The Ranger Desk
Protect parks. Protect park rangers.
Recent Essays
"You're so brave!" is a common phrase said to women who camp or travel alone. It says more about the people saying it than it does about us.
Learn what an interpretive theme is and what it isn't. A theme is not a topic. A theme is the glue that binds the topics together.
The book that taught me to fly: though we lived very different lives, my grandmother introduced me to books that sparked my imagination.
Take time for your mental health. When we wake up and are not okay, we should all have the right to take a Karen Day.
"They are monsters": these words showed me one side of the Israeli people. A message of hope and a shared love of birds showed me another.
Discover 10 wild facts about Everglades National Park, including the best time to visit and how to breakfast with manatees.
Learn lessons from the dead: take a trip to Shiloh Battlefield, where an abandoned ancient village sits amid the relics of war.
Ever wonder how to stay safe in bear country? Here are seven safety tips and several bear stories from a former national park ranger.
Discover the best hidden gems on the Olympic Peninsula. Explore unique scenery and heritage in two (or more) can't miss stops.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park contains two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
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Popular Essays
Interested in US national parks? What about living a wild life? Get started with these popular essays.
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Stephanie McCullough
A former US national park ranger with a master’s degree in environmental education, I created The Ranger Desk to share my passion for national parks and the natural world.