Thinking about Workamping near Yellowstone National Park? We spent a summer working at Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, Montana, and it gave us a front-row seat to one of the most iconic places in the U.S. While it wasn’t perfect, it was a solid way to explore the area without paying the sky-high campground prices. In this post, we’ll share what it’s really like to Workamp at Grizzly RV Park—job details, pay, schedule, pros, cons, and what we’d do differently next time.
Spending a summer in Yellowstone had always been on our bucket list, but when we realized it would cost around $10,000 just for camping, we knew we needed a different plan. That’s when Workamping came into the picture. It was the perfect way to enjoy the area without breaking the bank.
This post contains affiliate links. As a participant in Amazon Associates and various affiliate programs, we are compensated when qualifying purchases are made through our referral links at no additional cost to you. Full Disclosure
How We Landed the Job
During our Workamping job at the JCPenney Distribution Center in Reno, Lisa met a lady in the laundry room (yes, some of the best RV life moments happen while doing laundry!). They got to talking, and when Lisa mentioned we were thinking about Yellowstone for the summer, the woman casually said she knew of a campground looking for Workampers.
Turns out, she was the manager of the very campground! We applied, interviewed a few days later, and landed camp host positions. Just like that, Yellowstone became our summer home.
This was our third Workamping job, but our first time working at a campground.
Location
We were based at Grizzly RV Park and Cabins, located right in West Yellowstone, Montana—just four blocks from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The town is a charming hub with easy access to park attractions and the beautiful Gallatin National Forest.
Our Workamping Positions
When we arrived:
- I (Rob) was assigned to maintenance
- Lisa started in the front office, handling reservations and guest check-ins
The maintenance work was pretty straightforward:
Cleaning restrooms, trimming trees, prepping campsites for new arrivals, general landscaping, and basic repairs.
Lisa, however, found the reservation system a bit challenging—she’s not super computer-savvy—so she asked for a reassignment. She was moved to cabin cleaning backup, and we ended up teaming up to clean cabins on the regular cleaners’ days off.
Eventually, our routine became:
- Mornings: Cleaning restrooms together
- Assigned days: Cleaning cabins
- Occasional: Site prep and other chores
It turned out to be a great arrangement for us.
Our Schedule
We worked 40 hours per week, five 8-hour days, from Friday through Tuesday (8 AM–5 PM). Our days off were Wednesday and Thursday.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Friday, Saturday & Tuesday – Regular maintenance and duties
- Sunday & Monday – Cabin cleaning days
A Quick Reality Check
While the job and the location were both incredible, 40 hours per week left little time to truly explore Yellowstone or take care of RV life essentials. Running errands meant a 2-hour drive to either Bozeman or Idaho Falls. And while West Yellowstone does have a couple of grocery stores, they’re pricey and limited.
Honestly, an extra day off each week would’ve made a big difference. Lesson learned.
Pay and Benefits
- Pay: $10/hour
- Site cost: $10/day for a full hookup site (50 amp) in a small private RV park just a couple of blocks from Grizzly
- Typical rate in the area: $80–$100/day, so we were happy with the arrangement
In June, management sweetened the deal:
If we stayed through our contract, we’d get a $2/hour bonus. That definitely added up and made sticking it out more worthwhile.
The Takeaway
Our summer at Grizzly RV Park was amazing. We absolutely fell in love with the area—the park, the wildlife, the hiking, the fishing… everything.
Early in the season, we realized we wanted to return, but with a better schedule. We found a gig in town offering 32 hours over four days, giving us those cherished three days off. Grizzly RV Park also invited us back, and we agreed—as long as we could work 4 days on, 3 days off as the primary cabin cleaners. They said yes.
So we’re heading back to West Yellowstone in 2022!
Interested in Workamping?
Workamping has been a useful way to support our RV lifestyle. It helps offset travel costs, gives us opportunities to stay in beautiful places longer, and adds some structure to life on the road. It’s not always easy—some jobs are better than others—but it’s definitely been worth exploring.
Whether you’re looking for short-term gigs or full-season commitments, there are plenty of opportunities across the country for RVers wanting to supplement their income and enjoy new locations.
All it takes is:
- A bit of creativity
- A flexible attitude
- And an adventurous spirit
We recommend giving it a try—just know what you’re signing up for and be clear on expectations.
👉 Learn more about Workamping here.
If you sign up, be sure to use Rob & Lisa – Member #212855 as your referral. You’ll get a great deal on your subscription, and we’ll earn a small commission—thank you for the support!
Have You Workamped?
We’d love to hear from you!
- Where have you worked?
- Any hidden gems you’d recommend?
Drop a comment below—we’re always on the lookout for new and interesting places to add to our list.
Our Other Workamping Jobs
Workamping 5.0 Gate Guarding in Texas
Workamping 4.1 Yellowstone Camera Store, West Yellowstone, Montana
Workamping 2.0 JCPenney Distribution Center Reno, Nevada
Workamping – Our First Job – California Land Management, South Lake Tahoe, California
If you’re looking to build your own home-based business like we have with this webpage, check out Wealthy Affiliate.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that you can build your whole affiliate marketing business on. It combines training, software, and website hosting into one. This makes the whole process of starting an online business from scratch much easier, especially if you’re new to building a website.
