Are you an avid camper but feel restricted by the mundanities of your everyday job—confined to the office, unable to roam as you please? Then “workamping” may be an exciting alternative to pursue. No longer just for retirees, workamping has become popular among all types of individuals, couples and families. If you’re interested in finding out more about this fantastic way of life, we built this guide just for you.
Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover in this guide. Use the links to skip ahead if you already know what you’re looking for:
What is Workamping?
Workamping is a phrase achieved by combining the words, “work” and “camping”. Essentially, you work while camping in order to support yourself throughout your journey. Whether you’re taking a few week’s vacation or are a permanent road warrior, workamping can be a big help in making sure the experience lasts as long as you’d like.
Do you dream of carving out your own path, finding new and fun places to explore throughout North America? Well, workamping gives you the chance to do just that, without going broke. Put in simple terms: it’s working while RVing.
What Kind of Work does Workamping Usually Entail?
The type of work you’ll find when workamping could come in a variety of forms. However, it’s more often than not monthly or seasonal and part-time or full-time work, occupying a variety of positions. In general, common workamping jobs can be found at RV parks, national forests, state parks, resorts and campgrounds. Specific duties might include anything from mowing the lawn, repairing structures, checking people in and out, taking reservations, responding to customer requests, and pool upkeep.
Normally, two parties (the camper and the employer) enter into a contract that lays out the necessary duties to be performed. The RVer takes on the job in return for certain benefits. This could entail a regular paycheck, a free RV site plus reduced payment or just a free RV site, among many other options. It’s best to do your homework on possible workamping opportunities to ensure you receive a contract that works best for your travel plans.
However, there are many other forms of workamping opportunities beyond just RV campgrounds. The great thing about having a travel trailer or mobile home is that you can park it almost anywhere, and as such, it’s easy to find jobs or volunteer opportunities when you can travel to them.
Here are some common examples of workamping positions:
Seasonal Hospitality
Ranch Hand or Farm Worker
National Park / State Park Volunteer
Caretaker, Groundskeeper or Gardener
Fireworks, Pumpkin or Christmas Tree Sales
Tour Guide
Beach Maintenance Worker
Golf Course Employee
Why is Workamping so Popular?
In the past, workamping was mainly a retiree’s game. Throughout the past decade, however, the practice has become increasingly common among a diverse set of people, from individuals, couples, and families to young and old, alike.
Perhaps the main reason workamping has become so popular is because of the freedom it provides. Whether you’re tired of the urban hustle and need to recharge, are looking to reconnect with a spouse, or want to spend summer on a family adventure, workamping gives you ample opportunity to do so. Workampers travel the country while funding their trip with a little bit of hustle – that seems like a pretty great deal to us!
If you’re on the fence about workamping, here are some great reasons to give it a try:
Work where you live, anywhere in the country.
Experience a destination for as long as you want to; it’s like a vacation with no set deadlines.
Reconnect with nature, whether it’s through your travels or extended stays.
Meet a group of like-minded people who are as passionate about new adventures as yourself.
Spend retirement traveling where you wish, seeing the sites you’ve always wanted to see.
A wide variety of job types means that almost anyone is suited to give workamping a try.
How Much Money Can You Make Workamping?
As noted above, there are many different contractual agreements you can enter into when workamping. Generally, it could resemble a regular job and paycheck, a job plus a reduced RV site price, or just an RV site. The amount of money you’ll receive depends on a number of factors, including full-time vs. part-time workamping opportunities, as well as type of duties performed and your RV’s hook-up requirements.
Here’s how much you can expect to make at a workamping job:
In general, you can expect to make at least minimum wage, particularly if you’re planning on negotiating a free RV space. However, if you’re more interested in making money, you can certainly find jobs that hit the $10-$20 an hour and higher mark, depending on your unique skills. For example, seasonal service station workers at Yellowstone National Park receive $11 an hour and up depending on the position and your experience level.
The amount of money you’ll receive depends on a number of factors, including full-time vs. part-time workamping opportunities.
Where to Find Workamping Jobs
Finding workamping jobs may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually fairly simple. Use the links below to find the best workamping jobs in the U.S. Visit their websites to research and apply for open positions.
Workamper News
Workamper News is one of the more popular sites for finding related jobs, and in fact, is the company that came up with the word, “workamping.” For over three decades, this family-run group has offered free job listings, as well as special subscription access to postings for a fee (Gold Package at $19.95 per year, Diamond Package at $47.00 per year, Platinum Package at $67.00 per year)
Workers On Wheels
Run by workamping husband-wife duo, Bob and Colleen, Workers On Wheels offers tons of help wanted ads for RVers and campers. Postings include temporary jobs, work-for-site exchanges, seasonal work, long-term employment, and volunteer opportunities.
Workampers Facebook Group
Social media is a fantastic resource to find workamping jobs. If you have a Facebook account, head over to the Workampers group and browse the many posts. The page is very active and posts opportunities regularly.
Workamping Jobs
This free website provides workampers with a number of short-term and long-term job opportunities. Over 120 postings were submitted in the last 30 days alone. You can also find reviews on certain jobs and resources related to the RV-camping lifestyle.
Working Couples
This workamping website is exclusively for couples on the road and looking for job opportunities. With thousands of listings a year, you can find just about anything. An example of some listings include cabin resort management, animal care, housekeeping and maintenance, handiwork and gardening, among many others.
Volunteer.gov
If you’re interested solely in volunteer opportunities, then this government-run website is for you. Over the past two decades, this website has grown into an extensive portal where workampers are matched with a position based on their personal preferences and travel plans. By connecting volunteers with communities in need, this organization helps deliver manpower and resources to those who need it most. It’s a free, fast, and efficient way to connect volunteers with natural and cultural resources agencies.
Camphost.org
This handy website provides operations management listings for public parks, campgrounds and other recreation facilities in the US Forest Service, state parks, marinas, canoe rentals, boat ramps and more. States they operate in include New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin and Kentucky, among others.
Notable Companies that Provide Workamping Opportunities
Beyond the websites above, there are several companies that provide workamping opportunities. Take advantage of these positions while they’re still available!
Amazon
Did you know that one of the biggest companies in the world has its own, dedicated workamping program? Known as the “Amazon Camperforce”, this program hires temporary staff during its peak delivery seasons, bringing together a large number of enthusiastic RVers. These jobs include picking up, packing, stowing and receiving at an Amazon Warehouse. Employees receive hourly pay, completion bonus, referral bonuses and paid campsites at a nearby RV campground. It’s a quick way to make some good money in the short-term, and provides a fast-paced, energetic work environment.
U.S. Forest Service
If you love nature, you can volunteer to help the U.S. Forest Service on a full-time or part-time basis. They often have seasonal or one-off projects that can last a few weeks, several months, whole seasons or year-round. With over 193 million acres of land under their care, they have more than enough space for an extra workamper or two.
American Land & Leisure Recreation Facilities Management
American Land & Leisure Recreation Facilities Management is a group of passionate workampers, with a mission of connecting RVers and employers. And they’re pretty effective, thanks to the fact that they maintain more campgrounds on federal lands than any other concessionaire in the U.S. There are many open jobs listed on their website, but they focus on a few specific states: Colorado, Florida, Michigan, California, Oregon and Utah.
Grand Targhee Resort
Whether you ski, mountain bike, hike or just love the outdoors, there’s no place better to do so than the Grand Tetons. At Targhee Resort, you can ditch your corporate life and join the lively Targhee team. In your free time, you can explore over 310,000 acres of park, where you’ll find substantial wildlife, lush natural scenery, quiet mountain walking paths and breathtaking alpine views.
Delaware North - Yellowstone National Park
Delaware North operates 12 general stores inside picturesque Yellowstone National Park. They also offer many seasonal, temporary and workamping opportunities. This may be the perfect option over the summer if you’re interested in exploring the nation’s first national park while making some money on the side.
Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
Enjoy your summer RVing at Lake Powell in the southern Utah-northern Arizona border. As the operator of four large marinas on the lake, they offer a variety of jobs, from boat maintenance to slip management to ski instructor and more. So, if you love the lake, you’re sure to enjoy the 2,000 miles of shoreline and beautiful weather here.
Grand Canyon Conservancy
If you’ve always wanted to live atop the greatest canyon in the world, then look to Grand Canyon Conservancy for job openings. As the official non-profit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, they assist with everything from park services to educational programs to trail endowments and more. You won’t find a more stunning place to set up camp for a few weeks—or even the whole year.
Blair Hotels
This hotel chain in Wyoming provides the perfect backdrop for your workamping trip. With amazing scenery, friendly people, plenty to explore, and many job opportunities within the hospitality and hotel industry, you’re sure to find an enjoyable position, both full-time and part-time.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
From fisheries to wildlife refuges to ecological services and beyond, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides full-time, part-time, seasonal and special event opportunities. In some places throughout the country, RV campsites are provided in return for a set number of volunteer hours.
Xanterra
This company operates out of several national parks, like Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Mount Rushmore and a number of other amazing destinations. Xanterra has been planning trips for more than a century, and can help make your RV experience an unforgettable one.
Bureau of Land Management
As an RVer, you’re probably pretty familiar with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM-managed land oversees 261 million acres of the country’s public lands, under direction of the Department of the Interior. More than 17,000 volunteers help BLM operate, as they take on tasks like managing the many campsites and recreation areas, as well as field work in remote locations. And you can be one of them, just use the link above to apply for a job.
Cal-Am Resorts
Based in Arizona, Cal-Am Resorts is one of the largest owner/operators of RV resorts in the United States. As such, they have a wide array of workamping jobs available every season, specifically within their Food Services division. Positions include waitstaff, bartending, cooks, restaurant managers and more.
Finding workamping jobs may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually fairly simple.
Workamping Tips and Best Practices
While workamping is an exciting and unique experience, there are some tips and best practices you should be aware of before heading out on a new adventure. Make sure to use the advice below in order to maximize your enjoyment, wherever you’re traveling to.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you’re gearing up for a workamping trip:
Define your unique talents and abilities: Do you have a special skill, or are you an extremely hard worker? Some of these types of abilities can set you apart from the pack to ensure that you land the job that you’re after.
Brush up the resumé: If you haven’t updated your resumé in a few years, polish it up and create a few different versions based on the specific job criteria you’re applying for.
Be open to new experiences: Whether or not you’ve lived in an RV before, you’ll be challenged in exciting new ways when workamping. Be open to new people and ways of living and you may find yourself with a whole new perspective.
Join an online community: There are a number of online social groups (some are listed above) that can assist you with your workamping questions and concerns. This connects you with fellow workampers who likely have experienced what you’re going through and can provide their unique guidance.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate: If you find a job that you love, don’t be afraid to negotiate the final contract. Whether it’s income, benefits, campsite, job duties or anything else, many organizations that employ workampers are willing to consider your wants and needs.
Seasonal Workamping Jobs
For those looking for seasonal workamping jobs, there are plenty of options available. In general, there are two distinct times throughout the year that workamping jobs can be split into: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
Spring and summer, otherwise known as camping season, is by far the easiest time to find workamping jobs. Campsites, parks and recreation areas are at their busiest and these places need all the help they can get. By Memorial Day, campers are out in full swing, meaning employment opportunities are ripe for the picking. You’ll often see a surge of job openings starting after the snow melts, fizzling out toward the beginning of summer through Labor Day. Don’t forget that once you land a job, keep your eyes peeled for new opportunities in the fall and winter, as those are more scarce.
Once Labor Day passes, campers usually retreat from parks and, for many, the season concludes. In this case, workampers usually rely on the bigger-name workamping employers, such as Amazon or resorts like Cal-Am and Blair Hotels. Other options include heading somewhere warm like Florida or California to take advantage of the tourist season. Or, if cold weather is more your thing, many ski resorts also offer seasonal positions.
If you aren’t lucky enough to find a gig during fall and winter, don’t give up hope. Many job postings go up in late winter and early spring, so you can prepare to apply for those as they arise. Make sure to have your resumé updated and ready to submit at a moment’s notice, otherwise another ambitious workamper may beat you to it!
Spring and summer, otherwise known as camping season, is by far the easiest time to find workamping jobs.
Time to Get to Work(amping)!
Now that you have all the information you need for a successful workamping experience, you can start planning your next adventure. From teenagers with the summer off to those looking for a lifestyle change to retired persons and beyond, workamping provides all the freedom you wish to attain, without the struggles of being penniless. All it takes is a little bit of hustle, and you can live your life wherever you please – best of luck with your travels!
Are you searching for the perfect RV to accompany you on your workamping journey? Then get in touch with Vistabule today. Our team can craft your very own teardrop trailer from the ground up, so you can have a comfortable workamping experience, without leaving the many luxuries of home. From creative cooking solutions in the back galley to relaxing cabin interiors to stylish yet utilitarian performance options, it’s all available to you when you work with Vistabule.
Contact us today to find out how our teardrop construction process is designed to serve you. With many custom options, you’re ready to travel to uncharted destinations with maximum comfort, style and usability. Download the pricing worksheet below or get in touch with our team today to learn more.