Shenandoah National Park - Be A Junior Ranger (U.S. National Park Service)

A young visitor wearing a red Junior Ranger hat and patches, sits in the grass of Big Meadows working on her Junior Ranger book.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a national park ranger? Find out for yourself by becoming a Junior Ranger!

At Shenandoah, you can join a ranger to learn about the resources they are responsible for: plants, vultures, lichens, deer, historic home sites, peregrine falcons, habitats, trees, streams, rocks, bugs, and more.

During spring, summer and fall, park rangers conduct regularly scheduled Junior Ranger programs lasting 1.5 hours. You can explore an amazing area with a ranger and take part in fun hands-on activities. These programs are designed for children ages 7-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. See the park ranger program schedule for specific days, times, and meeting places.

Explorer Backpacks
When you visit Shenandoah National Park you may wonder what are the names of the butterflies that dance between the flowers in Big Meadows or the large birds that soar above the overlooks. Imagine how much more interesting your visit would be if you inspect flowers and bugs through a magnifying glass and view the birds with binoculars. Shenandoah National Park offers Explorer Backpacks with books and equipment to help you investigate the rich life of the mountains. There are five field guides in each backpack to help you to identify the plants and animals you discover in the park.

You can help your parents choose hikes during your stay by looking through the four hiking guides included in the pack. Choose from hikes to peaks, waterfalls, along the historic Appalachian Trail or some of the easiest ones in the park.

The back packs rent for $5.00 per day which included a free Junior Ranger book for you to complete. After completing 12 of the activities in the booklet and attending two ranger led programs you are eligible for a Junior Ranger badge or patch that celebrates your achievement of becoming a Junior Ranger of Shenandoah National Park.

The Explorer Backpacks are designed to make your visit more fun and rewarding. They can be rented and returned to the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows at milepost 51 on the Skyline Drive or Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at milepost 5 during regular operating hours. A deposit is required to cover the cost of replacement during the time of your rental.

Besides having lots of fun, you can earn a sticker or a Junior Ranger patch or badge. How? Purchase the Junior Ranger Activity Booklet (for ages 7-12) and complete the activities inside. They’re designed to make you think while you explore the park with your family, so plan to spend some time working on them. If you finish five of the fifteen activities, you can get a sticker. If you do at least twelve activities and attend any two ranger-led programs, you can earn your choice of a Junior Ranger patch or badge.

If you are over 13 years of age, inquire at visitor centers for the new Ranger Explorer program packets designed just for you. These activities are done on your own or with your family. Besides learning more about the park, you have the opportunity to earn a patch and certificate for your hard work.

Try it. Being a ranger could be more fun than you ever imagined!