Photo by christianthiel.net at Shutterstock
What nature lover hasn’t dreamed of becoming a national park ranger?
Whether you’re hoping to watch an eruption from a geyser or want to catch a glimpse of the largest population of bison roaming the plains, America’s National Parks offer some of the most unique experiences in our country.
Over the last 150 years, thousands of people have worked as park rangers at our beautiful parks, racking up some knowledge that even some of the park’s most frequent visitors might not even know.
Keep reading to learn 10 secrets from the park rangers of some of these National Parks.
Fun Fact: Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is actually the oldest National Park in the world.
Choose Oregon Caves National Monument!
This national park is small but charming and can be found in southern Oregon. The best activities to do here are touring one of the few marble caves in the world, hiking a leisure trail through the forest, and then staying in a beautiful lodge where you can hear waterfalls from your room while sleeping.
Whichever park you choose to visit, walk at least a quarter mile down one of the trails. You’ll get the benefit of straying from the crowds, and you’ll experience a different perspective. Plus… the vistas are SPECTACULAR! So maybe it’s a good idea to bring your camera with you.
The National Park System has long warned visitors never to approach wildlife at National Parks, urging them always to stay at least 100yds away from wolves and bears and at least 25yds away from any other animals, including elk and bison.
These animals are wild, and each time we get too close to them, we help them become used to us humans. Eventually, they will lose the wildness that we love about them.
Here’s a tragic calamity that happens surprisingly often: People pose as if they’re about to fall off a cliff for a picture… but then they ACTUALLY fall off. We highly suggest you steer clear of taking these types of photos in a national park.
No matter how overheated you are after hiking through the Grand Canyon, NEVER jump into the Colorado River. The water is freezing and deep, the current is powerful, and many swimmers have drowned there. Just make sure you have a bottle of water with you to quench your thirst.
National parks aren’t just tourist attractions. Scientists frequently conduct wildlife research away from visitors’ eyes. You might get a glimpse of them not in full uniform, just gathering data, said one park ranger.
The ranger went on to say that one of her favorite parts of working at the parks was the chance to spend a day observing them and watching what they do.
In most parks, park rangers know more than those paid tour guides. Most have regular talks, tours, and programs. For instance, in Washington, DC, they offer tours of the National Mall every day.
This includes a weekend bike tour, an evening lantern walk, and diverse programs for kids.
If, when hiking through the parks, you see cabins or houses along your way, they’re not necessarily tourist lodgings. Frequently, rangers live in them during the season. Park rangers tend to feel more connected to the park when they’re always there. Who wouldn’t?
They get to watch glorious sunsets over Grand Teton in Wyoming, and they hear humpback whales from their windows in Alaska’s Glacier Bay.
“How much water do you have?”
“Where are you hiking today?”
It’s part of a program called “Preventative Search and Rescue” to help visitors be more prepared before they hike. If they suggest a shorter hike or a long break in a shady spot, heed their warning!
They’ve seen a dramatic drop in search-and-rescue calls since they launched the program in the Grand Canyon in 1997.
Unfortunately, park rangers are the ones stuck with the dirty work. Many people think it’s always fantastic, and you’re always out on adventures, one park ranger said.
But ultimately, it’s a job like any other. Sometimes rangers have to do the grimy work like trail maintenance or scrubbing graffiti off the rocks.
At the end of the day, becoming a park ranger might be a fun job, but it also comes with lots of hard work. We should all be more aware of our surroundings when visiting the country’s national parks, and we should, of course, always listen to the advice of America’s park rangers.
And now, let’s take a look at the other end of the spectrum. Click to read all about 6 Travel Tips That Aren’t Useful Anymore!
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