When on an RV road trip, visiting various locales, you're going to meet all kinds of people from different walks of life. It's not just tourists you're going to meet out on the road, though: If your itinerary involves visiting one or more national or state parks (it should!), plan on interacting with at least one or more different types of park rangers.
What can you expect from these interactions? What kinds of people are these park rangers? Why is it good to know what they do and what to expect from them? Let's take a look at several different types of park rangers you'll probably see or meet.
What Types of Park Rangers Can You Meet?
There are many different kinds of park rangers you can meet out in the wild, but we're going to focus on eight particular, common types.
These are:
1. National Park Rangers
2. State Park Rangers
3. Forest Service Rangers
4. Wildlife Conservation Rangers
5. Wildlife Refuge Rangers
6. Historic Site Rangers
7. Battlefield Park Rangers
8. Recreational Area Ranger
Keep in mind that you won't meet every kind at every park; for instance, you won't deal with state park rangers at national parks, and vice versa. However, at other times, you'll visit a national park and meet both National Park Rangers and Forest Service Rangers. But, aside from all that...what are they really like?
National Park Rangers
National Park Rangers often have a reputation as "National Park Cops", and that description isn't too far from the truth - the commissioned kind are literally trained, sworn law enforcement officers. Understandably, given the fact that they were set up for preservation and protection of natural resources, there are a lot of rules and regulations at national parks that need to be upheld.
Note: Tourists are not necessarily inclined to follow the rules all the time, whether or not they know them. If you meet a commissioned Park Ranger who seems overly tired, try to understand!
But you know what? National Park Rangers are more than just gruff, firm Park Service cops. There are actually two different kinds of National Park Rangers! There are commissioned Rangers, and then there are Interpretive Rangers.
While both commissioned and interpretive rangers are passionate about their jobs, interpretive rangers have the luxury of dispensing knowledge through guided tours, historical reenactments, and more, rather than the more burdensome task of enforcing rules — guess who is more relaxed?
State Park Rangers
In all honesty, sometimes you might have a hard time telling the difference between a State Park ranger and a National Park Ranger. This is because their jobs are incredibly similar, with one of the main differences being their employer: National Park Rangers work for the Federal Government, while State Park Rangers work for — unsurprisingly — state governments.
You can expect State Park Rangers to be just as passionate about their job and location as National Park Rangers, though they may be a bit more zealous in their enforcement of hunting and fishing regulations (but not as much so as Game Wardens).
Like commissioned National Park Rangers, State Park Rangers are law enforcement officers. They will be happy to explain the history of the state park you're visiting, but may also be the same officer who is happy to check and make sure you haven't caught more than the permitted number of fish.
Forest Service Rangers
Forest Service Rangers are the sort of rangers you might not have too many interactions with, but even so...you'll feel their presence. Forest Service Rangers have a lot on their minds — for instance, the number of trees in a forest and their health and protection, the conditions of trails running through the forest, and protecting against forest fires. If you come across a Forest Service Ranger who seems preoccupied, give 'em a pass — they're the reason you can keep enjoying the area!
Wildlife Conservation Ranger
Also known as Game Wardens, Conservation Rangers work to enforce wildlife-related rules and regulations. They usually work for a state's Department of Natural Resources and are empowered with full law enforcement abilities. Depending on the environment where a park is located, you may see Conservation Rangers/Game Wardens patrolling by boat, truck, ATVs, and the old-fashioned way (on foot).
If you have a question about hunting or fishing, these are the rangers to talk to. Likewise, if you want to know some facts about the flora and fauna of the park, they'll only be too happy to tell you — at length — about it all!
Wildlife Refuge Ranger
It can be easy to get Refuge and Conservation Rangers/Game Wardens confused since their jobs are very similar: Conservation and the responsible use of parklands! However, Refuge Rangers' minds are also more geared toward natural preservation — they want to protect endangered plants and animals, not just control their populations.
Refuge Ranger duties at National Wildlife Refuges include cleaning up beaches (if any), securing and repairing fences, and so on. They're not neat freaks, though; they just really care about everything!
Historic Site Ranger
If you're visiting a destination registered on the National Register of Historic Places, you can count on running into a Historic Site Ranger. These are the sort of people you don't want to go up against in a game of Trivial Pursuit; their knowledge of seemingly random facts is almost unparalleled, with the key words being "seemingly random". Their knowledge isn't random at all, but simply reflects their education and knowledge on the topic — the place you chose to visit.
So, if they offer to share their knowledge with you? Humor them! You'll make their day.
Battlefield Park Ranger
The first century or so of the existence of the United States saw many battles take place on American soil, from the Revolutionary War on to the War of 1812 and, of course, the Civil War (amongst others). Civil War Battlefields especially stoke emotions, and the Battlefield Park Rangers who maintain and preserve them deserve a lot of respect.
You're going to find that a lot of Battlefield Rangers are dedicated Civil War reenactors who love helping visitors immerse themselves in seeing history "as it happened". Don't be surprised when those boys in Blue and Gray high-five after a "battle", though...they weren't really fighting!
Recreation Area Rangers
Six of the 30 most visited sites in the National Park system are actually National Recreation Areas, so Recreation Area Rangers can stay pretty busy. Depending on where they are located, National Recreation Areas are managed by one individual or some combination of the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, meaning there is a diversity of expertise and responsibility in the numbers of Recreation Area Rangers.
You'll meet these rangers when trying to rent a boat at the more than two dozen National Recreation Areas centered around reservoirs and water recreation activities; if you take a guided nature tour, a ranger will be the one to guide you. Need firewood at a campsite managed by the U.S. Forest Service? You'll likely get it from a Recreation Area Ranger Station.
Meet Park Rangers in a Cruise America RV!
The next time you come across a Park Ranger, don't make the mistake of thinking they're all alike; as you can see, they have so many different jobs, duties, and personalities! And when may be the next time you come across a Park Ranger? Why not make it sooner rather than later and in a Cruise America RV?
Cruise America's RV rentals have been shuttling road trippers like you to national parks and state parks for more than 50 years — imagine how many Park Rangers they've met! There's still time to catch up, so get in touch with Cruise America today to rent an RV and get on the road!
