I'm a former park ranger. I always saw visitors make these 5 mistakes at state and national parks.

Over a six-year period, I worked at both state and national parks. Danielle Jackson

• Over the last six years, I worked as a park ranger at US state and national parks.
• I saw guests make common mistakes when visiting the parks, like assuming they'll have cell service.

I've always had a fascination when it came to state and national parks. Growing up, I visited parks like the Grand Canyon and spent a lot of time camping in small, local parks.

In 2017, I received my undergraduate degree in geology and began my career as an intern at a National Parks Service site.

I also spent a season working at a state park in California.

However, I dreamed of being able to wear the coveted flat hat and get my foot in the door as a park ranger. Eventually, that dream became a reality in 2021 when I became a park ranger at my first national park.

Since then, I've worked for many different state and national parks.

Here are five common mistakes I saw guests make while visiting the parks.