35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More
Listed as a BESTSELLER by the American Book Association, the Midwest Independent Book Association, and Amazon!
Featured in the Bookshop.org 2025 holiday book guide!
Available from local bookstores, Sourcebooks, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Discover the hidden mysteries of America’s national parks!
America’s national parks are best known for stunning beauty and outstanding adventure―but these natural wonders also hold some of the world’s greatest mysteries.
Why did an ancestral civilization abandon their stone cities in the mountains of Colorado?
Flying past Mt. Rainier, did a pilot really spot nine shiny objects that spawned the UFO craze?
Was a contorted crater in Utah’s dramatic Canyonlands created by a meteorite strike?
Join outdoor expert and writer Mike Bezemek as he explores baffling disappearances, unexplained phenomena, and the secret history of our national parks.
Featuring 35 puzzling stories, Mysteries of the National Parks takes readers to every corner of our diverse and beautiful country. You’ll explore some of the most beloved national park units, including:
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Everglades National Park
- Colonial National Historical Park
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site
- And many more!
Mysteries of the National Parks is the first book to delve into the most enigmatic happenings across the National Park Service. Bezemek’s vivid storytelling brings each mystery to life, immersing readers in the intriguing settings and legendary characters while revealing previously untold details.
Meanwhile, readers will learn how to visit these mystifying sites. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, national park enthusiast, or true crime fan, this riveting collection is a must-have addition to your library. Perfect as a gift or unique travel companion, Mysteries of the National Parks will leave you ready to set out on your own national park adventure.
Now on sale from local bookstores, Sourcebooks, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon!
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Here are some articles, interviews, and podcast appearances related to Mysteries of the National Parks!
True North: Scandal and Subterfuge in the Race to Reach the North Pole?
The two men who claimed to have reached the North Pole first would stop at nothing to hold the coveted title. Please check out the story, excerpted and adapted from my book Mysteries of the National Parks, in the Saturday Evening Post!
The Strangest Unsolved Mysteries in America’s Great Outdoors
From a half-million symmetrical lakes to a lost gold mine, our national parks and public lands are home to fascinating and bizarre mysteries you can unravel on the ground.
From unexplained phenomena to baffling disappearances, follow the clues while discovering our country’s treasured protected areas.
“It felt like paddling through soggy cereal. My wife and I were deep within Everglades National Park, struggling to kayak past dense mats of periphyton, a mass of algae, fungi and other organisms. Making matters worse, numerous water trail markers were missing, seemingly swept away by recent hurricanes. After several confusing detours, the sun was getting low, and we were getting worried…”
RV ATLAS PODCAST: I had a great chat with Jeremy Puglisi on the RV Atlas podcast about my book Mysteries of the National Parks. Listen to or download the free podcast episode at rvatlas.com!
BOOKS & LOOKS PODCAST: I had an awesome time talking with Blaine DeSantis about Mysteries of the National Parks and more! You can listen to the audio or watch a video of the conversation on BookTrib!
STUPH FILE PODCAST: I had a great conversation with Peter Anthony Holder on the Stuph File podcast about my books Mysteries of the National Parks and Space Age Adventures. Listen to or download the free podcast episode (my interview starts at minute 42:45) on the Stuph File website.
“New Book Digs into the Weird Side of National Parks.” I spoke with Shawn Donnelly at Terrain, the awesome St. Louis-based outdoor magazine, to talk about Mysteries of the National Parks! Learn more about Midwest mysteries and national parks at Terrain.com!
“Of Mystery and Wonder.” A big thank you to Terri Napier, Sr. Editor of WashU Magazine, who describes Mysteries of the National Parks as “a thrilling read and a reminder to look beyond the obvious for answers and adventure.” Read the full profile in WashU Magazine.
“Secrets Are Buried in Our National Parks.” Author Jeannette Cooperman offers an amazing review of Mysteries of the National Parks, writing the book “moves across the country, digging into the secrets buried in 133,000 square miles of public land and water… You cannot read this book without loving our nation’s parks more.” Read or listen to the full review in The Common Reader!
LETTERS & SCIENCE MAGAZINE: I had a fun interview with Greg Watry about Mysteries of the National Parks, my college years at UC Davis, and outdoor adventuring for a profile in Letters & Science Magazine!
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