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Learning the Seasons of Workamping

After a long winter, most likely in snowbird destinations like SoCal, the Arizona desert, Central & Southern Florida, and Southern Texas-Workampers are gearing up all across the country to make their way to their summer positions. Places like Yellowstone National Park, Camp Gulf, Adventureland, and a variety of private campgrounds in destinations many tourists can only dream about spending a whole summer, are gearing up to welcome new RV staffers.

It’s one of the perks of the workamping season- freedom of location! We choose where to go and for how long! Picking up a seasonal gig in that ultra-desirable tourist location and then spending the better part of the travel season getting to really know your surroundings, the community and having a blast exploring locally.

The Workamping Season

What exactly is the workamping season? Is it the same as the camping season? Do all workamper employers hire for the same time frames? These are the questions that many ask time after time, as there has been some confusion on the definition of the actual workamper season… let’s clear that up!

The official workamping season coincides with the camping season, which starts around Memorial Day and ends right after Labor Day. The exact dates are not defined nor are they important, because not only do employers hire for a variety of start and end dates, they also might ask you to start in the spring or stay through the winter.

During the workamping season jobs are plentiful. Employers are also often overwhelmed with the response to their advertising and the interest to their open positions. Competition is higher overall, but can really be high for places like Alaska, Seattle, Maine, and National Parks.

Start applying early in the fall/winter and you will be successful in getting a head start on the masses. Line up your summer gigs before spring starts to make sure you get your perfect position. The workamping season is essentially the easiest time to find work. The winter, on the other hand, is more of a challenge.

Learning the Seasons of Workamping 1
Winter doesn’t mean the workamping season is completely over!

Workamping in the Winter

Family dinners, holiday parties, and for a lot of Workampers, the end of the workamping season all mark the start of the next leg of the Workamping adventure…the winter season.

Workamping during the winter really isn’t unusual. It will require a little more planning and forethought than the typical route of securing a job for the Workamping Season!

The winter season brings a bucket load of questions, tons of uncertainty, and even some restlessness as the Workamper chooses to settle into monthly stays at snowbird-friendly parks in the south and far west, still wondering if they could have found a job for the winter instead.

The idea that workamping during the winter is minimal – and to some extent non-existent – is one to be taken lightly. It’s pretty far from the truth if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zones, plan ahead, and maybe use some creativity to find a position you feel good about.

Look for winter workamping jobs in areas where winter sports are a thing or where winter weather is mild. You’ll be surprised what types of places are hiring in order to keep their parks running all year round. You could even look into state parks or volunteer sites that will at least cut out the cost of paying for a winter site. Bottom line, do your research and start applying early!

Workamping in the Spring

Ah, the winter blues are starting to shake off and the camping season is just around the corner. While weather can still be a little chilly and most places are still getting lots of rain, most RV parks are thinking ahead. Early spring time means the camping season is about to explode and this is the perfect time to start hiring. This is the time to look for your spring/summer gigs if you haven’t already!

Depending on the area, some places have been filled up. Places that are warmer will often start their camping season sooner, so get ready to start applying! Workamping in the spring means getting settled before the crowds begin to really file in for summer break. It also means exploring the area or traveling during a time most people are still working or in school.

Spring is a great time to secure a summer/fall gig. The weather starts to break and resorts are gearing up for the coming crowds. You can also get an idea of the parks that keep coming up and learn which places tend to hire each year.

Learning the Seasons of Workamping 2
The RV season is in full swing late spring, leading into summer.

Workamping in the Summer

Summertime is the height of the workamping season. The warm weather and favorable views attract travelers, sightseers, and vacationers. The kids are out of school, people are taking time off work and the camping season is booming. Hopefully you have your workamping job locked in by now!

While there may be some openings floating around, if you’re workamping in the summer, you’ve likely already locked in your gig. Most parks have their staff well-established before the busy season arrives, making it harder to find workamping positions last minute. By the time the swarms of vacationers and summer breakers arrive, it’s ideal to have you trained and ready for the influx of campers.

That’s not to say it can’t happen. Never give up when looking for a workamping job as they do happen year round! But it’s better to play it safe and lock in a job you want before the season is in full swing. That way you can sit back, relax, and get pumped about working a summer job in a place you enjoy.

But like any workamping season, it’s best to keep looking and applying to places so that your next season is covered. Especially if you want to workamp year-round, it helps to keep a constant radar on all the upcoming jobs. Because before you know it you’ll be…

Workamping in the Fall

Fall is a piggyback off of the summer season as many people are still camping and enjoying the great outdoors. Many retirees, singles, and frequent travelers prefer to camp after the busy season while the weather is still nice. People are also starting to make their way west and south for the coming winter season.

However, you may notice workamping in the fall starts to dwindle. You won’t find as many available positions as a lot of parks close for the season. In fact, you may even find advertisements for next summer as many resorts and parks like to plan ahead for the busy season.

So if you’re planning to workamp in the fall, it’s worth it to get a little creative. Widen your search, do your research, and think outside the campground. Places like the Sugar Beet Harvest and DigiKey are ideal for some fall workampers. It also wouldn’t hurt to start applying to those summer jobs either so you have a piece of mind. Fall is this time to get creative and plan ahead.

Learning the Seasons of Workamping 3
The workamping season continues into the fall!

Each workamping season has its own quirk and its own timeline. While winter may seem desolate, you simply have to plan ahead and get creative. And while you may need to lockdown your summer job way in advance, you’ll love having a fun place to stay during the camping season. With a little knowledge of how the workamping seasons work, you could turn your workamping lifestyle into a year round adventure!

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