Volunteer
Attention: Alerts and Closures
Volunteer activities on DNR land have restarted in a limited capacity. Download the Volunteer FAQ to learn more.
Each year DNR volunteers give back to the recreation areas they enjoy and visit most.
Want to get involved? Consider volunteering.
We have many ways for you to get involved in caring for recreation experiences on DNR-managed lands. DNR has individual and group volunteer projects available. You can join a work party, become a campground host, or help protect DNR-managed land as a forest watch volunteer. Check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities on our calendar. Click here for our minor registration form.
Work parties
Join a work party. DNR couldn't offer the same level of recreational opportunities it does without the enduring commitment and care of our volunteers. Weekend work parties occur statewide. Use our calendar to find an upcoming event in your area. Remember, your efforts can also earn you a Discover Pass.
Forest Watch
Want to do your part to protect and enhance DNR-managed lands? Become a Forest Watch volunteer. Forest Watch volunteers help DNR have another presence on the landscape and recreation areas people visit most. Forest Watch volunteers take daily statistic reports, observation reports, and other daily tasks to keep DNR recreation areas fun and safe for visitors to enjoy for years to come.
If you're interested in volunteering with Forest Watch:
- Submit a Forest Watch volunteer application and background check form
- View the Forest Watch Orientation
- Complete the Forest Watch Orientation Course Exam (volunteers retake the exam every two years)
If you have any questions, please contact Heidi.Stephens@dnr.wa.gov
To report illegal activity to DNR's Forest Watch program, call 1(855)-883-8368 or email forestwatch@dnr.wa.gov
Camp hosts
Love to camp? Live the dream. We're currently taking applications for campground hosts for the summer season. Campground hosts provide a positive, helpful, and informative DNR presence in campgrounds and recreation areas. Download the Campground Host Job Description to get more details.
To apply, fill out a Campground Host Application and background check form and email to our region staff, listed with the campgrounds below. Want more? Head to our Flickr album for photos and more information.
Ahtanum Campground
Located in the Ahtanum State Forest and nestled next to the pristine North Fork River, the Ahtanum campground is a highly used recreation area hosting off-road recreation, hiking, and horseback trails during the recreation season. Winter recreation is also popular for snowshoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. The site has power, water, holding tank, fire pit, and picnic table. There is a public payphone provided by DNR not far from the site. We are not currently seeking hosts at this time.
Cold Creek Campground
Cold Creek Campground has a day-use area and a campground. It provides access to 35 miles of the Yacolt Burn non-motorized trail system. Facilities include eight campsites, picnic tables, shelter, and a vault toilet. Accommodates RVs up to 25 feet. View our Cold Creek campground and day-use map. Cold Creek Campground is open Thursday through Monday, mid spring through October. Host site can accommodate RV up to 30 plus ft. long and has electricity, dumping station and water is nearby but not on site. Satellite internet is available and the responsibility of the host. For more information please contact Sharon Steriti, email sharon.steriti@dnr.wa.gov or call 360-852-3390.
Dougan Creek Campground
The large boulders, forested edges, and cascading 100-foot waterfalls of Dougan Creek are a treat for picnickers and campers who visit Yacolt Burn State Forest. The campground has seven campsites, picnic tables and a vault toilet. Accommodates RVs up to 16 feet. Download a parking map here and download the campground and day-use map here. Host site can accommodate an RV up to 30 plus ft. long. Also available is water, electricity, land line and dumping station. For more information please contact Sharon Steriti, email sharon.steriti@dnr.wa.gov or call 360-852-3390.
Douglas Falls Campground
This 120-acre park site was deeded to DNR by the Stevens County Pomona Grange in 1975. The park offers day use areas, a group shelter with ball fields, a viewing area of Douglas Falls, and walking trails with a footbridge across Mill Creek. The camp host site here has a cement pad with septic, power, water, and phone line. Limited cell service reception is available. Click here to apply. Contact Kyle Pomrankey by phone at 509-684-7474 or by email for more information.
Dragoon Creek Campground
This 40-acre park site is just 14 miles from downtown Spokane. The park offers day-use areas, a small field along the creek, and 22 campsites. This camp host site has a cement pad, septic, power, water, cell reception, and a phone line available. Click here to apply. Contact Kyle Pomrankey by phone at 509-684-7474 or by email for more information.
Elbe ORV Campground
Located 9.5 miles Northeast of Elbe and 4.5 miles Northwest of Ashford, the Elbe ORV Trail System serves 4x4, UTV, ATV, and motorcycle users year round. In the Elbe Hills State Forest, this position would serve as host to 2 neighboring ORV campgrounds. The host site will be located in the 20 site lower ORV campground, and the 10 site upper ORV campground is located 1.5 miles Northeast of the host location. This position is seasonal, running from June-October. Amenities include an outhouse, partial fuel reimbursement for a personally owned generator, and partial sanitation reimbursement for trailer cleanout. Click here to apply. Contact Joe Chavez by phone at 360-764-0071 or by email for more information.
Margaret McKenny Campground
Nestled on the eastern edge of the Capitol State Forest, the Margaret McKenny Campground is a favorite for family camping excursions. The campground is the gateway to the over 80 miles non-motorized trails that are open to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian users. This camp host site has a cement pad with covered shelter, power, septic system, and phone line. Water tank provided. We're not seeking camp host applicants for Margaret McKenny Campground at this time.
Merril Lake Campground
Merrill Lake is a walk-in only tent campground and day-use area. This volcanically formed alpine lake in the central cascade foothills is a quiet camping refuge. Day use area has picnic sites, boat launch, and short trail into some old-growth trees. The camp host site has a cement pad with a septic system, generator, and fuel for RV power. Hand pump available for water. Click here to apply. Contact Carlo Abbruzzese by phone at 360-575-5056 or by email for more information.
Middle Waddell Campground
Our 24-campsite Middle Waddell Campground is a short drive from Olympia and the perfect jumping-off point to explore nearly 90 miles of motorcycle and ATV trail in the Capitol State Forest. Amenities include an RV shelter large enough to fit a 40-foot RV, landline phone for local calls, electricity (not suitable for heat), sewer hook up, and pressurized water. We're not seeking camp host applicants for Middle Waddell Campground at this time.
Starvation Lake Campground
A quiet, 15-acre campground adjacent to Starvation Lake. Enjoy this select fishing lake nestled between private and state trust lands within close proximity of the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Area. Activities in the area include hiking, bicycling, boating, fishing, hunting, bird watching, and other wildlife viewing. Camp host amenities include a cement pad with septic, power, water, phone line, and cell reception. Click here to apply. Contact Kyle Pomrankey by phone at 509-684-7474 or by email for more information.
Tahuya River Horse Camp
Adjacent to the Tahuya River, this site provides camping opportunities for primarily non-motorized recreationists including equestrian and fishing enthusiasts. The surrounding state forest provides an extensive network of motorized and multi-use recreational trails with access to freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams. Amenities include an outhouse, non-potable running water, horse corrals, and a trailer turn-around. Click here to apply. Contact Pete Allen by phone at 360-280-2436 or by email for more information.
Winston Creek Campground
This fully forested and streamside campground offers visitors access to the Winston Creek Forest block, popular for elk hunting and other dispersed recreation activities, such as wildlife viewing and brush picking. Amenities include 12 campsites and an outhouse. Click here to apply. Contact Sharon Steriti by phone at 360-852-3390 or by email for more information.
