Camp Host

Position Description

Mattole Camp Host

The Mattole Campground sits at the northwest corner of the King Range National Conservation Area (NCA), where the Mattole River meets the Pacific Ocean in southwest Humboldt County, California. This unique coastal campground serves as the northern trailhead for the renowned Lost Coast Trail (LCT), welcoming thousands of backpackers each year as they begin their 25-mile journey south.

As the first and last point of contact for many visitors, the Camp Host plays a highly visible and essential role at this iconic gateway—offering a warm welcome, sharing vital safety information, and helping protect one of California’s most spectacular and remote coastal landscapes.

Position Summary

The Camp Host serves as an on-site volunteer representative for the King Range National Conservation Area, helping ensure a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for all visitors. This role blends visitor engagement, light maintenance, and stewardship, making it ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people and caring for public lands. In collaboration with the Park Rangers who visit the campground 2x per week, the campground host is expected to assist with campground upkeep.

Time Commitment

·       Position duration:  starts when filled through October 15, 2026 (flexible).

·      25–30 hours per week.  Days off are flexible, best would be Tuesday or Wednesday.

·      Daily:  greet early morning and mid-day shuttles; on-call between 8am to 5:00pm, and as needed (flexible).

Responsibilities

·       Welcome campers, backpackers, and day-use visitors with a friendly and professional presence.

·       Provide information on campground rules, safety considerations, daily tide and weather conditions, and recreational opportunities.

·       Assist visitors with campsite selection and orientation to facilities

·       Share knowledge of the King Range NCA, Lost Coast Trail, and Leave No Trace principles.

·       Monitor campground activity and encourage compliance with posted rules.

·       Report violations, safety concerns, or emergencies to BLM staff

·       Maintain a visible, approachable presence that supports a positive visitor experience.

·       Assist with cleaning of campsites, such as litter pickup, removing trash from the trash cans and restocking the trash bags between ranger visits.

·       Assist with routing cleaning of the vault toilets, such as restocking the toilet paper, cleaning toilets, and sweeping between ranger visits.

·       Report maintenance needs, including damaged facilities or full receptacles.

·       Inform visitors about campground fees and payment procedures.

·       Observe and report fee compliance concerns (hosts do not enforce payments directly).

·       Maintain regular contact with BLM staff, sattelite phone and radio will be provided (wifi or cell service at campground not reliable).

·       Keep simple activity logs (visitor use, incidents, maintenance needs, etc.).

Requirements

·       Ability to live on-site in a personal RV or trailer for duration of committment.

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

·       Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

·       Physical ability to perform light maintenance and cleaning tasks.

·       Reliability, sound judgment, and a positive, service-oriented attitude.

·       Comfortable living in a remote setting with limited services

Preferred Qualifications

·       Previous campground host or volunteer experience.

·       Familiarity with public lands, outdoor recreation, or resource stewardship.

·        Must bring trailer/RV/camper that is self-contained to withstand summer beach fog and wind .

·       Self-sufficient with the ability to live on the beach for the summer.

Benefits

·       Complimentary campsite at Mattole Campground for the duration of service.

·       A rare opportunity to live and work along California’s rugged Lost Coast—where sweeping ocean views, abundant wildlife, and solitude create an unforgettable experience.

·       Meaningful involvement in public land stewardship and conservation and training/support from BLM staff.

·       This volunteer position is eligible for camprate per diem reimbursement, $42/day for food, etc.  Mileage remibursement for volunteer positions is $0.14 per mile.

Working Conditions

·       Remote coastal beach environment.  Campground is on the beach edge, sheltered by tall sand dunes (see google earth).

Weather:  The campground has a maritime climate with fog, ocean breezes, and mild temperatures. In the summer, its often cool and foggy in the mornings, with temperatures commonly in the 50s–60s°F.  Afternoon clearing is common and sunny day temps usually stay well under 75-80°F.  Closeby, Petrolia and the Hwy 101 corridor summer temps range between 68–100°F.

·       No cell service or wifi at Mattole Campground, possibly available on the mountain ridge above campground or in Petrolia.  Bring a satellite service if wifi is needed/preferred.

·       Frequent interaction with a diverse range of visitors.

·       The Lost Coast offers spectacular views, access to river and estuary, hiking, birding, beachcombing.  Natualists are in awe of the wildflowers, native plants, wildlife, coastal bird populations, marine mammals, and overall–the magic of the coastal wilderness.  We hope to find a camp host with an appreciation of the area.

Supervision, Reports to BLM King Range NCA ORP & NCA Manager.

How to Apply:

Do you feel a calling to the Lost Coast?  This may be a position for you!

Please send resume and for more information or to express interest:

Sandy Miles, Outdoor Recreation Planner

Email: smiles@blm.gov

Phone: (707) 986-5415

Tagged as: Couples / Duos, Single / Solo, SUMMER '26