One of our longest running programs is the Junior Ranger Program. Each year, Grand Teton National Park holds its own Junior Ranger Day on the first Saturday in May, apart from the National Parks Week Junior Ranger Day, which was held on August 30th this year.

Grand Teton Association sponsors Junior Ranger Day and funds activity books, badges, pencils and related supplies.

“It’s an amazing community day,” said Justin Olson, Branch Manager for Visitor Engagement at Grand Teton. “It’s our Saturday to celebrate and provide a community-based day where we get to see families from all the nearby communities.”

Participating youth can acquire a junior ranger book from any visitor center or park ranger, with information about the park and activities related to learning about the park. When they complete their books, they can earn a junior ranger badge.

On Junior Ranger Day in May, area youth can participate in a wide range of educational activities, including: learning how to differentiate between black bears and grizzly bears by studying their paws and claws; exploring a live bear trap; dressing up in ranger clothes such as fire-fighthing helmets, hard hats, classic flat hats, shirts and vests; learning about fire trucks, rescue boats and ambulances by touring them on-site.

At Colter Bay Amphitheater at 3 p.m. through Labor Day, specific junior ranger family programs are held. And at Jenny Lake, Junior Ranger Day walk-up programs are available every day.

Grand Teton National Park Junior Ranger Day by the numbers:

📝15,000-18,000 junior rangers are sworn in annually

📝18,000 junior rangers earned their badges in 2025

📝20,000 junior ranger books were given out in 2025

📝In 2026, the projection is 18,000-20,000

“Celebrating Junior Rangers is important because Junior Rangers are the next generation of stewards,” said Olson, an Interpretive Ranger who earned his own badge at 5 years old.

“They are learning to care for and protect these places that they are going to be responsible for in the future,” he added.

Pick up a Junior Ranger Day Activity Book at our stores or our online shop here: https://shop.grandtetonassociation.org/junior-ranger-activity-book.html