Camp Hosting in Colorado State Parks

Camp Hosting in Colorado State Parks

Per year, the Colorado State Park system engages 4000-6000 volunteers. This is an outstanding number and shows that this is a program to be a part of. There are tons of volunteer positions, but the most popular is the campground host position. 

This is a volunteer-only position, but you will be rewarded with a free campsite during your volunteer post. You will also receive a free State Parks pass, a uniform, and the ability to train and be a part of this awesome program. 

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

“We are the river.” That’s the catchphrase for fun and adventure at this recreation area along one of the most popular whitewater boating rivers in the United States, which also features the longest continuous (100+ miles) Gold Medal fishing waters in Colorado!

Summer weekends can be very busy on the river, so plan your whitewater adventure for a weekday if possible or visit the recreation area in the spring or fall when fishing is at its best!

Experienced whitewater boaters can bring their own raft, kayak, whitewater canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, and for those less experienced there are a number of professional outfitters with skilled guides who can help facilitate your experience down the river. From Leadville to Lake Pueblo a range of whitewater awaits, from Class II and III for beginner and family trips to roaring Class IV and V rapids for the adventure-minded. Check the AHRA website for river conditions and a list of licensed outfitters.

For those more interested in land-based recreation, there’s plenty to do along the river’s winding course. Walk & wade anglers can try their luck in the Gold Medal waters. Others might want to pan for gold at the river’s edge, rock climb in steep-walled canyons, enjoy a picnic lunch, or watch for wildlife along the river and amid the gentle valleys and high mountains.

In addition, there are eight campgrounds and numerous recreation sites along the river within the AHRA that also provide a variety of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or jumping-off points that provide access to hundreds of thousands of acres of motorized OHV trails.

Camp host duties include:

• Maintain departures and arrivals
• Answer guest questions
• Preparing campsites
• Informing guests of campground rules
• Assisting visitors
• Light maintenance duties like firepits, litter, and weeding
• Light housekeeping in restrooms

Barr Lake

Birds. They’re the headliners at Barr Lake, a mecca for birdwatchers from throughout the West. 371 species of birds have been sighted here, and records date back to the 1880s. Visitors can see bird banding in action at the migration-season banding station.

Many bald eagles spend winter in the area and one pair regularly nests here in summer, raising young in a tree at the water’s edge. A visit might start with a stop at the nature center and a talk with a naturalist. Circling the lake on the level 8.8-mile, multi-use trail, much of it through a designated wildlife refuge, is a good way to see the park, particularly by bicycle or horseback. Several wildlife-viewing stations interpret the park’s wildlife and offer good places to stop and watch for birds, deer, coyotes, and other wildlife, both on water and on land.

This 1,900-acre prairie reservoir on the northeast side of Denver makes a great family fishing adventure or weekend picnic spot. Anglers can catch channel catfish, small and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, walleye, bluegill, wiper, and tiger muskie in the lake.

Kayakers and canoeists particularly enjoy the calm waters because boat motors are limited to 10 horsepower. The archery range — free with a park entrance — is another fun activity. The archery range features 12 lanes from 10–60 yards. Classes on basic archery are occasionally offered. There is a 3D walking archery range.

Although there are no campgrounds in this park, they do have resident volunteers who assist in daily needs. You will be provided with full hookups.

Campground host duties

• General maintenance
• Serve at the nature center
• Entrance attendant
• support aquatic nuisance species (ANS) boat inspector

Camp Hosting Jobs in Colorado State Parks

Currently accepting hosts for the 2023 season! All are welcome to apply from solos to families, remote workers, or retirees. Must have a fully self-contained unit as there are no hookups available. Pets are welcome too!

Boyd Lake

Colorful sailboats skimming blue water. Ski boats and jet skis cut the waves. Canoes paddling the lake edge. All against a stunning mountain backdrop. That’s the scene at Boyd Lake, a 1,747-acre water-sports haven lying between the plains and the mountains at the very foot of snow-capped Long’s Peak.

Power zones for water skiing, wakeboarding, and riding personal watercraft and no-wake zones for paddle sports, fishing, and “floating” offer an enjoyable boating experience for all types of users. The campground features 148 paved, pull-through sites; it’s a perfect spot for a getaway focused around the water.

Anglers have the chance to hook white, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, walleye, and yellow perch. There’s a beach for sunbathing, sand play, and a swimming pavilion. The marina is open seasonally, offering mooring slips, boat and watercraft rental, and a store that sells fishing supplies and groceries.

For a breakaway from the water, visitors can hike, picnic, watch wildlife, hunt in-season, and bike along a paved, lake-edge trail that links to the City of Loveland trail system. Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash. Located an hour north of Denver, Boyd Lake is a great destination for residents all along the northern Front Range

Now accepting campground hosts for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Office support
• Provide guest information
• Computer skills
• Sell park passes
• Gate attendant
• Basic math skills

Visitor Services also has a need for a workamper! A campsite will be provided for those from out of town.

Visitor Services duties:

• Customer service
• Data entry
• Greet guests
• Cleaning
• Painting
• Organizing
• Assisting other parts of the park
• Other duties as needed

Brush (Area 3)

This beautiful reservoir is located on the eastern plains between Crook and Sedgwick. Jumbo Reservoir is known for a wide range of recreational activities from boating and waterskiing to bird watching and hunting. Hiking and photography are also a draw to this area.

But if fishing is your thing, then this is your place. It’s got crappie, perch, catfish, and bluegill and is even home to one of the best walleye fisheries in the state.

The site has 100 designated primitive campsites over 4 campgrounds in the area.

Currently accepting campground hosts for the 2023 season. Pairs and individuals are welcome and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:Campground clean up

• Spray weeds
• Campground clean up
• mowing
• clean restrooms
• Assists campers
• Campsite clean up
• Other tasks as needed

Castlewood Canyon

A dramatic, steep-walled canyon etched into the Colorado prairie is the focus of this park along Cherry Creek. The diversity of the landscape delights visitors and creates a habitat for a great variety of wildlife. Cherry Creek winds along the canyon bottom with riparian communities of willows and cottonwoods along its banks. The rock-tumbled canyon walls, with differing natural communities on the shaded versus sunny sides, rise upward to caprock and grassy uplands.

A designated Colorado Natural Area, the park offers outstanding bird and wildlife watching. Species include turkey vultures, bluebirds, canyon wrens, golden eagles, prairie falcons, coyotes, rabbits, foxes, bears, and numerous reptiles and amphibians. Geology lovers will discover a “rock layer cake” with rock as old as 56 million years. Fourteen miles of trails, from easy to strenuous, traverse the park.

Rock climbers will discover walls up to 60 feet high and canyon-face climbing for all skill levels. The canyon’s scenic beauty makes it a popular site for weddings and gatherings, particularly at the natural amphitheater and the Bridge Canyon Overlook gazebo.

There are dramatic traces of human history as well, including the remnants of a homestead and the Castlewood Dam, which burst in 1933, causing major flooding through Denver. There is no biking allowed on trails in this day-use park. Pets are allowed on most trails but must be kept on a leash.

Ways to volunteer:

• Weed Warriors- keeping the landscape maintained. This position requires digging, pulling, being outside, and weed cutting.
• Visitor Services- greeting and providing guest information
• Trail Work- help maintain the trails

Chatfield

Fun on land and water. That’s the draw at this park along the South Platte River where it flows out of the mountains onto the prairie at the mouth of Waterton Canyon. The meeting of multiple habitats makes Chatfield a great spot for bird watching, with 345 documented species, including bald eagles, American white pelicans, and burrowing owls. Deer, elk, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, prairie dogs, and numerous reptiles and amphibians inhabit the park.

The reservoir is a popular destination for swimming, fishing, water and jet skiing, sailing, and boating of all kinds, especially on warm weekends. This is one of the most popular parks in the Denver metro area, so plan ahead. Amenities include four campgrounds, boat rentals, a floating restaurant, and a marina.

Chatfield offers 26 miles of trails (12 of them paved) for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Horses can be rented at Chatfield Stables and riding is restricted to the park perimeter. Pets are allowed on trails but must be on a leash. There’s a model airplane field and a 69-acre dog off-leash area. Many mornings, colorful hot air balloons rise from the park and winter offers ice fishing for dedicated anglers.

Campground hosts receive a full hookup site, coin laundry, WiFi, and a free State Park Pass. This season is full but it never hurts to apply for the waiting list.

Campground host duties:

• Gate attendant
• Campground maintenance
• Campground office
• Other tasks as needed

Cherry Creek

Surrounded by the Denver metro area, Cherry Creek offers a recreational oasis amid the hectic urban world. Almost any day, the park’s 35 miles of multi-use trails, including 15 miles of paved trails, are abuzz with walkers, hikers, bikers, inline skaters, and families on outings.

In winter there might be snowshoers or cross-country skiers. The cool waters of Cherry Creek Reservoir attract water skiers, anglers, and boaters of all kinds. The top-notch fishing offers walleye, trout, crappie, bass, perch, bluegill, and more. Families crowd the swim beach on warm weekends. The campground boasts 133 newly renovated, modern campsites.

Other amenities, some of them seasonal, include an amphitheater, boat ramps, marina, model airplane field, family shooting range, horse rental, group picnic facilities, and dog off-leash area. Because of its easy accessibility, Cherry Creek can be very crowded, so plan ahead and arrive early.

The diversity of natural communities makes the park a wonderful site for nature study, attracting waterbirds, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors of all kinds, including bald and golden eagles, American white pelicans, white-faced ibis, and a mix of prairie and woodland songbirds.

16 campground hosts are being accepted for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Light maintenance
• Provide park information
• Greet guests
• Promote interpretive programs
• Clean grounds and facilities
• Clerical tasks
• Mowing and watering
• Other tasks as needed

Other volunteer positions:

• Campground Office Attendant
• Maintenance
• Gate Attendant
• Dog Off leash Attendant
• Weed Warriors

Cheyenne Mountain

Discover nature, from prairie to peak, at this 2,701-acre former ranch tucked beneath the eastern flank of Cheyenne Mountain. Twenty-three miles of easy to moderate hiking and biking trails lead visitors from prairie grasslands through a stunning foothills transition zone of Gambel oak and ponderosa pine/Douglas fir. The 6.7 miles of additional trails are rated difficult to extreme.

The natural habitats are remarkably undisturbed and unfragmented, offering outstanding wildlife viewing. Visitors may glimpse coyotes, foxes, deer, elk, black bears, bobcats, and prairie dogs as well as golden eagles, wild turkeys, and red-tailed hawks. The bird list boasts more than 100 species.

To protect the park’s spectacular natural landscape, pets are allowed on approximately 2 miles of trails, and smoking is strictly prohibited on all trails and in the backcountry. After a stop at the visitor center, visitors can take a guided nature hike or family mystery hike, enjoy geocaching or attend an interpretive program. Youngsters 7 to 12 can earn their Junior Ranger badge or try their skills at the archery range.

The campground offers 51 full-service campsites and 10 basic tent sites. The camper services store is open from mid-April to mid-October with camping supplies, showers, laundry, and a playground.

Campground host duties:

• Guest interaction
• Assist after hours
• Daily site checks
• Light maintenance
• Cleaning restrooms
• Sell firewood
• Report issues to Rangers
• Gate attendant
• Clean campsites and cabins
• Other tasks as needed

Crawford

Imagine fishing, water skiing, or camping on a 400-acre reservoir against the backdrop of stunning mountain peaks and you’ll have an idea of the scene at this park just 12 miles from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

At a 6,600-foot elevation, the mild climate offers outdoor recreation four seasons of the year. Anglers will find rainbow trout, perch, crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, and northern pike in the lake’s waters. Boating opportunities include jet and water skiing, sailing, canoeing, and swimming.

Winter sports include cross-country skiing and ice fishing — when snow cover or ice thickness allows. Piñon-juniper woodlands with mountain mahogany, Gambel oak, and other shrubs dominate the uplands, with areas of sagebrush, desert shrubs, and grasses. Wetlands and riparian areas around the reservoir attract a variety of wildlife and songbirds.

Wildlife watchers will often find beavers, chipmunks, rabbits, and mule deer at the shoreline late in the evening. Migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors are attracted to the reservoir and surrounding habitats in spring and fall.

Two campgrounds, Iron Creek and Clear Fork accommodate tents, trailers, and campers with shower facilities. Iron Creek has electric and water hookups at each campsite.

Now looking for campground hosts 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Assist campers
• Sell firewood
• Maintain campsites
• Other tasks as needed

Eldorado Canyon

A stunning canyon with towering sandstone cliffs, outstanding rock climbing, 1.6 billion years of geology on display, and the flora and fauna of a foothills canyon…all in the backyard of the city of Boulder. Visitors will find this and more when they go in search of Eldorado.

With more than 500 technical routes up scenic cliffs with names like Wind Tower, The Bastille, and Whale’s Tail, Eldorado is a mecca for rock climbers from around the world. The park’s popularity makes weekends and holidays from May through September very busy, so it’s best to visit on weekdays in the warm months.

Trails for hiking and mountain biking vary from easy to difficult and connect with Boulder’s trail system. Visitors can picnic, fish in South Boulder Creek, and watch for mule deer, elk, golden eagles, wild turkeys, and other wildlife. Large colonies of bats breed in summer in the caves of the Inner Canyon.

Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The park’s two separate parcels — Inner Canyon and Crescent Meadows — are connected by the 3 ¼-mile Eldorado Canyon Trail, with an elevation change of 1,000 feet. Eldorado is a day-use only park. It closes at sunset and camping is not permitted. Camping for this camp host position is available at nearby Golden Gate Canyon and St. Vrain state parks.

Positions are currently filled but you can still get put on the waitlist. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Answer questions
• Clean bathrooms and facilities
• Sell park passes
• Other tasks as needed

Eleven Mile

Water, water everywhere — for fishing, boating, and fun! Ringed by high mountains, this 3,400-acre reservoir at 8,600 feet elevation offers trophy-sized fishing opportunities for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, and northern pike. Some of the largest fish ever caught in the state have been pulled from these waters.

Visitors may enjoy motor boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, or windsurfing — full-body wetsuit recommended. Strong winds, high waves, and fast-moving storms may challenge boaters. Swimming, water skiing, wading, and scuba diving are not allowed. The park has 348 tents, trailers, and motorhome campsites, scattered around the reservoir at nine separate campgrounds.

For the slightly more adventurous, 25 of the sites are walk-in/boat-in backcountry sites. Wildlife watchers may spot pronghorns, elk, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and various other mammals. Birders should keep an eye out for a variety of songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and shorebirds, and may spot bald eagles, American white pelicans, and peregrine falcons.

Hunting is permitted in certain areas of the park in season. In the 4,000 acres of land around the reservoir, visitors can hike or bike nearly five miles of scenic trails in the Coyote Ridge/ Backcountry area. Motorized vehicles are only allowed on designated roads.

Currently open to new campground hosts for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Clean campsites and facilities
• Light maintenance and trash pickup
• Assist campers
• Traffic control
• Alert Rangers and staff of security issues
• Other tasks as needed

Elkhead Reservoir

Surrounded by the rolling hills, farmland, and sagebrush prairie of the beautiful Yampa Valley, Elkhead Reservoir is like an oasis in the high desert. As the only water recreation site in Moffat County, it offers 900 water acres for boating, water, and jet skiing, as well as swimming at the seasonal swim beach or from boats in the no-wake areas.

Anglers can try their luck for warm-water species including bass, northern pike, crappie, and catfish. Numerous picnic sites offer shelters, grills, and tables, or visitors can hike, bike, or ride horses along short trails that follow the lakeshore to more remote spots. Hunting is allowed in designated areas around the reservoir in season.

Birdwatchers have a good chance of seeing bald and golden eagles, osprey, red-tailed, Swainsons, and rough-legged hawks. Water and shorebirds include buffleheads, goldeneyes, ruddy ducks, sandhill cranes, and pelicans. Cliff swallows nest in colonies near the dam and greater sage-grouse are sometimes seen in the area. Winter recreation includes ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Winter is also when large herds of elk gather in the sagebrush and stubble fields around the lake.

Bear’s Ears campground has 15 basic sites available on a first-come basis. The campground does not have water, power, or sewer.

Golden Gate Canyon

A mountain getaway close to the city. That’s what the 12,000 scenic acres of mountain, meadow, and forest at Golden Gate Canyon offer visitors. Just 30 miles west of Denver, this park is a wonderful choice for a close-in high-country hike or weekend getaway. The 100-mile view of the Continental Divide from Panorama Point Scenic Overlook is worth the price of admission!

More than 35 miles of trails offer experiences from casual to difficult. Mountain bikes and horses are allowed on multi-use trails. There’s hunting, rock climbing (permit required to place fixed hardware), campfires, kids’ programs, and six fishing ponds that are stocked regularly.

Nature lovers will find endless chances for bird watching, wildlife viewing, plant identification or just enjoying the outdoors. With a choice of ways to spend the night in the park, there’s no need to end your visit early. There are two campgrounds, 20 first-come, first-served backcountry campsites (no fires allowed), five cabins, and two yurts open year-round. The 8-person Harmsen Ranch Guest House, Works Ranch Group Camping Area, and Rifleman Phillips Campground offer options for family reunions or other group gatherings. Winter is a great time to see the park in a different light. Visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe, sled, ice fish, and ice skate. Families can search for that perfect tree during the annual Christmas Tree Cut.

Now looking for a campground host for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted. Note that positions in altitude is more physically demanding.

Campground host duties:

• Campsite clean up
• Maintenance
• Assist in the campground office
• Provide information to the public
• Sell out permits, park passes, firewood, and gift store items
• Distribute maps, brochures, and answer phones
• Other tasks as needed

Harvey Gap

Fishing is the main draw at Harvey Gap, a day-use park six miles east of Rifle Gap State Park. Anglers will find top-notch fishing for rainbow trout and northern pike year-round, as well as catfish, large- and smallmouth bass, perch, muskie, and crappie. Only nonmotorized craft and boats with motors of 20 horsepower or less are allowed.

Situated at 6,400 feet amid piñon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush, the park offers a scenic place for a day outdoors. The dramatic Grand Hogback runs along the south end of the reservoir. Birdwatchers may spot a variety of migrating and resident birds, including songbirds and raptors in the vegetation around the reservoir, and waterfowl and shorebirds on and near the water. Mule deer are often seen, as well as rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, chipmunks, and ground squirrels.

There are numerous shady picnic sites beneath the cottonwoods along the water’s edge, and a swim beach along the south shore. In order to preserve Harvey Gap’s natural state, no camping or pets are permitted in the park. Visitors can camp at nearby Rifle Falls and Rifle Gap state parks. Waterfowl can be hunted on the north side of the reservoir in season. Hunting dogs are allowed in the park only during hunting season and only in that area.

Highline Lake

Water, sunshine, and fun make Highline Lake a mecca for water lovers in the Grand Valley. Jet and water skiers, paddle boarders, swimmers, and boaters of all kinds can enjoy the warm waters. The lake is open to boating from March 1 to September 30 and often reaches boat capacity on summer weekends, so arrive early. The swim beach is open from May 1 to September 30.

The lakes provide great warm-water fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie and are stocked each spring and fall with rainbow trout. Bookcliff Campground, open year-round, offers 36 sites accommodating both tents and RVs. Reservations are required for camping. The retail store sells books, fishing bait, ice, firewood, and camping supplies.

For a quieter day, the much smaller Mack Mesa Lake offers bird watching, fishing, and boating for the hand-propelled and electric craft. The Highline Lake Trail is a 3.5-mile loop with many out-and-back legs providing over 9 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and good wildlife-watching opportunities. There are numerous regional trails within minutes of the park.

Thousands of birds migrate through in spring and fall, and the National Audubon Society has designated the park an Important Bird Area. Birdwatchers will find more than 200 species, including bald and golden eagles, herons, pelicans, egrets, cranes, and a variety of other birds. In hunting season, seven blinds are open to waterfowl hunters Monday through Friday

Now looking for 3-6 campground hosts this 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Monitor campground
• Assign sites
• Process reservations
• Customer service
• Sell firewood
• Fee collection
• Light maintenance

Jackson Lake

Waterfowl hunting used to be the main attraction at Jackson Lake…but then water sports took off. Now warm summer days find jet and water skiers, sailboarders, and boaters of all kinds enjoying the lake. The swim beach was ranked among the “Top 15 Park Beaches” by Reserve America.

Walleye, saugeye, catfish, perch, rainbow trout, crappie, and wipers will keep anglers busy, even in winter. Hunters will find waterfowl, pheasant, upland birds,s and archery deer hunting. There’s an OHV track and two geocaching sites. Birdwatchers will discover a variety of birds attracted to this cottonwood-lined reservoir on the Eastern Plains, including bald eagles, hawks, herons, and grassland, and riparian songbirds.

Rafts of American white pelicans are common in summer. The park’s location on the Central Flyway means lots of migrating waterfowl and shore and wading birds, even long-billed curlews, and an occasional whooping crane. At any time of year, wildlife watchers might see white-tailed or mule deer, coyotes, red foxes, cottontails, jackrabbits, and tree and ground squirrels. Visitors can discover several trails or wander along the lake’s edge. The quieter winter months are great for wildlife discovery, photography, ice fishing, and winter camping.

The year-round campgrounds have 260 sites, accommodating campers, trailers, or tents, as well as primitive campsites.

Applications are accepted for all who apply and decisions will be made first of the year. Pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Provide guest information
• Assist entrance, marina, and visitors center
• Clean campsite and facilities

James M. Robb – Colorado River

A string of pearls. That’s what the five sections of this park are like, strung along the Colorado River corridor. One of America’s greatest rivers is the attraction here, and each pearl offers separate access and has its own diversions and its own trails.

Connected Lakes is a day-use area where visitors can picnic, fish, hike, watch wildlife, boat, and access the river. Five miles of trails wind around its three lakes. Only hand-propelled or sailed watercraft and boats with electric motors are permitted on the lakes. Visitors can raft, tube, and canoe on the river or obtain trips, lessons, and equipment rental from area outfitters.

Full hookups in exchange for 20 hours a week per person. This is a physically demanding position and requires special projects as needed.

Campground host duties:

• Assists guests
• Sell firewood
• Clean sites and facilities

John Martin Reservoir

This peaceful reservoir is perfect for bird watching and wildlife viewing. It’s close to historic landmarks and is often called the sapphire on the plains.

The John Martin Reservoir is home to water sports like boating and waterskiing. Fishermen can expect to find saugeye, bass, wiper, crappie, perch, catfish, and walleye. Bird Watchers can spot almost 400 species of birds.

Now hiring a host for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are welcome also.

Campground host duties:

• Answer questions
• Clean fire rings
• Stock restrooms
• Clean restrooms
• Other tasks as needed

Lake Pueblo

Boating, fishing, water sports, abundant nature, a mild climate, and a stunning setting where the mountains meet the plains make Lake Pueblo among the top destinations in the state. Located along the Arkansas River with 4,600 water acres surrounded by 12,000 acres of land, the park offers a nearly endless list of outdoor recreation.

There’s sailing and sailboarding, power boating, and jet and water skiing. Kayakers, rafters, and tubers can enjoy the Arkansas River below the dam, as well as the tailwaters. The lake is a prime fishing spot offering large-and smallmouth bass, walleye, wiper, catfish, and trout. On land, there’s bird watching, picnicking, small-game, and waterfowl hunting.

Various trails, both paved and natural, and from easy to challenging, beckon hikers and mountain bikers of all skill levels. The paved Pueblo River Trail connects the park to the city of Pueblo for easy access. Two marinas and boat ramps and three campgrounds with 393 campsites, both basic and full-hookup, serve visitors seasonally. Swimming is allowed only at the Rock Canyon Swim Beach, open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Hirings hosts for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Sell firewood
• Clean campsite
• Answer guest questions
• Campground upkeep
• Other tasks as needed

Lathrop

With a panoramic view of the Spanish Peaks, this park lies at a crossroads of early Colorado history. Rising high above the prairie, the two peaks were prominent landmarks for Native Americans, settlers, trappers, and explorers. Lathrop was established in 1962 as Colorado’s first state park.

Stocked with trout, catfish, muskie, bass, walleye, bluegill, and crappie, its two lakes offer great fishing. Kids will enjoy the youth fishing pond. Martin Lake is the place for jet and water skiing and power boating, as well as sailing and sailboarding. Swimmers enjoy its warm waters from the swim beach. Designated a wakeless lake, Horseshoe Lake beckons to canoeists, kayakers, sailors, and other low-speed boaters and anglers looking for the elusive tiger muskie.

Not interested in the water? Bring your clubs. Lathrop’s nine-hole golf course is the only course in a Colorado state park. There’s also an archery practice range, a miniature golf course, 13 geocache sites, and an equestrian trail. Hikers will enjoy fine views of the Spanish Peaks, Greenhorn Mountain, and Pikes Peak from park trails. The Hogback Trail is for hikers only, but cyclists can peddle the Cuerno Verde Trail. Picnicking is big here, with every table located lakeside!

Lathrop has 103 campsites offering basic or improved camping. Bird and wildlife watchers can see a variety of species in the park’s wetland, riparian, grassland and piñon-juniper habitats. Waterfowl and small-game hunting are allowed in posted areas

Offering 2-4 campground host positions for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Greet guests
• Clean campsite and facilities
• Collect trash
• Light grounds and maintenance
• Other tasks as needed

Lory

In the foothills just west of Fort Collins this position is meant for park maintenance and visitor center help. You must own your own RV. The site is located near the park’s maintenance shop with access to laundry and a private bathroom.

Couples and pairs are welcome to apply for the 2023 season. Pets permitted.

Campground host duties:

• General maintenance
• Clean restroom
• Trash removal
• Groundskeeping
• Visitor center information

Mancos

This park is quiet, and beautiful and in the process of opening up some campground host positions for the 2023 season.

Campground host duties:

• Assist campground programs
• Customer service
• Guest support
• Clean campsites and facilities
• Fee collection
• Daily operations

Mueller

Hushed forests, spring-fed mountain meadows, wildflowers of every hue, massive granite rock formations, and the iconic form of Pikes Peak rising above. At Mueller, visitors can enjoy a wonderful outing in the mountains within an easy drive of Front Range communities. With more than 5,100 acres of terrain, Mueller is an outstanding destination for nature study, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation.

Its forests of spruce, fir, pine, and aspen, and meadows of native grasses and wildflowers, are home to elk, mule deer, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, pine squirrels, many small mammals, and more than 100 species of birds. Visitors will discover great activities at any time of year. Explore the 44 miles of trails on foot, mountain bike, or horseback, find a secluded picnic spot, fish a backcountry trout pond, watch birds, discover the four geocaches, and hunt in the 800-acre hunting area. In winter there’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.

Extend your visit with a stay at one of the park’s three furnished log cabins. Or try the campground, located in a mountain forest with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Leashed pets are welcome in the campground, at picnic areas, and on paved roads but are not allowed on any trails, in the backcountry, or at ponds.

Navajo

Located between Durango and Pagosa Springs on the New Mexico border, the Navajo reservoir has 15,6000 acres of aquatic fun.

Now looking for 8-12 campground hosts for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets must be leashed.

Campground host duties:

• Sell firewood
• Answer questions
• Shuttle driver
• Maintain sites

North Sterling

Located on the eastern plain, the North Sterling recreation area has 3,000 acres of water and 1,500 acres of land. You can fish the waters for wiper, walleye, and catfish or go boating, swimming, and hiking.

Now looking for campground hosts as all are welcome to apply. Pets are allowed.

Campground host duties:

• Clean campground sites and facilities
• Office Assistant
• Campground reservations
• Light maintenance

Pearl Lake

Like a jewel nestled in the mountain forest of northern Colorado, Pearl Lake State Park is a place of beauty and quiet at the base of Farwell Mountain. Visitors will find outdoor diversions that are uncomplicated and low-tech — hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing, wakeless boating, and wildlife watching.

The shoreline trail edges the lake and links hikers and bikers with thousands of acres in the Routt National Forest. Anglers will discover excellent fly and lure fishing for native cutthroat trout and grayling. Campers can set up on the shoreline or on a ridgeline with superb views.

Those who want full-service camping should look elsewhere as the campground offers no-frills camping with no electrical hookups. Flush restrooms and water hydrants are available. For a different experience, visitors can enjoy an overnight stay in one of the park’s two yurts. Winter activities include the quiet beauty of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fish

Ridgway

With the jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains as a backdrop and the lush Uncompahgre River Valley all around, Ridgeway is among the most beautiful parks in the state. Admiring the view is just one of the many diversions here.

The waters of Ridgeway Reservoir offer boating of all kinds, sailing, swimming, and water skiing. Anglers can try their luck for kokanee salmon, rainbow, and brown trout in the reservoir, and have a choice of fishing ponds or fly fishing along the Uncompahgre River. Wildlife viewing is outstanding. Visitors might see elk and deer, golden and bald eagles, osprey, foxes, marmots, and even the occasional mink. More than 140 species of birds have been recorded here. Hikers, bikers, and strollers can explore 16 miles of trails winding through the park. There are three geocache sites.

Overnighting here is a special treat. Choices at the three campgrounds include full-service RV sites, electric, tents-only areas, many with elevated tent pads, and even three heated yurts

Hiring 10 campground hosts for the 2023 season. Couples are preferred but others are still considered. Hosts can have pets.

Campground host duties:

• Assist visitors
• Sell park passes
• Retail sales
• Answer phones
• Other tasks as needed

Rifle Falls Hatchery Host

Located about 30 minutes from Rifle is a secluded hatchery at the base of Little Box Canyon and Western Colorado. It’s the largest hatchery in the state and you can be its campground host! With over 7,000 visitors a year, you will assist in school tours, summer camps, and vacationers.

This site hires couples and is open for the 2023 season. Pets are permitted.

Campground host responsibilities:

• Visitor assistance
• Clean restrooms
• Ground Maintenance
• Conduct hatchery tours
• Distribute fish food

Rifle Gap and Rifle Falls

With brand new campsites, this beautiful area is located at the base of the San Juan Mountains. It’s known for its fishing and boating.

But the real gem is the trio of waterfalls and small caves. It’s a popular tourist destination and a perfect place for the camp host. Positions are opening up shortly so stay tuned. You can still be put on a waiting list, however.

Families and solos are welcome with a pet limit of 2 for cats or dogs.

Campground host duties:

• Greet guests
• Maintain campsites, facilities, and grounds
• Special projects
• Trail building
• Fee collection
• Restroom cleaning
• Landscaping

Roaring Judy Hatchery Host

Two miles of the East River and four fishing ponds make up the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery’s 783 acres. This place is known for wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing.

Hiring now for couples, pets permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Assist guests and answer questions
• Conduct tours
• Ground Maintenance
• Fish culture work
• Landscaping
• Cleaning

Stagecoach

With a 3-mile long reservoir set amid fragrant sagebrush and great views of the Flat Top Mountains, Stagecoach offers wonderful outdoor recreation in the lush Yampa Valley. Anglers will find good cold-water fishing in this lake known for its fast-growing and hard-fighting rainbow trout, as well as northern pike and a few brown trout.

Two hundred bird species await birdwatchers, including white-faced ibis, American white pelicans, mountain bluebirds, and both dusky and sharp-tailed grouse. Mule deer, elk, cottontails, and many other mammals are common. Waterfowl and small-game hunting are allowed in some areas. Stagecoach has eight miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Boaters, jet and water skiers, sailors, and canoeists will find good recreation, with both wakeless and nonwakeless areas, as well as rentals and a full-service marina. Winter is especially quiet for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Four campgrounds provide 92 sites, with four electrical campsites maintained for winter camping.

Couples with children are considered and pets are allowed. Full hookup sites are available with internet access available at the office.

Campground host duties:

• Greet guests
• Customer service
• Walking patrol
• Provide information
• Validating reservations
• Clean campsites and facilities
• Report incidents
• Mowing and weed control
• Sell firewood

State Forest

71,000 acres of mountains and moose. There are three separate parks looking for campground hosts.

Campground host duties:

• Light maintenance
• cabin and campsite clean up
• Guest Registration
• Greet campers
• Assist the interpretive staff

Sweitzer Lake

This place is packed with activities and is a perfect camp host spot for someone who loves the outdoors. Swimming, picnicking, bird watching, water skiing, you’re sure to have a blast.

Families and solos are welcome for the 2023 season. Pets are also permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Fee collection
• Light maintenance
• Grounds keeping
• Other tasks as needed

Trinidad Lake

Sunshine, piñon pine- and juniper-covered hills, great fishing, water sports, abundant birds and wildlife, rich history and heritage. At Trinidad Lake, visitors can roll any or all of these attractions into an outstanding day, weekend, or extended vacation. With its semi-desert climate and plenty of sunshine, many outdoor activities are year-round.

Easily accessible from I-25, the lake offers jet and water skiing, sailing, power boating, canoeing, and other water sports. Anglers can try their luck for rainbow and brown trout, bass, catfish, walleye, crappie, and bluegill.

The scenic campground offers full hookups and services. There are miles of trails winding through ancient and interesting local history, spectacular scenery, and great wildlife viewing. A functional horno (adobe oven) and Native American archeological site are near the amphitheater. The park makes a good base camp to explore area attractions like the Santa Fe Trail, the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway, and the historic mining town of Trinidad.

Now hiring for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Clean bathhouse
• Clean campsites
• Guest Services
• Sell firewood
• Other tasks as needed

Vega

On the northwest edge of the Grand Mesa, this beautiful park is 1800 acres of park with a 900 surface-acre lake. It’s a great place for camping, boating, and fishing.

Campsites have electric and water hookups.

Now hiring for campground hosts for the 2023 season. All are welcome to apply and pets are permitted.

Campground host duties:

• Assist visitors
• Clean campsites and cabins
• Ground Maintenance
• Customer service

Yampa River

Want to discover a river of stunning beauty, abundant wildlife, and outstanding recreation? This unique state park stretches for 134 miles along northern Colorado’s iconic Yampa River, offering boating, camping, excellent fishing, and the chance to glimpse birds and wildlife on the water, on land, and in the air. Rafters, canoeists, and kayakers will discover miles of flat water and Class I to V river boating. Visitors can begin their discovery at the visitor center near Hayden, which has a full-service campground, information, nature trail, and easy river access.

Looking for one solo and one couple for the 2023 season. Pets welcome.

Campground host duties:

• Clean restrooms and facilities
• ATV use
• Contacting visitors
• Mowing

Camp hosting in Colorado State Parks means enjoying all the benefits this beautiful state has to offer. From water sports to wildlife watching, you’ll never run out of things to do when you make Colorado your temporary home. So apply to begin your seasonal journey camp hosting in Colorado State Parks today!

For more campground host opportunities check here:

• Camp Hosting in Wyoming State Parks
• Camp Hosting in New Mexico
• Camp Hosting in Utah State Parks
• Camp Hosting Jobs in Georgia State Parks