When Toni Henthorn fell to her death during an anniversary hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, it was first reported as a tragic accident in rugged terrain. But almost immediately, park rangers noticed that the scene didn’t match the story. The location was far from the trail, the drop was steeper than described, and photographs taken just minutes before the fall raised troubling questions.

As investigators began to dig deeper, they uncovered another death years earlier — one that had also been ruled an accident, and that now looked disturbingly similar. What followed was a long and complex investigation that would ultimately lead to a murder conviction and expose how a carefully planned crime unfolded in one of America’s most visited national parks.

In this episode of Parkography, we examine the evidence, the investigation, and the critical role that park rangers and forensic analysis played in uncovering the truth behind a case that shocked both the National Park Service and the public.

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In this episode, I'm again breaking down the various types of passes available for national parks and other federal recreation areas, now updated with the new non-resident pass and non-resident fees. We have all of the details about how that will work for residents and non-residents alike. I'll explain the America the Beautiful Pass, the Senior Pass, the Access Pass, and the Military Pass, detailing their benefits and eligibility criteria. Learn which pass is right for you, how to obtain it, and how to maximize your visits to federal lands.

Order your passes online here: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes

Get the Every Kid Outdoors 4th & 5th Grade Pass here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

Check out our other channels focused on RV travel: @RVMiles @RVMilesPodcast ​

00:00 Introduction to National Park Passes 00:26 Major Changes to Passes in 2026 01:00 Understanding Interagency Passes 02:08 Annual Pass Details 05:49 Non-Resident Fees and Passes 09:25 Digital vs. Physical Passes 13:10 Special Passes: Senior, Access, and Military 19:20 Purchasing and Using Passes 21:59 Common Questions and Tips 24:37 Conclusion

The Grand Canyon's South Rim has closed lodging due to significant waterline breaks, while Theodore Roosevelt National Park completed a $51 million road rehabilitation project. The Interior Department is reviewing park merchandise to remove DEI themes, and the 'American Products in Parks Act' was introduced to mandate that all products sold in National Park Service gift shops be American-made. Additionally, Arkansas is creating a new state park at Blanchard Springs, and Florida State Parks need $760 million in repairs. New Jersey is rebranding its state parks in preparation for the USA's 250th birthday. Finally, there are concerns about reduced wildfire mitigation efforts on US Forest Service land.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

The video on explaining passes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBfqPOoEu4w&t=357s

Check out our other channels focused on RV travel: @RVMiles @RVMilesPodcast ​

00:00 Introduction 00:07 Grand Canyon Waterline Issues 02:05 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Road Rehabilitation 02:59 National Park Service Merchandise Review 04:29 American Products in Parks Act 05:55 Sponsored Segment: Slinky Stove 06:33 Arkansas's Newest State Park: Blanchard Springs 07:22 Florida State Parks Infrastructure Needs 08:07 New Jersey State Parks Rebranding 09:15 Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Service Staffing 10:59 National Helicopter Repel Program Achievements 14:11 Conclusion and Farewell