What are workamping jobs in Illinois? Workamping jobs in Illinois include camp host positions at state parks and national forests, volunteer host roles at BLM and Army Corps of Engineers sites, and paid seasonal positions at private RV parks and campgrounds. There are currently 17 open positions in Illinois.
Illinois offers a solid Midwest workamping season built around its rivers, state parks, and the forested hills of the south. Camp host and RV jobs gather at Starved Rock and other popular state parks, along the Mississippi and Illinois river systems, and across the Shawnee National Forest near the southern tip. Corps of Engineers lakes such as Rend and Carlyle add volunteer host roles. The season runs spring through fall, peaking in summer when boaters and hikers fill the campgrounds, with a strong autumn surge for fall color. Most positions trade gatehouse or grounds hours for a campsite, sometimes with hourly pay. Central location and easy interstate access make Illinois a convenient stopover for workampers moving between the eastern and western circuits.
17 workamping opportunities in Illinois — 4 paid jobs, 5 unpaid Volunteer.gov positions and 8 volunteer opportunities.
Commander, Navy Installations Command — Great Lakes, Illinois — $18.00/hr
This position is assigned to the Recreation Division; Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). Performs a variety of duties in support of the MWR Community Recreation program that may include special events, recreation information/resources, command events, …
Commander, Navy Installations Command — Great Lakes, Illinois — $15.00/hr
This position is located at the Great Lakes Marina Lake Front, Recreation Division, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department, Naval Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. The purpose of this position is to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Lake Front facilities.
National Park Service — Springfield, IL
Volunteer will: · work with NPS staff to help staff tables and represent NEPH/SPRA/LIHO to the general public and school groups · provide general information about the parks · maintain outreach materials · track and report number of interactions. · Appropriate…
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Shelbyville, IL
Approximately 20 hours of volunteer labor per person each week. Schedule will be provided upon interest. Duties include cleaning of houses following reservations. A predetermined full hook-up campsite is provided in exchange for volunteer hours worked.
Commander, Navy Installations Command — Great Lakes, Illinois — $18.00/hr – $19.00/hr
All positions assigned to the NAF Fleet and Family Readiness Programs, NAVSTA Great Lakes. Will perform a variety of duties to support the MWR Program; either at The Liberty Program . Duties will vary based on the location assigned, but may include assistance with special events, programs, resale/re…
National Park Service — Springfield, IL
Be the face of the Lincoln Home! As a Visitor Center Front Desk Docent volunteers will greet visitors from all over the world! Volunteers distribute tour tickets for the home, answer questions, provide directions to other Springfield sites, and provide great customer service. Volunteer shifts are ty…
National Park Service — Springfield, IL
Help educate visitors about Abraham Lincoln and the only home he ever owned! Volunteer will research, develop, and present interpretive Lincoln Home tours for a variety of audiences such as school groups, community groups, organized motor coach groups, and the general public. Volunteer will: Gu…
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Benton, IL
Background: The USACE Rend Lake Project operates a full-service Visitor Center year-round. Visitor Center Volunteer Attendant services are employed at the Visitor Center to supplement government employee administration. Visitor Center Attendants interact with visitors and Rend Lake operations and…
Commander, Navy Installations Command — Great Lakes, Illinois — $18.00/hr
All positions assigned to the NAF Fleet and Family Readiness Programs, NAVSTA Great Lakes. Will perform a variety of duties to support the MWR Program; at the Specialty Retail Program . Duties will vary based on the location assigned, but may include assistance with special events, programs, resale/…
Also includes 5 unpaid Volunteer.gov positions in Illinois.
US Forest Service — Harrisburg, IL — Free campsite + $100/week
Maintain trails and host campgrounds in the Shawnee NF, known for Garden of the Gods and dramatic sandstone formations. Assist visitors and perform light maintenance.
US Army Corps of Engineers — Shelbyville, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Lake Shelbyville, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Greet visitors, assist with boat ramp operations, provide water safety information, and maintain campground facilities.
US Army Corps of Engineers — Carlyle, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Carlyle Lake, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Greet visitors, assist with boat ramp operations, provide water safety information, and maintain campground facilities.
US Army Corps of Engineers — Benton, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Rend Lake, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Greet visitors, assist with boat ramp operations, provide water safety information, and maintain campground facilities.
US Fish & Wildlife Service — Marion, IL — Free RV site with hookups
Monitor and survey wildlife at Crab Orchard NWR, southern Illinois lake and forest. Species focus: Canada geese and white-tailed deer. Assist visitors with nature programs and environmental education.
Illinois DNR — Oglesby, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Starved Rock SP, known for 18 canyons and waterfalls along the Illinois River. Greet campers, provide park information, assist with check-ins, and perform light maintenance.
Illinois DNR — Makanda, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Giant City SP, known for massive sandstone formations in the Shawnee Hills. Greet campers, provide park information, assist with check-ins, and perform light maintenance.
Illinois DNR — Grafton, IL — Free full-hookup site
Host campground at Pere Marquette SP, known for bluff-top views at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi. Greet campers, provide park information, assist with check-ins, and perform light maintenance.
See workamping statistics for state-by-state job counts and seasonal hiring trends across all 50 states.