River Rover and Trail Trekker Volunteers

RIVER ROVER & TRAIL TREKKER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Every summer, visitors from across the country are drawn to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) to experience towering trees, magnificent mountain peaks, and cool, refreshing rivers. Many seek relief from the Central Valley’s triple-digit temperatures, which can sometimes lead to unsafe decisions. Within the parks, rivers present the greatest hazard, and drowning remains the leading cause of visitor fatalities.

The River Rover and Trail Trekker Volunteer Program helps reduce these incidents by training volunteers to connect directly with visitors where they recreate. Volunteers rove high-use areas and trails during peak visitation periods from April through October, educating visitors about recreational safety, preventing water-related accidents, and fostering stewardship of park resources. These positions do not involve swift-water rescue.

A required in-person training session is scheduled for June 20, 2026, from 9 am to 2 pm at park headquarters in Three Rivers, CA. Park housing is not available. This opportunity is ideal for volunteers from neighboring communities who are interested in spending time outdoors, meeting new people, and making a real difference at SEKI. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply soon to expedite the selection, onboarding, and training process.

KEY RESPONSBILITIES

River Rovers and Trail Trekkers

• Encourage park stewardship by collecting litter, distributing trash bags, and sharing Leave No Trace principles
• Serve as a point of contact for visitor questions and provide information about recreational opportunities and safety considerations throughout the park
• Track visitor contacts and conditions to help inform park visitor use patterns and resource management needs
• Report emergencies and illegal or unsafe activity to park dispatch by radio

River Rovers

• Rove high-use river access trails, making visitor contacts and providing information on river hazards and safe recreational practices
• Work primarily along lower-elevation river access areas, especially the Kaweah River near park headquarters in Three Rivers and the Kings River in Cedar Grove
• Please note that summer temperatures in these areas regularly exceed 100°F

Trail Trekkers

• Trek high-use day-hiking trails in the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas of Sequoia National Park
• Work at elevations of approximately 6,000–7,000 feet
• Focus on frontcountry, high-visitation trails (no backcountry travel required) to best support visitor needs

REQUIREMENTS, COMMITMENTS, & SCHEDULES

Volunteer Seasons

• River Rovers: April–October
• Trail Trekkers: Year-round

Service Commitment

• Minimum of 8 volunteer service hours per month, with priority availability on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
• Service hour requirements do not need to be completed in a single shift and may be served as time allows
• Additional service beyond 8 hours per month is welcomed and appreciated

Volunteer-Provided Items

• Brown/khaki pants and appropriate footwear
• Housing is not available.

BENEFITS AND PARK-PROVIDED ITEMS

• Volunteer uniform items (e.g., uniform shirt, brimmed hat, applicable outerwear, etc.)
• Safety equipment (e.g., safety vest, first aid kit, trash grabber, etc.)
• Annual training on roving/trekking guidelines, park policy, safety, and radio use
• Free park admission on active volunteer service days
• The opportunity to join an incredible team dedicated to helping keep Sequoia and Kings Canyon safe, welcoming, and beautiful for all visitors