
Courtesy of Kate Ter Haar
The Junior Ranger program is a great way to explore national parks. You can learn about nature sounds, night skies, or even the Transcontinental Railroad! You'll also learn why national parks matter and how you can be a part of the team that helps keep parks healthy.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
No matter what age you are, you are invited to explore, learn, and protect on National Junior Ranger Day. You can participate in the Junior Ranger program year-round and join this one-day celebration that is part of the annual National Park Week.
Here are a couple of ways you can celebrate National Junior Ranger Day:
- Look to see if a park near you is hosting any Junior Ranger Day activities.
- View Junior Ranger events by state or event type in the calendar below.
- Participate in an online Junior Ranger program such as Junior Paleontologist and Night Explorers.
- Visit the NPS Kids Portal to plan a park experience, learn about free 4th Grader access, and access interactive and printable activities.

Kids Portal
Explore resources for kids of all ages to do at home or in a park to learn more about nature, history, and culture in parks.

Junior Ranger Programs
Find in-park and online opportunities to earn Junior Ranger badges while learning about nature, history, and ways to play in parks.

Junior Cave Scientist Program
We are looking for young speleologists to become Junior Rangers by exploring the underground worlds beneath our feet.

Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing!
Reel in your Junior Ranger Angler status learning about fishing and preserving fish habitats.

Junior Paleontologist
Investigate prehistoric life as a Junior Paleontologist looking at fossils in national parks.

Junior Ranger Night Explorers
Lights out for an adventure exploring the night sky! Learn about constellations, planets, galaxies, and more.

Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer
Listen up to hear the sounds all around in nature. What interesting things will you hear as you explore sounds.

Junior Ranger Underwater Explorer
Take a dive to explore an underwater world and learn what you can do to protect everything that lives there.
Find an Event
View Junior Ranger programs at any of the more than 400 national parks around the country. Remember to check ahead for trip planning information and to recreate responsibly for a safe visit.
Last updated: April 19, 2023