Morbid Outdoors

Olympic National Park is one of the wildest, wettest places in the United States. Towering trees, moss-draped trails, and a rainforest that breathes with mist and silence. It’s beautiful—and isolating. And in June 2006 a former military intelligence officer went missing without a trace. A man who knew how to take care of himself. So how did Olympic swallow him whole?

Tips: Thurston County Sheriff's Office 360-786-5742

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There’s a certain romantic pull to the idea of going off-grid. Leaving behind the noise, the stress, the modern world—to find peace in the wild. But for one family, that dream ended in heartbreak. In 2023, the remains of three family members were found deep in a forest in Colorado. What started as an attempt to live off the land became a fatal survival effort against the elements.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org...

National parks are supposed to be peaceful—untouched slices of wilderness. But dig through the right reports, and you’ll find something else: the weird stuff. The unsettling stuff. The “what the hell actually happened out there?” stuff. Join us for part one of bizarre incident reports from various national parks.

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Welcome back to Nature News, where we bring you the latest stories from our wild places, our national parks, and the natural world. It’s August 2025, and this month the outdoors is full of headlines—some inspiring, some sobering, and all important for anyone who cares about nature.

Sources:

https://kdvr.com/news/local/body-of-missing-paddleboarder-dog-found-after-11-hour-search/amp/

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-me...

Recent headlines of a double murder in Devil’s Den State Park shocked the entire nation. A family of four was out enjoying their new state after having moved to Arkansas just ten days prior when their hike turned into a nightmare. An unknown subject fatally stabbed both parents and fled into the Ozarks. This is the story of the July 2025 murders in Devil’s Den. 

Sources:

https://www.the-sun.com/news/14949007/devils-den-murd...

Tucked up against the jagged spine of the Rockies, Grand Teton National Park is breathtaking. Towering granite peaks, crystal alpine lakes, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. It’s a paradise for hikers, climbers, and travelers looking to get lost in nature. In this episode, we’re stepping off the trail and into the shadows to explore the haunted side of Grand Teton National Park. Because beauty and danger often l...

Crystal blue water, white sand beaches, lush jungle trails—and a steady stream of tourists chasing that perfect, carefree island life. But under all that beauty… something festers. This is Koh Tao. A remote island in the Gulf of Thailand. A place famous for diving... and for death. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the strange, unsettling, and sometimes horrifying cases that have come out of Koh Tao. We’ll talk about corrupti...

There’s something about Maine’s wilderness. It’s beautiful—towering pines, remote lakes, fog-covered trails that twist for miles. But it’s also… quiet. Too quiet sometimes. Because out here, people disappear. And not just a few. Some stories hint at simple tragedy. Others? They feel like something else entirely.

Sources:

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/maine

https://www.namus.gov/Missin...

In July 2010, a 57-year-old outdoorsman hiked into Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest for a solo fishing trip—and never came back. His camp was found untouched, his gear left behind, and despite a massive multi-day search, no trace of him was ever discovered. In this episode, we explore the strange and unsettling disappearance of a man who knew the wilderness—and still vanished without a clue. 

Tips: Clackamas County Sheriff's...

July 2025 has been a wild month in the natural world. In this episode, we’re covering the latest stories making headlines across forests, deserts, coastlines, and backcountry trails. Whether it’s bizarre behavior, haunting headlines, or hopeful steps toward wilderness recovery, this episode keeps you in the loop on what’s happening in nature—where the strange is often just part of the landscape.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com...

Yosemite National Park—towering granite cliffs, ancient sequoias, and waterfalls so tall they vanish into mist. It’s one of the crown jewels of the American wilderness. But behind all that beauty? There are stories. Strange ones. Old ones. Stories of people who walked into the forest and were never seen again… and others who made it back, but not quite the same. Tune in for this installment in Haunted Parks. 

Sources:

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On July 24, 1997, a runner vanished while out on a run in the Shoshone National Forest near Lander, Wyoming. A talented distance runner and aspiring Olympian, she had gone out to scout a route for an upcoming race. Her car was found abandoned along a remote stretch of road, with her keys, wallet, and other personal items left inside—but she was never seen again.

Tips: Fremont County Sheriff's Office 307-332-5611

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A national park employee set off alone into the stunning but unforgiving backcountry of Glacier National Park. He planned to hike the Floral Park Traverse—a brutal off-trail route with sheer drop-offs, icy creeks, and unpredictable terrain. But he never returned. What followed was one of the park's largest search-and-rescue efforts, involving helicopters, scent dogs, and dozens of rangers. For weeks, the mountains held their s...

There’s something about camping—right? Sleeping under the stars, miles from the nearest streetlight, tucked into the trees with nothing but canvas between you and whatever's out there. For some, it's peaceful. For others? It's prime nightmare fuel. And sometimes, those nightmares… become real. So grab a flashlight, get close to the fire, and don’t wander off into the trees… because today, we’re exploring what happens...

Patreon Bonus just for you today! This episode was December 2024 Patreon Bonus episode! 

Most Utahns are enjoying summer by enjoying sun on the beaches of Bear Lake, hiking in the Wasatch mountains, or flying somewhere exotic for family vacation. Private investigator Jason Jensen tackled something else for his summer: searching for Ted Bundy’s missing Utah victims. Jensen is a Utah-based private investigator who helped found the Col...

We’re heading to Colorado, right into the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. Towering peaks, glacial lakes, alpine meadows… it’s the kind of place that looks like it belongs on a postcard. But if you hang around long enough…after the tourists leave, after the light fades, and the wind starts whispering through the trees–this place feels different. Heavier. Quieter. Like it’s holding its breath. Because Rocky Mountain National P...

 When a young woman sets out on a cross-country road trip, it seems like it would have been a great getaway from her recent hardships in life. But when her car is found abandoned and she is missing, an investigation starts. Was she seeking solitude in the mountains, or did she encounter something more sinister? Join us as we delve into the enigma of the woman’s disappearance—a case that has baffled investigators for over two decade...

While the outdoors can be dangerous and dark, there are good people in the world. What happens when someone needs help in the wilderness? Oftentimes there’s no one around to help, but in August 2020 in New Mexico, there was. This is the story of a kind hiker, who helped rescue a man after the initial search for the lost hiker failed the first time. Tune in today to hear their stories. 

Sources:

https://www.santafenewmexican...

Montana is known for its spectacular hiking trails and its residents frequent them often. In July 2007, an experienced hiker and her friend set off to hike a 4.5 mile trail she’d done many times. Her friend turned his back to take in the view but when he turned back around the woman was gone. It's been 18 years and her disappearance remains a mystery. 

 If you know anything about the disappearance of Barbara Bolick, call the Ra...