How To Work And Live In A National Park

TOM ROWLAND PODCAST

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“I got my start in the outdoor world by working in a National Park.”

PODCAST SYNOPSIS

Have you ever been to a national park and wished you could live there? Maybe even work there? Well when I was younger I worked on Yellowstone National Park and that is what sparked my interest in working in the outdoors. So I sat down with the head of Marketing for Xanterra, Rick Hoeninghausen, and he explains exactly the steps to apply to live and work on a National Park.

If you have ever wanted to work on any of the following National Parks, you need to check out this podcast on how to apply there: Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, Glacier National Park, The Oasis At Death Valley, Cedar Creek Lodge, The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Rocky Mountain National Park

Rick outlines that the application process is very straight forward, you can apply either directly on the website (for example www.yellowstonejobs.com) or you can apply through Xanterra.

Once you apply and if you get the job, some things you can expect in your experience would be dorm living and cafeteria meals. It is common for in-the-park living to be dorm-style with one other roommate and the meals are prepared for employees at a cafeteria. There is, however, an option for RV living if you are retired and maybe wanting to bounce around from park to park and work seasonally.

Another thing to be aware of is that if you don’t have a car with you when you are working then you can borrow cars from friends, ride on tour buses, hitchhike or carpool with friends. There are still lots of ways to get around in your free time and enjoy life in the park when you aren’t working. Rick actually mentioned a lot of employee recreation programs that you can get involved in as well.

If you have further questions about his please reach out and if I can’t answer them I will follow up with Rick.

podcast@saltwaterexperience or @tom_rowland

Check out the show notes:

00:00 - How I started in the outdoor world, in Yellowstone National Park

00:43 - I loved my experience so much that I have sent many people out there. Its a wonderful thing to do anytime of your life

01:12 - I sat down with someone from Xanterra, Rick Hoeninghausen, and he gives exact steps on how to work in a National Park

02:55 - All the application process is online and people can work in any roles for any season

04:00 - You can visit Xanterra or Yellowstone Jobs to apply

04:47 - What is the housing situation like?

05:06 - For seasonal workers there is a dorm-style living in the park

05:42 - There are employee RV parks where you can go from park to park and work

06:06 - There is also a cafeteria for meals and that is deducted from your paycheck