1BD: Crystal Park - Host

This volunteer position offers an opportunity to live on the National Forest, provide public service while hosting and maintaining the Crystal Park Recreation Area.  Volunteer service is greatly appreciated and a valuable asset to achieving our agency’s mission of caring for the land and serving people! 

Crystal Park is a unique day-use area located at an elevation of 7,800 feet in the Pioneer Mountains in southwest Montana along the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway.  Quartz crystals are scattered liberally through the decomposed granite of the unique 220-acre site that has been reserved by the Forest Service for the popular hobby of rock-hounding.  Crystal Park is open for digging quartz crystals and has a fee per car.  The Park include three picnic sites with tables and grills, information signs, toilets, and a paved trail with benches and an overlook. The facilities are designed to be universally accessible.

Enjoy Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway trails, fishing, hot springs, scenic drives and cultural resources.  For instance, the Elkhorn Mine and Coolidge Ghost Town, monuments and interpretive sites along the byway tell travelers about the natural features and some of the interesting history of the area.

General Host Duties:

• Be a courteous professional and friendly host to Forest visitors while representing the Agency.

• Provide visitor information including recreational opportunities, food storage rules and regulations.

• Assist with site maintenance.

• Monitor fee compliance. (No fee collection duties required.)

Season, Schedule and Services:

Hosts shall be available from approximately May 15th through October 1st, with an option to extend the season on either or both ends if desired.  A full season commitment is required.  Hosts volunteer five days a week, which includes weekends and holidays.  A typical schedule 20-40 hours per week, 4-8 hours per day, primarily during both the morning and afternoon daylight hours to greet visitors and to conduct fee compliance checks.  The Forest Service will coordinate with the host regarding the time of day to complete maintenance duties.  Days off will be mid-week on Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday to ensure coverage during the busiest visitation periods.  The host is not required to stay on site during days off.

Nearby services include:  grocery stores, gas, laundry, restaurants, hospital, and a post office are available in the town of Dillon (1-hour drive from Crystal Park).

There are small shops and a post office  in the town of Polaris (a 30-minute drive from Crystal Park).  Hosts can either rent a P.O. Box or have mail delivered via General Delivery.

Site Maintenance:

Ensuring a clean and well-maintained site for the public is of the utmost importance.  All supplies, tools, and equipment are provided by the Forest Service. Hosts may occasionally be required to perform the following.

• Clean and stock restrooms (Seasonal Forest Service employees will provide the majority of the cleaning and stocking).

• Shovel and clean out fire rings.

• Mow/line-trimming as needed.

• Report vandalism or facilities that need repair (Host does not perform law enforcement).

• Litter pick up

• Paint picnic tables.

• Install/repair signs.

Applicants shall submit a volunteer application, and a resume if requested, with past work or volunteer experience and three professional references.  Applicants shall also agree to a background investigation completed by the Forest Service if tentatively selected for the position.  If you have questions or are interested in this position, please feel free to contact the Dillon Ranger District, Dennis Morton, or the District Ranger, Jamie Tripp, at 406-683-3900 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].

We thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and look forward to hearing from you!

Housing and Amenities: 

• Host shall provide their own RV or camp trailer (along with propane if applicable).The use of a tent as the only means of housing is not permitted.

• Host is furnished with a campsite at one of our Pioneer Mountains Byway campgrounds For instance, Grasshopper campground is 10 minutes south of Crystal Park has a 50’ parking-spur host site with electric, water, and sewer hook-ups.(Site to be agreed upon with host and Recreation Manager.)

• “Pack In – Pack Out” your garbage is the rule for all byway Forest Service facilities.

• A small reimbursement for each day served may be provided for propane/gas/fuel for cooking and heating.

• Pets may be allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be on a leash within Forest Service developed recreation sites.  

• Cell phone reception is minimal along the byway.

Address:  420 Barrett St., Dillion, MT 59725 (Crystal Park is located on the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway.)