For 6 years, I worked as a ranger in state and national parks. I always saw visitors making the same 5 mistakes.
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As a former park ranger, I know there are lots of mistakes visitors should avoid making at state and national parks. Danielle Jackson 2026-04-21T13:54:55.084Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.
Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. I spent several years working as a park ranger at US state and national parks. During this time, I saw guests make mistakes when visiting, like assuming they'd have cell service. Many guests also strayed from marked trails and came unprepared for hikes. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. What safety tips are key for park visitors? Why is it important to stay on trails? How does park management handle visitor mistakes? How can visitors prepare for a hike? What should visitors know about cell service? I've always been fascinated by state and national parks. Growing up, I visited places like the Grand Canyon and spent a lot of time camping in small, local parks.In 2017, I received my undergraduate degree in geology and began my career as an intern at a National Parks Service site. I also spent a season working at a state park in California. However, I dreamed of being able to wear the coveted flat hat and get my foot in the door as a park ranger. Eventually, that dream became a reality when I became a ranger at my first national park in 2021.Over the next few years, I worked for many different state and national parks and saw guests make the same mistakes over and over. Here some of the most common ones I saw. Assuming they'll have cell service and access to WiFi Many guests incorrectly assume they'll have cell service in the parks.
Danielle Jackson When I worked in the parks, visitors sometimes (incorrectly) assumed they'd have access to WiFi and cell service during their visit. However, this wasn't usually the case.That's why I always recommend visitors write down important navigation information before their visit. Not checking the park's website and social media pages before visiting Guests should always check the park's website and social media pages for updates.
Danielle Jackson When I worked for my last park, we had constant road closures due to downed trees, rockslides, and car accidents. Although updates regarding incidents like these were posted on the park's website, I still found that many travelers didn't look for this information.Before entering a park, it's important to call the visitor's center or check the park's social media pages and website for up-to-date information. Straying from designated trails Straying from marked trails can be extremely dangerous.
Danielle Jackson While working at the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, we had several well-marked trails for hikers to enjoy and take in the beautiful scenery.However, several areas of these trails were often closed to protect rare or sensitive plant species or to help mitigate land issues, including erosion.Unfortunately, as a park ranger, I saw folks jumping off the designated path all too often. Many visitors don't realize that trail markers are there for their safety, as well as for the safety of the park itself. Forgetting that many national and state parks have wildlife to be aware of Guests were often surprised when I mentioned the black bears who lived in the park. jo Crebbin/Shutterstock Most national parks have wildlife that visitors should be aware of. While working at a national park, though, I often saw people's eyes grow large as soon as I mentioned that our park was saturated with black bears.In general, it's best to give wildlife plenty of space. I remind guests to make themselves look as tall as possible — and never run — if they come across a bear. Failing to properly prepare for a hike Hikers should always come prepared with the 10 essentials.
Danielle Jackson When working in the parks, I saw many guests who did not come prepared for a hike.So, I always tried to educate visitors on what the National Park Service calls the 10 essentials. These include things like sunscreen, water, and snacks that are important to keep handy during a hike.Other essentials include a compass or navigation system, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, an emergency shelter, a fire starter, a knife, and extra clothes.This story was originally published on February 2, 2024, and most recently updated on April 21, 2026.