I am looking for comments from anyone who has worked at a National Park during the summertime. Please tell me about your experience.

I've worked at several, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Mt. Rainier. It was the experience of a lifetime. I suggest to all my friends to send their kids to work in a NP. It's a growing experience and teaches you also to adapt to new surroundings, people, and local customs and cultures. DO IT!

Typically, at national parks you may work for the concession company or the park service. The concession company will supply customer services like motels, restaurants, transportation, gift shops, etc. Park service seasonal jobs vary, you may be a gate attendant, trail crew, general maintenance, nature talks, etc. You need no experience to get a job, but it may mean you are making beds or washing dishes. But working in the parks is not about working, it's about living in a place that others pay to visit! You will have opportunities to become intimate with the park and its secrets. The bigger parks may offer more job opportunities, but smaller parks may be less congested and more enjoyable in your free time. Grand Canyon is big ... Sequoia and Mt. Rainier were small. But I loved working at them all. Go for it!

For information about summer outdoor jobs, in the national parks and elsewhere, explore the resources on my Outdoor Job Opportunities page.