New Camp Host Position–Sheridan Lake National Forest

(Hill City, South Dakota) 78 degrees, cloudy

Camp Host John @ the marina helping to park boats

We were very fortunate and were recently offered a camp host position at Sheridan Lake.  It is a large National Forest campground (129 sites) that is wrapped around a beautiful lake. It is located about 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore.  Originally we were offered a volunteer position but after only a few days a full time camp host position became available. 

Sheridan Lak

 

We are responsible for the Woodsey Loop (29 sites) that are along the lake. It is a primitive campground that has lots of trees and wild flowers. 

Wildflower meadows

 

No hookups except water

 

Each site is very large, usually level, with a picnic table and a fire ring.  Due to our sites being on the lake it is very busy and sold out most of the time.  

Lakeview Site

 

Some have a fishing spot right at your site

 

Our site has full hook ups and nice view of the lake.  Our responsibilities include cleaning the sites after the camper checks out.  This is mostly picking up garbage and cleaning the fire ring.  You would be amazed at what some campers leave behind.  Obviously they were not in boy scouts (leave your site better than you found it). 

We also make sure campers are following the rules such as having their dog on a leash, not parking on the grass, quiet after 10 pm etc.  After the main booth closes in the evening we also check in any late campers and collect fees. 

There is also a day use area that has a beach and marina.  We work that booth at times collecting fees to use the area.  One of us works that area and the other monitors the campground as needed.  It is very busy and it certainly does require a sense of humor and a lot of patience. 

We have worked here for two weeks and really like it.  In compensation we receive our site for free and $175/per person/per week. There are three other couples and two singes hosts.  One couple takes care of the pit toilets (38) and mows grass.  The others either work the main booth or are camp hosts like us.  Another great perk is a VIP pass that gives us free or a greatly reduced price for most area attractions. 

Our employers are a concessionaire who manages 38 campgrounds in the area.  Most of them are National Forest parks.

We will tell you more about our experience in future posts.