By Mitch Christianson
What to Expect When Working in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone mostly employs seasonal workers through third-party companies such as Xanterra or Delaware North, which was the company that employed me. I got hired as a cook in the employee dining room, aka the EDR, and honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I remember being worried that I’d get a stinky roommate or that I’d have a hard time making friends. It was a scary time for me, but I was so excited to see Yellowstone that I was ready for whatever..
Key notes
- Employees in Yellowstone want to make friends, and you’ll meet people from around the world.
- Be prepared to work 40 hours a week.
- The work is fun and you’ll have free time.
To start, let’s talk about my initial worries. I’m more of a nervous guy, and when I first arrived in Yellowstone, I was a bit shy and focused on unpacking my room. Even though I had my head down and was moving fast, I was stopped by two dudes around my age. They introduced themselves, and I found out I’d be working with one of them in the kitchen.
The next day, we started talking at work, and he invited me out to the employee bar to meet the other staff working in our campground. The employee bar was a truly special place, and the memories I made there will stay with me for life. It was a real melting pot, full of people from each company in the area. I met folks from Taiwan, Albania, Romania, Turkey, France, Ecuador, and Colombia—all in the same little bar.
After that first night, I met two guys around my age, and after a few drinks, we planned a hike together. I also met some beautiful women who I’d get to know better later on.
The work in Yellowstone is demanding, but it’s an incredible environment. Yellowstone is the most visited national park in the U.S., which means business is booming. Now this is important, so listen up: each area of Yellowstone is different when it comes to how busy things get.
The busiest areas to work in are Old Faithful and Fishing Bridge. Old Faithful is the most visited site in the park, so every day there are tens of thousands of people moving in and out of the stores. Fishing Bridge is located near one of the entrances and has hotels and cell service, which also makes it a hotspot. The work might be more tiring in those areas, but if you like to party, they have bigger crews and crazier social scenes.
I worked in Grant Village, which is near Grand Teton National Park. It was moderate in terms of store traffic. There weren’t a ton of employees, but we all became super close, and no one was ever left out—whether we were going on hikes or just chilling by the lake.
Living in Employee Housing in Yellowstone National Park
I’d like to say I was blessed with great housing in Yellowstone—and honestly, my experience is pretty rare. I actually didn’t get a roommate because not enough people applied, and there was no need to pair us up.
The dorm rooms are simple but functional. Each room has two beds, two dressers that double as nightstands, a table, two chairs, a mirror, and sink, and a shared bathroom. Definitely a basic setup, but the rooms were big enough for me to dance around in, so no complaints.
Each dorm also has a recreational room, and in my case, it included a pool table, microwaves (clutch af), a few tables and chairs, board games, a couch, and an old TV. Every dorm also has its own laundry room with about five washers and dryers, which came in handy after muddy hikes or food service shifts.
The rec room was the heart of dorm life. It’s where people would hang out after work to microwave a snack, crack open a beer, or catch up with friends. If you were meeting someone after work, it was probably in the rec room.
I remember one night, I made friends with a few people from Taiwan there. I had fallen into a river earlier and soaked my shoes, and one of the girls jokingly told me to throw them in the microwave to dry them. Long story short—it did not work out.
Right across the street from the dorms was the RV park, which had fire pits and benches. Some employees live in RVs, and if you’re lucky enough to befriend one of them, you might get invited over for a fire. That happened a lot where I worked. Almost every weekend, after the bar closed, we’d head down to my friend’s fire pit and keep the party going—grilling hot dogs, listening to music, and looking up at the clearest stars I’ve ever seen.
What It’s Like to Spend a Summer in Yellowstone National Park.
The summer I spent in Yellowstone was probably the best summer of my life. The views were spectacular, the hiking was absolutely perfect, the fishing was totally new, and the people I met became friends for life. Spending a whole summer away from home seemed daunting at first, but time flew by so fast—I never wanted it to end.
I don’t know if it’s the beautiful mountains, the crystal-clear rivers, or the insane geysers that make Yellowstone what it is, but there’s truly no place like it.
The best day of my life? It was the day I hiked Mount Washburn solo and came back to spend the night with a girl I had been crushing on all summer.
Mitch 2025
If you’re planning on spending summer in Yellowstone, here’s a good expectation to have: you’re going to spend a lot of time outside, and you’ll need to go with the flow. There’s so much to do in and around the park that even if you’re there for the whole summer, you won’t be able to experience it all. That’s why I say: just flow it out. Try something new every day—because you really can.
One of my first hikes in Yellowstone was called Elephant Back. I did it with a new friend from Ecuador. I barely knew the guy, but by the time we reached the top of the trail and saw the most amazing view of Lake Yellowstone, we were best friends.
It’s moments like that you can expect when working in a national park. Random plans, spontaneous hikes, and deep conversations with someone you just met—all turning into memories you’ll never forget.
Best Hiking Trails in Yellowstone for Seasonal Employees.
Seasonal employees and hiking go together like hamburgers and cheese. There are thousands of trails in Yellowstone, and each one is truly beautiful. I kept saying “ya neva know,” because one second you’re deep in the woods, and the next you’re in a barren desert with a geyser in the middle.
Here are my top 3 recommended hikes for anyone working in Yellowstone:
1. Mount Washburn
Mount Washburn was a very hyped-up hike where I worked, but I never understood how amazing it truly was until I did it myself. The hike is about 7 miles round trip and is a well-traveled trail. There’s around 1,400 feet of elevation gain, so it’s not an easy one—you should have done at least a 1,000-foot elevation hike before attempting it.
Although it’s a workout, the views of Yellowstone from the top are the most insane I’ve ever seen. On the way up, you can see into the South Canyon, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
After finishing Mount Washburn, you feel like you’ve just lived a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It makes you appreciate your body—and the incredible planet we live on.
2. Bunsen Peak
Bunsen Peak is another hike that makes you earn the views. It’s a little shorter at 4.5 miles round trip, with about 1,300 feet of elevation gain. As you climb, you’ll see all the way out to Mammoth Hot Springs and the surrounding valleys.
What makes this hike special is how much of Yellowstone you can see in just one trail. I did this one with a special lady in my life, and it turned into a really great bonding experience.
If you’re working in Yellowstone, do this hike—and thank me later. Maybe even bring a special someone if you want a little magic in the air.
3. Riddle Lake
Let’s end it with a more chill option. Riddle Lake is about 5 miles total and is one of the flattest hikes in Yellowstone, with only 100 feet of elevation gain.
It’s a perfect trail if you like fishing, since Riddle Lake is full of trout (you might have to get your feet wet, though). I’ll be real with you—I didn’t catch a thing—but seeing the mountains behind the lake was something I’ll never forget.
I did this hike with a couple of friends I worked with. We drank, relaxed, and swung in our hammocks until it got dark. Just a heads-up: grizzlies are known to roam the area, so definitely go with a group.
Pros and Cons of Working in Yellowstone National Park
Working in Yellowstone isn’t for everyone. To make your decision easier, I’ll break down some pros and cons of being a seasonal employee in Yellowstone National Park.
The Good and the Bad
For me, the best parts of being a seasonal employee in Yellowstone were the hiking, the fishing, and meeting new friends. Honestly, I had never hiked before I got to Yellowstone, but after spending a summer there, hiking became one of my favorite things to do.
I also learned a totally new style of fishing—trout fishing—which meant learning to fish in rivers and streams. Some of the spots I visited were the most beautiful fishing locations I’ve ever seen.
One of the hardest parts of the experience was saying goodbye to the amazing people I met. A lot of my new friends were from different countries, and knowing it might be a long time before we see each other again made leaving really tough.
Pros of Working in Yellowstone National Park
There are a lot of benefits to working in Yellowstone National Park, but to keep it short, here are my top three:
- Meeting New People: It’s not always easy to meet people who love the outdoors, especially with how busy life can get. But in Yellowstone, cell service is minimal, and everyone is there because they love nature—so making genuine connections is super easy.
- Hiking and Amazing Views: One of the biggest pros is the incredible access to hiking trails and breathtaking scenery. There are countless hikes in Yellowstone, and by the end of the summer, you’ll have seen views that will stay with you for life. Plus, long hikes build not just your strength but your connection to yourself.
- New Adventures Every Day: Yellowstone employers often organize events and outings for staff to meet people and try new things. One of my favorite examples? We went white water rafting in Montana. These kinds of trips happen almost weekly, and every time it’s something new.
Cons of Working in Yellowstone National Park
Like I said earlier, working in Yellowstone isn’t for everyone. Here are the top three cons to consider:
- Being Away from Home: If you get homesick easily, this could be tough. I worked with at least three people who ended up leaving early because they couldn’t handle being away from home for so long.
- New Place with New People: One of the best and hardest parts is that everything is new. That can be exciting, but also scary. If you’re not someone who adapts well to change, being surrounded by new people and places can feel overwhelming at first.
- Bad Cell Connection: I had AT&T, and I can tell you—I rarely had service. If you’re expecting to post on Instagram or stream movies easily, it might not be possible. You’ll need to be okay with unplugging a bit.