National Parks Collecting

National Parks Collecting

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.

Episodes

April 26, 2026 16 mins

National park expert James Ian shares seven game-changing items to pack for summer national park trips to stay safer, cooler, and more comfortable. 

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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.  

🔸YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK ITINERARIES 🔸

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Located in Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring is famous for its vivid rainbow c...

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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.

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 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.  

🔸MOUNT RAINIER ITINERARIES 🔸 

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This guide to the best hikes in Mt...

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🔸MOUNT RAINIER ITINERARIES 🔸 

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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...

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These are the things I wish I knew before visiting Grand Teton National Park. This Grand Teton National Park travel guide focuses on avoiding common first-visitor mistakes. 

🔸GRAND TETON ITINERARIES 🔸

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I recommend starting early to beat the crowds at popular spots, and planning ahead for boat rentals. Drive the 42-mile scenic loop but don’t rush— visit vie...

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Planning on visiting Grand Teton National Park? In this episode, James Ian—expert Grand Teton trip planner and trusted Grand Teton travel guide — shares his top 10 Grand Teton National Park tips to help you plan smarter and avoid common pitfalls.

🔸GRAND TETON ITINERARIES 🔸

➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Grand Teton National Park

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He explains how to visit Grand Teton National Park, including booking lodging and c...

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Are you trying to decide what to do in Grand Teton National Park Wyoming? Don’t miss the 42 mile scenic drive. Grand Teton is spread along the Teton range and most of the best things to see and best things to do in Grand Teton National Park are found on the Grand Teton Scenic Drive. 

🔸GRAND TETON ITINERARIES 🔸 

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In this episode, James Ian, an expert on G...

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Are you trying to decide what to see and what to do in Grand Teton National Park? Join James Ian, a national park expert, as he shares his top recommendations for the best Grand Teton viewpoints in Grand Teton National Park.  

🔸GRAND TETON ITINERARIES 🔸 

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In this Grand Teton National Park guide, James highlights iconic locations like Mormon Row and its h...

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In this Grand Teton trip planner, discover the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park. 10 must‑do experiences for anyone visiting Grand Teton National Park and wondering what to do in Grand Teton National Park.

🔸GRAND TETON ITINERARIES 🔸

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From rafting the Snake River and swimming in String Lake to dining at top spots, experiencing a dude ranch, rid...

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🔸BRYCE CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸 

➡️ Get 1 and 2-day itineraries for Bryce Canyon National Park  

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Join James Ian, a National Park expert, as he provides a guide to the views you must see when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park Utah. points in Bryce Canyon National Park. See all the best viewpoints in Bryce Canyon including iconic overlooks within Bryce Amphitheater, such as Bryce Canyon Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point,...

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Join me as I take you through a detailed journey along the Bryce Canyon National Park scenic drive. 

🔸🔸BRYCE CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸🔸 

➡️ Get 1 and 2-day itineraries for Bryce Canyon National Park  

🔸🔸HIGHLIGHTS 🔸🔸 

Learn about all the must-see stops on the Bryce Canyon drive from Rainbow Point to Inspiration Point, including expert tips and highlights such as the Grand Staircase, Natural Bridge, and the diverse viewpoints of Bryc...

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Planning to go hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park? Here are the 10 best trails in Bryce Canyon. If you like to hike, you’ll want to know the Bryce Canyon National Park hikes. These include hikes for all levels, from easy hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park to more challenging trails for experienced hikers. 

🔸🔸BRYCE CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸🔸 

➡️ Get 1 and 2-day itineraries for Bryce Canyon National Park  

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Are you visiting Bryce Canyon National Park? Here are 7 common mistakes people make when they visit Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah– so you can avoid making them! Important tips for Bryce Canyon National Park you’ll want to know before you go.

🔸BRYCE CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸

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In this episode, learn about the seven common mistakes visitors make when visiting B...

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November 8, 2025 29 mins

If you want to go hiking in Arches National Park and are trying to find the best hikes in Arches National Park, then this episode is for you.

🔸ARCHES ITINERARIES 🔸

➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Arches National Park 

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In this Arches National Park trail guide, host James Ian, a national parks expert, shares his top picks for the ten best Arches National Park trails. He provides detailed descriptions, tips, and in...

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In this Arches National Park guide, James Ian provides a comprehensive guide to driving through Arches National Park. The primary focus is on the Arches scenic drive, covering key viewpoints and trailheads along the route plus essential tips for the Arches National Park drive. This is one of the best US scenic drives and maybe the most scenic drive in Utah.

🔸ARCHES ITINERARIES 🔸 

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Are you trying to figure out how to visit Arches National Park and looking for helpful Arches National Park tips? In this guide to Arches National Park, we’ll look at 10tips for visiting Arches National Park. 

🔸ARCHES ITINERARIES 🔸 

➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Arches National Park 

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In this Arches National Park guide, James Ian shares his top 10 tips for a successful visit to Arches National Park in Utah. Fr...

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October 18, 2025 17 mins

With over 2,000 arches in the park, this detailed guide to the best of Arches National Park Utah will help you prioritize the most spectacular and accessible ones, catering to different levels of hiking difficulty.

🔸🔸ARCHES ITINERARIES 🔸

➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Arches National Park

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In this Arches National Park guide, James Ian, a National Park expert, guides you through the 10 best arches in Arches Nati...

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Are you visiting Glacier National Park and trying to decide what to do in Glacier National Park and you don’t want to hike?  Yes, there are plenty of great hikes in Glacier, but there also a LOT of amazing things to do in Glacier National Park that require hiking! Here are my 10 top things to do in Glacier National Park that don’t require hiking. 

🔸GLACIER ITINERARIES 🔸 

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Planning to go hiking in Glacier National Park? Here are the 10 best hikes in Glacier National Park. If you like to hike, you’ll want to know the best hiking trails in Glacier National Park. These are the Glacier National Park best hikes for all levels, from the best short hikes in Glacier National Park for beginners to more challenging trails for experienced hikers.

🔸GLACIER ITINERARIES 🔸

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