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National Parks Collecting

National Parks Collecting

By: James Ian
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About this listen

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.

© 2025 National Parks Collecting
Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • 15 TIPS for Visiting Grand Canyon You SHOULD KNOW
    Jul 5 2025

    Are you planning a trip to Grand Canyon and trying to figure out best way to visit Grand Canyon National Park? Watch these must-know tips for visiting Grand Canyon National Park before you go so that you get the most out of your trip.

    🔸GRAND CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸

    ➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)

    ➡️ Get a Grand Canyon North Rim Basic Itinerary

    🔸HIGHLIGHTS 🔸

    James Ian, a seasoned national park expert, shares his top 15 essential tips for visiting Grand Canyon National Park. The episode covers a range of advice for travel to Grand Canyon, Arizona from hydration strategies to using shuttle buses and highlights lesser-known viewpoints and times of the day to visit. James emphasizes the importance of early accommodation booking and considering unique activities like mule rides and river trips. The episode also recommends the less crowded North Rim as a hidden gem.

    00:00 Introduction

    01:43 Don’t underestimate the heat

    02:56 Be mindful of the altitude

    03:36 Explore multiple viewpoints

    04:23 See the canyon at different times of day

    05:08 Use the shuttle

    06:09 Book accommodations well in advance

    07:13 Start at the Visitor Center

    07:57 Hike below the rim

    10:08 Learn about the Canyon's geology

    11:08 Explore Grand Canyon Village

    12:07 Drive to Desert View

    13:16 Take a mule ride

    15:02 Take a river trip

    16:54 Use an Itinerary for Your Trip

    19:41 Top Tip: Visit the North Rim

    ➡️ Read the full web article here

    #grandcanyon #usnationalparks #TravelTips

    🔸LINKS AND RESOURCES 🔸

    [When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]

    ➡️Download my free Trip Preparation Checklist

    ➡️Join my private Facebook group

    ➡️Get an America the Beautiful annual pass

    ➡️ Search for hotels on Expedia

    ➡️ Find a vacation rental on VRBO
    ➡️ Search Discover Cars for rental car deals
    ➡️ Search Skyscanner for flights
    ➡️ Check the price of the LMNT electrolytes

    Support the show

    🔸🔸 WAYS TO WORK WITH ME 🔸🔸

    James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • 7 MISTAKES to AVOID when visiting GRAND CANYON
    Jun 28 2025

    Are you traveling to Grand Canyon National Park? Here are 7 common mistakes people make when they travel to Grand Canyon National Park – so you can avoid making them!

    🔸GRAND CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸

    ➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)

    ➡️ Get a Grand Canyon North Rim Basic Itinerary

    🔸HIGHLIGHTS 🔸

    Planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park? In this episode, James Ian, a seasoned National Park expert, highlights seven common mistakes tourists make when visiting Grand Canyon National Park. Learn why spending only 17 minutes viewing the canyon and staying just a few hours at Grand Canyon South Rim are big no-no's. Discover the importance of exploring below the rim, planning well in advance, and considering raft trips on the Colorado River. James also emphasizes the benefit of having a flexible itinerary and not missing out on the North Rim for a more secluded experience. Stay until the end for the number one mistake to avoid to ensure your Grand Canyon National Park trip is unforgettable. Subscribe for more tips and hidden gems for your national park adventures!

    00:00 Introduction to Grand Canyon trip Planning

    01:21 Spending Too Little Time Looking at the Canyon

    02:57 Rushing Your Visit

    04:59 Not Exploring Below the Rim

    08:24 Not Booking in Advance

    10:05 Skipping the River Experience

    13:30 Lack of Detailed Planning

    16:02 Only Visiting the South Rim

    ➡️ Read the full web article here

    #grandcanyon # grandcanyonnationalpark #usnationalparks

    🔸LINKS AND RESOURCES 🔸

    [When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]

    ➡️ Join my 7-Day National Parks Trip Planning Email Challenge

    ➡️Download my free Trip Preparation Checklist

    ➡️Find a detailed itinerary for your park

    ➡️Join my private Facebook group

    ➡️Get an America the Beautiful annual national parks pass

    ➡️ Search for hotels on Expedia

    ➡️ Find a vacation rental on VRBO
    ➡️ Search Discover Cars for the rental car best deals
    ➡️ Search Skyscanner for the best deals on flights

    Support the show

    🔸🔸 WAYS TO WORK WITH ME 🔸🔸

    James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.

    Show more Show less
    19 mins
  • 5 Best Easy Hikes in Grand Canyon National Park
    Jun 21 2025

    Do you want to go hiking in Grand Canyon National Park but don’t want anything too strenuous? I’ve got you covered. I’m sharing the easy hikes in Grand Canyon National Park. There are Grand Canyon easy hikes South Rim and North Rim.

    🔸GRAND CANYON ITINERARIES 🔸

    ➡️ Get 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries for Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)

    ➡️ Get a Grand Canyon North Rim Basic Itinerary

    🔸HIGHLIGHTS 🔸

    In this episode, James Ian shares the top five easy hikes Grand Canyon National Park has. He details Grand Canyon National Park hikes that are ideal for families and casual hikers. There are Grand Canyon South Rim and North Rim trails that offer stunning views without strenuous effort. Highlights include the Bright Angel Point Trail, Cape Royal Trail, Trail of Time, Ooh Aah Point, and the South Rim Trail. James also provides insights on how to integrate these Grand Canyon National Park hiking trails into a trip plan, so you can easily include the best hikes in Grand Canyon into your trip itinerary.

    00:00 Introduction to Easy Hikes in Grand Canyon

    01:02 Overview of Grand Canyon's Easy Trails

    02:39 North Rim: Bright Angel Point Trail

    03:43 North Rim: Cape Royal Trail

    05:51 South Rim: Trail of Time

    07:59 South Rim: South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

    09:31 Planning Your Grand Canyon Itinerary

    11:30 Top Family-Friendly Hike: South Rim Trail

    ➡️ Read the full web article here

    #grandcanyon # grandcanyonnationalpark #usnationalparks #easyhikes

    🔸LINKS AND RESOURCES 🔸

    [When available, we use affiliate links and may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]

    ➡️ Join my 7-Day National Parks Trip Planning Email Challenge

    ➡️Download my free Trip Preparation Checklist

    ➡️Find a detailed itinerary for your park

    ➡️Join my private Facebook group
    ➡️Get an America the Beautiful annual national parks pass

    ➡️ Search for hotels on Expedia

    ➡️ Find a vacation rental on VRBO
    ➡️ Search Discover Cars for the rental car best deals
    ➡️ Search Skyscanner for the best deals on flights

    Support the show

    🔸🔸 WAYS TO WORK WITH ME 🔸🔸

    James Ian and Parks Collecting works with a limited number of brands that align perfectly with our audience and their needs. If you’d like to work with us, please email us at james(at)parkscollecting(dot)com.

    Show more Show less
    13 mins
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