Our Top 3 National Park Experiences in 2025!

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Podcast Episode Overview

What do an erupting volcano, a flooded forest, and the 250th anniversary of American independence have in common? They all made our list of top national park adventures from 2025! This year gave us some unforgettable experiences, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Boston is the perfect place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026
• What it’s like to kayak Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park
• How we managed to see Kilauea erupting in real time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Your task for today: Check the USGS or NPS website to see if Kilauea is still erupting, and start planning your own once-in-a-lifetime lava-viewing trip. Or, if volcanoes aren’t in the cards, look up Revolutionary War sites in the national park system to help plan your 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. Head over to the @DirtInMyShoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know what you think!

Planning your own 2026 adventure?

• Dirt In My Shoes Itineraries: https://shop.dirtinmyshoes.com/ 
• Master Reservation List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/list/
• National Park Checklist: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks-checklist/ 
• Trip Packing List: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/pack/

Our Top 3 National Park Experiences in 2025!

In 2025, we explored some seriously unforgettable places: Revolutionary War landmarks in Boston, the wild backwaters of Congaree, and a front-row seat to Kilauea’s jaw-dropping eruption in Hawaii Volcanoes. These were the top three adventures that made us fall in love with the national parks all over again.

#3: Walking through Revolutionary War history in Boston

We added a few days in Boston before our summer trip to Acadia and were amazed by the number of National Park Service sites packed into the city. Faneuil Hall was our first stop, and from there we followed the red-bricked Freedom Trail past landmarks like the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Bunker Hill. 

Touring the USS Constitution was a huge highlight. It’s the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world and was built with southern live oak from Georgia. John loved the naval history, I loved the trees, and we both agreed: Boston is a fantastic place to experience Revolutionary War history, especially with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence coming up in 2026.

#2: Kayaking Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park

As someone who doesn’t usually love spiders or snakes, I wasn’t sure what to expect at Congaree, but paddling through this flooded forest quickly became one of my favorite park experiences ever. We booked a guided tour with Carolina Adventures and floated along Cedar Creek under towering trees and shifting waters. Levels can rise or fall up to 10 feet! 

With Billy, our guide, we felt completely safe navigating the snaky waters and thick vegetation. The whole thing felt like a magical (and slightly spooky) adventure straight out of the Chamber of Secrets. I loved stepping outside my comfort zone and discovering just how incredible this underrated South Carolina park really is.

#1: Witnessing a Kilauea eruption in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

After years of missing the lava, we finally timed it right and got to see Kilauea erupt during one of its many fountaining episodes in 2025. We stayed in Volcano, streamed the USGS webcam nonstop, and the moment it started erupting, we raced into the park and watched glowing lava shoot 1,500 feet into the sky. It was hot, powerful, and completely mesmerizing. A local chanted to Pele, the Hawaiian volcano deity, and the entire moment felt sacred. 

If Kilauea is still erupting, check the USGS site and book a trip immediately. This was hands-down one of the most incredible things we’ve ever witnessed in a national park.

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Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

• Episode 130: Exploring Congaree
• Episode 13: Volcano National Parks
• USGS Kilauea Activity Webcams
• Carolina Outdoor Adventures
• Boston National Historical Park
• Freedom Trail Official Map
• USS Constitution Museum

Are you hoping to visit all of the national parks? Sign up for your FREE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKLIST so you can easily see where you’ve been and where you still need to go!