Our Mission

We work tirelessly to protect our national parks, visitors, employees, and wildlife. We specialize in quick response to reports of accidents, missing persons, and crisis. Our mission is accomplished through the detection, investigation, and identification of persons who violate U.S. law while in or affecting our national parks.

Ask A Ranger!

Teaching children the importance of National Parks is crucial to protecting these lands in the future, as well as instilling a sense of wonder and respect for our lands. Our rangers are available to visit local schools to talk to students about what it's like to be a national park ranger.

Willow Ridge Elementary School students interviewed Investigative Ranger Kate Murphy on what a day on the job looks like.

What is your job? - Tyler, 8

Ranger Murphy: I work as an Investigative Ranger! It’s like being a police officer and a park ranger all in one. If anyone needs help in the park, I’ll be there to help out.

Do you work with animals? - Bryanna, 10

Ranger Murphy: Not as much as I’d like! I often get called in to help if an animal is in danger.

How do you tell the bears apart? - Elaine, 8

Ranger Murphy: Some scientists who work in the park study animal activity and track specific bears. In my job, though, I can usually tell it’s going well if I don’t see any bears at all!

Do people go missing in your park? - Kimmy, 6

Ranger Murphy: It can happen if the person gets lost or goes exploring on their own. That’s why all of the Investigative Rangers are trained to find any missing people as quickly as possible and then help get them back to safety.

Have you ever seen a dead body? - Kacey, 7

Ranger Murphy: Sometimes, when animals pass on, they are in areas where their natural decomposition process might be disturbed by human activity. In those cases, we make sure to lay the animal to rest deeper in the forest. Otherwise, we let nature take its course.

Have you ever seen a dead human body? - Devin, 9

Ranger Murphy: No, not in my time with Parks Services.

Do you like your job? - Kyle, 9

Ranger Murphy: Yes! Thank you, Kyle, I like my job a lot! I get to spend lots of time in nature and help people enjoy our wonderful parks every day.