Grand Canyon National Park: Hiking, Hummingbirds, and Season 2 Reflections

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Sep 8, 2026·18 min

Show Notes

Come with me to one more national park, the Grand Canyon! This park definitely lives up to the hype. We loved walking along the rim to look down into the canyon, but I especially loved hiking down part of Bright Angel Trail! You'll also hear about Monument Valley and finding a place where Forrest Gump was filmed, plus seeing all sorts of wild animals (hummingbirds, California condors, and elk) in the park.

I wrap up by sharing the hiking gear we were thankful for, our rankings for the six national parks we visited, and which pie from Gifford's was the best! Plus, you'll hear a little about what's coming up next for IN the Parks!

You are going to learn about:

  • Finding the Forrest Gump spot in Monument Valley
  • Staying at Goulding's Lodge
  • How the Grand Canyon Lives Up to the Hype
  • Hummingbirds & California Condors
  • Why You Need to Hike Even Part of Bright Angel Trail
  • Our Essential Gear for Hiking
  • Our Favorite National Parks Ranked
  • What's Coming Up Next for IN the Parks

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Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Duration
00:18:24
Published
Sep 8, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

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Frequently asked

Quick answers.

The useful details, answered clearly and without the digging.

01

What park does this IN the Parks episode cover?

Grand Canyon National Park. It is the last stop of the trip, and the episode also serves as the Season 2 wrap-up with rankings for all six national parks the family visited.

02

Is it worth hiking Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon?

Yes, even part of it. Allison walks the rim to look down into the canyon but says hiking down a portion of Bright Angel Trail was her favorite part of the visit. There is a whole segment on why you should hike even a piece of it.

03

What wildlife can you see at the Grand Canyon?

The family spotted hummingbirds, California condors, and elk in the park. The condors and hummingbirds get their own segment in the episode.

04

Where was Forrest Gump filmed near the Grand Canyon?

In Monument Valley. The episode covers finding the spot where the movie was filmed, along with the rest of the Monument Valley stop.

05

Where did they stay near Monument Valley?

Goulding's Lodge. There is a segment on the stay in the episode.

06

Does the Grand Canyon live up to the hype?

Allison says it definitely does. Walking along the rim and looking down into the canyon was a highlight, and the episode has a segment on exactly that question.

07

What hiking gear does the episode recommend?

Allison runs through the gear the family was most thankful for across the trip in the Our Essential Gear for Hiking segment.

08

How long is this episode?

About 18 minutes. It is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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