Official NPS Junior Ranger Backpacks

We are proud to serve America's Parks with Junior Ranger backpacks to help further the education and enjoyment of these natural and cultural treasures.

GlyphGuy's backpacks have been selected for three years in a row by the NPS because our packs are durable, well-made, parent-approved and representative of the National Parks messaging and image.

In 2008 we worked with just a couple of National Parks and their park associations to help launch the Junior Ranger backpack program. Today, we have provided backpacks to several dozen National Park organizations.

The Junior Ranger logo is used with permission from the National Park Service. We donate a portion of the sale of each NPS Junior Ranger backpack to the National Park Service for the continuation and advancement of Junior Ranger programs. To date we have donated $2,000.00 dollars to further this cause.

Backpacks Made for Junior Rangers

Two backpack models are made for Junior Rangers: GlyphGuy's 'Coyote' and 'Chipmunk' packs. The smaller 'Chipmunk' is designed for children between 3 and 7 years; the larger 'Coyote' is for park interpreters and outdoor education programs serving youth 7 to 12. The Junior Ranger backpacks feature: Forest Green + Tan fabrics, embroidered with the Junior Ranger 'hat' logo and include an interpretive hang tag. Learn about GlyphGuy's product quality efforts.

Where can Junior Ranger Backpacks be Found?

Here is a sampling of the parks where GlyphGuy's Junior Ranger backpacks have been used to advance Junior Ranger programming:

• Acadia National Park
• Badlands Natural History Association
• Coronado National Memorial
• Crater Lake National Park
• Craters of the Moon Natural History Association
• Eastern National
• Fort Laramie Historical Association
• Great Smoky Mountains Association
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Jefferson National Parks Association
• Mesa Verde Museum Association
• NPS - Intermountain Region
• Saguaro National Park
• Sequoia Natural History Association
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Yosemite Association
• Zion Natural History Association

How 'Green' are the Junior Ranger Backpacks?

GlyphGuy helps families discover nature by knowing how our packs are made and knowing what goes into them. Check out our 'green' efforts in the production and manufacturing field. Also, visit our "Backpack Safety Blog" to learn more about testing and results.

Do The Packs Have An Interpretive Hangtag?

All of our Junior Ranger backpacks include an interpretive hangtag which has been approved by the NPS.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can the Junior Ranger backpacks be customized to my specific park?
The Junior Ranger backpacks are themselves a custom product representing the national Junior Ranger program. Parks are welcome to add park specific hangtags or customize in a manner that they feel best markets and represents their local Junior Ranger programs. As the manufacturer we do not recommend any additional embroidery work or sewing alterations to the backpacks. Our backpacks are cut, embroidered, sewn and completed on the production floor so the finished product not only looks good, but is durable and solidly stitched.

I want a Junior Ranger backpack. Where can I buy one?
GlyphGuy produces our Junior Ranger backpacks for National Parks and their related park associations. We do not sell the Junior Ranger backpacks directly to the public. If you would like to find out which parks have an online store where you can buy a Junior ranger backpacks visit here.

What makes GlyphGuy's Junior Ranger backpacks so special?
A great deal of effort has been invested to understand how, when, where our backpacks are sewn and what goes into them. The backpacks are designed by our staff of outdoor educators and Certified Interpretive Guides to compliment interpretive programs. The backpacks include: an embroidered NPS Junior Ranger 'hat' logo; the fabric colors are in Forest Green + Tan + Black; and an approved interpretive hang tag. The workmanship of our backpacks is top-of-the-line and will serve a Junior Ranger for many years. Visit our Green page for more detailed information about GlyphGuy's processes and business practices.

Why should I choose GlyphGuy?
GlyphGuy helps families discover nature. We are family business. Our staff's background includes over 70 years of teaching as well as marketing and interpretive work. GlyphGuy worked with parks and interpretive organizations to spearhead a program of backpacks for Junior Rangers. We were the first company to receive approval from the NPS to produce Junior Ranger products.

How do I contact GlyphGuy about official NPS Junior Ranger backpacks?
Contact Mark Hougardy at GlyphGuy, Phone: 408-221-4704.