Essays

Get started on your national park journey by perusing our extensive archive of essays. Whether you want to be a park ranger, learn more about rangers and parks, or cultivate a wilder life, we have an essay that will help.

Parks

small wooden building with "Ranger Station" sign

Why we need national park rangers: how losing one of our most popular American icons would diminish our dreams and harm our national parks. 

a river bordered by massive canyon walls

To build a wall in parks--that was the threat the first time Donald Trump was president. Now he is threatening the parks themselves.

Discover national parks that celebrate American Latino heritage, a community whose stories and culture are woven into the fabric of America.

When nature calls: National parks are being overwhelmed with human waste. Here are the reasons why and how not to be a part of the problem.

tall white memorial stone with black japanese text

Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage is celebrated in America's national parks. Here are three such parks, and links to many more.

a large cruise ship in front snowy mountains

Being a park ranger is not as dangerous as people think, but it can be. My most dangerous ranger job was climbing the side of a cruise ship.

Wild Living

laps of people sitting and taking notes

Take time for your mental health. When we wake up and are not okay, we should all have the right to take a Karen Day.

starling on a crumbling rock wall, masada israel

"They are monsters": these words showed me one side of the Israeli people. A message of hope and a shared love of birds showed me another.

anhinga bird with chicks

Discover 10 wild facts about Everglades National Park, including the best time to visit and how to breakfast with manatees.

mother bear and cubs at the edge of a mountain lake

Ever wonder how to stay safe in bear country? Here are seven safety tips and several bear stories from a former national park ranger.

trees above rocky cliffs and the ocean on the olympic peninsula

Discover the best hidden gems on the Olympic Peninsula. Explore unique scenery and heritage in two (or more) can't miss stops.

brown leather bag in the middle of a road

To embrace the inevitable chaos of travel, accept that something will always go wrong. And learn to roll with the changes.