Parks Made Possible cover art

Parks Made Possible

Parks Made Possible

Written by: Nick and Kate Mock
Listen for free

About this listen

Parks Made Possible is the go-to show for anyone planning a national park adventure. Hosted by Nick and Kate Mock, co-founders of Trip Possible, this podcast delivers expert guidance, honest advice, and actionable tips to help you confidently plan your next trip to any of America’s 63 national parks. From avoiding crowds and securing timed entry permits to packing right and finding the perfect lodging, we’re here to help you travel smarter—without the stress. Each episode is packed with real-world experience, light-hearted stories, and strategic insights so you can skip the guesswork and start enjoying the adventure. 🗺️ Get guidebooks, travel calendars, and consulting at mytrippossible.com (http://mytrippossible.com) 🎒 Subscribe and make your parks possible Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.Scott Sutter Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Top 5 National Parks to visit in the Winter - Embrace the Winter! Ep. 7
    Jan 9 2026

    Winter doesn’t have to be something you just get through. In this episode of Parks Made Possible, we’re embracing winter and sharing five national parks that are absolutely magical this time of year.

    If you’ve ever felt that post-holiday winter itch to travel but weren’t sure where to go—or if winter trips even make sense—this episode is for you.

    We’re walking through Voyageurs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park—all places where snow, silence, and solitude completely change the experience.


    In this episode, we talk about:


    • Why winter is one of our favorite seasons to visit national parks

    • What it’s really like to visit parks when crowds disappear

    • Winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing

    • What access looks like when roads close and over-snow travel takes over

    • How cold weather can actually slow you down in the best possible way


    Winter travel isn’t about checking boxes or packing your days full. It’s about experiencing these parks in a quieter, more intentional way—and honestly, some of our most memorable park experiences have been in winter.


    One quick note: winter trips take a little more planning. Road closures, weather conditions, and seasonal access all matter. Our guidebooks are built mainly for peak and shoulder seasons, so if you’re thinking about a winter visit, custom trip planning is usually the best option.


    ❄️ Want help planning a winter national parks trip?

    We offer custom trip planning built specifically around winter conditions, activities, and access.


    👉 Learn more here: https://www.mytrippossible.com

    If this episode helped you:

    👍 Give it a like

    💬 Let us know which park you’d visit in winter

    🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes


    Winter doesn’t have to be something you avoid. These parks prove it can be one of the most rewarding times to explore.


    Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Glacier National Park: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go (Hikes, Lodging, Weather & Tips) - Ep. 6
    Dec 5 2025

    Welcome back to Parks Made Possible! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into our favorite national park in America: Glacier National Park. If you’re planning a trip to Glacier—or just dreaming about one—this guide will get you fully prepared with insider strategies, must-see hikes, and the logistics most travelers overlook.

    We cover park layout, lodging, hikes, weather, timed entry reservations, wildlife safety, entrance strategies, and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road—plus our honest take on why Glacier stands above every other park we’ve visited.

    Whether you’re a first-time visitor or want to upgrade your trip from “good” to “unforgettable,” this episode is your complete planning blueprint.

    What We Cover in This Episode

    📍 Where Glacier National Park is located and how geography shapes your trip
    🗺️ Understanding the park’s four regions: West Glacier, Many Glacier, Two Medicine & North Fork
    🏔️ Why Glacier’s scenery is so dramatic (glacial carving, turquoise lakes, biodiversity)
    🚗 Going-to-the-Sun Road: why it’s a bucket-list drive
    🥾 The best hikes: Avalanche Lake, Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail
    🐻 Wildlife safety tips (and our close encounters!)
    ⏰ Timed entry reservations + how to secure them
    🏨 How to choose the right lodging—inside vs. outside the park
    🌦️ Real talk on Glacier’s weather (including why it can snow in JUNE)
    🛶 Activities beyond hiking: boat tours, rafting, biking, stargazing & more
    🔥 Our top travel mistakes to avoid
    ✔️ The #1 Glacier planning tip we give every client

    Need Help Planning Your Glacier Trip?

    We created a premium Glacier National Park Guidebook and offer full-service custom trip planning for travelers who want a stress-free, optimized experience.

    👉 Shop our guidebooks: https://www.mytrippossible.com/shop
    👉 Plan your trip with us: https://www.mytrippossible.com

    Our Glacier guidebook includes:

    • Exact itineraries

    • Lodging strategies

    • Timed-entry instructions

    • Best trails and viewpoints

    • Packing lists

    • Local insights you won’t find on Google

    Chapters / Timestamps

    (Recommended for YouTube SEO — optional if you want them added)

    0:00 Intro
    0:37 Why Glacier Is Special
    2:00 Park Layout & Entrances
    4:23 Scenery, Glacial Lakes & Biodiversity
    7:42 Going-to-the-Sun Road
    10:44 Best Hikes in Glacier
    16:10 Grinnell Glacier Breakdown
    20:49 Activities Beyond Hiking
    23:10 Weather & Seasonal Tips
    25:45 Lodging Strategies
    31:00 Gateway Towns
    34:45 Timed Entry Reservations
    39:25 Top Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
    48:00 Final Thoughts

    If You Enjoy National Parks Content…

    Please subscribe, like, and drop a comment about which park you want us to cover next. Your support helps us create more deep-dive episodes like this!


    Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • National Parks with Kids! Best National Parks for Kids and our Tricks to Guarantee a great Trip
    Nov 6 2025

    Welcome to another episode of Parks Made Possible by Trip Possible, where we help families make every national park trip truly unforgettable. In this one, hosts Nick and Kate break down how to visit the parks with children—from mindset and packing to budget tips and kid-ready activities—so you can trade stress for core memories.

    You’ll hear practical strategies, real stories (hello, Ruby Beach rock-tossing and a surprise tarantula at Pinnacles), and our favorite family-friendly parks to start with.


    🎧 In This Episode


    The 5 things that keep kids happy on the road: movement, mental stimulation, snacks, sleep, and water play

    Mindset shifts for parents: why breaking routine builds resilience (for everyone)

    Money savers that matter: fly vs. drive, points, family rooms, KOAs, and the 4th-grade Every Kid Outdoors pass

    Smart packing made simple: daypack layout, collapsible coolers, backup outfits, strollers & carriers

    Designing kid-first days: short hikes with big payoffs, creeks & tide pools, Junior Ranger wins

    Best starter parks for families: Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, and Redwoods (plus what to try in Yosemite, Acadia, Rainier & Glacier)


    📍 Chapter Markers

    00:00 Welcome & mission

    00:26 Topic intro: Parks with kids

    03:55 The 5 kid happiness drivers

    12:06 Comfort zones → growth zones

    21:36 Budget levers & cost myths

    34:10 Packing that scales (without the chaos)

    54:46 Family-friendly parks we recommend

    1:01:42 How Trip Possible can help

    1:02:29 Wrap-up & encouragement


    Plan Your Trip


    Browse our family-friendly guidebooks & resources: https://www.mytrippossible.com/shop

    Want a bespoke plan for your kids’ ages and interests? Custom trip planning: https://www.mytrippossible.com


    Stay in Touch


    Tell us your kids’ ages and the park you’re eyeing—drop a comment and we’ll reply with a quick starter idea.

    Like, subscribe, and tap the bell 🔔 so you don’t miss new park deep dives and family travel tips.


    TL;DR - What you'll learn about in this episode:

    Family national parks, travel with kids, junior ranger, kid-friendly hikes, budget national park trip, packing list for kids, Great Smoky Mountains with kids, Olympic with kids, redwoods with kids, Parks Made Possible, Trip Possible


    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
No reviews yet