Dead Horse Ranch
Volunteer Opportunities

Visitor Services volunteers help with daily operation of the Visitor Center.

The Dead Horse Ranch State Park Volunteer program began with the park’s inception in 1977. By 1997 volunteers were giving over 9000 hours annually of their valuable time towards the park’s success. Ten years later, following the completion of major redevelopment projects and increased infrastructure, volunteers have become an integral part of the park’s operation. In 2007 average annual volunteer hours totaled over 22,000. This is the equivalent of 11 full-time employees; roughly double the current full-time staff. Volunteers, with their experience and passion, are the lifeblood of our park.

Every two weeks, the Volunteer Coordinator meets with our on-site volunteers to discuss ongoing operational issues, answer questions, clarify policy, and learn more about the park and the surrounding area. Frequently, guests are invited to speak at volunteer meetings as part of our ongoing educational efforts. Volunteers assist park staff with maintenance and repair, park improvement projects, interpretive education, and visitor services.

This park recruits both Local and On-Site volunteers. Local volunteers live nearby and come to the park to help with the park’s daily operation. On-Site volunteers reside at the park during their service commitment and are provided with full hook-ups. The park recruits volunteers throughout the year. For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteers also help in a variety of other ways, including trail work, landscaping, and more.

Campground Services/Host
This is an On-Site position requiring a minimum of 20 hours of service per person/per week. Campground Hosts work with Rangers to accomplish the many tasks necessary to operate a state park. They often assist campers and other park visitors with questions, directions and fee payment. For more extensive information on Campground Services & Campground Host duties please Download Fact Sheet ( 482 KB PDF)

Lagoon Host
This is an On-Site position requiring a minimum of 20 hours of service per person/per week. The Lagoon-Host is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Los Alamos Day Use Area. In addition to garbage pickup around the lagoons, and maintenance of the restrooms and ramadas, Lagoon Hosts may also be involved with after hours fee collection. For more extensive information on Lagoon Host duties please Download Fact Sheet ( 428 KB PDF)

Visitor Services
This position includes both Off-Site and On-Site volunteers, and generally work at the park’s Contact Station. They perform many diverse tasks, including registering campers, answering a wide variety of questions, and taking reservations. For more extensive information on Visitor Services duties please Download Fact Sheet ( 55 KB PDF)

Maintenance Services
This category of volunteers includes Off-Site and On-Site volunteers who perform the many, many tasks necessary to insure seamless operation of the park. Jobs can include small engine repair, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, landscaping, building maintenance and event support.

Volunteer Coordinator:

Eric Buzonas, Park Ranger
phone: (928) 634-5283

Dead Horse Ranch Volunteer Newsletter

Dead Horse Ranch Volunteer Newsletter logo The Dead Horse Dispatch is a newsletter by and for the Volunteers at Dead Horse Ranch. The Dispatch is published about every other month. Submissions are due by the 20th of the month.

Drop off submissions at the Ranger Station with: “Attention: Newsletter Information.” Or mail submissions to the park: 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. We are looking for photos, news items, jokes, photos, biographical info, and more!

Download August 2008 Issue ( 209 KB PDF)