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America’s Cutest Souvenir: How to Start Collecting Junior Ranger Badges with Your Kids


America's Cutest Souvenir: How start collecting Junior Ranger Badges with Your Kids

If you’re traveling with kids and looking for a meaningful (and totally free) way to turn every trip into a memory-maker, let us put you on to the Junior Ranger Program.


We got our son his very first badge at just 1 year old, and it’s been one of the best things we’ve done as a travel-loving fam. These little wooden badges are more than just cute—they’re a reminder of every national park moment we’ve shared as a family. And yes, we’re 100% emotionally attached to every single one. I've even ordered a cute display for them to hang on my son's bedroom wall.


Whether you’re brand new to the Junior Ranger life or looking to plan your next badge-earning adventure, this guide has everything you need—including where to go by region, how it works, and tips to make it fun for even the tiniest explorers.


✨ What is the Junior Ranger Program?

It’s a free, educational activity program run by the National Park Service (NPS), designed to help kids (and let’s be real—parents too) connect with the parks in a fun, hands-on way.


Here’s how it works:

  1. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet at the park’s visitor center.

  2. Complete a certain number of activities (based on age).

  3. Talk to a ranger, take a pledge, and get your official Junior Ranger badge!


Some parks even offer unique patches or themed badges—think Civil War history, fossil digs, or star-gazing!


🌍 Where You Can Collect Junior Ranger Badges by Region

We’ve rounded up some of the best parks by U.S. region that offer Junior Ranger programs—whether you're planning a road trip or just want to explore local sites.


🏞 West Coast & Pacific

These parks are chef’s kiss for nature lovers and offer beautiful backdrops for learning.

  • Yosemite National Park (CA) – Iconic views + great activities for little ones.

  • Olympic National Park (WA) – A rainforest, a beach, and mountains—perfect for an all-in-one day.

  • Crater Lake National Park (OR) – Stunning views + simple, kid-friendly booklet.

  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA) – Bonus: it’s stroller-friendly and urban.

  • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HI) – Your little can earn a badge on a volcano. Wild.


🌵 Southwest

The parks here are full of desert beauty and ancient history.

  • Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) – A must. The booklet is educational and fun for all ages.

  • Saguaro National Park (AZ) – Great intro for little nature explorers.

  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM) – Underground cave adventure = badge-worthy.

  • Mesa Verde National Park (CO) – Ancient cliff dwellings + a super unique badge.

  • Zion National Park (UT) – Gorgeous trails and a fun visitor center for kids.


🌲 Northwest & Rockies

If you’re into mountains, forests, and epic drives—this is the zone.

  • Yellowstone National Park (WY, MT, ID) – This was our fave as a couple, and now we can’t wait to take the kids. So much to explore and a detailed Junior Ranger book.

  • Grand Teton National Park (WY) – Combine it with a Yellowstone trip.

  • Glacier National Park (MT) – Dramatic views + a chill ranger station.

  • Rocky Mountain National Park (CO) – Great for families who love scenic drives and wildlife.


🏖 Southeast

Parks here are rich in history and full of easy, stroller-friendly spots.

  • Everglades National Park (FL) – Great for airboat rides and alligator spotting.

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC) – One of the most visited and very kid-friendly.

  • Congaree National Park (SC) – Walk the boardwalk trail and earn a badge.

  • Fort Sumter National Historical Park (SC) – Historic + scenic boat ride to the site.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC) – Many stops have ranger programs and badge options.


🏛 Northeast

Packed with historical sites and urban-friendly options.

  • Independence National Historical Park (PA) – Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, and a cool ranger station.

  • Boston National Historical Park (MA) – A little walking + a lot of Revolutionary War history.

  • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (NY) – Earn a badge while learning about immigration and freedom.

  • Acadia National Park (ME) – Forest, sea, and a very family-friendly vibe.

  • Minute Man National Historical Park (MA) – Smaller park, great intro to U.S. history.


🌾 Midwest

Lots of hidden gems out here—and many parks are super underrated!

  • Badlands National Park (SD) – Unique landscape and fun fossil activities.

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH) – Near cities but feels like a true nature escape.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park (IN) – Close to Chicago and beachy!

  • Effigy Mounds National Monument (IA) – Beautiful and spiritual Native American site.

  • Isle Royale National Park (MI) – Takes effort to get to, but worth the adventure.


🇺🇸 Bonus: Washington, D.C. Badges You Can Collect

D.C. is badge heaven for families! You don’t need to go far to collect a bunch in one trip. You can watch our Instagram @d_siesta_family to see how we collected these Junior Ranger Badges.

  • National Mall and Memorial Parks

  • The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (Badge + Stamp!)

  • Ford’s Theatre

  • National Archives

  • Washington Monument (even without going to the top!)

  • White House Visitor Center

  • Frederick Douglass National Historic Site


Many of these can be done in a single day with good planning (and snacks).


🧠 Pro Tips for Collecting Badges

  • Always check the visitor center hours before you go.

  • Some programs are available online, so you can print and do them at home!

  • Let your child lead the pace—even babies can earn badges with your help.

  • Bring crayons or pencils in case the center is out.

  • Ask if they have a special patch or theme—some parks do seasonal versions!


Why We Love It

It’s educational, screen-free, and totally free.

But it’s also ours. It’s a growing collection of tiny badges that represent big memories—places we explored together, questions our kid asked, and lessons he learned.

We keep them in a little canvas display, and each time we add a new one, it feels like we're building our own little travel story.


Follow us @d_siesta_family for more family-friendly travel tips, national park guides, and ways to make travel with young kids fun (and chill).


Have a favorite Junior Ranger badge or park? Drop it in the comments below—we're always looking for our next badge-worthy adventure.




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