Campground Hosts

To serve as a campground host, contact the property to check on the status of its host program. By early summer, most host schedules are full but waiting lists are available.

• More information on State Park properties
• More information on State Forest properties

Brookville/Whitewater Complex, Brookville, 765-647-2657, kstubbs@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Quakertown SRA one electric site; Whitewater State Park three electric sites; and Mounds SRA one electric site and one full hookup.
Length of stay: Variable.
Duties: Check shower houses and pits for cleanliness and toilet paper; pick up trash; clean out fire rings after campers leave; provide information and be a helpful host; assist with campground registration.

Brown County State Park, Nashville, 812-988-6406, scrossley@dnr.IN.gov
Number of sites: Electric only sites, one VIP in Horseman’s Camp and one VIP in Family Camp; 3 possible campground host spots.
Length of stay: Minimum one month, April-October.
Duties: Painting and other simple maintenance; staffing the nature center; maintaining flower beds; directing traffic at campground registration booth; checking shower houses and pits for cleanliness and toilet paper; picking up trash; cleaning out fire rings after campers leave; providing information and be a helpful host; assist management and be a good ambassador for the park and campers. Hosts are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week per couple. Availability on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays is mandatory.

Cagles Mill Lake/ Lieber SRA, Cloverdale, 765-276-0194, hgastineau@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One electric only site
Length of stay: 1 month minimum
Duties: Clean and stock comfort stations; assist gatehouse attendants with camper registration and traffic control on Friday evenings; be a goodwill ambassador and provide information for campers; clean campsites and fire rings; report issues to park staff; use skills such as painting, electrical, plumbing, etc.; staff nature center; promote events; conduct site occupancy checks; assist with severe weather procedures; spray weeds; do trail trimming; maintain flower beds; mow. Host duties are required on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holidays, and one or two other days of the week. Litter pickup; take/deliver messages; housekeeping; provide security; clean fire rings; make minor electrical repairs; traffic control; volunteer and staff nature center; assist with special events.

Chain O’Lakes State Park, Albion, 260-636-2654, ccornhill@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two electric only sites.
Length of stay: 30 days minimum with extensions possible, April-October.
Duties: Traffic control on Friday evenings and Saturdays; provide information and be a helpful host acting as a liaison between the campers and management; assist naturalist with special events and interpretive programs; stock toilet paper at comfort stations; pick up trash; clean out fire rings after campers leave; deliver non-emergency messages; and volunteer every weekend at the Stanley Schoolhouse or Nature Center. Host duties are required on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Clark State Forest, Henryville, 812-294-4306, clarksf@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two. One at primitive family camp, no electric, water and dump station nearby; one at primitive horse camp, electric hookup, dump station, and water nearby.
Length of stay: One to seven months, April-November. Weekend and holiday hours required
Duties: Serve as eyes and ears of the campground; act as liaisons between the campers and the management; provide informal security by reporting problems; pick up litter; clean out fire rings; notify campers of severe weather and emergency procedures; keep pit toilets clean and stocked with toilet paper; do occasional mowing; assist with campground registration and payment.

Charlestown State Park, Charlestown, 812-256-5600, eduff@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two full hookup sites and one electric site.
Length of Stay: Minimum 4 weeks and maximum of 3 months. Does not need to be 3 consecutive months.
Couple or individual campground hosts allowed. Each camp host must work a minimum of 20 hours a week. Weekends and holidays are mandatory.
Duties: Daily campground restroom checking, stocking, and cleaning with the assistance of park staff, assist gate staff with campsite registration checks.
Weekly: Moving campsite tables to campsite pads, clean out fire rings, pick up litter, close electric boxes, assist campers with questions, inform park staff of any security issues, and promote special events and programs.

Clifty Falls State Park, Madison, 812-273-0609, cduff1@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two full-hookup sites.
Length of stay: Thirty days minimum with extensions possible, April-October.
Duties: Check shower houses and pit toilets for cleanliness and toilet paper; pick up trash; provide information and be a helpful host; assist management with campground registration; sell firewood and ice; assist naturalists with special events and other interpretive programs. Assist in repairs and maintenance as able. Hosts must be on site on weekends and during busy times in the campground.

Deam Lake State Recreation Area, Borden, 812-246-5421, deamlakesra@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two electric sites available (one equestrian and one family campsite); comfort station and water source nearby.
Length of stay: 1-7 months, April-November, with extensions possible. Weekend and holiday hours required.  
Duties: Serve as eyes and ears of the campground; act as a liaison between campers and management; provide informal security by reporting problems; clean comfort stations; help patrons locate campsites; pick up litter; clean out fire rings; sell ice and firewood; collect camping fees when gatehouse is closed; promote special events and interpretive programs; notify campers of severe weather and procedures; and volunteer at nature center.

Falls of the Ohio State Park, Clarksville, 812-280-9970
No campground on site; volunteers accepted for resource management, interpretive, and other special projects.

Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, 317-591-0904
No campground on site; volunteers accepted for resource management, interpretive, and other special projects.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest, Dugger, 812-648-2810, greenesf@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One electric campsite. Water and electric hookup available. Dump station nearby.
Length of stay: One month minimum, April-October.
Duties: Provide campers with information; help with check ins/checkouts and cabin lockouts; clean restrooms and stock toilet paper; pick up litter; clean camping cabins and campfire rings after campers leave; provide information to general public; do light maintenance.

Hardy Lake, Scottsburg, 812-794-3800, ahenry@dnr.in.gov
Number of hosts: Three, (two full hookup, one electric sites).
Length of stay: One month to seven months, April 1- Nov. 15.
Duties: Check shower houses and pits for cleanliness and toilet paper; housekeeping duties at the beach; move tables for the mowing crew; pick up trash; clean out fire rings after campers leave; provide information and be a helpful host; assist management with campground registration; assist in repairs and maintenance; assist naturalist with special events and interpretive programs; Hosts must be on site and accessible on weekends and during busy times in the campground.

Harmonie State Park, New Harmony, 812-682-4821, zclark@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Three campground host sites and two VIP sites. All are full hookups
Length of stay: Minimum of two weeks and maximum of four weeks for campground hosts.
Duties: Be a goodwill ambassador; answer camper questions; report camping infractions to security personnel; assist with traffic control; pick up litter; clean the comfort stations; clean trash out of the fire rings; assist with staffing the nature/interpretive center. Campground hosts and VIPs will be required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, 219-926-1952,  jblair@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two; one full hookup and one electric/ water only
Length of stay: One month (extensions possible)
Duties: Welcome guests and provide assistance as needed; effectively communicate issues, needs, and concerns with park staff; clean and stock comfort stations in the campground; pick up ground trash in the campground; use battery-powered outdoor equipment to trim, blow, and maintain areas in the campground; other duties as assigned.

Lincoln State Park, Lincoln City, 812-937-4710, cknox@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two electric/water sites.
Length of stay: One to two months.
Duties: Provide information to campers and relate their concerns to property staff; assist with severe weather procedures; collect firewood left by campers; check restrooms and vault toilets throughout day; pick up litter; clean fire rings; assist gatehouse attendants with camper registration and traffic control; run messages; perform campsite occupancy checks; and assist naturalist with special events.
Number of Work Camping Sites: There is one Class A site with water and electric available at a greatly reduced rate.
Length of stay: Two to seven months
Duties: Looking for a motivated individual to work 40 hours a week. Will receive a Class A campsite at a greatly reduced rate and will be paid for all hours worked. Positions available include housekeeping; labor/groundskeeping; and gate, beach, boat, and store attendants. For additional info, please call the park office or email.
How to Apply: Applicants must apply for seasonal labor at workforindiana.IN.gov and specify work camping in application.

Martin State Forest, Shoals, 812-247-3491, jkush@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One primitive campsite.
Length of stay: One to seven months.
Duties: Provide informal security; clean restrooms and stock with toilet paper; pick up litter; assist with campsite registration; clean fire rings after campers leave; provide information; be a helpful host; assist employees on various property needs and projects.

McCormick’s Creek State Park, Spencer, 812-829-2235, shamilton@dnr.IN.gov.
Campground is closed. Indiana State Parks looks forward to welcoming campers back to McCormick’s Creek; however, right now there is no specific timeline for reopening. The campground will remain closed until cleanup and reconstruction are complete, and we are able to welcome campers back safely.  Volunteers are accepted for resource management, interpretive, and other special projects.

Mississinewa Lake, Peru, 765-473-6528, jsavage@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Six full hookup sites.
Length of stay: One to seven months.
Duties:
Program 1 - Provide informal security; clean restrooms and stock toilet paper, pick up litter; provide information to the general public; assist employees when requested.
Program 2 - Provide 20-24 hours of mowing per week in the campground. Mowers are Dixie 60-inch riding mowers.
Program 3 – Provide general support for property staff, including helping in office; staffing front and campground gates; helping with night security; performing general maintenance to abilities of host. Position asking for 20-24 hours of work.

Monroe Lake, Bloomington, 812-837-9967, jvance@dnr.IN.gov.
Number of host sites: One electric, 30-amp site at Paynetown SRA.
Length of stay: Host commitments are for roughly one calendar month. For 2023, check-in and check-out dates are…

• May-June: Check in between May 23-25, check out June  27.
• July: Check in on June 29, check out August 1.
• August: Check in Aug. 2, check out Aug. 29 or 30.
• September: Check in on Aug. 31, check out Sept 27.
• October: Check in on Sept. 28, check out Oct. 30 or  31.

Availability: Hosts must be available to volunteer on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the duration of their commitment, as those days will almost always contain scheduled volunteer duties. Volunteer hours may also be scheduled on other days, depending on specific projects or programs for which assistance is needed.

Requirements: Hosts must be at least 18 years of age, successfully pass a background check, and be approved by all property management staff. Both individuals and couples are eligible. Individuals are expected to provide 22 to 26 hours of volunteer work each week, for duration of their host commitment. If hosting as a couple, each person is expected to provide 18 to 22 hours each week. Hosts must be physically capable of working outdoors for three or more hours in varying weather conditions, OK with walking/standing for an extended period, and be comfortable talking to and working with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Duties: Duties include campground check-in, serving as beach attendant, campground roving, trash clean-up, cleaning in the beach house and activity center, staffing activities for children, and special projects assigned by the maintenance/interpretive staff. Projects assigned will depend on both need and the skills/interest of the host, but may include: painting, weeding, mowing, library research, craft prep, animal care, etc.

Mounds State Park, Anderson, 765-642-6627, kmorgan1@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One site, full hookup, water and sewage
Length of stay: One month.
Duties: Provide information to campers and relate their concerns to property staff; assist with severe weather procedures; clean campsites; clean and check modern comfort station and vault toilets; sell firewood.

O’Bannon Woods State Park, Corydon, 812-738-8232, sbaelz@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: 10 (electric only) in the Class A Campground; 2 (primitive) in Horseman’s Hideaway.
Length of stay: April-October, two weekends a month (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) and three out of the four holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day & Halloween).
Duties: Communicate concerns and issues of campers directly to management; clean comfort stations; assist at gatehouse during peak times; help patrons with campsite location; pick up litter in the park and campground; clean fire rings; help with light maintenance; and promote special events and interpretive programs at the nature center.

Ouabache State Park, Bluffton, 260-824-0926, jcincotta@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two full-hookup (water/sewage) sites.  
Length of stay required: One month.
Duties: Sell and collect fees for firewood and ice; pick up trash; clean fire rings; assist in maintaining cleanliness in comfort stations as well as making sure they are stocked with toilet paper; light maintenance as needed; help with programs and special events; provide information and assistance to campers.

Patoka Lake, Birdseye, 812-338-5589, kerberry@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Three (Electric only with paved pads)
Length of stay: Two-four weeks.
Duties: Check restrooms and stock toilet paper; close electric boxes after campers leave; pick up trash; ensure fires are put out after campers leave; notify campers of severe weather procedures and alert them as storms approach; promote interpretive programs; update information on campground bulletin boards; host the nature center; assist with interpretive programs and special events; help with display installation and special projects at nature center, help gatehouse staff with traffic and registration; provide information for camper inquiries.

Pokagon State Park, Angola, 260-833-2012, nbrown2@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two (Electric)
Length of stay: Two weeks with extension possible.
Duties: Provide informal security; clean restrooms and stock toilet paper; pick up litter; provide information to the general public; help with campground registration and traffic control; host at the nature center on Saturday from 2-5 p.m.

Potato Creek State Park, North Liberty, 574-656-8186, adegroot@dnr.IN.gov
Number of sites: Three host in the family campground, Multiple VIP; One host in the horse campground, multiple VIP.  All electric only sites.
Length of stay: VIP length varies; Host minimum one month, 25 volunteer hours per week.
Duties: Clean and stock comfort stations; assist gatehouse attendants with camper registration and traffic control on Friday evenings; be a goodwill ambassador and provide information for campers; clean campsites and fire rings; report issues to park staff; utilize skills such as painting, electrical, plumbing, etc.; staff nature center; promote events; conduct site occupancy checks; assist with severe weather procedures; spray weeds; trail trimming; maintain flower beds; mowing. Host duties are required Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holidays, and one or two other days of the week.

Prophetstown State Park, West Lafayette, 765-567-4919 Ext. 501, ssowinski@dnr.IN.gov
Number of sites: One full hookup
Length of stay: One month  
Duties: sell firewood; tidy campsites once campers leave; ensure fires are put out after campers leave; clean fire rings; clean and stock comfort stations; pick up trash; work with security; assist with special events; close electric boxes; notify campers of severe weather procedures and alert them as storms approach. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays are mandatory.

Raccoon SRA/Cecil M. Harden Lake, 765-280-4012, rplotkin@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two. One full hookup (electrical, water, sewage) One electric
Length of stay: two – four weeks
Duties: Clean and stock comfort stations; pick up litter; Clean fire pits and prepare sites for campers; weed and water flowerbeds; deliver messages; assist with interpretive services and special events as needed; approx. 25-30 hours per week per person.

Salamonie Lake, Andrews, 260-468-2125, rstouder@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two electric only sites and one primitive site in horsemen’s campground. VIP weekenders also encouraged. Horsemen camp host must have a horse and must be a horse rider. Contact property for more information.
Length of stay: One month minimum or approval from manager.
Duties: Clean restrooms and vault toilets; pass out information; litter pick up; mowing may be required; greet campers and answer questions; report issues to staff; other minor duties as assigned.

Salamonie River State Forest, Lagro, 260-782-0430, asmith1@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One primitive family campsite and one primitive horsemen’s campsite.
Length of stay: One month minimum (May-November) Weekends also available (four weekend minimum).
Duties: Provide informal security; clean and stock bathrooms; pick up litter; check campsite posts for display of receipts; clean fire rings; provide information; and help employees on various property needs and projects.

Shakamak State Park, Jasonville, 812-665-2158, kduguay@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One site electric only, pull through corner site
Length of stay: One month at a time or longer depending on demand.
Duties: Clean and stock restrooms; report issues; close electric boxes; pick up trash; clean fire rings; ensure fires are put out after campers leave; notify campers as severe storms approach; promote interpretive programs; assist with interpretive programs and special events; and help gatehouse staff with traffic and registration.

Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell, 812-849-3534, springmillstatepark@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Two electric/water VIP sites.
Length of stay: One month minimum
Duties: According to skill, but typically clean campsites, fire pits, shelters, and grills. A total of 22.5 hours per week, per person is required. To reserve a VIP site at Spring Mill State Park, email Coletta Prewitt at springmillstatepark@dnr.IN.gov.

Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Vallonia, 812-358-3464, cstilwell1@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One full hookup site.
Length of stay: One to seven months (March-October)
Duties:
Core Duties: Sell firewood; ensure camping fees are collected when office and gates area closed; assist with after-hours cabin check-ins; pump boats after rain; provide informal security; pick up trash; lock beach house after hours.
Other Duties (if applicable): Assist at the education center; assist at the office with clerical work; assist staff with minor troubleshooting or general maintenance.

Summit Lake State Park, New Castle, 765-766-5873 or howalker@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One electric/water only and one VIP with full hookup
Length of stay: One month minimum.
Duties: Greet campers; promote and assist with interpretive and special event programs when needed; host the “Saturday Morning Brew” sessions; pick up trash; clean and stock restrooms; clean campfire rings once a week; sell firewood and ice; maintain flower boxes at comfort stations; notify campers of severe weather; provide information and receive concerns when full-time staff is not available. Hosts are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week/couple. Availability on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays is mandatory.

Tippecanoe River State Park, Winamac, 574-946-3213, vgillum@dnr.IN.gov
Number host sites: One full hookup site.  
Length of stay: One month.
Duties: Sell firewood, ice, and bug spray; answer questions; check Comfort Stations and pits for cleanliness and toilet paper; pick up trash as needed; clean fire rings once a week; report problems to park staff; and give out information on weather, special events, and local attractions.

Turkey Run/Shades State Park, Marshall, 765-597-2637, jfansler@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One electric only at Turkey Run; none at Shades.
Length of stay: One month
Duties: Two main responsibilities- 1) Answer guest questions and provide exceptional customer service for the front desk located in the Nature Center. Assist with special events and programs as needed. 2) Welcome campground visitors via the host site and information table provided there. Replace toilet paper in bathrooms as needed. Hosts may also help with other projects that fit their interests, skills, and available time.

Versailles State Park, Versailles, 812-689-6424, agarcia2@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: Three sites – full hookups
Length of stay: One to seven months.
Duties: Welcome and assist campers; clean and stock restrooms; remove trash from restrooms; pick up trash throughout campground; clean out trash from fire rings; provide information and be a good ambassador for the park and campers.

Yellowwood State Forest, Nashville, 812-988-7945, yellowwoodsf@dnr.IN.gov
Number of host sites: One host site; electric and water hookup. Dump station nearby.
Length of stay: One month minimum.
Duties: Provide informal security;  clean and stock restrooms; pick up trash; clean fire rings after campers leave; provide information; help with campground registration and payment; sell firewood, ice, bait, and rent boats/kayaks. Host will be on site Thursday Friday, and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The campground area and host site are close to Yellowwood Lake.