Agency

Photo © Allie Ellingson

Volunteer with Us

Volunteer at State Parks: Apply online today for a state park volunteer position.

Protecting, managing, and interpreting South Dakota's natural lands and wildlife are no small tasks. Each year, hundreds of people donate their time and talents to do just that as they volunteer within our state park system. Volunteering in South Dakota State Parks is a great way to visit and experience a new place, learn new skills, interact with the public, and to simply enjoy life outdoors.  You can find more information about our state parks at Find a State Park.

Current state park volunteer opportunities

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Individuals, civic organizations, school groups, clubs, families, churches, and businesses are welcome to join us in projects like:

  • Landscaping, Gardening, & Clean up
  • Painting & Repairs
  • Special Events
  • Habitat restoration
  • Trail maintenance

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

On-site volunteers are provided with a campsite during their service in exchange for 24 hours of service per person per week. Most volunteer sites are full hook-up (water, sewer, and electric). Volunteers provide their own housing and personal items. Service is purely volunteer. These are unpaid positions. Most work takes place on the weekends, but schedules are fairly flexible. Commuter volunteers travel from home and work as needed.

  • Campground Host: Greet and assist visitors to ensure they feel welcome in the park by providing information and answering questions. Monitor campground activities and report potential issues to park staff. Assist with customer service tasks such as selling firewood and checking out rental equipment. Support park operations through light landscape maintenance. Help maintain park facilities, including cleaning cabins, comfort stations, and vault toilets.
  • Campground Attendant:  Support campground operations by greeting visitors, checking in campers, and reporting issues to staff. Additional duties may include light landscaping, facility monitoring, and cleaning.
  • Cabin Cleaner: Prepare camper cabins for new guests after each departure. Responsibilities include sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, sanitizing surfaces, emptying trash, washing windows, cleaning air conditioners, and reporting maintenance needs.
  • Garden Maintenance: Care for garden areas and potted flowers to keep the park’s landscapes welcoming and vibrant.
  • General Volunteer: Assist with a variety of tasks including visitor services and park maintenance. Duties may include litter pickup, light cleaning, and stocking supplies in restrooms.
  • Group Volunteers: Work as a team on projects such as painting, clean-ups, tree planting or removal, landscaping, building maintenance, or trail work. To schedule a group volunteer activity, contact your local park. Groups with volunteers under 18 must have adult supervision. 
  • Landscape Volunteer: Enhance park grounds by planting and weeding flower beds, trimming trees and shrubs, and removing invasive plants. Projects may also involve laying landscape fabric, mulching, and other beautification tasks.
  • Maintenance Volunteer: Assist staff with a range of upkeep projects including painting, staining, mowing, planting, watering trees, and cleaning facilities such as comfort stations, vault toilets, or fish cleaning stations.
  • Office Volunteer: Support park staff with clerical tasks such as greeting visitors, answering phones, taking messages, and general office work.
  • Programs and Events Volunteer: Help deliver park programs by assisting with evening activities, tours, interpretive talks, and special events.
  • Sanitation Volunteer: Keep parks clean by emptying trash cans and cleaning vault toilets throughout the park.
  • Special Projects Volunteer: Take part in unique one-time projects or propose new ones to enhance the park experience.
  • Trail Maintenance Volunteer: Keep trails safe and accessible by trimming brush, removing debris, and repairing trail surfaces as needed.
  • Visitor Center Volunteer: Welcome guests at the visitor center and provide park information, maps, and guidance.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION INFORMATION

Fill out your application as completely as possible. More information will help us place you in the right position. Applications are accepted year-round for current positions. Positions for the following summer season will be listed in October.

  • Complete your application fully. The more information you provide, the easier it is for us to match you with the right position.
  • Applications are accepted year-round. Current openings are available anytime, while positions for the upcoming summer season are posted each September.
  • Seasonal opportunities. Most volunteer roles run from May through September, with some starting as early as April or extending into the fall depending on the weather.
  • Flexible service lengths. A minimum of one month of service is considered, though preference is given to volunteers who can serve several months or who have prior volunteer experience.
  • Who can apply. Both individuals and couples are welcome to apply for any volunteer role.
  • Background checks. All selected applicants must pass a criminal background check (costs are covered by the park).
  • Year-round needs. In addition to summer opportunities, parks with visitors centers also have winter and early spring volunteer positions available. Be sure to note your availability on your application.

To learn more about volunteering in South Dakota State Parks, contact the volunteer coordinator at 605.773.3391.

VOLUNTEER LOGIN

VOLUNTEERS AT THE OUTDOOR CAMPUSES

The Outdoor Campuses in Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the gateways to a lifetime of outdoor adventures. Through the careful guidance of staff, you will find yourself drawn into activities you had never considered: hunting and fishing, cross-country skiing, shooting a bow and arrow, cooking wild game in a Dutch oven, gardening for butterflies and more. Adult volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and commit to 50 hours a year.