Volunteer

Our community (and if you're reading this, that's you!) is the heart and soul of San Gorgonio Wilderness Association. Support our work—and help out the trails you love—by getting involved. Whether you'd like to become a member, help repair trails, advocate for wild places or simply connect with fellow hikers, we have an opportunity for you. There are many ways to volunteer.

SGWA welcomes anyone who wants to volunteer on trail. Whether you've had years of experience or you're brand new to tools, here you can find how to sign up and find answers to frequently asked questions.

  • Naturalist: Give nature walks and/or present programs.

    Information Specialist: Staff the Mill Creek, Barton Flats, Big Falls, and Horse Meadows Stations to provide permits, maps, and other information to forest visitors.

    Forest Patrol: Backpack overnight in the wilderness, ride your horse along trails and dirt roads, day hike along trails to assist visitors, protect the forest, and perform minor trail and camp maintenance.

    Trail Crew: Maintain and improve trails throughout the San Bernardino National Forest.

    Recreation Maintenance Crew: Improve recreation facilities in the forest.

  • Attend Forest Service orientation/safety training in May.

    Serve at least two days a month from June through September.

    Obtain your own current basic first aid/CPR card or certificate, or have other equal or greater training (e.g., RN or paramedic certification).

    Be able to physically and mentally perform the type of service chosen, all of which require good people skills to work with other volunteers, Forest Service personnel, and the public.

    Be willing to work at one of the visitor centers as assigned up to four days each summer if your primary activity is other than visitor center work.

    Be experienced in hiking, backpacking, or horseback riding on mountain trails if you choose service requiring such.

    Have your own equestrian, camping, and hiking equipment, and purchase your own volunteer uniform (about $40-$70).

    Ages 12-17 (with a parent or guardian).

  • In and around the San Gorgonio Wilderness and Big Bear Lake areas east of San Bernardino. The San Gorgonio Wilderness is located on the San Bernardino National Forest, approximately 75 miles east of Los Angeles. Click here for vicinity map.

    The Volunteer Program is best suited to local California residents as neither the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association or the United States Forest Service offer room and board or stipends for volunteers in the program. Additionally, volunteers will need transportation to commute between their residence and the place of volunteer duty. If you seek volunteer work anywhere in the U.S. and the SGWA Volunteer Program does not suit you, please click here for additional volunteer opportunities.

  • Training and experience in forest skills

    Serving with other volunteers and Forest Service personnel

    Satisfaction in performing a much needed service

    Protecting the place you love

    Twenty percent discount on merchandise sold by SGWA

    A great way to “pay back” the wilderness for the pleasure you receive from it

    Working, but also having fun in a beautiful setting!

  • Download handbook here.

Volunteer with SGWA for a fun and rewarding way to give back to the places you love to hike. Trails across San Gorgonio Wilderness need our help more than ever.

We look forward to seeing you on trail!

Submit an application