Alaska State Parks Volunteer Program Campground Host Positions
Mat-Su/Copper Basin Region Campground Host Positions
Mat-Su/CB Area Office
7278 E. Bogard Road
Wasilla, AK 99654
ph: (907) 745-3975
fax: (907) 745-0938
Note: Please be sure to check the general information page for instructions on applying! Don't forget to look at the More Information on Campground Hosting page. Click here to return to the area listing of host positions.
Byers Lake Campground - Denali State Park
This quiet, family oriented, 73-site campground is nestled on Byers Lake at the foot of Kesugi Ridge. The area offers spectacular views of Denali. It is located 147 miles north of Anchorage and 90 miles from Denali National Park entrance. The lake is a popular destination, known for its fishing, canoeing, and hiking. An RV is required. Dump station hookup only at host site, water available nearby
Special Projects: Visitor information and daily visitor counts, monitoring fee compliance, campground maintenance, assist in trail projects.
Amenities: Subsistence payment. Centralized facility with laundry, and showers.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, Late May – early September, prefer 2 months or more commitment.
Contact: Ranger Chris Love
email: chris.love@alaska.gov
Big Lake North State Recreation Site
This popular campground located in Big Lake has great camping, fishing, and water access for boating, swimming and waterskiing. There are 60 campsites big enough for RVs, 24 picnic sites, 4 picnic shelters and a boat launch. Located at Mile 52.3 Parks Highway, take the Big Lake Road 3.6 miles to the roundabout, take North Shore Drive 1.4 miles to end of road. No Alcoholic Beverages are allowed.
Special Projects: Assist with campground and day-use operations and maintenance.
Amenities:Subsistence payment. Water.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, Late May 15 – September 15, prefer 2 months or more commitment.
Contact: Ranger Andrew McElvain
Phone: 907-495-6210
email: andrew.mcelvain@alaska.gov
Rocky Lake State Recreation Site
This family friendly campground located in Big Lake has great camping, fishing, and water access for boating and swimming. There are 10 campsites that fit RVs up to 30 ft, along with picnic sites and a boat launch. No jet boats, jet engines, or jet skis are allowed on Rocky Lake.
Special Projects: Assist with campground and day-use operations and maintenance.
Amenities:Subsistence payment. Water.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, Late May 15 – September 15, prefer 2 months or more commitment.
Contact: Ranger Andrew McElvain
email: andrew.mcelvain@alaska.gov
Kesugi Ken Campground - Denali State Park
This brand-new campground is set to open the Summer 2017 and facilities include a ranger station, 32 RV campsites, 10 tent campsites, a group campsite, two public-use cabins, a new hiking trail to alpine areas plus a network of trails for a range of abilities, and an interpretive center. Spectacular views of Denali. The facility is located 135.4 miles North of Anchorage along the George Parks Highway. An RV is required.
Special Projects: Visitor information and daily visitor counts, monitoring fee compliance, campground maintenance, and light janitorial.
Amenities: Subsistence payment. Centralized facility with laundry, and showers. RV Host site has full hook-ups, including water, electricity, and sewer.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, Late May – early September, prefer 2 months or more commitment.
Contact: Ranger Chris Love
email: chris.love@alaska.gov
Nancy Lake State Recreation Site
This smaller, 30-site campground is on the northeast shore of Nancy Lake, a popular fishing and boating area in the community of Willow (67 miles from Anchorage, 30 miles north of Wasilla). Nancy Lake campground also has a picnic area and a boat launch.
Special Projects: Firewood and decal sales, and assisting with campground maintenance.
Amenities: Subsistence payment. Electric RV hookup, phone (hard line), and the use of Nancy Lake Office facilities.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, 5/15 - 9/6
Contact: Ranger Andrew McElvain
email: andrew.mcelvain@alaska.gov
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Finger Lake State Recreation Site
This 24-site campground is located on the northeast shore of Finger Lake, a popular fishing and boating area located at 7278 East Bogard Road between Palmer and Wasilla. Finger Lake Campground also has two small group campsites, picnic area and a boat launch.
Special Projects: Firewood and decal sales, and assisting with campground and day-use operations and maintenance.
Amenities: Subsistence payment. Electric RV hookup, dump station.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, 5/15 - 9/15
Contact: Tiffany Walters
Phone: 907-745-8941
email: tiffany.walters@alaska.gov
Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area
This 19 site campground and popular day use area is located at mile 36.4 of the Glenn Highway, near Palmer and Wasilla, AK. Matanuska Lake SRA is very popular with both locals and visitors alike as it is a primary launching point for 50+ miles of excellent single track hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Lakes in the area are popular with fishermen, canoers, and kayakers with many of the lakes being stocked by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Recreation Area also consists of a picnic area and pavilion.
Special Projects: Assisting with campground and day-use operations and maintenance
Amenities: Subsistence payment, dump station.
Season: 6 weeks minimum, 5/15 - 9/15
Contact: Tiffany Walters
Phone: 907-745-8941
email: tiffany.walters@alaska.gov
South Rolly Lake Campground - Nancy Lake State Recreation Area (2 positions)
This quiet campground is the largest in the state system and is spread over beautiful forested hills. The lake is restricted to electric trolling motors and non-powered boats only. The popular Red Shirt Lake hiking trail is nearby. The campground is located at the end of the 6 mile Nancy Lake Parkway, in the community of Willow, 67 miles from Anchorage, 30 miles north of Wasilla. Several lakes are accessible from the Parkway, as is the canoe trail system.
Special Projects: Firewood and decal sales, and assisting with campground maintenance.
Amenities: Subsistence payment and the use of Nancy Lake Office facilities.
Season: 6 week minimum, 5/15 - 9/6
Contact: Ranger Andrew McElvain
email: andrew.mcelvain@alaska.gov
Willow Creek State Recreation Area
This large, paved campground is a popular salmon fishing spot near the confluence of Willow Creek and the Susitna River. The mouth of Willow Creek is known for excellent King salmon fishing, as well as other fish species. It is located in the community of Willow, 70 miles north of Anchorage, 33 miles north of Wasilla.
Special Projects: Firewood and decal sales, visitor contact, campground maintenance, light janitorial, and assisting with staffing entrance station on peak use weekends.
Amenities: Subsistence payment and the use of Nancy Lake Office facilities.
Season: 8 weeks minimum, as long as 5/15 – 9/6
Contact: Ranger Andrew McElvain
email: andrew.mcelvain@alaska.gov
Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge (2 host positions)
This 32,000 acre state wildlife refuge protects a variety of wildlife habitats including coastal and freshwater wetlands, tidal sloughs and mudflats, lakes and streams, as well as upland birch forests in upper Cook Inlet. The refuge is located near the community of Wasilla about 25 miles northeast of Anchorage. During spring, tens-of-thousands of migrating ducks, geese, swans, and shorebirds stop in the refuge during their migration to northern nesting grounds, many of which remain in the refuge for the summer to nest and raise their young. Over 160 species of birds have been documented in the refuge. Moose, black bears, coyotes, red fox, beaver, muskrats, bald eagles, and salmon are common in the refuge. Popular activities include sport fishing, canoeing, bird watching, bird dog (retriever) training, waterfowl hunting, and hiking. These host positions are stationed at two popular access points: Cottonwood Creek (on the west edge of the refuge) and Reflections Lake (on the east edge of the refuge off the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway).
Duties: Overall supervision of visitor use at refuge access points. Greet visitors in an informal setting, provide information and answer questions, and light maintenance.
Amenities: RV/Trailer host site (volunteer must provide own RV or camper), freshwater holding tank, subsistence reimbursement (with receipts) up to $575/month, electrical generator, cooking and heating fuel, uniform, and cell phone are provided. Public vault toilets available at each site. All amenities are available in Wasilla (7 miles from Cottonwood Creek, 11 miles from Reflections Lake).
Season: Cottonwood Creek: July through August; Reflections Lake: June through August.
Contact: Sue Rodman
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518
phone: (907) 267-2281
email: sue.rodman@alaska.gov
website: http://www.refuges.adfg.alaska.gov.
Susitna Landing Campground (ADFG)
This beautiful campground, boat launch, and day-use area is located on the confluence of the Kashwitna and Susitna rivers with views of Mount Denali. The campground is located along the Parks Highway just north of the community of Willow at 14440 Susitna Landing Road (40 miles north of Wasilla, 80 miles north of Anchorage). There are 71 campsites big enough for RV's, a picnic shelter, boat launch and boat basin, restrooms, and an office. This is a popular boating access location for salmon fisherman, wildlife viewers, hunters, and campers traveling the Parks Highway between Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage.
Duties: Visitor information, monitoring fee compliance, and light campground maintenance.
Amenities: RV/Trailer host site (volunteer must provide own RV or camper) with freshwater and electric hookups, office space, and subsistence reimbursement (with receipts) up to $575/month, and uniform. Vault toilets are available and shower facilities are installed with seasonal operation. All amenities are available 14 miles south in Willow or 17 miles north on the Talkeetna Spur Highway.
Season: May through September
Contact: Tracy Smith
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
1801 S. Margaret Drive
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 746-6337
email: dfg.dsf.R2access@alaska.gov
Little Susitna Public Use Facility (ADFG)
This peaceful campground and boat launch facility is on the Little Susitna River in the Susitna Flats State Game Refuge. The campground is located at 27280 Little Susitna River Access Road, 30 miles west of Wasilla. There are 39 campsites big enough for RV's and 8 remote tent sites accessible by boat or trail, walking trails, fishing platforms, boat launch, vault latrines, RV dump, and well pumps. This is a popular boating access location for fisherman, wildlife and bird viewing, and moose and waterfowl hunters.
Duties: Visitor information, monitoring fee compliance, and light campground maintenance.
Amenities: RV/Trailer host site (volunteer must provide own RV or camper), subsistence reimbursement (with receipts) up to $575/month, generator, cooking and heating fuel, and uniform. Freshwater, vault toilets, and RV dump site are available. All amenities are available 30 miles east in Willow.
Season: May through September
Contact: Tracy Smith
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
1801 S. Margaret Drive
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 746-6337
email: dfg.dsf.R2access@alaska.gov
