Volunteer Opportunities

Iowa’s state parks need and welcome volunteers. There are several ways your time and talents can be put to use in our parks.

If you have a camper, would like to camp for free in one of our parks and be a resource for other campers, we could use your help. Each year Iowa’s state parks seek campground hosts to live in their campgrounds from April thru October. During this time, hosts help DNR staff provide the best possible experience for our campers. 

Become a Campground Host - More Information

Help care for and give back to your favorite park or recreation area by starting, joining or donating to a friends group.

Friends groups lend support to their park in a variety of ways:

• Building/facility improvements: making trails, restoring picnic tables and benches or creating play areas.
   
• Resource management: improving prairie and forest landscapes by planting trees, picking prairie seeds or removing invasive plants.
   
• Educational/interpretive activities: helping park visitors better understand the park; from sensitive ecosystems to unique points of interest.
   
• Fundraising: encouraging businesses, civic organizations and individuals to make financial contributions to park projects and activities.

Find a Group:
More than 30 state parks currently have active friends groups. Visit our individual park pages to find contact information for current friends groups.

Start a Group: 
No friends group at your favorite park? The Friends Organization Manual  provides step-by-step instructions for organizing a state park friends group in your area.

Additional Resources:
Nonprofit Assistance
Larned A. Waterman Center at the University of Iowa

Individual parks may have stewardship days, special events or other needs for volunteers. Contact your local state park or our DNR Events calendar for more information. Finally, be sure to check our DNR volunteer page for opportunities at parks and other DNR areas.