Before hitting the road in our vintage camper, we had saved enough money to travel — albeit on a shoestring budget — for about a year and a half. We simply weren’t sure what would be next for us. Maybe we’d go back to careers and “real life” after exploring our country. Or maybe we’d just keep going? Within the first few months, we met many people who worked while traveling and discovered hundreds of different ways to earn decent money while traveling in our RV! Surprisingly, there are lots of opportunities out there to find seasonal RV jobs and side gigs. If you know where to look, that is.
So, let us return the favor, and share the resources and tricks that have worked for us.
Seasonal RV Jobs for Full-Timers
Seasonal opportunities can be full or part-time, and include campground hosting, working at national parks and state parks, guiding for tour companies, managing B&Bs, teaching at environmental education centers, working at ski resorts, restaurants, and retail stories … and so much more. If you are traveling as a couple (or with a family), one person may choose seasonal in-person work while the other works online at “home.”
While the list below is not exhaustive, here are some great options that can get you jumpstarted if you’re hunting for seasonal RV jobs:
- Cool Works – Cool jobs in beautiful places.
- Kelly Services – Variety of jobs across the U.S.
- National Park Service – Jobs in the U.S. national parks.
- Recreation Resource Management of America – Camp hosting across the U.S.
- Workamping – Campground jobs across the U.S.
- Working Couples – Seeking two-person teams for a variety of jobs.
Full-Timer Side Gigs and Odd Jobs
If you are partially-retired (or just seeking some additional income), pick up a side gig or odd job while traveling. Craigslist, community bulletin boards, or libraries are a good place to begin. We’ve had great luck finding odd jobs by simply posting a well-written ad on Craigslist.
We’ve done yard work, light construction, home repair, painting, and cleaned homes prior to sale/rental — just to name a few. Hutch also made some extra cash playing guitar at farmers markets. (The customers and vendors loved it!) Haven’t figured out your side gig yet? Lots of great ideas can be found on Side Hustle Nation!
Always Ask, “Are You Hiring?”
Can you skip the classifieds? Yes! We’ve found 99 percent of our seasonal jobs by simply asking up front, rather than combing through posted job listings. We decided where we wanted to be for the season, and then reached out to the person in charge. A well-written, professional resume never hurts — especially if it focuses more on your skill set than on your position history.
Seasonal RV Jobs: A Few Personal Favorites
Here are just a few examples of the jobs we’ve secured by simply asking, “Are you hiring?”:
- Campground Guides. We emailed the owner of a gorgeous campground on the coast of Maine where we had stayed a couple of years prior. In addition to a campground and rustic cabins, they offered eco-tours, guided kayak experiences, and sailing lessons. We sent over our resumes and references, and within a week, we both had great jobs for the summer.
- Wine Tasting Insiders. Just before we left to volunteer for four months in Kenya, we contacted the manager at a popular winery in Northern Michigan that we loved. Upon return from Africa, we had jobs waiting for us as tasting room associates for the summer and fall seasons.
- Educators and Kayakers. We secured volunteer positions with the Education Team at Acadia National Park in Maine for the spring and fall. To make money during the summer, we contacted a number of sea kayaking tour companies and campgrounds in the area. Within a few weeks, we both had full-time, seasonal jobs and a place to park Hamlet for the summer at a beautiful campground on Mt. Desert Island!
Has every job been awesome? Not a chance. Some were truly challenging. But others were super fun and rewarding. No matter how it shook out, we always learned something from each experience, met some lifelong friends, and had a nice place to stay while earning some extra cash.
Signs a Seasonal or Side Job Might Work
You’ll know the job is a good fit when you:
- love the area and have some time off to explore it,
- have a comfortable spot for you and your RV for the season,
- are being paid a decent wage and/or compensated with a free campsite, and
- are treated like a professional team member.
If you find that any of the above are not met (and you’ve tried negotiating), we encourage you to quit and find something that better suits you. Be professional, upfront, and simply move on. You’ll be glad you pulled up stakes and rolled out, as it’s one of the best parts of RV living.
Seasonal RV jobs not your thing? That’s OK. It’s not for everyone. Next up, we’ll discuss how to find online jobs, as well as the equipment you’ll need to turn your RV into a traveling home office.
Want to learn more about working from the road? This article is part of our Working from the Road 101 series.
The Essential Mindset to Work from Your RV (Part 1)
Seasonal RV Jobs and Side Gigs: How to Find Them (Part 2)
Everything You Need to Work Remotely from Your RV (Part 3)
RV Work Trade and Volunteering (Part 4, Coming Soon)
