Rough Ridge Rover - Blue Ridge Parkway

The National Park Service is recruiting volunteers to join its Rough Ridge Rover program. These volunteers hike the Rough Ridge section of the Tanawha Trail located at milepost 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway promoting its responsible use in order to protect sensitive plant communities. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per month in 4-hour shifts for the duration of the season.

Major Duties

Volunteer will hike the Tanawha Trail from the trailhead at the Rough Ridge Parking lot to the 

popular Ship Rock area, engaging with park visitors and serving as the “eyes and ears” at the 

location to better protect park resources.

• Volunteer will provide information to visitors as needed regarding remaining on established trails 

and in established viewing areas; resource information; littering; as well as information about not 

feeding and approaching wildlife. Many park visitors are not aware of park regulations. The role 

of the volunteer is to inform park visitors about regulations in a respectful, courteous manner. 

The volunteer is NOT responsible for ensuring that visitors comply with regulations. 

• Participant will complete a daily patrol report using an NPS-provided form. Form should be 

submitted in a timely manner.

• Volunteer may support other resource management related tasks as needed including, recording 

natural resource observations and data, brushing in social trails and maintaining trail counters.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Hiking distances up to miles per day on a trail rated moderate to strenuous

• Standing or walking for periods up to 4 hours per day

• Lifting loads or carrying backpacks weighing up to 25 pounds

• Ability to educate the public about park rules in a polite and professional manner