Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
SoCal National Parks are recruiting campsite volunteers. Here's how to apply
Joshua Tree National Park's upcoming camping season runs from October to May 2026.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
The desert is calling! Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks are looking for campground hosts to volunteer for the upcoming camping season.
What do hosts do? They’ll welcome visitors to campgrounds and provide information about park rules, resources, history and safety. Other responsibilities include monitoring the campground on foot to count the number of campers and complete forms, such as a daily log, wildlife sightings and timesheets.
Where will volunteers live? Park officials say hosts must be able to live inside the parks in remote or rural areas with limited amenities.
- Joshua Tree National Park: The sites include Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks and Ryan campgrounds. The season is from October to May 2026.
- Death Valley National Park: The sites include Sunset, Texas Springs, Stovepipe Wells and Mesquite Springs campgrounds. The season is from mid-October to January 2026.
Requirements: Some of the musts include a minimum three-month commitment. Camper requirements for both parks vary, and you can check for those on the application.
How to apply: The deadline to apply for Joshua Tree National Park is July 12, and you can apply here. You can apply for Death Valley National Park here.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
