Camp Host (Watchman Campground) 2027 - Zion National Park

Become a Campground Host at Zion National Park (ZION)!

Directions for Application

ZION is looking for an individual or couple to serve as Camp Host(s) for Watchman Campground.

This position application is for a 9-12 week duration (with preference for 12 weeks) in January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027. This position is available to 1 individual or 1 couple.

Couples who apply must have individual Volunteer.gov accounts and apply separately. (Onboarding paperwork will be completed through Volunteer.gov and separate accounts are required).

At this time, this position is not open to international applicants.

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Site Description

Zion Canyon is known for its dynamic geologic history and Watchman Campground is no exception. Named for the rocky peak that rises above it, the campground is surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs that glow red and orange during sunrise and sunset. The Virgin River, a narrow but powerful river that has carved out the canyon over time, runs adjacent to the campground. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Hikers can access three trails directly from the facility: the Watchman Trail, the Archeology Trail, and the Pa'rus Trail.

Watchman Campground is located next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, 0.25 miles away from the South Entrance in Springdale, UT. From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Plaza, seasonal (March - December) shuttle buses ferry visitors up-canyon towards the Temple of Sinawava and into the town of Springdale at no cost. The town of Springdale has shopping, restaurants, a grocery store, gas stations, art galleries, and a public library. Throughout the year, concerts, festivals, and parades are held in the town.

Watchman Campground remains open all year. All tent, electric, and group sites include a place for a tent or RV, picnic table, and access to a fire ring. Other features include cell phone reception, trash/recycling collection, a dump station, potable water, flush toilets, and year-round staff onsite. There are no shower or laundry facilities in the campground. These amenities can be found in the town of Springdale.

All campsites require a prior reservation made on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Sites include:

• 95 campsites with electrical hookups.
• 69 tent only campsites with a combined vehicle length of 19' (5.8m).
• 18 tent only, walk-in campsites. (Located a short distance from vehicle parking areas).
• 6 group campsites that can accommodate 9-40 campers.
• A few accessible sites both with electric and non-electric sites available.

Campground Rules and Regulations:

• Reservations must be made in advance through Recreation.gov.
• The campsite fees range from $35 -130.
• Food must be stored in a vehicle or a hard-sided lockable container any time it is not directly supervised. Store trash in the same way or dispose of in receptacles provided at each site. Feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited. 
• Checkout time is 11:00 AM MT. 
• Check-in is 12:00 PM MT. 
• Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM-8:00 AM. 
• Generators are not permitted at any time.
• Fires are permitted only in the furnished grates at each site. Wood gathering is prohibited in the park. Fires should never be left unattended until completely extinguished with water and cool to the touch. Campers are responsible for understanding current fire restrictions. 
• Pets are allowed in developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and roadways within the park. Pets must be properly restrained at all times within the park. Excrement must be picked up and properly disposed of in all areas of the park. Pets are not permitted on park trails other than the Pa'rus trail in Zion Canyon.

Zion National Park has vehicle size limits on the road between the East Entrance of the park and the campgrounds. Vehicles that exceed any of the size or weight limits outlined below will not be permitted to drive between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance.

• Height Limit: 11'-4" (3.45 m)
• Width Limit: 7'-10" (2.39 m)
• Length Limit:
  • Single vehicles without trailers/"pull-behinds": 35'-9" (10.9 m)
  • Combined vehicles (for example, a truck with a trailer): 50'-0" (15.24 m)
    • Trailer length cannot exceed 26' (7.92 m) from hitch to rear axle.
• Weight Limit: 50,000 lbs (22,680 kg)

Service Description

The camp host(s) provide a valuable point of contact for visitors in the campground. While on-duty and in-uniform, campground hosts are an official representative of the National Park Service. Campground hosts duties include but are not limited to:

• Roving the campground throughout the day between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm.
• Assisting campers finding campsites and/or reminding them about check-out times.
• Educating visitors on campground regulations.
• Providing a variety of visitor information on the shuttle system, Ranger and Jr Ranger programs, backcountry permits, hiking, and/or other activities within the park.
• Checking interagency passes at the pedestrian River Entrance.
• This position does not include law enforcement duties. Camp host(s) should report any suspected violations to appropriate law enforcement officials.

Campground hosts work 7 out of 14 days: 3 days on duty, 4 days off duty one week. 4 days on duty, 3 days off duty the other week. ZION has 3 Watchman Campground Camp Hosts (individual or couple) at the same time on a rotational schedule.

Housing

Watchman Campground Camp Host(s) must have the use of a personal RV, camping trailer, or camper. RVs or other forms of housing will not be provided by the park. Camp Hosts will be provided with a parking pad, campsite, and hookups at no cost. Camp Hosts are permitted to have pets.

Site Dimensions:

• One (1) site has a 50' x 15' parking pad (maximum vehicle length 50') and a 42' x 22' campsite next to the parking pad.
• Two (2) sites have 74' x 23' parking pads (maximum vehicle length 74') and a 30' x 12' campsite next to the parking pad. The larger sites have partial shade in the morning.
• All Camp Host sites have water, sewer, and power (50 amp) hookups.
• Camp Hosts are not guaranteed to be stationed at a specific campsite. Campsites will be determined by availability at the time of arrival.

Applicant Qualifications

• Selectee(s) must be available for 3 months or 9-10 weeks within the time period of January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027.
• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or legal residents.
• Applicant(s) must possess strong customer service and communication skills.
• Selectee(s) will be relied upon to autonomously represent park policies.
• Applicant(s) must have a smart phone that can support an authenticator app (ex. Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator) or a facial recognition reader. This must be used to log in to Recreation.gov.