What Do Park Rangers Do

Park rangers are people who take care of national and state parks. They protect the land, animals, and plants that live there. Rangers also help visitors stay safe and enjoy nature. If you love the outdoors, being a park ranger could be the perfect job.

Protecting the Parks

Park rangers patrol the trails and forests to keep them clean and safe. They watch for wildfires and help put them out. Rangers also protect animals from poachers, who are people who hunt illegally. They make sure visitors follow the rules so nature stays beautiful for everyone.

Teaching Visitors

Rangers lead hikes and give talks about the park's history and wildlife. They teach kids about animals, plants, and rocks. Rangers answer questions and help people plan their trips. Some rangers lead nighttime programs where visitors look at the stars. They love sharing their knowledge with others.

Fun Facts

• The United States has 63 national parks, from Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Yellowstone was the world's first national park, created in 1872.
• Some park rangers live inside the park they protect, far from any town.

Did You Know?

Park rangers sometimes use horses or boats to patrol areas that cars cannot reach. In some parks, they even use snowmobiles in the winter!