You can make our great places better. Become a VIP and volunteer with us today!
Join Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) to support the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect our national parks. You can volunteer for a day or year-round; on your own or with friends and family; close to home or at a dream destination. Volunteer opportunities are available nationwide including in U.S. Territories.
What can volunteers do? The possibilities are as diverse as our national park’s themselves. Here are a few ideas:
- lead or support education and public-facing programs.
- maintain or rebuild trails or historic buildings.
- conduct research or monitor wildlife to preserve our natural resources.
- help families make memories happen as a campground host.
- teach others about the park and swear in new Junior Rangers in the visitor center.
- support libraries, archives, and museums in parks to preserve our cultural resources.
- produce art while staying in a park as an Artist-In-Residence.
- educate train travelers on the natural and cultural heritage of a region through the Trails & Rails program.
Find a list of available opportunities at Volunteer.gov, search for a volunteer event, or contact a national park near you.
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- Duration:
- 1 minute, 50 seconds
Share a little time and make a big difference for national parks through the National Park Service's Volunteers-In-Parks program.
Find Volunteer Opportunities
Find a list of available opportunities across the National Park Service at Volunteer.gov.
Volunteer News
Get the latest volunteer news from across the National Park Service.
Volunteer Events
Find out about volunteer events taking place across the National Park Service.
Amtrak Trails & Rails
Volunteers with the Amtrak Trails & Rails program educate train travelers on the natural and cultural heritage of a region.
Artist-In-Residence
Volunteers with the Amtrak Trails & Rails program educate train travelers on the natural and cultural heritage of a region.
International Volunteers-In-Parks
Participants from around the world train in and contribute to US national parks.
Girl Scout Ranger Program
Girl Scouts are invited to participate in a variety of organized educational or service projects at national parks.
Programs for Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts are invited to participate in a variety of organized educational or service projects at national parks.
Community Volunteer Ambassador Program
The CVA program connects communities, increases volunteers in parks, improves volunteer mobilization, and organizes stewardship days.
Citizen Science
Citizen scientists of all ages head out to the field to gain deeper knowledge and contribute valuable information to parks.
National Parks BioBlitz
The National Park Service and National Geographic Society have collaborated to host large-scale BioBlitzes.
Volunteer Pass
Free! For volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
George and Helen Hartzog Awards
The George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service recognize the exemplary contributions of these very important people.
Reference Manual 7
This Volunteers-In-Parks Reference Manual 7 (RM-7) offers guidance to NPS employees, partners, and volunteers themselves.
Last updated: January 5, 2023