Love the National Parks? Here's How to Become a Park Ranger

If you really want to get close to nature, the federal government has a number of job listings for park rangers and guides, providing the opportunity to help maintain and run Americas national parks and lands throughout the year.

Listings range from ranger positions at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, to ranger openings at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, which is nicknamed of The American Spa thanks to its soothing thermal waters.

There are also park guide positions at locations like the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, where you would get to host walks, demonstrations, talks, and activities.

For those who want to get a taste of what working in a national park would be like, this Saturday is National Public Lands Day, the nations biggest volunteer event for public lands.

Events range from geology hikes and ecological restoration projects to kayaking trips, with those who volunteer receiving a coupon for free entry later in the year to participating federal agency lands. You can search for events nearby National Environmental Education Foundation website.

The 2,800 participating sites will also be offering free entry on Saturday, giving outdoor enthusiasts access to everything from parks and monuments to wildlife refuges, forests, marine sanctuaries, and grasslands.

Talia Avakian is a digital reporter at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @TaliaAvak.

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