Camp All Summer for Free!

This is a Cal Fire, Mendocino Unit press release:

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Mendocino Unit Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) has two exciting opportunities for volunteer campground hosts at two of its campgrounds located off Highway 20 between Fort Bragg and Willits. JDSF was established in 1949 and is the largest of the state demonstration forests at approximately 50 thousand acres of beautiful coastal redwood forest. The campgrounds are located adjacent to tributaries of Big River and Noyo Rivers and offer endless opportunities for recreational hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail rides.

The volunteer campground hosts provide basic operational services and information to the campground visitors. Volunteer campground hosts generally work approximately 20 hours a week and, in exchange for those services, the hosts are provided with a campsite during their stay. Hosts, using their own recreational vehicle or trailer, reside temporarily in a designated campground host location. Host campsites have non-potable water, sewer and telephone hookups but do not have any other utilities available. The campgrounds are generally open to visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year.

As with all volunteers, hosts are provided direction by CALFIRE personnel and receive orientation and training to perform the duties of a volunteer campground host. To apply as a volunteer campground host, please contact the JDSF office at (707) 964-5674. Office hours are 8-12 & 1-5 Monday through Friday.

Multiple uses of JDSF for a wide variety of activities that benefit the public, the economy and natural resources are what our demonstration forests are all about.