Fall 2026 Campground Host Volunteer – Chiricahua National Monument

Come Camp in the Heart of Chiricahua!

Would you like to spend a season camped beneath the breathtaking pinnacles of Chiricahua National Monument, surrounded by towering rock formations, pine and oak forests, and the unique wildlife of the Sky Islands?

Chiricahua National Monument is looking for a friendly, dependable, and outgoing volunteer to serve as a Campground Host in our 25-site Bonita Canyon Campground.

Located at approximately 5,400 feet in elevation along Bonita Creek, Bonita Canyon is a beautiful place to call home for a few months. During your time here, you may encounter coati, javelina, deer, birds, and other wildlife unique to the Sky Island region right outside your campsite.

When you're not working, you can explore the park's spectacular hiking trails, enjoy the area's dark skies, watch wildlife, or simply relax beneath the pines.

About the Position

Campground hosts are an important part of the visitor experience at Chiricahua. You will be one of the first points of contact for many visitors and will help campers have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable stay.

Typical duties include:

• Placing campground tags at occupied sites each morning.
• Using Recreation.gov to monitor campground reservations and identify arriving and departing campers.
• Welcoming visitors and answering questions about camping, trails, facilities, and the park.
• Providing information about park rules, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.
• Helping visitors understand what to expect while camping at Chiricahua.
• Observing campground conditions and communicating maintenance or safety concerns to park staff.
• Working with park staff to help keep the campground welcoming and visitor-ready.
• Serving as a friendly representative of the National Park Service.
• Assisting with other campground-related duties as needed.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys meeting people, spending time outdoors, exploring national parks, and being part of a small park team.

Timeframe & Schedule

September 7 – November 30, 2026

Campground hosts volunteer 32 hours per week, generally working a 4-days-on/3-days-off schedule. Partial weekend coverage is required.

Training

You don't need to be a National Park Service expert to be successful in this position!

Volunteers will receive training from the supervisor and other park staff based on their previous NPS experience and familiarity with campground operations.

Candidates who are new to the National Park Service may receive a week of training. Online training webinars and workshops may also be provided for required and supplemental learning.

A background check is required for this volunteer position.

Your Campsite & Amenities

Candidates must have a fully contained van, RV, or motorhome under 30 feet in length to be considered for this position.

The National Park Service provides a free full-hookup campsite at no cost to the volunteer.

The site includes:

• Electricity
• Water
• Sewer
• Wi-Fi

Volunteers also have access to:

• Laundry facilities
• Employee gym
• Employee swimming pool

The volunteer must provide their own RV, van, or motorhome. The National Park Service does not provide an RV or other housing.

Cell phone coverage in the park is limited, so volunteers should be comfortable spending time in a relatively remote environment.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Friendly and welcoming with visitors.
• Dependable and able to work independently.
• Comfortable spending most of their workday outdoors.
• Comfortable answering questions and providing information to visitors.
• Able to work as part of a small team.
• Interested in learning about Chiricahua and sharing the park with others.
• Physically able to walk approximately one mile per day while performing campground duties.

Life at Chiricahua

Chiricahua is more than just a place to work — it's a place to experience.

Imagine starting your morning with a walk through a campground surrounded by towering rock formations. You might spot a coati moving through the trees, hear a variety of birds, or encounter other wildlife that makes the Sky Island region so special.

After your shift, you can hit the trails, explore the park, enjoy spectacular sunsets, or spend a quiet evening beneath some of southern Arizona's darkest skies.

If you love the outdoors, enjoy meeting people, and have ever dreamed of spending a few months living in one of America's special places, we'd love to hear from you!

Learn More

Learn more about Chiricahua National Monument at www.nps.gov/chir.

Come spend the fall beneath the pinnacles of Chiricahua National Monument and help us welcome visitors from around the world!