02/07/2026
Some of the first park rangers in America weren’t rangers at all. They were Buffalo Soldiers—Black Americans who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. These soldiers protected wildlife from poachers, built trails, and helped shape the foundations of our national parks.
Interior continues to preserve and honor the history of these first rangers at places like Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Fort Selden National Historic Site, Yosemite National Park and more.
We invite you to explore the numerous sites in the National Park System that have the distinction of possessing a history with these famed soldiers.