Campground Host Volunteer

FROM: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000009MjR7

ADDRESS: 24 Fort Missoula Road  Missoula, Montana, 59804

DATES: 2025-05-05

DEPT: Forest Service

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This U.S. Forest Service volunteer position is an opportunity to live and work on the National Forest providing public service while hosting and maintaining select recreation sites within the Rock Creek Recreation Area (RA). A stipend or salary is not provided.

The Rock Creek RA is located approximately 26 miles east of Missoula. The campground host site is located at Norton Campground along Rock Creek road (9 miles south of I-90). Ekstrom’s Stage Station restaurant and the Rock Creek Mercantile are located at the beginning of Rock Creek road. There is a small market and gas station five miles to the west of the I-90 Rock Creek exit.

The Rock Creek Recreation Area includes: multiple trailheads, trails, fishing access sites, campgrounds, dispersed camping sites, the Rock Creek Guard Station, the Hogback Homestead, the Morgan-Case Homestead, and the Welcome Creek Wilderness.  All of these sites are either adjacent to or located within close proximity to Rock Creek which is a “Blue Ribbon” trout stream.

The Rock Creek host is a roving campground host position that provides general maintenance services within the Recreation Area (selected campgrounds and trailheads), fee compliance, and public service. The host routinely travels 14 miles round trip along Rock Creek to fulfill their duties. The host site is located at Norton campground at milepost 9. The road is paved to milepost 12 and is graveled beyond that point. A Forest Service truck is provided by the Forest Service for work duties only and a clean driving record is required for the position.

The host maintains the following recreation sites:    total Units- 47, Restrooms- 10, picnic site- 1

Norton CG- 2 Restrooms, 13 camp units

Grizzly CG- 3 Restrooms, 9 camp units, 1 picnic site

Dalles CG- 2 Restrooms, 10 camp units

Harry’s Flat CG- 2 Restrooms, 15 camp units

Welcome Creek Trailhead- 1 Restroom

Volunteer campground hosts are a front-line representative of the United Stated Forest Service. Few Forest Service employees have as much direct daily contact with members of the public as a volunteer campground host. Volunteer service is greatly appreciated and critical to achieving our Agency’s mission of Caring for the Land and Serving People! General duties include:

-Being a courteous, professional, and friendly host to forest visitors while representing the Agency

-Providing visitor information including: recreational opportunities, as well as, rules and regulations

-Maintaining the campground and picnic site to standard

-Monitoring fee compliance

-Ensuring a positive working relationship

Season, Schedule, and Utilities:

Campground hosts must be available from approximately the beginning of May thru September 30. Hosts volunteer five days a week, including weekends and holidays. A full season’s commitment is required. 4-6 hours per day/25-30 hours per week is a typical commitment. Hosts are on duty in both the morning and evening during daylight hours to greet visitors and to conduct fee compliance checks. The Recreation Manager will coordinate with the host regarding the time of day to complete maintenance duties. Days off will be taken mid-week on a Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday. The host is not required to stay on site during days off.

The campground host site parking spur is graveled to accommodate a RV or camp trailer. Additional parking spaces are provided for the host’s personal vehicle. Electricity, water, septic, garbage, and phone service (local calls only) are provided by the Forest Service. Previous hosts have chosen to pay for additional services including; long distance phone service using pre-paid calling cards, satellite television (DirectTV, Dish Network…) and/or dial up internet (Peoplepc.com). Please note that there is no DSL through CenturyLink, the primary phone provider. Cell phone reception is available approximately 6 miles to the south of the campground along Rock Creek road.

Hosts must provide their own RV or camp trailer along with propane (if applicable). Hosts must possess a valid driver’s license. The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted. Pets may be permitted on a case by case basis. Please note that all pets must be on a leash, including host pets, within the campground.  Also, ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles must meet Montana State law (must be street legal) in order to ride on State and Forest Service roads.

General Information:

                 -Groceries and gas are available in the Town of Clinton, 14 miles from Norton Campground, full

                 services are also available in the City of Missoula

                 -Campground fee rate: $6.00 per day

                 -Limit of two motor vehicles per site

                 -Average parking apron size: 12′ x 40′

                 -Hook ups: Host site only

                 -Food and attractant storage regulations are in effect to prevent wildlife/human conflicts

Tagged as: SUMMER '25