While National Parks across the US are currently facing conflicting demands and operational uncertainty as a result of the government shutdown due ongoing federal funding disputes, there is a bit of positive news on the National Park front but it’s from a very unexpected source, the world of online video gaming.
If you have ever fantasized about working as a National Park ranger but don’t want to wear the hat and do the actual job, you can now play one in a virtual environment in a soon to be released video game. Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator is a National Park management simulation game developed by To-Go Games published by astragon Entertainment where players handle the day to day operations of park ranger:
“Players will ensure a safe and clean park by maintaining mountain trails, checking permits, and documenting the wildlife across an array of diverse biomes.”
Ranger’s Path is coming soon to early access for PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) . Check out the game play trailer released today and find more information below.
Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator
Begin your park ranger journey in Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator. Maintain trails, assist visitors, check permits and respond to emergencies. Explore diverse biomes and observe varied animal behaviors across a wide range of species.
In Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, you take on the everyday responsibilities of a real park ranger in the stunning Faremont National Park. Restore and maintain scenic trails, assist visitors, and document wildlife in a living, breathing ecosystem.
You’ll clear blocked paths, collect litter, fix broken signs – and occasionally drop everything to respond to urgent wildlife sightings or missing hikers. Each day brings new tasks and surprises.
Faremont’s diverse biomes range from dense forests and meadows to winding rivers. With your ranger pickup, you’ll cover long distances along the park’s road network, reaching remote areas filled with natural landmarks like waterfalls, rock formations, and scenic viewpoints.
As you explore, use your camera to observe animal behavior and expand your personal wildlife lexicon. From elusive wolves and majestic eagles to mischievous raccoons, each species adds life to the park’s biological habitat.
Helping Visitors
Restoration
Documentation
But your job isn’t just about nature – it’s also about people. You’ll guide campers, check permits, respond to emergencies, and ensure that the park remains welcoming and safe.
Put on your ranger hat and begin your journey today in Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator.
Astragon Press Release:
Duesseldorf, Germany, October 6, 2025 – Protect, restore, discover. This is the motto of Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, the upcoming simulation title of publisher astragon Entertainment and developer To-Go Games – part of GRIP Studios. But what are the daily tasks and challenges that await players when they step into the boots of a national park ranger?
Today’s gameplay trailer gives a first impression of life in beautiful Faremont National Park.
Faremont National Park will keep you busy!
In Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, players start their day in their very own rustic cabin, which is part of the park’s ranger village, and off-limits to regular visitors. From here, they can set out to tackle the various tasks that await them during their day – either by car or on foot.
Next to main missions like opening trails or repairing important infrastructure, their radio will keep coming to life in regular callouts and inform them about littering, broken signs, picknick tables or benches and damage to the trails – for example from fallen trees or branches following a rainstorm. While travelling through the park the rangers will also be asked for directions by hikers and provide information about landmarks and wildlife to visitors.
Let’s go camping!
Campsites are of course also an essential part of every national park experience: As a ranger the player will need to visit them regularly to keep them in good order (litter will attract wildlife such as racoons – or bears!) and check on the camping permits of visitors preparing to spend the night.
Preserve wildlife for the enjoyment of all!
Protecting nature is another important aspect of a ranger’s job. Using their ranger camera, players can observe and document encounters with a wide range of flora and fauna. From playful raccoons and majestic eagles to graceful deer and elusive wolves, each sighting adds a new educational entry to a growing personal wildlife lexicon. Completing entries will not only enable the player to answer questions from visitors but also add exhibition objects to the park’s museum, which is located in the visitor’s center near the entry. Later in the game, asking anglers for fishing permits and responding to urgent wildlife calls will also keep the ranger busy.
Early Access Begins Soon
Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator will launch in Early Access soon via Steam and the Epic Games Store with an already broad set of features, offering hours of engaging gameplay from day one. Throughout the Early Access phase, players can look forward to regular free content updates, with new tools, activities, and wildlife enhancements planned. The player community will play a crucial role in shaping the game’s further development through feedback and ideas.
Key Features:
• Step into the wild: Begin your ranger career in the stunning Faremont National Park
• Explore diverse biomes: Forests, meadows, and riversides await your protection
• Support and protect: Maintain trails, assist visitors, and respond to wildlife callouts
• Document wildlife: Discover over ten animal species with multiple subspecies
• Fill your lexicon: Document animals and plants with your ranger camera
• Drive with purpose: Use your ranger pickup to travel the park’s scenic roads
• Engage with visitors: Help hikers, check permits, and guide visitors to key locations
• Experience dynamic days: Day-dawn cycles, changing weather, and shifting tasks
• Choose your path: Select between Simulation and Casual settings to customize your play style
