This book was such a fun listening experience. All about our U.S National Parks and interesting stories that occurred in them throughout history, my favorites being about UFOs, Hoover Dam, the California Redwoods, and Mammoth Caves.

Each chapter details a fascinating story that occurred in a National Park, and helpful tips on how you can visit some of the sights featured in that story. The format is perfect for picking and choosing which stories to listen to, if you prefer to not go straight through.

This is the ideal book to pick up this spring/summer for families or individuals planning their National Park vacations! (Some stories may not be suitable for young children, but great for older kids). Through the whole book, I found myself day dreaming about a national park road trip!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this ARC!

Part fiction, part reality, and part travel guide, Bezemek whisks readers away on an exhilarating journey through 35 breathtaking National Parks in the U.S. You'll encounter iconic figures like Calamity Jane and Hugh Glass (yes, the character from The Revenant), along with captivating stories such as a kayaker's thrilling plunge over Niagara Falls and America's first UFO sighting! If you're feeling adventurous, you'll also find handy tips on the best times and ways to visit these beautiful destinations.

Some stories truly captivated me, while others received just a quick skim. Most were rich with historical context, although a few ventured into contemporary narratives. The travel tips were a thoughtful touch, though they were occasionally awkwardly positioned.

The narrator did a decent job; a touch more drama could have enhanced the experience. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the journey. As someone who has explored many of these parks and dreams of visiting even more, I recommend this book to fans of history, nature, and quirky anecdotes. While I've read more thrilling works, this one definitely sparked my wanderlust and desire to hit the road!

A little bit of history, combined with a travel guide and a dash of mystery, this is a very entertaining and original look at some of our National Parks. The author explores urban myths, folklore and historical facts, while providing some ideas for visitors. I’ve been to some of these Parks and I could picture the stories unfolding. The ones unknown to me, I had to Google. Which takes me to the fact that the audiobook format may not be the best for this particular book. Dean Gallagher does a great job narrating it, sounding like a knowledgeable but approachable guide who loves to gossip, and the sound quality is outstanding. It’s just that it would benefit from photographs, as well as a table of contents so that you can retrieve the book and search for a location while planning a trip. The mystery part is OK for audio, since many of the stories happened in the past or we don’t even know exactly where (such as the disappearances). Also, a little content warning, there is a bit of animal cruelty, not graphic or gratuitous, but I had to skip these parts. I’m making it sound like I didn’t enjoy this, but I did. A lot. Highly recommended for armchair travelers or those who dream of visiting as many National Parks as possible.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Tantor Audio.

3.75 stars.

Each chapter was a new mystery/story. I would say they werent all grand mysteries some were stories about the parks. If you like history, myths then you should enjoy this book. It is a very big audio.

I was genuinely excited about this book, but it didn’t work for me at all. This was 20% mysterious stories (all of which had resolutions…so not actual mysteries) and 80% read like an ad for the national parks. The delivery was off and the stories weren’t exciting. They were very informative, but in a “am I reading a textbook?” Kind of way.

I loved this audiobook! The narrator was great, each chapter being a new mystery was everything I hoped it would be when I requested it. I love a good conspiracy/mystery. There was so much information to unpack that I will be buying a physical copy to annotate.

The audiobook is almost 14 hours long, but it goes pretty quickly since it’s a collection of short tales. Each mystery is 20-30 minutes and some even shorter, so I listened to one or two on my morning drive to work and it felt like listening to a podcast.

Each story is different, and they span across the United States. I really liked the hoax stories and how they were debunked, the true crime ones (there are for sure bodies in the Hoover Dam, nothing can convince me otherwise), and the aliens and haunting stories.

Overall this was fun, historical, and engaging. I really loved the audiobook!

Mysteries of the National Parks by Mike Bezemek is a truly captivating exploration of the hidden, eerie, and sometimes downright chilling stories that lie beneath the surface of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. With vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Bezemek invites readers on a thrilling journey across the country, blending natural beauty with spine-tingling mystery.

Each of the 35 stories is expertly crafted, balancing historical context, folklore, and investigative curiosity. From the puzzling abandonment of ancient cities in Colorado to the strange phenomenon of “sailing stones” in Death Valley, Bezemek captures the wonder and unease these places can inspire. His ability to bring history, legend, and science together makes each chapter feel like a mini-adventure—perfect for readers who love to be entertained and enlightened.

The range of locations is another highlight. Bezemek doesn’t just stick to the iconic national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon; he also ventures into lesser-known, but equally fascinating sites like Ford’s Theatre and Dinosaur National Monument. This broad sweep offers a fresh perspective on how many layers of mystery are tucked into the national parks system, far beyond the postcard views we usually see.

Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a history buff, a true crime fan, or simply a lover of a good mystery, Mysteries of the National Parks has something for you. It’s a book that leaves you itching to lace up your hiking boots—and maybe, just maybe, look a little closer at the unexplained stories written into the landscape.

Perfect for gifting or keeping on your own shelf for a weekend escape, this book is an absolute must-read. #netgalley #mysteriesofthenationalparks #booked_this_weekend