By Cheri Sicard
Have you ever thought about becoming a camp host in a national forest or a state or national park? Have you wondered just how much work you would have to do in exchange for a free campsite for the season? Or, depending on the position, a free campsite plus a paycheck?
In the video below from Livingit, our host shares his duties as a campground host and gives us some firsthand insight into what the job is like.
In the video, we get to go along while our host performs his duties at his national forest camp host job in Colorado, and he talks about what he likes about the position and his nomadic life.
He says that one of the most important parts of the job is simply providing an official presence at the campground, as people are less likely to vandalize or act out if there is a campground host on duty.
I sure hope this is a paid position, as it looks like quite a bit of work to me. There are 64 campsites spread over a large area. I do know of other unpaid camp host positions with far fewer duties.
Camp host duties as outlined in the video
• Check and empty the “iron rangers.” These are the metal tubes where campers deposit their envelopes with campsite fees.
• After collecting the fees, the camp host logs each campsite, fee, and camper, in case there ends up being damage to the campsite.
• Inspect the campsites for theft or damage. For instance, in the video, one of the campsite signs had been shot. (Yikes! I am not sure I would want to stay there.) The host also looks for hazards like low-hanging branches and alerts the forest service when any are found.
• Clean the campsites. This includes checking the fire pit, picking up trash and even micro-trash, meaning small bits of paper or cigarette butts, and raking around the fire pit and tent pad.
• Check the bathrooms and clean when necessary.
• Answer questions from campers.
Watch the video to learn more.
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RVDT2751
My husband and I have volunteered at Big Cypress National Preserve, LBJ National Historical Park and as campground hosts at Lock Rock in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We find our gigs through Volunteer.Gov. There are all kinds of opportunities. We like to work in “Interpretation”, but did enjoy our camp hosting at Lock Rock. For a more detailed look at our time in Big Cypress, Here’s my blog post about it. https://chambersontheroad.com/2024/04/01/goodbye-big-cypress/
My husband and I have hosted at a CO State Park and a National Park. Every place has different duties. We never had to handle money and I refuse to clean bathrooms or toilets. When you apply read carefully the requirements and during the interview go over the duties. Also, if a site is provided be sure your rv will fit in and it has the amenities you need.
To be realistic, every location is going to be a bit different. Some gigs you work for your stay while others are paid positions and you pay for your stay. Very important to do your research about the location through the volunteer coordinators to make sure it is something you want to do. You may have to attend daily morning meetings at 7am or maintain busy bathrooms. You should know that bathrooms and trash are not as nice as you may think. Just do your homework first before taking on the position. By the way, you may be sharing duties with other hosts that may be slugs and leave all the dirty work for you.