Become a Junior Ranger

The Big Bend Junior Ranger badge and the Centennial Challenge patches.

 

Become a Big Bend Junior Ranger during a Visit to the Park

Big Bend National Park invites young visitors to become official Junior Rangers. You can earn a Junior Ranger badge by learning about the park's natural and cultural history.

Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Book at any park visitor center. The book is full of fun activities about the park's history, wildlife, plants, and geology. You will need to take your book with you as you explore various areas of the park to complete the required activity pages.

After you complete your activities, review them with a ranger. The ranger will sign your certificate and present you with an official Junior Ranger badge!

 

Become a Virtual Junior Ranger!

Want to be a Big Bend Junior Ranger, but can't make it out to the park right now? Try our online version!

There are 20 questions below. Read the question first but DO NOT click on it yet! You can find the answers by searching around our website. We particularly recommend using the Nature and History pages found under "Learn About the Park" towards the top of your screen. When you have an answer, come back and click on the question and you'll see a link to the page that contains the answer.

Try to answer at least 15 questions. When you're done, send us an email here, tell us some of what you learned, and we'll mail you back a Junior Ranger badge sticker!

National Park History

What year was Big Bend made into a national park?

Texas's Gift to the Nation

What do you think is one reason for the creation of Big Bend National Park? Why do you think people wanted to protect this area?

Texas's Gift to the Nation

Many answers are correct here. Big Bend is known for its many important species of animals and plants, its complicated geology, its cultural and human history, and scenic and recreational opportunities.

Human History

What is some evidence we can see in the park today that shows how people may have lived here thousands of years ago? What should you do if you find any of this evidence?

Human History of Big Bend

What did the Civilian Conservation Corps do in Big Bend?

Civilian Conservation Corps at Big Bend

 

CCC Tent Camp

NPS

 

Plants and Animals

How many species of mammals live in Big Bend National Park?

Mammals in Big Bend

What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion or bear?

Mountain Lion Safety

Bear Safety

What is a good area in the park to look for birds? Why do you think so many bird species can be found there?

Birding Hotspots

What kind of insect pollinates yucca plants?

Insects at Big Bend

What color are the flowers of the ocotillo plant?

The Unusual Ocotillo

What is one adaptation ferns have here to help them survive the desert?

Desert Ferns

Paleontology

What is a fossil? What should you do if you find one?

Fossils in Big Bend National Park

The second largest flying creature known to ever have lived was found here: the quetzalcoatlus. How big was its wingspan?

Pterosaurs in Big Bend

Geology

The Big Bend area has a long, complex geologic history. What are some of the main geologic forces that formed the land as we see it today?

Geology of Big Bend

Weather

On average, how hot does Big Bend get in July?

Weather in Big Bend National Park

When is the rainy season for the Chihuahuan Desert?

Weather in Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is an International Dark Sky Park. What does that mean?

Night Skies and Stargazing

Safety

What are some things you should do to hike here safely?

Safety

How much water should you carry if you're hiking all day?

Safety

Things To Do

What are some activities people can enjoy in Big Bend? What is your favorite way to explore a park?

Things to Do

There are many correct answers here: people can hike, camp, canoe, kayak, raft, four-wheel drive, horseback ride, backpack, stargaze, go to a ranger program, take photographs, fish, and explore in many other ways.

What is the most interesting thing you learned about Big Bend National Park?

This one is up to you!

 

Hikers at Ernst Tinaja

NPS: J. Jurado