You go to bed as the sun sets, have dinner by the light of the moon and stars, fall asleep to the sound of crickets, and wake up to the glow of the sunrise, casting a rainbow from a massive 2,425-foot waterfall… Sounds beautiful, right?
This dream-like scene could become your reality, as the National Park Service (NPS) is now recruiting summer campground hosts for parks across the United States. There are 60 positions available at locations ranging from Devil’s Tower to Bryce Canyon, North Cascades, and Lake Mead, including two well-known California parks.
Yosemite National Park
Volunteers are needed to serve as camp hosts at five remote High Sierra campgrounds along Big Oak Flat and Tioga Roads and at Bridalveil Creek on Glacier Point Road. Hosts will receive a uniform and a campsite with a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker, and are responsible for check-ins, answering visitor questions, and handling minor issues.
📆 When: June 15 – October 15, 2026.
Mojave National Preserve
A camp host position is available at the 35-site Hole-in-the-Wall Campground for someone able to commit to at least three months. The host site includes water and sewage (no electricity), with free laundry ¾ mile away. Duties include supporting campground operations, patrolling trails, and occasionally assisting at the visitor center, and hosts should be prepared for heat, strong winds, and occasional snow.
📆 When: February – May 31, 2026
What the Job Involves
Most campground host positions are unpaid, with compensation consisting of a free campsite or RV hookup. Each role has different requirements depending on the park. Hosts typically spend most of the day outdoors, keeping campsites and fire pits clean, performing light maintenance, restocking restrooms, and assisting visitors with check-in.
According to National Parks Traveler volunteers will be stationed at campgrounds along Big Oak Flat, Tioga Roads, and Bridalveil Creek on Glacier Point Road in the High Sierras. Campsites include a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker, and hosts also receive shirts, hats, jackets, and a name tag.
How to Apply
First, create a profile on Volunteer.gov. Unlike typical federal jobs, campground host positions aren’t part of a general pool, so you apply directly to specific listings at individual parks. There’s no official deadline, but popular locations like Yosemite fill up quickly, so submit your application as soon as possible.