Mail from the Trail: Jr. Rangers + Snowshoeing Parks

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re back with another Mail from the Trail episode!

We reached out on the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram page for your questions, and today, we’re diving into the answers.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Our thoughts on the Junior Ranger programs in the national parks
The best parks to visit during spring break
Where to find the top trails for snowshoeing
Our top tips for arrival times and making reservations at the parks
The best mementos and souvenirs to pick up during your visits

We hope you enjoy this Q&A episode! If you’re not already following us, head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and connect with us there!

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Question 1: How to navigate the Junior Ranger program

“Can you help us navigate the Junior Ranger Program? We went to a national monument, and my son accidentally got the packet for older kids and spent the whole time filling out the packet rather than looking around and experiencing it.”

That’s happened to us, too, Morgan! I love the National Park Service Junior Ranger program. The badges are a great souvenir for our kids to get from the parks we visit. But it can also be a chore if it doesn’t fit into your schedule or your kids get too focused on the tasks rather than the experience.

We usually try to get to the visitor center to pick up the Junior Ranger book on the first day of our trip so our kids can spread out their tasks over a few days rather than trying to fit it all in on one day. When we drive to the next hike or wait for a table at a restaurant, we’ll have them work on their books.

I also flip through the book before they start so we have a good idea of where each activity will take place – for example, if there are some on the trail, I’ll know to call attention to those tasks while we hike.

Typically, the park ranger handing out books in the visitor center will ask how old your child is. Getting the wrong age group book will definitely not be fun! Always double-check the book before walking away.

We also have our kids do the bare minimum to get their badges so we can turn the book in as early as possible before we leave. We keep the books so they can work on the extra activities while we drive to the next park or fly home. It’s a great road trip activity for future trips, too!

If you have a short window of time in the park but promise to complete the activities before you leave, sometimes the park ranger will give you the badge to hand out to your kid at a later time.

Question 2: Best parks to visit over spring break

“What are the best parks to visit during March or spring break?”

Thanks for the question, Ashley! This is a popular question as people are planning their 2025 trips. We encourage planning trips months in advance!

Here is a trip we do almost every year between March and April.

First, we go to Page, Arizona, to see Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Antelope Canyon, Lee’s Ferry, Rainbow Bridge, and Horseshoe Bend. From here, you can head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is cold but still stunningly beautiful during the spring. A dusting of snow over the red rocks is a must-see at least once in your life.

Petrified Forest and Saguaro National Parks, both in Arizona, are next on our list. Saguaro is perfect in March and April before it gets scorching in the summer.

Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson are great stops between the national parks. You can loop in White Sands National Park, Chiricahua National Monument, and Oregon Pipe Cactus National Monument.

From White Sands, we head to Big Bend National Park in Texas. We like to give Big Bend at least three days because there’s a lot to do, and it takes a lot of driving time to get there from anywhere. It’s the perfect spring park to visit, in our opinion.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a great option to visit after Big Bend. We dive into the amazing fossils of the Guadalupe Mountains in Episode 17: Fossils in the Parks – Dinos, Creatures, and Other Really Cool Stuff!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is only about 45 minutes away from Guadalupe Mountains. Carlsbad Caverns is my favorite cave system in the National Park system. This stretch of the trip from Big Bend to Carlsbad can be its own trip, too.

On past trips, we’ve headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and extended our trip to Chaco Canyon. Mesa Verde National Park is also nearby, but tours don’t run in the spring, so we don’t recommend going out of your way to see it. Bears Ears National Monument is a better option.

Southern Utah will have chillier spring weather, but it’s still a great time to visit Canyonlands and Arches. There might be patches of snow in the shady parts of the trails when you get out to hike. Zion can also be looped in if you have time!

Question 3 – Best National Parks for snowshoeing

“What national park offers the best trails for snowshoeing?”

Grand Teton National Park is hard to beat for any activity! We love snowshoeing after watching the Pedigree Stage Stop dogsled race in the nearby town of Jackson.

Grand Teton does a great job grooming the main park road for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Taggart Lake is another great option. Sometimes, the trail gets so packed down from other hikers that you don’t need snowshoes, just hiking boots. We saw eight moose last time we hiked Taggart Lake in the winter!

Bryce Canyon National Park is a close second. You can get to almost every activity in the park during the winter if you come prepared with snowshoes or traction devices. Snowshoeing into the orange hoodoos covered in glistening snow is an incredible experience.

Question 4 – Navigating national park permit and reservation systems

“Can you help me figure out arrival and reservation times? I’ve gotten lucky in the past by arriving at national parks early enough to bypass the reservations, and I find the National Park site extremely confusing.”

We’ve got your back, Knowles! You’re in luck because helping you navigate the reservation systems is a big part of what we do here at Dirt In My Shoes. I extensively cover how to navigate the national park reservation systems on my YouTube channel and created the Master Reservation List for all national parks.

Our national park itineraries contain tips, reservation how-tos, and hour-by-hour schedules so you know exactly where to be and what you need to reserve before you leave on your adventure. I sit in parking lots early in the morning, verifying that our itineraries have the correct information so you can relax and not miss anything. My life’s mission is to help you fall in love with the national parks!

Question 5 – National Park mementos

“Do you guys collect any mementos or souvenirs from your National Park visits?

Yes, we do, Bradley! My favorite is our Christmas ornaments collection! We have a National Park Christmas Tree, which only has ornaments from our trips to national parks. We love to look at our tree and reflect on all the memories we’ve built over the years as a family.

We also sometimes buy shot glasses. Of course, we collect Junior Ranger badges, too!

My one regret is not starting a National Park Passport Book sooner. If you’re just beginning your exploration of the national parks, start stamping your passport book now!

I created a National Park gift guide on the website to show you all our favorite National Park gifts. I also have an Amazon storefront with all of our favorite gear!

Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

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