2025 Campground Host - Mio Ranger District

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2024 Mio Ranger District Campground Hosts Locations:

Kneff Lake Campground

Mack Lake Campground

Island Lake Campground

Wagner Lake Campground

Gabions Campground

Location Description:

The Huron-Manistee National Forest is looking for several energetic, hardworking, fun-loving individuals or couples to serve as volunteer hosts at various campgrounds on the Mio Ranger District for the 2025 camping season.

The Mio Ranger District is located within the beautiful northeast portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan. There are many lakes and rivers across the district, with the Au Sable National Scenic River flowing through the center. The district is popular for recreators who like to fish, hunt, paddle, and float. It is also a popular destination for ATV and OHV riders alike. The district has an ATV trail system comprising of over 200 miles of 50" or less motorized trails and a large majority of the Forest Roads are open to OHV traffic.

Our priority is to fill host positions at Kneff Lake Campground and Mack Lake ORV Campgrounds prior to filling host positions at other campgrounds on the district. Information on each campground, including a link to photos and additional information is provided below.

Campground Descriptions:

Kneff Lake Campground has 27 sites (15 are reservable). The campground and associated day use beach area are located on the edge of Kneff Lake, a 20-acre non-motorized sport lake. The beach area was entirely updated in the fall of 2024. This popular recreation area is a short 10-minute drive to Grayling, MI. Host site: full hookups with power, water and sewer. Cellular Reception on major providers such as Verizon, AT&T.

Mack Lake ORV Campground has 41 sites (24 are reservable). The campground, day use area, and motorized system trailhead are all settled on the banks of Mack Lake. It’s a 15-minute drive to Mio, MI and a 20-minute drive to Rose City, MI. Host site: power and sewer hookups, solar well with spigot and handpump for potable water. Cellular Reception on major providers such as Verizon, AT&T.

Island Lake Campground has 17 sites (10 are reservable). The campground and day use area are on the shoreline of Island Lake. Island Lake hiking trail connects the campground to the nearby Loon Lake Day Use Area. It is a 10-minute drive to Rose City, MI. Host site: power, pressurized well for potable water, vault toilets. Cellular Reception on major providers such as Verizon, AT&T.

Wagner Lake Campground has 12 sites (7 are reservable). The campground sites on the entirely Forest Service owned Wagner Lake. Chimney Loop Group Site is located across the lake with Wagner being the source of potable water for those visitors. It is a 15-minute drive to Mio, MI and a 15-minute drive to Rose City, MI. Host site: Handpump for potable water, vault toilets. Cellular Reception on major providers such as Verizon, AT&T.

Gabions Campground has 8 sites (6 are reservable). The Au Sable National Scenic River runs right next to the campground. Nearby 4001 canoe landing makes this a popular destination for those enjoying the river. It is a 15-minute drive to Glennie, MI. Host site: Vault toilet. Campground has a water hand pump. No water or sewer hookup. Limited cellular reception.

Position Description:

Campground Hosts represent the Forest Service and to provide customer service to Forest visitors by explaining rules and regulations, answering questions, and providing information on the campground and nearby recreation opportunities. Hosts will be asked to provide friendly and patient customer service, perform daily campground cleaning, and some other light maintenance as needed. Specific duties are listed below.

Campground Hosts are crucial in the daily implementation of the reservation system on the ground. Mio RD campgrounds are 60% reservable on recreation.gov and 40% first-come, first-served. Campground hosts will be asked to fill out reservation placards.

All necessary tools, supplies, safety equipment, uniform components, and training will be provided by the Forest Service. Previous host experience is helpful but not required.

Point of Contact:

Jeffrey Buiting, jeffrey.buiting@usda.gov, 989-335-0471

Duties Include:

- Hosts are expected to wear all personal protective equipment for work and that equipment is provided.

- Hosts are expected to wear a provided host badge at all times (Or other identifying gear).

- Daily check/cleaning of campground sites and restroom facilities

- Daily garbage pick-up

- Site mowing (if gear is provided) coordinated with Rec Staff

- Other minor miscellaneous site maintenance (as needed)

- Completion of a daily visitor log

- Checking vehicles/campers for proof of fee payment

- Leaving notice of failure to pay for vehicles not displaying proof of payment (or contact MRD Rec Staff)

- Daily interaction with visitors including answering questions about the site and the Mio Ranger District

- Review and adhere to all applicable safety requirements set forth for duties performed (JHAs)

- Regular check in with assigned Forest Service point of contact

Skills:

- Conservation Education

- Driver's License

- General Assistance

- Office/Clerical

- Visitor Information

- Working with People

Activities:

- Campground/Site Host

- Campground Maintenance

- Conservation Education

- General Assistance

- Visitor Information

Position Specific Information: 1) Season:

Earliest start date: May 15th, 2025

End date: September 30th, 2025

A minimum of a 4-weeks commitment within this timeframe is ideal; preference will be given to longer-term applicants.

2) Hours:

Hosts are expected to log a minimum of 20 work hours per week (Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend). Hosts should be in the campground and available to the public 5 days out of each week, plus holidays, per their volunteer agreement. Days typically needing coverage are: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

3) Housing:

Volunteer hosts must have/own their own accommodation (RV/Camper/Motorhome) to live on site; tents are not permitted. Amenities vary by location, please ask if you have questions.

Start Date - 2025-05-15

End Date - 2025-09-30

Activities include: Campground/Site Host;Campground Maintenance;Conservation Education;General Assistance;Visitor Information