Work in Oregon · Camp Hosting

Camp Host Jobs in Oregon

State parks, national forests, and private campgrounds across Oregon hire camp hosts every season. Here is what to know and where to find the positions.

Why Oregon Is One of the Best States for Camp Hosting

Oregon has over 250 state parks, 15 national forests, and millions of acres of BLM land. The state parks system alone manages over 100 campgrounds, many of which use volunteer and paid camp hosts. The combination of dramatic scenery — coast, Cascades, high desert, Columbia River Gorge — and a well-funded parks system makes Oregon one of the best states in the country for camp host positions.

Oregon State Parks runs one of the most organized camp host programs in the country. Positions are posted on the Oregon State Parks website and through the Workamper community. Most positions run from May through October, with some year-round positions at coastal parks and lower-elevation campgrounds.

Oregon State Parks Camp Host Positions

What Oregon State Parks Offers

Oregon State Parks camp host positions typically include a free full-hookup site, a small hourly wage ($13–$16/hour for 20–40 hours/week), and access to park facilities. The positions are structured — you have a supervisor, clear expectations, and regular check-ins. This is the most professional camp host experience available in Oregon.

Popular Oregon State Park Campgrounds

The Oregon Coast parks are the most sought-after positions: Sunset Bay State Park near Coos Bay, Cape Lookout State Park on the Tillamook Coast, and Beverly Beach State Park near Newport. These parks are busy from May through September and have multiple host sites. The Cascades parks — Tumalo State Park near Bend, LaPine State Park in central Oregon — are popular with van lifers and RVers who want to explore the high desert.

How to Apply

Applications for Oregon State Parks camp host positions open in January and February for the summer season. Apply through the Oregon State Parks website (oregonstateparks.org) or through OGS. Be specific about your preferred parks and your availability dates. The most popular positions fill by March.

National Forest Camp Host Positions in Oregon

The Willamette, Deschutes, Mount Hood, Umpqua, Rogue River-Siskiyou, and Siuslaw National Forests all use volunteer camp hosts. These positions are managed through Recreation.gov and through individual ranger districts. The compensation is typically a free site and a small expense stipend ($10–$15/day) rather than an hourly wage.

National forest positions are right for people who want to spend time in spectacular locations without the structure of a state parks position. The Deschutes National Forest around Bend has some of the most beautiful campgrounds in the state — Tumalo Falls, Lava Lake, Crane Prairie Reservoir. The Mount Hood National Forest has campgrounds within an hour of Portland that are busy all summer.

Private Campground Positions in Oregon

KOA, Thousand Trails, and independent private campgrounds throughout Oregon hire camp hosts. These positions vary significantly in quality. The best private campground positions include a full-hookup site, a cash wage, and a well-maintained facility. The worst are exploitative — requiring 40+ hours of work per week for nothing but a site.

Research any private campground position carefully before accepting. Look for reviews from previous hosts on workamper forums and Facebook groups. Ask specifically about the number of required hours, the quality of the hookup site, and whether the position includes any cash compensation. OGS lists private campground positions with employer contact details — browse current listings to find positions with transparent compensation.

Oregon Regions and What to Expect

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is the most popular region for camp hosting. The scenery is spectacular, the campgrounds are busy from June through September, and the positions are competitive. Expect cool, foggy summers (average high of 60–65°F) and wet winters. The coast is accessible year-round, and some campgrounds have year-round host positions.

Central Oregon (Bend and High Desert)

Central Oregon has the best weather in the state for summer camp hosting — warm, dry, and sunny. The Deschutes National Forest and the BLM land around Bend offer some of the best boondocking in the Pacific Northwest. Camp host positions in this region are popular and fill quickly. The season runs May through October.

Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge

The Willamette Valley has fewer camp host positions but is close to Portland and Eugene, which means easy access to services, medical care, and urban amenities. The Columbia River Gorge has several state parks and national forest campgrounds with host positions — the scenery is dramatic and the location is convenient for exploring both Oregon and Washington.

Find Camp Host Jobs in Oregon on OGS

OGS lists camp host and workamping positions across Oregon. Browse current Oregon listings to find positions that fit your timeline and location preferences. Create a free Trekkie profile and mark yourself available on the OGS RadarMap — Oregon campground operators can find you based on your location and skills.

Also read our complete guide to camp host jobs for everything you need to know about what the work involves, what compensation looks like, and how to apply successfully.