Live, Work, Travel: A Guide to Workamping

For full-time RVers, workamping is one of the best ways to fund a life of travel while immersing yourself in unique destinations. Whether you’re working at a campground, a resort, a farm, or a trading post, workamping offers the opportunity to experience a place like a local—not just a tourist passing through.

If you're curious about what it's really like, I've shared our full experience in two separate posts--Workamping in the Redwoods and Workamping on the Sonoma Coast. These dive deep into our memories, the people we met, and what made each place so special. 

How We Got Into Workamping

When we first hit the road, we lived off savings for about six months. We had flipped our house in Portland, bought Fern outright, and took off on our adventure. But after months of exploring, we knew we needed to find a way to make money while keeping our travels flexible. Workamping seemed like the perfect solution.

Our first workamping job came to us by chance. We had been traveling through Northern California and had fallen in love with the redwoods. We wanted to stay longer, so I started searching for jobs in the area. Most places had already hired for the season, but Redwoods River Resort had a last-minute opening. We applied, had a great phone interview, and immediately drove south to start our first season.

What was originally meant to be just a summer job turned into three incredible seasons—one of which saw us weathering a massive winter storm that knocked out power for ten days. We built lasting friendships with the summer staff, spent our evenings having movie nights and dance parties, and embraced the magic of life under the towering redwoods.

Since then, we’ve also worked on the Sonoma Coast and will be spending this summer in Montana. Each experience has brought something different and given us the chance to explore places we otherwise might have only passed through.

What is Workamping?

Workamping is a way to work seasonal jobs while living in your RV. In exchange for a campsite (and often wages), you work a set number of hours per week. It’s a great way to extend your travels, meet new people, and truly experience a destination.

Common workamping jobs include:

• Campground host

• Front desk & reservations

• Retail & store management

• Food service (deli, coffee shop, bar staff)

• Housekeeping & maintenance

• Farm & harvest work

• National & state park jobs

• Lodge & resort staff

  
  

Some positions offer just a free campsite in exchange for work, while others also provide wages. We always make sure our jobs include both—a site AND fair pay.

The Pros & Cons of Workamping

Pros:

✔ Earn money while traveling

✔ Live in beautiful locations for an extended time

✔ Experience places as a local, not a tourist

✔ Meet like-minded travelers

✔ Gain unique work experiences

Cons:

✖ Work can be physically demanding (especially during peak season)

✖ Some places try to overwork employees for low wages

✖ Jobs in remote areas mean limited access to groceries & supplies

✖ Seasonal work requires frequent job searching & planning ahead

The Best Parts of Workamping: The People & The Moments

The job itself is only half of the experience—the people you meet along the way make it unforgettable.

We made some of our best friends through workamping. At first, we kept to ourselves, but one of our coworkers, Teresa, kept inviting us to hang out. She never gave up on us, and eventually, we became part of the crew. We had baking nights, pumpkin carving, dance parties, and movie nights under the stars.

Our first summer ended with a huge party down by the lake, complete with twinkle lights, food, and a silent disco. That fall, we threw an epic Halloween party, and James and I showed up in theme with the forest—I was a raccoon, and he was a Chicago Cub. We had a costume contest, and after the festivities, a small group of us gathered in the pub for a late-night dance party. It was one of my favorite memories—laughing, dancing, and sharing an emotional goodbye with friends who had become family.

Not every workamping job comes with built-in friendships, though. The winter season was much quieter, and we realized just how much the people made the experience. Later, when we workamped on the Sonoma Coast, we found that same sense of community in a completely different way—getting to know the locals who came into the store every day. By the end of the season, we weren’t just the people who worked there; we were a part of the rhythm of the town. When we left, we were invited to farewell parties and get-togethers, celebrating the connections we had made in such a short time.

It’s those moments—the friendships, the laughter, the once-in-a-lifetime experiences—that make workamping so much more than just a job. For a more personal look at our workamping adventures, check out Workamping in the Redwoods and Workamping on the Sonoma Coast.

Finding Workamping Jobs

Workamping jobs are posted on job boards, social media, and even campground websites.

✔ Workamper News – Paid membership job board with vetted opportunities. 

✔ Facebook Groups – Many workamping groups post job openings. 

✔ Google & Direct Applications – Searching for jobs in specific locations and reaching out directly can yield great results.

Most positions require applying a season in advance, but last-minute openings often pop up when plans change.

Making the Most of Your Workamping Experience

• Choose the right fit. Understand job responsibilities, pay, and living conditions before committing.

• Connect with your coworkers. Some of our best memories come from potlucks, campfires, and movies under the stars with fellow workampers.

• Set work boundaries. Know what’s expected of you and negotiate fair pay for extra projects.

• Embrace the adventure. Workamping is about more than just the job—it’s about the experiences and people you meet along the way.

  
  

Encouraging Others to Take the Leap

One of the most unexpected and rewarding parts of workamping was the number of people who told us, “I wish I could do what you’re doing.” We heard it all the time—from campers checking in, from locals, from strangers we met along the way.

Our answer was always the same: "You can!"

So many people think this lifestyle is out of reach, that you need a huge savings account or a perfect plan to make it work. But the truth is, there are so many ways to make this lifestyle achievable—and workamping is one of them.

We always tried to encourage others: "If we can do it, you can do it. This lifestyle is totally possible. You don’t have to follow the same path as everyone else—carve out your own. Take the road less traveled."

Final Thoughts

Workamping has given us the chance to live in incredible places—from a redwood grove to the Sonoma Coast—while making money and continuing our journey. It’s an amazing option for RVers who want flexibility, adventure, and a deeper connection to the places they visit.

Would we do it again? Without a doubt. It’s not always easy, but the experiences, friendships, and unforgettable moments make it all worth it.

Thinking about workamping? I say go for it—your next adventure is waiting!

🌲 Workamping in the Redwoods – Life among towering trees, forming lifelong friendships, and finding a place that truly felt like home.

🌊 Workamping on the Sonoma Coast – Waking up to ocean views, becoming part of a small coastal community, and hunting for abalone shells along Highway 1.

Have you ever workamped, or is it something you’d try? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your experiences! ✨