CampHostJobsKentucky's closest forestry-recreation matches run through several different administrators. State Parks publishes a campground-host programme; FIND Outdoors recruits a resident visitor-centre host at Gladie in Red River Gorge; national-forest concession staffing also appears under Outdoor Recreation Hospitality. Mammoth Cave and Clarks River add federal volunteer routes. None should be treated as interchangeable hiring offices. [KY01–KY06]
What the labels mean
- Taking applications: we opened the employer's notice on the date shown and it was still taking applications.
- Intake announced: the employer says when the next season or hiring round starts.
- Future intake announced: The organization has announced a future season or hiring round.
- Accepts applications: A standing jobs page or recruiting route. No specific opening is confirmed.
- Volunteer program: An established volunteer program. Placements, dates and benefits are set assignment by assignment.
- Contact for jobs: A confirmed operator and contact route. No host opening or housing offer is confirmed.
- Past hiring only: An earlier or archived notice, kept so you know who hires and when. Not a current opening.
- Not yet confirmed: A possible lead that still needs checking before it can be called a host opportunity.
- Opening not reconfirmed: an opening was reported in the research, but we could not confirm it is still open.
- Paid, volunteer, work exchange, business contract and mixed describe the arrangement the source states. They are not a legal ruling on employment status. Free housing is shown only when the source says so for that role.
Taking applications (1)
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NonprofitTaking applicationsPaid
Crossings Ministries
2027 Summer Missionary Staff · Cedarmore and Jonathan Creek
Residential camp staff · Camp administration · Waterfront staff · Food-service support
Rechecked Oct 10, 2026: No 2027 dates or deadline stated; camp sites named for overnight camps only.
Crossings' page explicitly discusses selections for summer 2027 and says applications are open. Paid teams serve overnight camps at Cedarmore and Jonathan Creek, with administration, waterfront, first-aid and programme roles. Staff also support kitchen service and room cleaning. The published package includes accommodation and food while programmes operate, with full- or partial-summer commitments. This is a residential Christian youth-camp route; applicants should review the ministry role and certification requirements before treating it as general campground employment.
- Pay: Paid biweekly; rate not published.
- Housing or RV: Housing from training through the summer; meals while programming takes place.
- Hours and duties: Full- and partial-summer positions.
- Season or dates: 2027 intake announced and interest process open.
- Who can apply: Mission-aligned role; most summer staff need lifeguard/CPR/first-aid certification, exceptions for some specialties.
- How to apply: Submit interest form, discovery call and then formal application with references.
- Still to confirm: Confirm the next intake and role-specific terms before publication.
Sources (1) and research ID KY009
- KY09: Crossings Camps, Summer Missionary Staff 2027 (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
Accepts applications (2)
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NonprofitAccepts applicationsWork exchange
FIND Outdoors
Gladie Cultural & Environmental Center resident site host · Stanton / Red River Gorge
Resident visitor-centre host · Interpretive volunteer
FIND's own recruiting system seeks an individual or couple to live at Gladie and support the Red River Gorge visitor centre. Work includes the information desk, maps and local history, parking, restroom cleaning, safety checks and optional interpretation. This is a close forestry-recreation equivalent even though visitors use a day facility rather than a conventional campground. The listing is accessible with an application route but has no explicit year or closing date, so it is standing recruitment rather than a dated opening.
- Pay: Full-hookup campsite and employee discount; no cash wage stated.
- Housing or RV: Water, sewer and electricity; own camping trailer or motorhome in good condition.
- Hours and duties: 24 hours / 3 days weekly; busy-season weekends required.
- Season or dates: Busy season spring–fall; listing year unspecified.
- Who can apply: Walk up to half a mile daily; lift 20 lb; visitor-service skills.
- How to apply: Apply through FIND's linked CATS employer listing.
- Still to confirm: Confirm remaining 2026 availability or 2027 dates and whether hours are per person or shared.
Place guide: Gladie Cultural & Environmental Center
Sources (1) and research ID KY004
- KY03: FIND Outdoors employer ATS, Gladie Volunteer Site Host (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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PrivateAccepts applicationsPaid
Beech Bend Park
Amusement and water-park Workamper Program · Bowling Green
Work camper · Ride operator · Food-service worker · Guest-arrival attendant · Lifeguard
The 2026 brochure documents a substantial workamper programme spanning food, rides, admission, retail and water-park roles. It provides a complimentary full-hookup site with a 32-hour weekly commitment and weekly wages, rather than only a campsite exchange. Own accommodation and a vehicle able to move it are required. The normal May–September 2026 season has passed, while the site retains its application route. Its older web FAQ uses 2025 dates; use the 2026 brochure as the reference and obtain a new-year offer.
- Pay: 2026 rates: food/ticket cashier $9.50–12.50/h; cook $12.50–13; rides $12.50–13; slide $11–11.50; lifeguard $12.50–13.25. Conditional season bonus up to $500.
- Housing or RV: Free 30/50-amp water/sewer/electric site with qualifying commitment; non-employed adults $50/month; Wi-Fi extra.
- Hours and duties: 32-hour weekly commitment for site; weekends/holidays; overtime discussed.
- Season or dates: 2026 brochure: May–September; next season unconfirmed.
- Who can apply: Own RV/camper and move vehicle; role-specific minimum age; background check and two professional references.
- How to apply: Savannah Payne / HR and employer workamper application.
- Still to confirm: Request 2027 terms, precise hours basis and opening date.
Place guide: Beech Bend Park
Beech Bend Park [email protected] 270-781-7634
Sources (2) and research ID KY012
- KY12: Beech Bend Park, Workamper programme page (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Heading and linked brochure are 2026; web FAQ contains 2025 dates. Use brochure for 2026 specifics.
- KY13: Beech Bend Park, 2026 Workamper Program brochure (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Relevant 16-page brochure sections read. Published May–September 2026 season is past at research date.
Volunteer program (9)
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StateVolunteer programVolunteer
Kentucky State Parks
Campground Host programme · Statewide
Campground host
The state recruits hosts to help campers, register arrivals and perform some custodial work. Its benefits schedule explicitly requires thirty hours weekly for campground hosts and includes a free campsite for hosts. Applications are directed to individual parks; the statewide page does not show a vacancy inventory. Resort-park employment, golf volunteering and visitor service are additional routes with different benefits. This is a verified statewide programme, but each park must confirm its dates, host-site utilities and current need.
- Housing or RV: Free campsite for campground hosts; utility configuration not specified.
- Hours and duties: 30 hours/week for host benefits.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Volunteer application linked from state programme; select and contact the park.
- Still to confirm: Confirm the next intake and role-specific terms before publication.
Sources (1) and research ID KY001
- KY01: Kentucky State Parks, Volunteer roles and benefits (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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StateVolunteer programVolunteer
Kentucky State Parks
Golf, ambassador, tour and food-service volunteers · Statewide resort and historic parks
Golf-course volunteer · Visitor host · Tour guide · Food-service volunteer
Kentucky separately lists golf attendants and maintenance, ambassadors, tour guides, programme specialists and food-service attendants. The benefits threshold is eight hours weekly for golf volunteers and ten for other non-host opportunities. Benefits can include qualifying park privileges and discounts, but the free campground-host site should not be extended to all these roles. This provides a useful route for people who want to serve at a golf course or visitor attraction without necessarily living in a campground.
- Housing or RV: No general housing promise for these categories.
- Hours and duties: Golf 8 hours/week; other volunteer roles 10 hours/week for listed benefits.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: Food-service role may require a food handler permit.
- How to apply: See cited official programme page
- Still to confirm: Confirm the next intake and role-specific terms before publication.
Sources (1) and research ID KY002
- KY01: Kentucky State Parks, Volunteer roles and benefits (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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FederalVolunteer programVolunteer
National Park Service
Mammoth Cave campground and visitor-centre volunteers · Mammoth Cave National Park
Campground host · Visitor-centre volunteer · Trail volunteer
Mammoth Cave explicitly includes campground hosting and visitor information-desk service in its official volunteer programme. Long-term placements may offer living-in-park arrangements, but the general page does not guarantee a site or list a universal weekly commitment. Treat this as a recurring federal hosting programme and use the park's volunteer route for the next dated listing. A separate 2026 summer advertisement surfaced in secondary coverage, but its May–August term has ended and is not represented here as an open vacancy.
- Housing or RV: Living-in-park options may be available; no blanket guarantee.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: See cited official programme page
- Still to confirm: Obtain the next dated campground-host listing and exact site/hours from the park.
Place guide: Mammoth Cave National Park
Sources (1) and research ID KY003
- KY02: National Park Service, Mammoth Cave volunteering (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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FederalVolunteer programVolunteer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Clarks River refuge volunteer programme · Benton / western Kentucky
Visitor education volunteer · Refuge maintenance volunteer
The refuge publishes a volunteer route covering education and interpretation, youth events, biological support and general maintenance. Applicants complete a Volunteer Services Agreement and work through the refuge office. This broadens the state's public-land options beyond parks and forests, but the checked page does not establish a resident RV-host package. It belongs among refuge service leads with accommodation unconfirmed, rather than among advertised free-camping exchanges.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Official refuge Get Involved page and Volunteer Services Agreement.
- Still to confirm: Ask whether any next-season role is residential and whether visitor-service placements are available.
Place guide: Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Sources (1) and research ID KY006
- KY06: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clarks River get involved (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitVolunteer programVolunteer
Friends of Land Between the Lakes
Volunteer stewardship and visitor programmes · Kentucky facilities in Land Between the Lakes
Visitor-service volunteer · Conservation volunteer · Interpretive volunteer
Friends provides a distinct nonprofit route into Land Between the Lakes recreation and education work. Its volunteer page publishes a coordinator and describes ongoing service supporting the area. Contact the volunteer team about an assignment rather than assuming a campground on the recreation-area map offers hosts. Location matters: the recreation area crosses the state line, and the Homeplace farm is in Tennessee. Kentucky enquiries can focus on the Golden Pond and Woodlands Nature Station side of the programme.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Friends volunteer programme and coordinator.
- Still to confirm: Confirm facility state, resident-site availability and a defined volunteer assignment.
Friends of Land Between the Lakes [email protected] 270-924-2007
Sources (2) and research ID KY007
- KY07: Friends of Land Between the Lakes, Volunteer (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
- KY08: Friends of Land Between the Lakes, Employment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Mixed evergreen recruitment and explicit 2025 vacancy; most categories state no current vacancies.
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NonprofitVolunteer programVolunteer
Crossings Ministries
Serve Team food, housekeeping and grounds volunteers · Cedarmore / Jonathan Creek
Camp hospitality volunteer · Food-service volunteer · Grounds volunteer
Crossings also has a separate volunteer Serve Team for food service, housekeeping and facilities or grounds. Individual service blocks are offered through summer; this is not the same compensation arrangement as its paid summer staff. The organisation says limited housing is supplied for specific volunteer opportunities, requiring placement-level confirmation. It welcomes qualified people from high-school freshmen through senior adults and requires alignment with its stated Christian service expectations.
- Housing or RV: Limited housing for specific service opportunities; not guaranteed.
- Hours and duties: Selectable summer blocks; long busy days described.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: At least high-school freshman; interview, training and stated faith expectations.
- How to apply: Official Serve Team volunteer application; housing enquiries to named coordinator through page.
- Still to confirm: Confirm the next intake and role-specific terms before publication.
Sources (1) and research ID KY010
- KY10: Crossings Camps, Serve Team volunteering (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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NonprofitVolunteer programVolunteer
Answers in Genesis
Ark Encounter volunteers · Williamstown
Attraction volunteer · Guest-service volunteer
Ark Encounter offers an organised volunteer application and specifically mentions limited RV lots on a first-come basis. The same FAQ says general on-site or off-site accommodation is not supplied, so the RV exception must be checked directly for utilities, cost and assignment duration. Adult applicants must agree with the organisation's Statement of Faith and authorise a background check. Youth service has additional supervision rules. This is a useful attraction-hosting lead, with a real RV provision but no verified cash or free-lot terms.
- Housing or RV: Limited first-come RV lots; ordinary housing not provided; price and hookups unspecified.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: Agreement with Statement of Faith; background check; separate youth rules.
- How to apply: Ark Encounter adult/youth volunteer applications.
- Still to confirm: Confirm RV lot availability, cost, utilities and weekly hours for a specific assignment.
Answers in Genesis / Ark Encounter [email protected]
Sources (1) and research ID KY011
- KY11: Answers in Genesis / Ark Encounter, Volunteer requirements and RV lots (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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MunicipalVolunteer programVolunteer
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary volunteer programme · Lexington
Natural-area stewardship volunteer
Raven Run provides a documented local recreation volunteer route, with recurring first-Saturday mornings March–November and a named official sanctuary contact. Work includes invasive removal, planting and litter management. This is short-term park stewardship, not a resident camp-host package, and no accommodation is advertised. The individual July 2026 event used to verify the pattern is past, while the official sanctuary page continues to direct visitors to programming and volunteer opportunities.
- Housing or RV: No housing offered in checked programme.
- Hours and duties: Recurring first Saturday March–November; event hours vary.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: Activities recommended for adults/16+; under-18s accompanied; waiver.
- How to apply: Current sanctuary volunteer/event registration route.
- Still to confirm: Check upcoming service dates and whether visitor-facing volunteer shifts are available.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government [email protected] 859-272-6105
Sources (2) and research ID KY015
- KY18: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
- KY19: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Recurring Volunteer Mornings, July 4 2026 example (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
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StateVolunteer programVolunteer
Kentucky Horse Park
Park Host, Experience Host and museum volunteers · Lexington
Visitor host · Museum volunteer · Tour guide · Shuttle driver
The Horse Park explicitly uses Park Hosts at its visitor centre, museum desk and barns to welcome visitors and provide programme information. Other opportunities include experience hosting, golf-cart shuttles, tours and equine-museum assistance. This is a verified hosting programme at a major recreation attraction, separate from any campground assignment. The programme has no minimum hours and a formal application, orientation and screening route. No campsite or staff-housing entitlement is stated on the volunteer page.
- Hours and duties: No minimum hours stated; regular service encouraged.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- Who can apply: 18+ normally; 16+ limited minor programme with parent at orientation.
- How to apply: Kentucky Horse Park online volunteer application.
- Still to confirm: Confirm the next intake and role-specific terms before publication.
Sources (1) and research ID KY016
- KY20: Kentucky Horse Park, Volunteer hosts and visitor services (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
Contact for jobs (1)
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CountyContact for jobsArrangement not confirmed
Pulaski County Fiscal Court
Pulaski County Park Courtesy Camper / caretaker channel · Nancy / Lake Cumberland
Courtesy camper · Park caretaker · Campground maintenance
The county's administrative code contains an actual Courtesy Camper position description, not merely a campground directory. Duties include restroom and shelter cleaning, customer service and issues arising during peak camping, under park and county supervisors. Weekend and holiday availability, maintenance experience, a Kentucky driver's licence and background screening are listed. This proves an institutional staffing category at Pulaski County Park; the 2023 code does not prove a current vacancy or housing exchange. The county site provides parks and job-opening routes.
- Hours and duties: Peak-season weekends/holidays; public restrooms, campground and shelters.
- Season or dates: Position description effective July 2023; current intake unverified.
- Who can apply: High-school/GED or equivalent; maintenance experience; Kentucky driver's licence; background check.
- How to apply: County Parks and Job Opening links on official Pulaski County Government site.
- Still to confirm: Obtain current Courtesy Camper compensation, accommodation and recruitment calendar.
Sources (2) and research ID KY013
- KY14: Pulaski County Fiscal Court, 2023–24 Administrative Code, Courtesy Camper job description p.96 (Partial page, checked Oct 9, 2026) Relevant position description read; not an advertised vacancy and current pay/accommodation unverified.
- KY15: Pulaski County Government, Official parks and jobs routes (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026)
Past hiring only (2)
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NonprofitPast hiring onlyPaid
Friends of Land Between the Lakes
Information, gift-shop and interpretation recruitment · Golden Pond / northern LBL
Visitor information clerk · Gift-shop worker · Planetarium interpreter
The employer page maps useful paid recruitment categories: welcome-station information, gift shops, interpretation and recreation-area support. Most categories explicitly say there are no current vacancies. One North Welcome Station information-clerk notice refers to the 2025 season, so its continued presence is historical evidence only. The page retains a general employment application and operations contact. Preserve this as a verified employer route for future recruitment, with no assertion that its old information-clerk post remains available.
- Season or dates: Explicit vacancy text is for 2025; other categories report no current vacancies.
- How to apply: General employment application linked by Friends; monitor their advertised vacancies.
- Still to confirm: Check for a newly dated 2027 notice before publishing an opening.
Friends of Land Between the Lakes [email protected] 270-924-2091
Sources (1) and research ID KY008
- KY08: Friends of Land Between the Lakes, Employment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Mixed evergreen recruitment and explicit 2025 vacancy; most categories state no current vacancies.
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FederalPast hiring onlyBusiness contract
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District
Kentucky park-attendant business contracts · Lake Barkley and Lake Cumberland
Contract park attendant · Campground operator services
Solicitation W912P526QA010 covered park-attendant services including Canal, Kendall and Fishing Creek campgrounds. Its final amendment extended only specified Canal and Kendall schedules to April 17, 2026; that deadline has passed. This is a supplier contract requiring a contractor to provide resources and follow procurement requirements, not an hourly government job or volunteer placement. The official SAM endpoint was a script shell, so the actual amendment text was checked in a public reproduction. Retain the solicitation number as a future-cycle research route.
- Pay: Bid-based business contract; no employee wage established.
- Season or dates: 2026 solicitation; specified final deadline April 17, 2026 has passed.
- How to apply: SAM.gov search by solicitation and USACE Nashville park attendant services.
- Still to confirm: Look for a newly issued solicitation and its actual contract terms; do not submit against the closed notice.
HigherGov reproducing USACE solicitation
Sources (2) and research ID KY017
- KY21: HigherGov reproducing USACE solicitation, Nashville District Park Attendants W912P526QA010 (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Use reproduced solicitation/amendment text; disregard platform-generated estimates. Final specified KY deadline April 17 2026.
- KY22: SAM.gov / USACE, Official solicitation endpoint (Partial page, checked Oct 9, 2026) JavaScript shell only; details obtained from cited public reproduction.
Not yet confirmed (2)
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PrivateNot yet confirmedPaid
Outdoor Recreation Hospitality LLC
Daniel Boone Cumberland and London hosts / gate attendants · Morehead and London districts
Campground host · Gate attendant · Recreation cashier
Employer-attributed listings identify camp hosts at Daniel Boone Cumberland and London, plus gate and cashier roles. The copied job description includes registration, fee handling, firewood and concession sales, sanitation and campground upkeep. The company name is supported by recruiting evidence, but a current individual employer application and the exact operating sites need confirmation. Do not import an older concessionaire name or the job aggregator's estimated annual salary into a CampHostJobs listing. These are private-operator leads associated with national-forest recreation.
- Housing or RV: Own towable RV where applicable; no free-site benefit confirmed.
- Hours and duties: Flexible evenings, weekends and holidays; physical site upkeep.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Employer-attributed Outdoor Recreation Hospitality jobs route; verify direct employer application.
- Still to confirm: Confirm current operator identity, specific site, hourly pay and host-site charge.
Outdoor Recreation Hospitality employer profile / Indeed
Sources (2) and research ID KY005
- KY04: Outdoor Recreation Hospitality employer profile / Indeed, Kentucky host and gate attendant recruitment (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Employer-attributed listings on third-party platform; profile is unclaimed and individual current vacancies need confirmation.
- KY05: Career.com reproducing employer advertisement, Camp Host at Daniel Boone Cumberland (Partial page, checked Oct 9, 2026) Indexed employer job description; automated salary estimate and posting/expiry metadata are not accepted as employer terms.
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MunicipalNot yet confirmedArrangement not confirmed
City of Carrollton / Two Rivers Campground
Municipal campground host contact · Carrollton
Campground host
Two Rivers' booking profile publishes a campground contact using the city's email domain. Historical local reporting identifies the site as city owned and describes hosts; later guest reviews also mention hosts, but reviews are not recruitment evidence. The city website could not be retrieved in this research. Keep the lead for direct verification of a municipal hosting arrangement, with no promise that the position is vacant, paid or accompanied by free camping.
- Season or dates: Season not specified
- How to apply: Published campground enquiry contact; not a verified hiring address.
- Still to confirm: Ask the city or campground manager for its current host job description and next opening.
Two Rivers Campground booking profile [email protected] 502-732-4665
Sources (2) and research ID KY014
- KY16: Two Rivers Campground booking profile, Campground contact details (Full page read, checked Oct 9, 2026) Operator contact is published; guest reviews mentioning hosts are secondary evidence, not recruiting promises.
- KY17: RoundAbout Entertainment Guide, 2020 municipal campground hosts (Partial page, checked Oct 9, 2026) Historical secondary report identifies city-owned Two Rivers and hosts; municipal site retrieval unavailable.
From CampHostJobs research checked Oct 9, 2026; each source shows its own check date. A blank contact means no public recruiting email or phone was recorded, not that there is no way to reach them. Run one of these places? Get a free listing and a link to your website, or post a job for free.
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