How to Become a Park Ranger in Alaska

With over 3.3 million acres of untamed wilderness, Alaska’s expansive state park system holds stunning landscapes and animals ranging from mountain goats and Dall sheep to wolves and black bears.

The third largest state park in the world at half of a million acres, Chugach State Park, is located in Alaska.

That means park rangers have a monumental task to maintain and conserve the area.

If you want to become involved in protecting Alaska’s extensive park system, keep reading to learn more!

Popular Programs

Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Alaska

Given the importance of the park ranger position in a wildlife-friendly state, rangers have extensive requirements.

First, they must earn a four-year degree from an accredited university, have two years of professional experience in the field, or hold a two-year degree with one year of experience.

Once complete, rangers must earn training and certifications, including a commissioned peace officer, park ranger training and certification, and be authorized by the Department of Fish and Game Commissioner to start the job.

Other requirements include being a U.S. citizen, possessing a valid driver’s license, passing a background check and drug screening, and being in good health.

Park Ranger Duties in Alaska

Since Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. and has an endless amount of untouched territory, the state parks are top-notch.

As a result, the rangers must be trained in many areas to ensure they can fulfill all responsibilities, which include:

• Assisting injured visitors
• Checking in and tracking visitors to the area
• Conducting law enforcement duties to help keep visitors and the environment safe
• Finding missing hikers, which is a significant problem in the state
• Leading school trips and educating tourists
• Performing park tours
• Preserving nature and the natural resources
• Gathering data on local animals and plants
• Gathering information on local rock formations and glaciers
• Providing advice to visitors
• Socializing with guests

State Parks in Alaska

With so much natural space and so many parks, everywhere in Alaska is beautiful.

However, some of the most popular parks include:

Chugach State Park

Chugach State Park is the third largest in the U.S. at almost 500,000 acres.

Created in 1970 to protect the Chugach Mountains and other distinguishing features, Chugach State Park is a diversity of immense ice fields and glaciers to bountiful lakes and extensive shorelines.

The park also boasts fields of berries and wildflowers and extensive wildlife, including lynxes, wolves, brown bears, and moose.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park and Preserve boasts over 6 million acres of land, including Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak.

The park boasts a plethora of beauty, including the taiga forest, winding rivers, glacial valleys, glaciers, alpine tundra, and hills.

One-third of the park comprises the Denali Wilderness, which surrounds the Alaskan Mountain Range.

The park receives over 400,000 visitors every year who want to enjoy the picturesque natural scenery of this national treasure.

Glacier Bay National Park

With over 3.3 million acres of terrain, Glacier Bay National Park boasts everything from snow-capped mountains to ocean shorelines to temperate rainforests and tidewater glaciers.

Also, the park is a major part of the Biosphere Reserve, the largest international protected area and World Heritage Site.

Approximately 80% of Glacier Bay visitors arrive on cruise ships to enjoy the stunning icefields and glaciers while catching a glimpse of different wildlife.

Salary

With an average annual salary of $45,700 and a pay range of $37,700 to $55,200, Alaska park rangers make slightly more than the national average of $34,000 per year.

Regional Salary in Alaska

Park Ranger by State