Calling all adventurers: Iowa wants you as a camp host!

In the classic 1960’s musical The Music Man, Iowa residents suggest just how welcoming they are to outsiders. “But what the heck, you’re welcome, join us at the picnic. You can eat your fill of all the food you bring yourself. You really ought to give Iowa a try.” Well, modern reality says Iowa folk are indeed welcoming, and Iowa aims to prove it. Iowa wants campground hosts!

Iowa campground hosts needed for 2025 – Apply now

The Iowa DNR is seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season. If you enjoy camping and meeting new people, this may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

Campground hosts work alongside DNR staff to help clean and beautify the park, ensure reservations are up-to-date and accurate, and assist visitors in a welcoming and helpful manner. Actual duties vary based on each park’s individual needs.

In this volunteer position, hosts are provided a free campsite and live in the park for one to five months during the summer season. Hosts volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week, often including weekends and holidays, while living on-site in their own camper.

Each park’s camping experience is unique: some are rural and rustic; others are in popular tourism areas; some have small campgrounds; and many are hubs of activity, especially on peak weekends. In addition, assigned lengths of stay are dependent on each park’s needs for the upcoming season.

Multiple locations need hosts

Parks currently needing hosts include these:

• Backbone – needs hosts for 2 campgrounds (Delaware County)

• Bellevue (Jackson County)

• Clear Lake – 2 slots available (Cerro Gordo County)

• Geode (Henry County)

• Lewis and Clark (Monona County)

• McIntosh Woods (Cerro Gordo County)

• Pilot Knob (Winnebago County)

• Pine Lake (Hardin County)

• Prairie Rose (Shelby County)

• Red Haw (Lucas County)

• Stephens State Forest (Lucas County)

• Union Grove (Tama County)

• Walnut Woods (Polk County)

• Wapsipinicon (Jones County)

To learn more about a park’s unique experience and needs, please contact the individual state park office; a list of parks and their contact information can be found here. Or for general inquiries about campground host opportunities, email: iowa.stateparks@dnr.iowa.gov

Additional information about volunteering and applying for a campground host position is available here. The list of parks needing campground hosts can change, so please check back to that web page regularly for additional opportunities.

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