Getting a job at a National Park after retirement used to be a very realistic way to defray part of your costs while living in and enjoying the sights at beautiful locations around America. But the National Parks budget has been severely limited so landing a job in the parks is now more challenging.
Some jobs are available through private companies that hold contracts with the Park Service. Most of the jobs are basic to the hospitality industry: waiter, bartender, front desk clerk, cashier, etc. There are also some behind the scenes jobs such as inventory clerk.
These jobs are usually short term, lasting only for as long as the high season. You can, however, move from National Park to National Park and work almost year ’round, with careful planning. For example, you could work in a gift shop in Yellowstone during summer months, then move on to a job in Arizona or Florida come winter. For a list and maps of all U.S. National Parks, go here.
Three ways to get work in a National or State Park
1) Go to work for the National Park Service. The NPS is part of the federal government and you would be applying for a federal government job with all the complications and screening and medical exams that involves. But if you are interested in going this route go to USAJOBS.
2) Become an NPS Volunteer, where your only pay is free housing, most commonly parking space for your RV at no charge. It can be a great deal of fun working as a nature guide, historic re-enactor, trail builder, a fee taker in an information booth, or other job. To learn more about being a “worker camper”, as they are called, go here.
3) Get a job with a private company. The lodges and other hospitality facilities located in most National Parks are operated privately by companies like Xanterra, Aramark, and Delaware North. They hire seasonal workers– lots of them–in places ranging from the Grand Canyon to Denali Park in Alaska to the Florida Keys. These are paid jobs and many of them also include steeply discounted housing in cabins or residences in the Park. Their websites will give you the details.
There are also listings of jobs specifically for retirees with salaries on the employment site Indeed. Indeed also has suggestions for improving your “retirement resume.”
Important notes
1. There are now many more people applying for work in National Parks, in particular the most popular parks like Grand Canyon and Yosemite, than there are jobs available. Be aware that your competition for all these travel-related jobs includes students, post-college young people, and immigrants who come into the country on special visas to work in resorts.
2. These jobs go fast so you should apply as many as 6 months ahead of when you want to work.
You may want to take a look at the jobs on Cool Works to find other jobs outdoors at resorts or dude ranches. These listings are very specific to location and include smaller resorts and vacation facilities. Cool Works even has a section for Seniors called ‘Older and Bolder’. It’s listed under Resources.
A better idea: work in State Parks
Many states also hire part time seasonal workers for jobs in the over 6,500 state parks across the nation. For example, the State of California hires hosts for campsites in over 100 State Parks in locations ranging from the beach to the desert to the mountains. There are also other jobs in addition to hosting in the California park system. Some are paid; some are volunteer; some include housing or a free campsite.
Because across the country there are so many parks and campgrounds, they are almost always looking for hosts. Decide which region you would like to work in, then go to all the official state websites for that area and check out the State Park Service. You may be surprised at the variety of job openings.
There may also be part-time jobs at gift shops and restaurants near State Parks, but locals may beat you to the jobs.
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