Rangers at Zion National Park help visitors connect with the park beyond its beauty

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
September 16, 2023

ST. GEORGE — Zion National Park is more than just a pretty face; rangers help people connect with the park beyond its beauty.

Zion National Park Ranger Jason Benton talks to visitors about the park, Zion National Park, Utah, Sept. 8, 2023 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“My favorite part about my job is the programs,” Jason Benton, an interpretive ranger for Zion National Park, told St. George News. “Getting out there and talking to people, especially with kids. That’s the best part of the job. Because we’re not just teaching. We’re trying to connect people to the park into the resources here to get a sense of why do I care? Why do I want to be here? Why is this place important, rather than just being beautiful? We try to connect them to that.”

Benton volunteered for four years before being hired and has been on staff for five years. He works for the Division of Interpretation of Zion National Park. Some of the duties rangers in his department handle include staffing the information desk and roving the trails to assist visitors in navigating the park.

The rangers also provide educational services, such as talks about the park’s history and geology. They provide guided tours that people can sign up for. Rangers also work in the offices and information rooms and send emails. Benton said the job combines visitor services and teaching about the park.

“I think an important part of our job here at Zion is not just protecting these resources and the park and helping people stay safe,” Benton said. “It’s not just to teach and inform them about the park. It’s to connect them to the park and the resources here to give them a why.”

Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in an email to St. George News that rangers provide information about the iconic landscapes, plants, animals and history that make the park unique.

“Ranger programs fulfill an important part of our mission to conserve and provide access to Zion National Park,” Bradybaugh said. “Attending a program gives the opportunity to learn what makes this park special, how to recreate responsibly and about the hard work it takes to host millions of visits every year.”

A group of rangers stands under a white shade structure holding props, including a book, deer skull and antlers photos, and a pegboard, Zion National Park, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Abi Farish, National Park Service, St. George News

Benton said his division provides seven different educational programs per day. They are geared toward smaller kids, family groups and adults. Visitors can enjoy the services without signing up, paying, buying a permit or entering a lottery. All programs are free.

 A sign-up in advance is needed for popular programs such as Ride with a Ranger and guided hikes in the mornings.

Benton said his favorite part of being a park ranger is when youth are engaged in his presentations. He also enjoys the Ride with a Ranger event.

“The Ride with the Ranger is where we get to go on a shuttle tour with a group of two dozen visitors for a couple of hours, separate from the main shuttle routes and the big crowds,” Bento said. “It’s really a special time.”

Some of the ways travers can enjoy the park include: 

Attend a program

Rangers deliver free programs every day. Go to the Zion Canyon or Kolob Canyons Visitor Centers for a full schedule. Check the NPS App, nps.gov calendar, or Ranger-led activities webpage to learn more.

Be a Junior Ranger: 

Be a Junior Ranger at Zion National Park by collecting information at the Zion Human History Museum, Zion Canyon Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, or the Zion Nature Center. Complete the booklet, attend a ranger program, return to be sworn in and receive an official junior ranger badge. 

Ranger-led Bird Walk

Attend a free ranger program during your visit to Zion National Park. These talks highlight information about the landscapes, plants, animals, and history that make Zion unique. You can check the schedule at the bottom of this page or by downloading the NPS App. Read the descriptions of the programs below.

Ride with a Ranger

  • Join a Ranger on a 2-hour interpretive bus ride up Zion Canyon. You must sign up for free ahead of time at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Space is limited. Accessible.

Zion Canyon Visitor Center Patio Talk

Daily at 1 p.m. in the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Plaza. Subjects vary. Accessible.

Zion Lodge Talk

  • Daily at 4 p.m. in Zion Lodge. Subject vary. Accessible.

Zion Human History Museum Patio Talks

  • Twice daily at the Zion Human History Museum. Talks start at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Subjects vary. Accessible.

Ranger-Led Walk

  • Daily at 8 a.m. You must sign up for free ahead of time at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. The walk is a moderate, 3.5 mile, 2-hour hike on Watchman Trail. This program may not be accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Watchman Evening Program

The evening programs at Watchman Campground in Zion National Park start at 9 p.m. No sign-up is needed. Attend to learn from a park ranger. May through October 2023, every evening at 9 p.m. Watchman Campground Amphitheater. Discover what makes Zion such a special place. Topics often include the ranger’s favorite stories and include animals, people and geology. This program is outside, so please dress accordingly. Accessible parking is available.

Junior Ranger Programs

Youth programs are designed specifically for families and children. Junior Ranger Activity Booklets are available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Human History Museum.

Zion Nature Center

The Zion Nature Center is open until Labor Day 2023. This interactive site is a perfect place to learn about the geology, animals, and history of Zion National Park. Explore different habitats, listen to bird songs and canyon tree frog calls, and watch flash flood videos in this historic building. The Nature Center is near the South Campground and can be accessed via the Pa’rus Trail. Limited parking is available.

Other tips to recreate responsibly provided by the park’s website include: 

  • Be patient with rangers and other visitors. Travel can be stressful, and the park needs help to ensure everyone enjoys their national park visit. 
  •  Stay between the lines. Park your car in designated lots and never on unpaved areas where plants can grow.
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and watch for signs of heat stress. 
  • Avoid flash floods & lightning by checking the forecast. Your safety is your responsibility.
  • Prevent wildfires. Fireworks are prohibited in Zion National Park and fires are only allowed in designated, metal fire rings. Fires are never permitted in the Wilderness.
  • Park only in designated parking areas. Illegally parked vehicles can harm park plants and animals and may be ticketed or towed. 
  • Pack it In – Pack it Out. Take everything you bring into the park out again. This helps protect plants, animals, and historic resources and reduces the amount of trash NPS staff need to manage. 
  • Go Before You Go. Use restrooms at trailheads and shuttle stops before venturing out on trails. 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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