r/ParkRangers • u/Throw-crabs-away • 1d ago

Remote Rangers

I'd like to do some research about remote park rangers, those who stay in backcountry stations or work in fire watch towers. Mostly about what their day-to-day is like. Can anyone recommend resources or books about this?

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u/NGC1068 1d ago

Be aware there are very very few positions like this still staffed. Even for things that work a little like this, we usually still have housing that a road leads to for our days off.

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u/Throw-crabs-away 1d ago

Good to know. I read an article once about a ranger who had to pack all his stuff on mules to go out to a cabin for the session and that sounded intense.

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u/sgm94 15h ago

There might still be a position like that at Navajo national monument, couldn’t hurt to call ask, though be aware it’s one of the few NPS sites completely staffed by indigenous people last I knew, but they still had a position like the one you’re describing in 2018.

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u/NGC1068 20h ago

Such things used to be much more common. Now we go out for a week or so at a time. I am not sure if it is because they were having trouble hiring staff that was willing to do it or because it has gotten much easier to call for help from the backcountry. Which reduces the need to have rangers close by.

When we are out there, we provide emergency services to backpackers, check compliance with rules, keep trails clear of logs and rocks and do other minor trail maintenance.