Ranger Ashley Audette

Park Ranger Ashley Audette’s journey to the South Carolina State Park Service was not a straight path—but one guided by curiosity, courage, and a deep love for nature. Now the Park Ranger II at Barnwell State Park, Ashley brings enthusiasm and heart to every part of her role.

Originally from the rural town of Lyndon, Vermont, Ashley swapped snowy winters for the South Carolina sunshine in 2015, arriving in Hilton Head for an internship that ended up being a turning point in her life. “I never moved back,” she says.

Ashley’s educational path first took her through the culinary world. She earned a degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, with a concentration in Beverage Service Management. But years later, after managing restaurants and working long hours indoors, she realized it wasn’t her true calling. She returned to school to earn a degree in Environmental Education from Southern New Hampshire University, setting the stage for her next chapter.

That next chapter began with a cross-country road trip. “I was working in restaurants when I took a month-long trip to decide where I wanted to live and what I wanted to do with my life,” Ashley explains. After visiting national treasures like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, she returned to South Carolina inspired. “I decided I really wanted to stay in South Carolina, but that I wanted to be a Park Ranger. That was April of 2021, and by August of the same year I was hired on at Table Rock."

Ashley started as an Assistant Ranger at Table Rock State Park and was later promoted to Ranger II at Barnwell State Park, where she currently serves. Her day-to-day is as varied as the landscape she stewards. “There is no such thing as a 'day-to-day' as a park ranger.  Every day looks completely different.  One day I may be cleaning cabins, and the next I could be cutting grass.  I could be repairing a broken water line on Friday, then putting on a huge Halloween Event on Saturday. ” What remains consistent is her interaction with guests, answering questions and helping visitors make the most of their time in the park.

One of Ashley’s favorite aspects of her role is leading programs and events. At a small park like Barnwell, her work is deeply connected to the local community. “I get to see faces I recognize that come out to a lot of my events, and I get to see how my work impacts them directly,” she says.

She recalls a favorite memory: speaking to a local moms’ group where she handed out boat rental coupons. One mother insisted she’d never use it—she didn’t like boats or trails. But a few weeks later, that same woman appeared at the park office with her sons, asking for help boarding a pedal boat. “She was nervous going out, but when they came back, she had a huge smile on her face,” Ashley recalls. “They had a picnic after their boat ride and really seemed to enjoy their day. It was incredibly rewarding to be a part of that memory being made.”

Of course, not every day is picture perfect. “The hardest thing has been dealing with guests when they are not having the best experience,” she shares. “We always want people to enjoy their time at our parks, and it is hard when someone doesn’t. I always try to make sure everyone has the best day here.”

Still, Ashley says the joys outweigh the challenges. She finds humor and connection in events like “Sponge Dodge,” a popular game similar to dodgeball, during the park’s summer holiday events. “It turns out that young kids REALLY like to throw wet, soggy sponges at park rangers dressed in full uniform!” she says. “I usually end up soaked by the end.”

Whether it’s sharing a quiet moment on the lake, wrangling soggy sponges, or answering a guest’s question at the park office, Ashley brings both energy and compassion to her work. Ashley sums up her job with a simple phrase: “Expect the unexpected.” When asked what advice she’d give to someone interested in becoming a ranger, she says:

"Be prepared for some long hard days, but be prepared for rewarding days as well.  Even on your worst day at the park, you can always stop and look around, and remember that you are in one of the state’s most beautiful places.  I had a mentor once tell me to take the time to enjoy your park.  Enjoy the things you may accidentally take for granted because you see them every day, like the birds, fishing in the pond behind the office, or the sound of the frogs at night."  

Though she’s not yet an Ultimate Outsider, Ashley and her boyfriend have started collecting stamps from the parks they explore together. “I have been to quite a few parks for work-related things, but my boyfriend and I just recently started getting our stamps.  I’ve decided to only get a stamp if we both went and enjoyed something at the park… So we have a long way to go! But it makes for great date days!” she says, adding, "I am most looking forward to going to Huntington Beach.  That is one park that I have never been to personally or professionally, so I am excited to check it out."

From culinary school to campground maintenance, she’s charted an unconventional, but deeply fulfilling course. And it’s clear that she’s right where she’s meant to be, especially after being recognized as Ranger of the Year in 2024. Thank you, Ashley, for your hard work and dedication to the state park service! 

Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current full-time job openings!