hikes in Mount Rainier National Park? In this episode, James Ian shares seven beginner-friendly and easy‑to‑moderate Mt Rainier National Park hikes perfect for families, first-time visitors, and anyone looking for scenic trails without extreme elevation gain.
This guide to the best hikes in Mt Rainier National Park highlights favorites like Trail of the Shadows (0.7‑mile flat loop at Longmire with historic sites and mineral springs), Naches Peak Loop (3.4 miles, about 600 feet of gain, best hiked clockwise from Tipsoo Lake), Grove of the Patriarchs (1.5 miles featuring a suspension bridge and ancient trees—check bridge status before you go), Bench and Snow Lakes (2.5 miles, quieter and best July–September), Narada Falls (short but steep 0.2‑mile walk with stairs), Nisqually Vista (1.2‑mile paved loop in Paradise with glacier views), and his #1 pick, the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (0.5‑mile paved path to a stunning waterfall viewpoint).
Whether you’re interested in Mount Rainier easy hikes, planning your first Mount Rainier National Park hike, or researching the Mount Rainier National Park best hikes for your trip, this episode offers practical tips on timing, parking, trail conditions, and everything you need to know about hiking in Mt Rainier National Park.
Planning a trip to Mount Rainier? In this comprehensive Mount Rainier travel guide, James Ian explains the best time to visit Mount Rainier based on your travel goals, from hiking and wildflowers to snow adventures and photography in Mount Rainier Washington.
If you’re planning to visit Mount Rainier National Park or are visiting Mount Rainier for the first time, this detailed Mount Rainier National Park guide breaks down what to expect each season:
spring (April–June) offers fewer crowds, powerful waterfalls, and limited access to higher elevations, with Mount Rainier in May ideal for solitude but still snowy at Sunrise;
summer (July–August) is peak season and often the best time to visit Mt Rainier for full trail access and peak wildflowers from mid‑July to early August, though early arrivals are essential due to crowds;
fall (September–October) brings lighter visitation, crisp weather, and beautiful foliage alongside increasing closures; and
winter (November–March) delivers a snowy wonderland with chain requirements, limited road access, and prime snow activities from mid‑December through February.
Whether you’re visiting Mt Rainier for hiking, sightseeing, or a scenic getaway, this guide helps you choose the perfect season to make the most of your adventure.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
00:23 Must Pack Items for a Summer National Park Trip
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
The national park essentials he recommends are a car charger and/or portable battery pack. He highlights hiking/trekking poles and advises carrying a small first aid kit. For navigation, he recommends paper maps and downloading offline maps. Finally, he suggests binoculars or a spotting scope for safer, clearer wildlife viewing.
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
[When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.
