Camp Hosting in Wyoming State Parks

Camp Hosting in Wyoming State Parks

Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources has a division called Wyoming’s State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails (SPHST) which is a huge educational experience in the state. It includes eleven state parks, twenty-five historic sites, two archeological sites, a museum, and one recreational area. SPHST has tons of types of volunteers, including the state’s camp hosts. 

Program Description

Wyoming’s SPHST offers camp hosting and site hosting volunteer positions. The difference being that camp hosts are responsible for campgrounds and site hosts are responsible for areas that have no campgrounds or overnight camping. This is due to the fact that SPHST includes not just state parks, but also a number of other types of sites.

Volunteers for the State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails are considered the “ambassadors” for these sites. They are meant to provide knowledge, understanding, support, and help in order to amplify the experience that visitors experience when visiting SPHST sites. 

Volunteers offer a valuable skill set from many different background, which ultimately enhance the Wyoming State Parks programs. You can contribute to a variety of positions depending on where your skills are best suited, needed and also depending on where you feel most comfortable pitching in.

Some positions available within the Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources include:

• Education
• Historical Research
• Docents/Interpreters
• Maintenance
• Carpentry
• Special Events
• Special Projects
• Customer Service
• Curation

Seasonal Information

The camp hosting season in Wyoming begins on the 15th of May and ends on the 15th of September.

Hosts are expected so sign up for a minimum of two months of camp hosting. They are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, per person, with weekends and holidays expected during the busiest times. Usually this includes just 3-4 days each week. While this is the standard of the SPHST parks, a few locations have camp hosting as early as April and all the way into October.

Some of the parks and sites have a 24 hour requirement per week, per person. Also a plus in Wyoming is that camp host couples will have their off days scheduled together!

Positions are filled on a first-come, first served basis, depending on availability at our sites. If you are a returning camp host, you will be given first choice on location if a position is available.

Each year in October, information about the upcoming positions as well as the number of opening is made available to the pubic. While, inquiries and applications for all camp host positions are received and processed throughout the year, this is the best time to get an overview of what is available int he coming season..

The application process from start to finish can take up to a month to complete, with most assignments being made in October – Nomber each year. The application process includes completion of an application with the Division’s Volunteer Program along with a background screening.

Living Accomodations

The weather in Wyoming can vary on average from about 20 degrees to 87 degrees. June, July, and August are the warmest months of the year and February is the coldest. Temperatures begin to rise in April and decline in early October which is the main reason for the set camp hosting season here. 

The compensation for your time is a free camp site with full hookups. Camp hosts must have their own camper, RV, or trailer. Most Wyoming parks and sites where you are offered a place to camp do not have full RV hookups. However, most do have full shower facilities. 

How to Apply

In order to apply to become a camp host, each person must start by applying at the following link (one per person if a couple is applying): https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=805707066

There is a volunteer coordinator located in Cheyenne, WY who is the application point person for SPHST.  They will call you in order to ask further questions once your application is received. Then your application will be sent to the individual park superintendents and coordinators. An interview with the specific park will take place. 

If chosen, it will be a conditional proposal. The condition is a background check. You will be sent a link by the park’s volunteer coordinator. This check can take up to one week. Once a successful background check is completed, you will receive a formal offer from the park.

Volunteers are hired on a first come, first serve basis in Wyoming, with the exception of returning camp hosts. If you have previously volunteered as a camp host for SPHST, you will be given first pick of your sit. The entire application process can take up to one month. Hiring for upcoming seasons is generally done between October and November.

Contacts:

Katie Fujinami
Katie.fujinami@wyo.gov
307-777-3631

Stacy Sprengeler
Stacy.sprengeler@wyo.gov
307-777-7010

Camp Hosting in Wyoming State Parks

Bear River State Park

Bear River State Park is a park that is only open during the day (May-September: 8:00AM-10:00PM, October-April: 8:00AM-8:00PM). The park has tons of live bison, moose, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk that roam in small herds. The amenities include biking, fishing, dump stations, geocaching, picnic areas, hiking, horseshoe, a museum, playgrounds, trails, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, volksmarch, and a visitor center with a gift shop. 

Boysen State Park

Boysen State Park is named after Asmus Boysen who built the original dam in 1908. The dam can still be seen in the park from certain spots. There is also the CB&O Railroad and state highway that run through the park. This park is open 24 hours a day, all year. Amenities include a beach, boat dock, boating, campsites, dump stations, fishing, geocaching, picnic areas, hunting, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and wildlife. 

“Boysen State Park is one of the largest and remote parks in the Wyoming State Park system,” according to their website. They have 4 camp hosting positions, one at each of the four campgrounds, Lower Wind River, Upper Wind River, Brannon, and Tough Creek.

All camp host sites include:

• Water
• Electric (30/50/110 amp)
• Cement pad
• Honeywagon
• Wifi
• Washer/Dryer access

Some, but not all sites offer a shaded area and picnic tables. I hope you like heights as each campground location is located over 4,000 ft.

• Trash pickup
• Firepit and Group shelter maintenance
• Restroom cleaning (four total)
• Provide information to campground guests
• Notify Law Enforcement when necessary
• Notify campers of sprinkler systems as well as maintaining them when needed
• And for Brannon and Tough Creek campgrounds, daily cleaning of fishing stations

Buffalo Bill State Park

Buffalo Bill State Park was named after Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who was a wild west man in the 1870s. He led excursions and hunting parties through the area, brought agriculture and much more, and ultimately founded the town in the 1890s. Amenities include boating, fishing, campsites, dump stations, enclosed lodges, fishing, hiking, picnic areas, hunting, off road vehicles, playgrounds, river activities, volleyball courts, and wildlife. 

Buffalo Bill State Park has two campgrounds, North Fork and Lake Shore.

Lake Shore Bay Campground has 37 sites, an active day use area and a highly used boat ramp. Lake Shore generally has more visitor traffic. 

North Fork Campground has 62 campsites and a reservable group camp area. North Fork boasts a playground, shower facility with flush toilets, a large riparian area, abundant wildlife and a large irrigated turf area to recreate in.

The camp host duties include:

• Greeting visitors and providing information.
• Cleaning fire rings and picking up trash.
• Cleaning Restrooms.
• An evening campground check. Contacting the ranger and/or proper authorities in emergencies.
• Explaining park rules to visitors.
• Confirming site reservations.

Curt Gowdy State Park

Curt Gowdy State Park has a beautiful scene with wide-ranging landscape, mountains and reservoirs. The park is open 24 hours, year-round. Specific reservoirs, like North Crow Reservoir are day only, but you can camp at the park year round! Amenities include archery, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, cabins, lodges, picnic stations, horse riding, hunting, paddleboards, wildlife, and a visitor center.

Curt Gowdy has a whopping 9 camp host sites! Each host site has a gravel pad and at least water and electricity. While some sites are full hook up, the others that don’t have bathrooms nearby or a honey wagon available for use.

Camp host sites are located across.

• Crystal Reservoir (x2)
• Granite Reservoir (x3)
• The Meadow (x2)
• The Shop Area (x2)
• Amphitheater (x1)

Camp Host duties include:

• Light landscape maintenance
• Garbage pick up
• Bathroom cleaning
• Firepit maintenance
• Fee collection
• Permit Sales
• Visitor center interaction
• Customer service and assistance
• Park information guide

Edness K. Wilkins State Park

Edness K. Wilkins State Park is a great park for picnics with over 40 sites that are filled and shaded with gorgeous cottonwood trees. It one of Wyoming’s “important bird areas” that holds over 100 different bird species. There are also numerous other wildlife like multiple deer species, antelope, different fox, and more. Amenities include a beach, boating, fishing, swimming, biking, hiking, horseback riding, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, river activities, wildlife, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and winter sports in the right season. 

Glendo State Park

Glendo State Park is an enormous park with 10,000 acres of land and 12,000 acres of water – totaling a whopping 22,000 acres total. This park is open 24 hours, year-round. It also has a very large selection for camping with 19 campgrounds to choose from. One thing to note about this park are the water levels which change throughout the year drastically. Make sure you check the website for details in the season you plan on visiting! Amenities at this park include archery, beaches, biking, boating, fishing, camping, picnic areas, hiking, hunting, overlooks, playgrounds, river activities, swimming, wildlife winter activities, RV hookups, and yurts.

There are 5 camp host locations: Two Moon, Sandy Beach, Bennett Hill, Whiskey Gulch, and Park Headquarters. There is a mix of gravel and cement pads with each site having at least water and electricity with the exception of Park Headquarters which is a full hookup.

Camp Host duties include:

• Garbage and firepit clean
• Restroom cleaning
• Light Maintenance
• Assisting guests and reservations
• Notifying Law Enforcement when necessary
• Yurt housekeeping
• Group shelter maintenance

Guernsey State Park

Guernsey State Park is a great park for Camping. Their campsites have comfort stations, drinking water, grills, picnic areas, and trailer dump stations. Also, this park holds an amazing museum – the Guernsey Museum, that is located beautifully on top of a cliff over the water. Another great part of the park is an extensive design of trails. Amenities at this park include beaches, biking, boating, fishing, yurts, camping, hiking, geocaching, historical sites, horseback riding, horseshoe pits, a museum, playgrounds, river activities, RV hookups, shower facilities, swimming, and wildlife. 

Hot Springs State Park 

Hot Springs State park is mostly known for its mineral hot springs and bison herd. The hot springs have a constant temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the terrace. They have a free bath house that has soothing waters at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. All around, it is wonderful for relaxation and therapeutic bathing. The bison herd in the park is the main herd for all Wyoming State Parks. They are the “Monarch of the Plains” and are treated as so. Another big attraction at the park is the suspension foot bridge. It is a sight to see surrounded by beautiful flower gardens and an amazing way to see the river and hot springs. Amenities at this park include biking, boating, fishing, hiking, historic sites, picnic areas, playgrounds, river activities, shower houses, swimming, volleyball, wildlife, volksmarch, mineral pools, and even more.

This state park camp hosting opportunity is excellent for someone who likes to garden and be outdoors.

Camp host duties include:

• Tree planting
• Irrigation
• Flower planting
• Weed eating
• Bison feeding (cool!)
• Mowing
• Trash Removal
• and Visitor Center assistance

Keyhole State Park

Keyhole State Park is known for their fishing. You can catch some of the state’s largest fish here. Amenities at this park include beaches, boating, fishing, cabins, RV hookups, hiking, picnic areas, geocaching, horseback riding, horse facilities, hunting, playgrounds, shower facilities, swimming, and winter activities during the season. 

Each 5 camp host sites include shade, water, electricity, and gravel pads. Wifi, cell service, and washer/dryer facilities are also available.

Camp host duties include:

• Restroom maintenance
• Visitor information
• Firepit and trash clean up

Seminoe State Park 

Seminoe State Park is surrounded by the Seminoe Mountains. Amenities here include beaches, biking, boating, fishing, camping, geocaching, picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking, historic sites, horseback riding, off-road vehicles, overlooks, swimming, wildlife, and a visitor center.

While there is no shade at this location, they do offer full hookups.

Camp host duties include:

• Light Maintenance (mowing, painting)
• Firepit and trash pickup
• Act as on-site security
• Customer service
• Answer phone]calls
• Permit sales
• Guest interaction
• Reservations

Sinks Canyon State Park 

Sinks Canyon State Park is unique because of a geographic feature that gives it its name. It is located in the middle of the fork of the Popo Agie River. What is unique is that the river vanishes into a limestone cavern and resurfaces about a quarter of a mile down the canyon into a pool that is full of rainbow trout. Amenities here include biking, camping, cabins, hiking, and picnic areas.

Located up high at over 6,000 ft, this camp host opportunity is perfect for those ready to rough it a little. With no hookups or Wifi, it’s great for those who want to be off-gridthere. Each site is handicap accessible and there are two water spigots available for use.

Camp host duties include:

• Keeping the grounds and shelters clean
• Grounds beautification (painting, mowing, weed eating)
• Yurt housekeeping
• Customer service
• Permit sales