Park Rangers

In these essays you’ll discover what a national park ranger is, what they do, and why we need them. (And read a few wild ranger stories.)

A woman sits beside a female park ranger

I am often asked how I became a park ranger at US national parks. Here's how the greatest adventure of my life began.

hikers backlit by sun

As a former ranger, I'm often asked how to become a national park ranger. These are my tips for prospective park rangers.

Rainbow strikes a mountain

A few years ago in a grad class, a fellow student made a statement that floored me: “LGBTQ people can’t work in national parks."

Girl with large glasses and homemade dress

Many people have asked why I became a national park ranger, but I never had a story to tell. Until now. Here is my park ranger origin story.