8O: Hog Pen Landing Campground Host

For a lucky few, the perfect camping option is serving as a volunteer campground host. The year-round, short-term post, which can last from three months to one year, offers a free campsite in exchange for 15 hours a week of volunteering.

Volunteer camp hosts greet visitors, monitor the site and keep the area orderly, clean bathrooms, and perform general facility and groundskeeping maintenance. We provide tools and equipment to do the job and reimburse for propane.  

Those interested must have an RV or hard top camper, be able to lift 40 lbs and be personable to traveling public.  Applicants must pass a federal background check.  

Hog Pen Landing offers a boat ramp with direct access to the lake.  Hog Pen Landing is a primitive campground with few amenities.  There is no water, sewer or electric currently at the site.  Conveniently located between Jacksonville and Lake City, Florida, it is a popular destination for both local visitors and traveling snowbirds.  If you are used to being independent and want a quiet, relaxed campground, Hog Pen may just be for you.

The Osceola National Forest is within a short driving distance to many popular attractions in Florida and some of the more popular north Florida cities, Jacksonville Beaches, Gainesville, University of Florida and Shands Medical Center, St. Augustine - Oldest City in Florida, and Tallahassee, the state capitol.  Osceola NF is set between the Atlantic Beaches and the Nature Coast with many local rivers, caves and scenic points of interest. Outdoor recreational activities on the forest are centered around Ocean Pond, a mile long lake that includes campgrounds, beaches, hiking, fishing, boating and swimming. OHV and equestrian trails along with undeveloped campgrounds are located around the forest. Other attractions include the Florida National Scenic Trail, Olustee Battlefield State Park and the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness.

To apply, fill out an application with the dates of interest and relevant experience if any or email: [email protected]

Check out our website. http://www.fs.usda.gov/osceola