What is a volunteer camp host job? A volunteer camp host job is an unpaid position at a public campground where hosts exchange labor, and some listings include an RV site. Federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, Army Corps, and National Park Service offer these positions through Volunteer.gov, requiring 20–40 hours per week.
Volunteer camp host positions offer everything you love about the workamping lifestyle — living surrounded by nature at a stunning campground — without requiring a traditional employment arrangement. Many volunteer hosts are offered an RV site, sometimes with hookups, in exchange for weekly hosting service; the site, hookups, hours, and any benefits depend on the listing. There's no formal paycheck, but some positions include a small daily stipend, reimbursed propane, entrance passes, or access to agency facilities and training.
Federal land management agencies are the largest source of volunteer camp host opportunities in the United States. The U.S. Forest Service manages over 8,000 developed campgrounds and relies almost entirely on volunteer hosts at many of its remote locations. The Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service all operate similar programs through Volunteer.gov.
Volunteer host positions are popular because of the scenery and the simplicity. Minimum stay commitments typically run 2–4 weeks, with many positions lasting a full season (May–October) or even year-round in warm-weather destinations.
These are volunteer positions on federally managed public lands. HitchPath is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Listings are sourced from Volunteer.gov. Always review the official listing before applying.