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Volunteer Vacations

Volunteer vacations are week-long work parties that connect volunteers with trail maintenance projects in beautiful locations throughout Washington.

A volunteer looks out over a lake view while the crew does trail work.
Making new friends in a beautiful location while giving back. It doesn't get much better than that. Photo by Sarah Keyt. 

Give us a week. We'll make it great!

On a volunteer vacation, you'll spend 7 days giving back to trails and connecting to other volunteers. WTA provides all the tools, food, and kitchen equipment and sets up a cozy basecamp. All you have to bring is your own personal camping gear and a readiness to try something new. Since it is a vacation, you get a day off in the middle to explore your surroundings and relax between days of trail work.

WTA offers volunteer vacations all over Washington in a variety of settings. There are frontcountry trips where you can camp in your vehicle or stay in a tent near a historic guard station, or backcountry trips where you hike to your camp and the food is carried up by mules!

No matter what setting you choose, you will complete important trail work and share camp chores with fellow volunteers while still getting plenty of time to eat, relax and enjoy your surroundings. No experience is necessary but we do ask that you to participate in a day work party beforehand to get a taste for trail work.

Volunteer vacations are open to people 18 years and older. Younger than that? We also offer youth volunteer vacations. 

Volunteers sit in camp chairs and smile.
Relaxing with new friends after a rewarding day of trail work. Photo by Owen Vogeli. 

FrontCountry — Car Camping 

There are a wide variety of volunteer vacations where you don't have to hike to your basecamp. Just meet your crew at the campground and one of our skilled leaders will help you start setting up camp. You can choose to camp in your vehicle or in a tent. Sometimes, the crew will have access to communal indoor spaces like bunkhouses or guard stations. This is indicated in the work party description.

Backcountry  

These trips backpack to a basecamp and work many miles from the trailhead. You will hike to basecamp with your crew, carrying your personal camping gear and some snacks. All the tools, food and group supplies will be carried up by mules and horses. On some trips, you may get to hitch a boat ride to your camp too.

Volunteer vacations are a great option if you want to work deep in wilderness but you don't want the hassle of packing food and stoves. If you prefer a more rugged experience, or want to manage your own food, consider signing up for a Backcountry Response Team. 

Taking a break to enjoy the view. Photo by Tom Griffith.
Taking a break to enjoy the view on a volunteer vacation. Photo by Tom Griffith.