Are you interested in Camp Hosting in Texas State Parks? This season, this year or sometime further down the road, the Texas State Park System needs your help and welcomes RV volunteers.
Camp Hosting in Texas State Parks
Volunteers are seen as an essential to the state park system in Texas. Camp hosts are needed at a variety of different State Park locations, and this could be the perfect work camping opportunity for you!
They’re mission:
“Manage state parks and historic sites to conserve natural and cultural resources, provide recreational and educational opportunities, and foster an understanding of the diversity of Teas’ lands and heritages for all generations.”
Texas State Park Camp Hosting Program
Like most State Park Systems, the Texas State Park System has positions for RVers looking to give back and travel to new locations as camp hosts. This is a volunteer only position.
A camp host is meant to guide visitors and enhance their experience within the state park. You will be a representative of the state park you are working at- and that’s a very big deal.
Camp hosts are provided an RV site during their host placement. All RV sites that are provided will have electric and water hook-ups, and some will also have sewer hook-ups. Some Texas State Park sites will provide wi-fi, laundry facilities, and others. Check with park officials when applying in order to see what your full benefits will be.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department expects their camp hosts to perform the following duties:
- Answer visitor questions
- Be available during their scheduled volunteer hours
- Log volunteer hours
- Be a model camper by keeping their areas clean and orderly
- Complying with park regulations and guidelines
- Being in uniform during volunteer hours
Texas Camp Hosting Season Information
Camp hosts in Texas State Parks are required to host a minimum of one month at any given park and have a maximum limit of six months. However, you can be extended for up to two years with approval.
Hosts are expected to work a minimum of 24 hours per week and some parks require 32. These hours can be split if you are a volunteering couple. Hosts may work additional hours if desired but additional hours will never be required.
The camping season and specifically the season that camp hosts are needed varies by park.
Applying with Texas State Parks
To apply for a position as a camp host in the Texas State Park System, you must first find the position(s) that you’re interested in working. You might find locations or specific positions that you find favorable for one reason or another, but you can view all the positions at the following link: https://tpwd.texas.gov/volunteer/
Once you find the position(s) you would like to apply for, reach out to the person listed as the main contact for that state park.
Hosts must be at least 18 years of age, pass a criminal background check, meet the requirements listed for that park, and have experience.
You must list all residents who will be living with you and any who are 18 or over must also pass a criminal background check even if they are not volunteering. Couples can apply on one application (unless specified otherwise) but must pass individual background checks.
Texas State Parks Camp Hosting Jobs
Texas State Parks has many opportunities fro RVers to volunteer as camp hosts. Locations and parks are all very different so make sure you do your homework when researching available jobs. Here are some parks that we’ve found to offer at least one camp host position:
Fort Parker State Park
Fort Parker State Park offers swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, nature watching, geocaching, group gatherings, history, and picnic areas. Camp hosts are expected to represent the park and be the front line. Hosts will assists visitors. Hosts will also be expected to maintain light cleaning and maintenance of the park including campsites, facilities, and trails. Fun duties include helping with the nature programs when available. Hosts will be provided a full-hookup site and be asked to work 25 hours per week.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
LBJ State Park & Historic Site offers tons of history, being Lyndon B. Johnson’s home state and sort of his own little museum. The park also offers fishing, trails where you can see wildlife like bison and longhorns, a pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a visitor center, and all of the historic pieces like the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, historic cabins, and the LBJ Ranch. Hosts have tons of jobs and duties to choose from which includes traditional farm duties on the historic farm or maintenance opportunities like painting, landscaping, gardening, carpentry, and more. Hosts are expected to work 24 hours per week over 3 days a week – either Sunday through Tuesday or Thursday-Saturday. In return, camp hosts are provided a full hook-up site.
Sea Rim State Park
Sea Rim State Park is a one of a kind coastal park in Texas. Activities include camping, birding, beach combing, water sports like kayaking/canoeing/paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and more. A popular attraction of the park is the Gambusia Nature Trail Boardwalk that goes through the marshes of the park. Park hosts are expected to work at least 24 hours a week. Duties of these hosts include restroom cleaning, trash pickup, light maintenance, visitor services, campground checks, and assisting other park volunteers when fit. Hosts will be provided a full hook-up campsite.
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site has a lot of history within the canyon. Early settlers here left their story in pictures on the stones of the canyon. As well as history, the park also offers camping, geocaching, hiking, mountain biking, and more. You are required to work 5 days a week, a minimum of 24 hours. Duties include greeting and visitor service, campsite checks, cleaning the Restroom Shower Building available for campers, and light maintenance and cleaning of campsites. Hosts are provided a concrete pad site with full hook-ups, as well as wi-fi, and access to a full size fridge and freezer.
Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park is known for its abundance of nature. It also offers hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, horseback riding, tons of trails, and picnic areas. Hosts are needed year-round. Responsibilities include fee collection, cleaning of grounds and facilities, light maintenance, and campsite checks. Hosts are expected to work 25 hours per week and will be provided with a full hook-up site.
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop State Park is in the stage of rebirth after years of fires and floods that almost ruined it. The recovery has been amazing. The park offers camping, picnic areas, swimming, bike riding, fishing, hiking, geocaching, a nature program, and wildlife. Host duties include assisting visitors, light maintenance, cleaning and helping with the interpretive programs offered in the park. Here, a minimum commitment of 2 months is required and they would like you to work at least 25 hours per week. In return for your volunteering, hosts will be provided full hook-up sites as well as access to a laundry facility!
Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park has tons of water including Gorman Falls, Spicewood Springs, and rivers throughout. It offers activities like camping, hiking, fishing, cave tours, biking, and more. Host duties include visitor service, interpretive activities, cleaning the campsites, restrooms, and other facilities, park projects, office duties, front desk, and light maintenance. The park requires hosts to work a minimum of 25 hours per week. In return, camp hosts will be provided a full hook-up site. This park typically asks for at least 3 months commitment.
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Government Canyon State Natural Area is 12,000 acres of nature. The biggest purpose of this natural area is that it protects the drinking water of San Antonio’s citizens. Activities include trails, camping, hiking, geocaching, wildlife, bird watching, picnics, and interpretive programs and hikes. This park has tons of programs and hikes for kids so it is very family friendly. Park hosts are expected to assists the staff with operations such as entry fees, park open and close, cleaning of area and facilities, light maintenance, and visitor services. This area asks for a 2 month commitment and a minimum of 32 hours per week. Hosts will be provided a full hook-up site, wi-fi, and access to a laundry facility.
Hill Country State Natural Area
Hill Country State Natural Area is 5,000 acres of nature. Activities include biking, hiking, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking, nature watching, and more. Hosts duties include operating a recreational off-highway vehicle in the park (which will require ROV training if you don’t already have it), cleaning campgrounds, bathrooms, and facilities, maintenance, and campsite checks. Park hosts will be provided full hook-up sites in exchange for volunteer hours. This position is a 3 month minimum commitment.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park
Kickapoo Cavern State Park has tons of caves, small wildlife, and more. Activities at this state park include camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, geocaching, and unique to this park is bats! You can participate in a bat flight viewing, depending on the season you are working. Hosts are expected to help with day to day operations of the park like trash, light maintenance, facility and campground cleaning, as well as visitor services. The park hosts will be provided with a full hook-up site in return for their volunteer hours.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park has water and land fun. You can swim, fish, boat, hike, camp, mountain bike, bird watch, nature watch, geocache, and picnic. Park host duties are visitor services, Saturday interpretive events coordination, and being a model camper by maintaining your site. Hosts are asked to work 25 hours a week. They will be provided a full hook-up site as well as access to tons of training and resources to learn about the parks and natural and cultural resources.
Mission Tejas State Park
Mission Tejas State Park has activities like hiking, camping, fishing, nature watching, geocaching, and a brand new museum that has just opened. Hosts duties include campsite checks, cleaning of bathrooms, sites, and facilities, llight maintenance, visitor service, assistance with the new museum, and help with any additional projects within the park where needs. The park asks that hosts work 24 hours a week. In return they will be provided a full hook-up site as well as wi-fi.
How to Find & Apply For the Jobs
To apply for a position as a camp host in the Texas State Park System, you must first find the position(s) that you’re interested in working. You can view open positions at https://tpwd.texas.gov/volunteer/
Once you find the positions you’d like to apply for, simply use the contact information listed to reach out to someone directly about the next steps and to apply.
Safe Travels & Many Adventure!
