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The primary function of an Arizona park ranger is to preserve and protect the 30 natural areas and parks scattered across the state.
Park rangers play a critical role in maintaining these locations with such a diversity of historical and natural wonders found in the state, from adobe homes and pueblo ruins to rivers and lakes.
In addition to helping maintain the environment and tourism, park rangers preserve the fabric of the community.
If you’re interested in becoming a park ranger in Arizona, keep reading to learn more!
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Article Table of Contents
- 1 Popular Programs
- 2 Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Arizona
- 3 Park Ranger Duties in Arizona
- 4 State Parks in Arizona
- 5 Salary
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6.1 Are there any educational requirements to become a park ranger?
- 6.2 What's the difference between an Arizona forest ranger and a park ranger?
- 6.3 What are the top park ranger schools in Arizona?
- 6.4 What does the PEB (Physical Efficiency Battery) test consist of?
- 6.5 What are some of the degrees to consider when becoming a park ranger?
Popular Programs
Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Arizona
Since being a park ranger is a government job, the State of Arizona sets requirements for acceptance into the role, which include:
- At least 21 years old
- Maintain a valid state driver’s license
- Pass a physical and medical exam with confirmation of being able to lift 50 pounds
- Pass a polygraph test
- U.S. citizen
Once hired, park rangers with law enforcement requirements must complete a 17-week basic training at the police academy.
Park Ranger Duties in Arizona
While park rangers wear many hats since they are responsible for such a wide area of wilderness, some of the most fundamental duties include:
- Assisting injured campers or hikers
- Caring for nature
- Conducting park tours
- Educating visitors about the area
- Gathering environmental data on flora and fauna
- Helping find missing hikers
- Offering advice to visitors
- Performing law enforcement or firefighting responsibilities where necessary
- Socializing with park guests
State Parks in Arizona
The over 30 state parks in Arizona are often overlooked by casual visitors who immediately head for the Grand Canyon.
However, plenty of other excellent locations offer boating, swimming, hiking, camping, and general exploring.
Some of the best state parks in Arizona (other than Grand Canyon National Park) include:
Catalina State Park
Located just outside Tucson is the 5,500-acre Catalina State Park, one of the most diverse on this list due to the deep canyons, rugged mountains, and washes.
The park meets the city’s boundary at the northwest, where some of the best resorts in Tucson are located.
In addition to the diverse landscape, the park boasts a variety of unique animals and plants, including more than 5,000 Saguaro cactuses.
The park is also a hotbed for bird watching, with more than 150 species in the scrub bushes and trees.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Within a one-hour drive from Tucson is Kartchner Caverns State Park, which showcases countless underground formations.
As this state park is an excellent destination for a family outing, the underground world is a great escape from the hot Arizona sunshine.
The Big Room and Throne Room are two primary highlights of the caves.
The Big Room features a strange brushite moon milk formation, which is said to be the largest on Earth, while the Throne Room is distinguished by its soda straw stalactites.
Lake Havasu State Park
When you think of Arizona, you don’t consider the surprising number of lakes that dot the landscape.
One of the best and most popular is Lake Havasu, which is situated in Lake Havasu State Park.
Golden sand beaches and palm trees make this an ideal location to kick back and relax.
The lake is fed by the clear and cool Colorado River waters.
Additionally, the 1.75-mile Mohave Sunset trail zigzags along the lake shore to deliver stunning hill views.
Slide Rock State Park
As one of the most popular parks in Arizona, Slide Rock State Park is located in a picturesque valley with Oak Creek navigating through the center.
The main park attraction is where the creek rushes across various smooth red rocks, which creates an 80-foot channel that’s ideal for swimming.
During the hot summer months, this destination has a variety of visitors sliding down the smooth red rocks and into the natural pools.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
One of the best state parks in the central part of the state is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, which is in Mogollon Ridge.
Hidden within a valley is a giant natural travertine bridge.
Spanning 393 feet from one side to the other, this natural rock formation has an incredible height of 183 feet.
Best of all, the natural bridge can be viewed from up to a half-mile away due to its size.
Salary
The annual U.S. salary range for a park ranger is $33,900 to $49,600.
In Arizona, the salary range is a little lower, at $31,900 to $46,700.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | $40,567 |
| Tucson | $38,586 |
| Mesa | $40,573 |
| Glendale | $40,567 |
| Scottsdale | $40,573 |
| Chandler | $40,573 |
| Tempe | $40,573 |
| Gilbert | $40,573 |
| Peoria | $40,485 |
| Yuma | $42,113 |
Regional Salary in Arizona
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 30 | $82,040 | $39.44 | $102,150 | $52,920 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 70 | $80,260 | $38.59 | $125,360 | $28,810 |
| Tucson, AZ | 70 | $69,330 | $33.33 | $124,800 | $34,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any educational requirements to become a park ranger?
No, the state does not require any education beyond a high school diploma; however, having a postsecondary degree makes candidates more competitive and preferable to the employer.
This is especially true for those who have a park ranger-related degree.
What's the difference between an Arizona forest ranger and a park ranger?
While there are many shared duties for each, the primary difference is that forest rangers are employed by the Department of Agriculture, whereas park rangers report to the Department of the Interior.
What are the top park ranger schools in Arizona?
While many schools offer park ranger-related degrees, the following are the best schools in the state for a park ranger-specific degree.
These include Hocking University, Northern Arizona University, Red Rock Community College, and Slippery Rock University.
What does the PEB (Physical Efficiency Battery) test consist of?
The physical requirements of becoming a park ranger include an agility run, bench press, body composition measurement, sit and reach, and a 1.5-mile run.
What are some of the degrees to consider when becoming a park ranger?
If you choose to be more competitive and pursue a degree in a park ranger-related field, relevant majors include forestry, forest management, natural science, natural resources management, and parks and recreation.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Wildlife Conservationist
Park Ranger by State