Become a campground host

Several Iowa State parks are still seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season. If you enjoy camping and meeting new people, this may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

Parks currently needing hosts are Backbone (Delaware County); Bellevue (Jackson County); Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo County); Geode (Henry County); Lake Darling (Washington County); Ledges (Boone County); Lewis and Clark (Monona County); McIntosh Woods (Cerro Gordo County); Nine Eagles (Decatur County); Pilot Knob (Winnebago County); Pine Lake (Hardin County); Prairie Rose (Shelby County); Stephens State Forest (Lucas County); Union Grove (Tama County) and Walnut Woods (Polk County).

Additional information about volunteering and applying for a campground host position is available at iowadnr.gov/volunteer. The list of parks needing campground hosts can change, so please check back to this web page regularly for additional opportunities.

Campground hosts work alongside DNR staff to help maintain and beautify the park, ensure reservations are up-to-date and accurate, and assist visitors in a welcoming and helpful manner. Actual duties vary based on each park’s individual needs.

In this volunteer position, hosts are provided a free campsite and live in the park for one to five months during the summer season. Hosts volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week, often including weekends and holidays, while living on site in their own camper.