Be A Junior Ranger

Enjoying the Junior Ranger activity book!

NPS photo/ Kurt Moses

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program at Pinnacles National Park is a fun and educational way for kids to explore and learn about the park’s unique ecosystems, wildlife, and geological features. Designed for children of all ages, this program encourages young visitors to engage with the natural world while fostering a sense of stewardship for our national parks.

How It Works

To become a Junior Ranger, pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at either the Bear Gulch Nature Center or the West Visitor Contact Station. The booklet contains a variety of activities that guide children through different areas of the park, helping them discover the fascinating plants, animals, and geological formations that make Pinnacles special. Activities may include wildlife observation, drawing, matching games, and learning about the park’s history.

Earn Your Badge

After completing the activities in the booklet, participants can bring their finished booklets to a ranger at one of the visitor centers to receive a special Pinnacles Junior Ranger Badge as a reward for their hard work and dedication.

Benefits of the Junior Ranger Program

• Interactive Learning: Children engage with the environment, learning about native wildlife, plants, and geology through fun, hands-on activities.
• Park Stewardship: The program teaches children about the importance of protecting national parks, encouraging them to become future park stewards.
• Memorable Experience: Completing the booklet and earning a badge provides a sense of accomplishment, creating lasting memories of their time at Pinnacles.

How to Get Started

1. Visit Pinnacles National Park and pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at either the Bear Gulch Nature Center or the West Visitor Contact Station.
2. Explore the park using the activities as your guide.
3. Complete the activities, then bring your booklet to a ranger station to receive your badge.

Tips for Junior Rangers

• Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water as you explore the trails and participate in activities.
• Respect the park’s wildlife by observing from a distance and leaving no trace.
• Ask rangers questions! They’re there to help you learn and have the best experience possible.

Mailing Requests

Junior Ranger badges are not mailed by the park.

If you would like a wooden badge, you will need to cover shipping by sending the park a pre-paid envelope. *Include a note with your request so that we know what we need to put in the envelope.

The enclosed envelope will need first class package postage and will need to be a padded bubble envelope (regular envelopes will be rejected by the park and USPS).

Badges are 0.3 oz. each.

Your postmaster should be able to tell you what your postage will be from your zip code.

You can mail the pre-paid envelope to the park at:

Pinnacles National Park
Attn: Junior Ranger Program
5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

Mailing Junior Ranger Books
Due to high shipping costs, we cannot mail Junior Ranger books.
You may e-mail us and request a digital copy of our Junior Ranger Program and print them.

If you would like the Junior Ranger books mailed to you, you will need to cover shipping by sending the park a pre-paid envelope. *Include a note for your request.

Books are 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches and weigh 3.4 oz.

Your postmaster should be able to tell you what your postage will be from your zip code.

You can mail the pre-paid envelope to the park at:

Pinnacles National Park
Attn: Junior Ranger Program
5000 East Entrance Road
Paicines, CA 95043

Once you’ve finished your book, we’d love to celebrate your hard work! Please e-mail us and take photos of your activities, making sure an adult has signed that page to confirm you completed everything.

We’d also really enjoy hearing what made that page or activity your favorite — your stories make our day!

Please note: Do not mail your book. Mailed books cannot be returned.