Camp Hosting in Oregon State Parks

Oregon has 256 state parks and prides its campground hosts as its representatives. Camp hosting in Oregon State Parks means having the ability to “provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.” The state enlists volunteers as a vital part of carrying out this mission.

Program Description

Campground hosts in the state of Oregon have a basic duty of representing the park in a respectable manner and performing guest services for all visitors where needed. Other specific duties of the campground hosts vary based on the state park.

Campground hosts are expected to give a commitment of at least 30 days. The range is generally 30-120 days for one assignment. Hours will vary from each park and are based on your availability as well. That includes hours a day and days per week. You will be able to discuss these needs during the volunteer interview process.

Living Accommodations

This is a volunteer-only position. While there is no monetary compensation for your volunteer hours, all campground hosts are provided a free campsite to live on while volunteering. The majority of the parks will have full hook-up sites for their hosts, but some may not. You will also be given an annual state park parking pass to use at any state park in the state at any period of the year, even when you are not volunteering.

How to Apply

There are a few requirements in order to apply to be a campground host:

Must be at least 18 years of age
Pass a criminal background check
Pass a driving record check

Click this link to apply today !

Once your application is in the Oregon State Park system, you will either be contacted directly from park staff, or you can search the specific openings on your own and contact that park directly to pull your application.

Camp Hosting at Oregon State Park

Oregon is a big and beautiful state which means there are plenty of places you can become an Oregon State Park campground host. Listed are just a few of the parks you can host at. For a full list of Oregon State Park camp hosting opportunities CLICK HERE

Deschutes River State Recreation Area

Deschutes River State Recreation Area has camping, hiking, wildlife, horseback riding, biking, boating, fishing, picnic areas, and exhibits. This park has year-long camping. There are 4 campsites. A Loop is open year-round with 34 electrical sites, and water hook-ups but water is shut off during winter season. B Loop campground, G Loop, and T Loop campgrounds are all primitive grounds and are closed for the winter season. Deschutes River State Recreation Area needs hosts from October to November, with a possible chance for a longer position.

Hosts are this area are expected to:

Provide information to visitors
Clean campsites
Trash pickup
Other possible small projects when needed.

Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

Detroit Lake State Recreation Area has camping, picnic areas, a playground, wildlife, fishing, boating, swimming, an amphitheater, and a peak viewpoint for tourists. There is one campground that has 107 full hook-up sites, 68 electrical hook-up sites with water, 96 tents sites, and bathrooms with toilets and hot showers. This state park needs campground hosts from October to January.

Responsibilities of these campground hosts will be:

Campground upkeep
Litter pickup
Campsite cleaning, weeding and ground maintenance as needed,
Day area check-ins
Assistance with park projects as needed.

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Cottonwood Canyon State Park has camping, cabins, hiking trails, picnic areas, boating, fishing, horseback riding and trails, and wildlife. There is year round camping at this park and multiple camping options. The Long Tree Campground has 21 primitive campsites. This campground also has 4 cabins, 1 group site, showers and toilets. It does not have any hook-ups but does offer community water for your stay. There is also backcountry camping. This is not vehicle accessible, so plan accordingly if this is something you’re interested in. Campground hosts are needed from May through December in Cottonwood State Park.

Hosts are expected to:

Provide information
Clean the campsites, cabins, and facilities
Pick up trash
Assist with any other special projects.

Cape Blanco State Park

Cape Blanco State Park has tons of attractions, the two biggest are Cape Blanco Lighthouse and Historic Hughes House. Activities include camping, cabins, hiking, picnic areas, horse trails, wildlife watching, beaches, fishing, and biking. Camping here has the luxury of being private and sheltered. There are 52 campsites that have electrical and water hook-ups. There is also an option to stay in 1 of the 4 cabins. There are also other types of camps – a horse camp to accommodate horse owners and a group camp that can hold up to 50 people and 24 vehicles. Campground hosts are needed in the month of May at this park.

The duties include:

Greeting visitors
Distributing and re-stock publications
Keeping the host log, Litter and recycling patrol
Light maintenance
Assistance with any additional projects when needed.

Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area

Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area has 2 parks that are located on both sides of Devil’s Lake. Amenities and activities include camping, yurt accessibility, wildlife, cabins, an amphitheater, boating, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. The campground has 28 full hook-up sites that have cable TV, 5 electrical sites, 54 tent sites, 10 yurts, and bathrooms with hot showers. Campground hosts are needed in this recreation area from December to the end of March.

Yurt/ Cabin hosts are expected to greet and assist visitors
Perform the check-ins for yurts
Clean and maintain yurts and bathrooms
Pick up trash, and sell firewood to campers
Ground maintenance
Fee and reservation collection

Assignemtns useually require a 1-2 month commitment working an estimated 5-6 hours per day, 5 days a week.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park is big for it’s trails. There are over 30 miles of trails through the park. Amenities and activities include camping, cabins, hiking, horseback riding and trails, exhibits with educational information, biking, an amphitheater, disc golf, and viewpoints. There are tons of options for camping and overnight stays. The Dairy Creek Campground has 78 full hook-up sites, 12 tent sites that have parking, and flush toilets. There are also 15 cabins and hikes in camping where there is no vehicle access. Lastly, there is the Hares Canyon Horse Camp which has 13 sites and stalls with manure bins.

Host duties include:

Hanging reservation tags
Cleaning campsites and restrooms
Trash pickup
Firewood sales
Visitor help and service
Interpretive programs
Light maintenance.

Duties change by the month at this park so make sure to check accordingly.

Open April 1, 2023- June 30, 2023
Days off: Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday
Typically 30-40 hours a week

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is the “crown jewel” of Oregon’s state park system. It is the most well known, most visited, and most liked state park out of them all. And this is due to the level of scenic beauty in the park. The Trail of Ten Falls is located in the park, it passes by beautiful waterfalls, including the South Falls that have a 177-foot curtain to walk behind. Other amenities and activities include more trails, biking, horseback riding, wildlife like bears and cougars, picnic areas, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, creeks, camping, an amphitheater, fishing, swimming, and viewpoints.

Campgrounds here offer 48 sites with electric and water hook-ups, 43 tent sites, 2 group sites, 14 cabins, and a dump station. Campground hosts are needed for the month of December. Hosts are expected to sell firewood and ice, and cabin booking and scheduling.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park has 2 lakes and is the second-biggest campground in the state. Amenities and activities include camping, hiking, picnic areas, playgrounds, biking, kayaking, fishing, boating, an amphitheater, and yurt accessibility. There is also a sand dune day-use area that leads into the water for fun! The campground here has 47 full hook-up sites, 121 sites with electrical hook-ups, 187 tent sites, 10 yurts, 6 group areas, bathrooms and hot showers, and an RV dump station.

Campground hosts are needed in the Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park in May 2023. Duties expected are:

Trash pick up
Cleaning campsites, bathrooms, and fire pits
Raking and blowing the campsites when necessary
Coordinating with Park Rangers for maintenance
Assistance with other park projects as needed.

Viento State Park

Viento State Park has great weather and tons of water fun. Activities include hiking, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, picnicking, and camping. The park has seasonal camping that offers 56 electrical sites that also have water, 18 tent sites, and bathrooms with hot showers. Campground hosts are needed for the months of March and April.

Duties include:

Greeting and assisting visitors
Handling reservation tags
Cleaning each site between visitors
Selling firewood and ice
Supply stocking and trash pick up
Light maintenance
Guest check ins.

LaPine State Park

LaPine State Park has camping, cabins, deluxe cabins, hiking, picnic areas, fishing, boating, and a viewpoint. There are 82 full hook-up campsites, 47 electrical sites with water, 5 rustic log cabins for rent, and 5 deluxe log cabins as well. The campgrounds have bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, firewood for sale, and an RV dump station.

Campground hosts are needed from May to June. Duties required are:

Visitor questions and services
Campsite cleaning, bathroom cleaning
Trash pick up, restock of bathroom items
Leaf blowing, weed whacking, and other light maintenance,
Firewood handling
Assisting Park Rangers when needed.

Oregon is such a beautiful place to explore and becoming an Oregon State Park campground host is the best way to do that! Having your work become your way to stay is a great advantage and is often perfect for those in retirement or just looking for a volunteer position for a month or two. So apply today and start exploring all the beauty of Oregon!