by 
Utah state parks are home to wild cats, bighorn sheep, rabbits, elk, bats, and many more interesting animals.
As a State Park Ranger in Utah, you get to play a role in maintaining the local flora and fauna consisting of these very animals.
This is the ideal occupation for anyone who loves to go hiking or camping, as those tasks become a part of your daily duties.
Find out more about becoming a park ranger in Utah to see if this is the right job for you.
Earn your accredited, affordable Wildlife Forestry and Conservation career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 4 months!
Article Table of Contents
Popular Programs
Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Utah
To be hired as a park ranger in Utah is a straightforward process.
This begins with meeting some basic requirements.
You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any field. Additionally, be able to successfully pass a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) test of physical fitness.
In order to apply for a position as a park ranger in UT, you will also need to have a valid driver’s license.
If you have worked for the forestry service or have served in the military, you may also be able to use this experience to help you become a UT park ranger.
If you lack experience or expertise as a park ranger, you will most likely begin your career as a State Park Ranger Cadet.
This job title provides room for growth and advancement up to the level of State Park Ranger.
From here, the occupation of Supervisor State Park Ranger becomes a possibility with the right type of work experience.
Park Ranger Duties in Utah
State park rangers in Utah serve a major role in administering the park itself.
They work to oversee public programs and policies to protect the park’s inhabitants, as well as other visitors.
This includes providing interpretative and educational programs for all ages.
Park rangers are also responsible for providing input about how the park should be managed in the future.
State Parks in Utah
Wasatch Mountain State Park
At Wasatch Mountain State Park, established in 1961, you have access to 23,000 acres in a nature preserve.
Here, golfing, ATV riding and horseback riding are top sports, while camping, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities are equally as impressive.
Utahraptor State Park
Near Moab is Utahraptor State Park, one of the newest parks to be added to the state network.
This state park was opened in 2021 and focuses on the red rock formations at the location.
Utahraptor State Park is named for the largest known raptor, Utah’s raptor.
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a park that is on one of 10 islands in the Great Salt Lake of Utah.
Visitors enjoy boating, watersports, and fishing, as well as seeing free-roaming buffalo throughout the park.
The island is less than 15 miles long, making it one of the smaller and uniquely positioned state parks in Utah.
Bear Lake State Park
At Bear Lake State Park, the focus for guests is on the waterways.
Bear Lake, Rendezvous Beach, and the Bear Lake State Park Marina all welcome visitors to the shoreline.
There are several more beaches in this park, which are open year-round.
Salary
The average salary for a park ranger in Salt Lake City, UT is between $32,259 and $47,220 a year.
Compare this to the Provo, Utah annual salary for a park ranger, which ranges from $31,077 and $45,491.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $39,025 |
| Provo | $37,596 |
| Sandy | $38,919 |
| Orem | $37,596 |
| Ogden | $38,043 |
| West Jordan | $38,883 |
| Layton | $37,901 |
| Saint George | $41,333 |
| Lehi | $37,418 |
| Logan | $37,510 |
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 40 | $71,590 | $34.42 | $87,880 | $56,530 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many state parks are there in Utah?
Did you know that Utah has 43 state parks?
That is correct, and each one employs at least one park ranger.
You can work at any of these state parks once you have completed training as a park ranger in Utah.
What should I study in college to become a park ranger in Utah?
The best subjects to study while in college, and to get a degree in if you want to be a park ranger in Utah, are Archeology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice.
Each of these areas of study has applications in park management and administration.
Consider getting an advanced degree, i.e., a Master’s degree, in business administration or some similar area if you want to be a Supervisor State Park Ranger one day.
What is the largest state park in Utah?
Antelope Island State Park, situated on an island 15 miles in length, is about the biggest park in Utah’s state park system.
The park is 22,022 acres in total. Park rangers at this state park get their exercise when patrolling on foot.
What is the oldest state park in UT?
In 1957, Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum became the first state park in the state following the establishment of the Utah State Parks Commission.
Work here as a park ranger to become a part of state history.
How old do I have to be to get hired as a park ranger in Utah?
You must be at least 18 years old to work as a park ranger in Utah.
This age requirement has to do with the need to have graduated from high school with a diploma.
However, you also need to have some college experience, which means most applicants for a park ranger job in UT need to be at least 20 years old.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Wildlife Conservationist
Park Ranger by State