Wanted: Campground Hosts for National Forests

There are 175 national forests and grasslands across America and, as recreation budgets and staff are being reduced, volunteer host positions are on offer from sea to shining sea. These are wonderful opportunities for RVers who want to establish a base for a month or more and really explore these treasured lands. 

The job is straightforward ... the host is there to provide good information in a friendly manner to campers about the park and area, to monitor the campground for the Forest Service, and to perform light general maintenance duties. As a volunteer host, you’ll receive a free campsite for the duration of your stay. And, since the need for volunteer campground hosts is year-round, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one area. You can host in, say, Washington’s Olympic National Forest, then head to the Southwest when the snow flies!

The excellent website www.forestcamping.com offers a comprehensive guide to the developed campgrounds in national forests and grasslands and specifies the host needs for each one. There are multiple positions listed in the Northwestern States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana) and those interested in applying for a host position, can do so directly with the Forest Service Employee contact. The email address is included with each listing.

Click here for a list of state-by-state host positions. 

Meet dinosaurs at Oregon’s Prehistoric Gardens

Just off Highway 101, halfway between Port Orchard and Gold    Beach, dinosaurs lurk in the rainforest—well, okay dinosaur replicas. They’re actually scientifically accurate, though; their measurements are based on fossil skeletons, which means they’re life-sized! This classic roadside attraction is a great place to bring the kids (of all ages) if you’re out camping this fall... The dripping mosses, lush foliage, and that rich earthy smell of the season give this unique park a Jurassic feel. 

Oregon sculptor, Ernest Nelson created each of these creatures, combing his love of art and his passion for the prehistoric world. He began the project in 1953 and spent the next 40 years constructing the 23 specimens of the menagerie, which includes a nest of hatching triceratops, a colorful dimetrodon, flying pteranodon, and a very toothy elasmosaurus. 

The park is open year-round (sometimes the owners close up shop in late winter for a couple of weeks), daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. 

RVers can camp nearby at the beautiful Humbug Mountain State Park, which offers some of the “warmest” camping in the state, due to the protective mountains. It’s also open year-round; 32 electrical and hookup sites available. Click here for information or call (800) 551-6949