National Park After Dark – Episode 333: Trail Tales 80
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Danielle & Cassie
Podcast Theme: Listener-submitted stories about strange, spooky, and unforgettable experiences in national parks and wild spaces.
Episode Overview
This Trail Tales edition of National Park After Dark features Danielle and Cassie reading a collection of listener-submitted stories. True to form, the tales range from eerie and supernatural encounters, to hilarious mishaps and deeply relatable coming-of-age moments—all set against the backdrop of America's wild places. From haunted campgrounds to bear spray disasters, this episode explores the unpredictable nature of outdoor adventure and the bonds we form with both people and place.
Key Segments & Stories
1. Lighthearted Banter & Intro
[00:19–04:06]
- Hosts' dynamic shines as Danielle wears a "MILF" ("Man, I Love Frogs") shirt, leading to jokes about Instagram ads and targeted marketing.
- Danielle admits to being hungover after a historic wine-tasting event in New Hampshire—adding charm and relatability to the episode.
Notable Quote:
"I usually wear it to bed...I'm actually still in my PJs. I'm actually hungover right now and I'm having a lot of time." – Danielle [01:29]
2. Spooky State Park Experience
[04:13–07:31]
Submitted by: Derek
- Derek recounts a 2019 group camping trip at Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park in East Tennessee.
- After ingesting "little chocolates containing a spore bearing fungal fruiting body," Derek has strange experiences:
- He sees a shadow like a bear trotting on all fours.
- Hears high-pitched giggling and whispering from the treeline, which doesn't match the seasonal insect sounds.
- Later discovers the proximity of a historic Cherokee detention site (Fort Marr)—possibly explaining the supernatural vibe.
Notable Quote:
"I wonder if it opened a door to being laughed at and with by the local native spirits of the area." – Derek (as read by Cassie) [07:12]
Host Reactions:
"You were just on those shrooms. Were doing wonders for you, in my humble opinion." – Danielle [07:31]
- Both hosts riff on mushrooms and drugs in the outdoors with humor and openness.
3. The Chronicles of George the Mouse: The Swish Heard Round the Rim
[08:20–15:32]
Submitted by: Grace
- Grace shares a multi-generational trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
- Strange night: Grace awakes to her aunt's claim of an animal in the cabin, followed by the discovery (and naming) of a mouse, George.
- Grandma has a parallel mouse story with "Charlie."
- A park ranger casually informs them: "Someone was strangled right there last night," aligning with the exact time both grandma and aunt heard disturbances.
- Cabin and much of the North Rim is lost to fire three weeks later; Grace reflects on impermanence and gratitude.
Notable Quote:
"He said someone was strangled right there last night and pointed to the trail 30ft in front of our porch. Excuse me." – Grace (as read by Danielle) [13:21]
Host Reflection:
"At first from the beginning, I didn't know where I was going, and then from the ranger, and then it being the location of the recent fire. It just had a lot of things going on." – Cassie [15:34]
4. Bear Spray Don't Play
[18:20–23:17]
Submitted by: Mackenzie
- Mackenzie describes prepping for a North Shore hike, including a bear spray self-check.
- Accidentally discharges bear spray inside her apartment, causing chaos, coughing, sneezing, and ruined towels.
- Husband attempts cleanup, donning towels as makeshift gas masks.
- Bear spray compared (unfavorably) to the army gas chamber experience.
Notable Quote:
"Let me tell you, I was in the Army and having been in the gas chamber during basic training, that was nothing compared to the bear spray. I would have rather gone through the chamber again." – Mackenzie (as read by Cassie) [22:05]
Host Anecdotes:
- Danielle and Cassie each share personal stories about accidental exposure to bear/pepper spray and safety tips.
- Advice: Practice with blanks, never indoors or upwind.
"Just don't mace yourself or bear spray yourself." – Cassie [26:02]
5. Becoming a Woman at Crater Lake National Park
[29:55–33:32]
Submitted by: Isabelle
- Isabelle recalls a formative family road trip at age 12, stretching across famous Western parks.
- After witnessing the beauty of Crater Lake, she experiences her first period—paired with midnight sickness and maternal support.
- The event adds a unique association to Crater Lake, blending the challenges of adolescence with the wild.
Notable Quote:
"I like to think that this was the universe telling me that my womanhood and the great outdoors go hand in hand. Or maybe life just sucks sometimes and you get your first period at Crater Lake." – Isabelle (as read by Danielle) [33:16]
- Hosts connect with their own memories and reflect on how adolescence intersects with outdoor experiences.
6. Was It Our Imagination? I Don't Think So
[40:32–43:13]
Submitted by: Trish
- Childhood friends experience a series of paranormal events at a neighbor's abandoned, rundown house: smoke from a vanished chimney, physical sensations, flying objects.
- Later learn a child had died from neglect in that house.
- The unresolved haunting only occurs when the two friends are together at the house.
Notable Quote:
"We didn't know about the little girl that died in the house but feel like she was the cause of all the disturbing things that we experienced." – Trish (as read by Cassie) [43:06]
- Hosts express how the discovery of the real-life tragedy contextualizes the eerie activity, leading to a sobering reflection.
7. Nature’s Toilet Never Gets Robbed
[45:17–47:45]
Submitted by: Anonymous (CO grad student)
- In desperate need of a bathroom break during field research, the listener accidentally walks into an active gas station robbery—not realizing it at the time.
- The "robber" simply says, "I don't work here and they're not open"; the listener naively leaves, only later realizing the gravity of the encounter.
- The story ends with the lesson: sometimes, you should just pee in the woods.
Notable Quote:
"That guy had totally been robbing the place. And somehow, through sheer confusion—his and mine—I just walked right back out." – Anonymous (as read by Danielle) [46:53]
- Pure comedy gold; hosts imagine the security footage and the robber’s possible perspective.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On accidental drug adventures:
"Milf. Man, I love fungus." – Danielle [07:29] -
On the perils of outdoor hygiene:
"If a mouse shows up in your cabin, name it something ridiculous and let it crash. It's way more fun than freaking out." – Grace (read by Danielle) [15:18] -
On bear spray mishaps:
"I would have rather gone through the [army] chamber again." – Mackenzie (read by Cassie) [22:05] -
On awkward bathroom breaks during a robbery:
"I don't work here and they're not open." – Robber (as recounted by the listener) [46:57]
Host Reflections & Tone
- Danielle and Cassie create a playful, honest, and deeply empathetic atmosphere—they never shy away from real talk about embarrassment, fear, or curiosity.
- They urge listeners to keep sharing all types of stories, from “formative moments” to supernatural events—acknowledging that the outdoors catalyzes some of life’s biggest and strangest experiences.
- Each story is met with laughter, poignant reflection, or both—anchoring the episode in a tone of genuine wonder and openness.
Bonus Content & Subscription Mention
[49:25–49:57]
- Teasers for bonus Trail Tales ("The Time My Mom Narrowly Avoided a Machete Wielding Man on the AT" and "Don't F*** With Bob").
- Details on how listeners can access additional stories via Apple or Patreon subscriptions.
Closing Takeaways
- Enjoy the View, But Watch Your Back: The hosts’ signature sign-off encapsulates the episode’s mix of awe and caution—nature’s beauty is matched by its unpredictability.
- Nature is for Everyone—Awkward moments included: From peeing in the woods to haunted memories, these stories highlight that authentic connection to wild places is often messy, unpredictable, and profound.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:19] — Episode Intro & Banter
- [04:13] — Spooky State Park Experience
- [08:20] — George the Mouse at the Grand Canyon
- [18:20] — Bear Spray Disaster
- [29:55] — Becoming a Woman at Crater Lake
- [40:32] — Rural Haunting: Was It Our Imagination?
- [45:17] — Nature’s Toilet Never Gets Robbed
- [49:25] — Bonus Story Teasers & Wrap-Up
For More Stories:
Visit npadpodcast.com or write your own tale to npadstoriesmail.com. For extended content, join their Patreon or Apple subscription channels.
"Enjoy the view, but watch your back."