June - August 2018 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
The location, the people, the animals, the outdoors and the constant everyday enjoyment.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have stayed longer.
Advice
Be prepared to have the most interesting and fun summer of your life. Go alone , making friends is the best part because everyone is welcoming and fun.
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Cook
May - August 2018 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
The location
What I wish was different
HR
Advice
It’s amazing! The job kind of sucks but the experiences are worth it.
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Customer Success Associate (Food and Beverage)
May - July 2019 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
The scenery and being in a national park is an experience unparalleled by anything else I’ve ever done. Management is also incredible.
What I wish was different
The company itself is a terrible one. They don’t care about their workers or the conditions that they live in. Countless people got food poisoning and a few even got bronchitis from the asbestos in the walls.
Advice
If you’re going, go for the reason of finding yourself or living in a national park. I went because I thought it would be a cool adventure and I’d make some decent money and I ended up hating most of the experience.
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Housekeeping
May - August 2019 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
Days off in the park were amazing! It is very beautiful out there
What I wish was different
Everything about the work wasn’t great. The people were nice but overall Xanterra is not a good employer
Advice
Go out there for the experience and fun, not the work or the money
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Mobile Food Service Team Member
May - August 2018 • Grand Canyon, AZ
What I liked
I loved living in the Grand Canyon, and working directly on the rim of the canyon. I really liked the travel work experience, and the attitude of young people that also do that.
What I wish was different
I wish I had had a car.
Advice
It was incredible. You don't need internships to be successful - just enjoy your summer and take time to see the world and meet people with diverse backgrounds (unlike at Hamilton!)
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Porter
May - August 2019 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
The job site was remote and had extremely limited internet access. Cell phone service was almost nonexistent for AT&T. While this may have been a burden for taking online classes, it strengthened the bonds made between coworkers. We often only had each other to talk to, and quickly established a close-knit community. I was blissfully unaware of current events and was able to focus on myself and my work. I made several friends who I hope to be in contact with for the rest of my life.
What I wish was different
It was explained in the orientation that internet access would be limited, but no one was prepared for how terrible it actually is. For me, taking online classes was almost impossible with the internet access I was provided. If I had not made a friend willing to drive me to the nearest town for decent WiFi, I would have been unable to complete my courses for the Summer Term.
Advice
Working in Yellowstone is an experience like no other, and I would encourage others to take the chance. It can be very challenging, and it's easy to become lonely if you do not interact with your fellow coworkers. Take advantage of every recreational event you can, don't be afraid to be genuine with others, and always ask for help if you're feeling low. Also, do your laundry on the days that you work so you don't spend your days off folding your clothes.
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Housekeeping inspector
May - October 2019 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
Both working and living in a national park
What I wish was different
How I spent my free time there
Advice
10/10 would recommend doing a summer in a national park. I met so many people from so many different countries. Don’t listen to the negative experiences because everyone’s is different. Go and experience it for yourself
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Kitchen Crew
May - August 2019 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
I liked living in a unique and special place surrounded by amazing people from all over the world.
What I wish was different
I wish they didn't take so much money out for lodging and food.
Advice
If you are thinking about working in Yellowstone, do it! It's an amazing opportunity.
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Bar Host/Hostess
May - August 2018 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
I liked living in a national park of a summer and gaining experience in the hospitality industry. It gave me a different prospective on how a hotel is run in an extremely rural part of the country.
What I wish was different
Advice
Just to be prepared and aware of what life will be like out there. There is limited service and wifi. Everyone makes do and it’s like stepping back into a time machine. The main for of entertainment is hiking, reading, hanging out with other co workers, or playing board games. I was never bored or lonely out in Yellowstone during my internship but some people did quit because of the lack of WiFi and service.
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Ice Cream Server
June - August 2020 • Custer, SD
What I liked
A great location in a beautiful area. I met people from all over the planet and every state of the country. I was able to see the president make his historic appearance at Mt Rushmore for independence day
What I wish was different
The company's blatant bias and extreme covid protocols made it very difficult to perform some basic processes of the job.
Advice
Find your own reason for taking the job; be it exploration, independence, school money, or anything else, find a reason and make it count. These jobs are not supposed to be very financially rewarding but rather, generous in the possible experiences to be had.
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Room Inspector
May - August 2021 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
I enjoyed the opportunity to work in such a beautiful park and meet people from all walks of life. This job taught me many invaluable lessons, and I would not trade the experience for anything.
What I wish was different
Some days were very long despite my initial understanding that days seldom varied in hours and difficulty. I wish I had been realistically informed of the working conditions. Moreover, the human resources department was underwhelming. I am aware of various situations in which individuals were displeased and antagonized. Housekeeping management, however, was filled with nothing but support.
Advice
Have realistic expectations for a seasonal job. Take advantage of being where you are, but don't break your job commitment.
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Cafeteria Server
May - August 2021 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
Working in a national park
What I wish was different
better management
Advice
Go for it even though management sucks because it’s an one in a lifetime opportunity
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Room attendent
June - August 2020 • Yellowstone National Park, WY
What I liked
Living in a national park, housing + food being provided, close relationships with coworkers & other staff members, managers were nice, Gardiner Montana, was close
What I wish was different
Really terrible access to WiFi, HR was frequently terrorizing staff about rules that I didn’t find to be necessary, the food was HORRIBLE, and we were really understaffed
Advice
You 100% get out of it what you put in. When you’re standing on top of a mountain, it makes the fact that you are a housekeeper for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week really easy. If you speak to people and make connections, people will welcome you with open arms even if you’re different or shy
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Ice Cream Lead
May - August 2021 • Keystone, SD
What I liked
My favorite part was working with people of all age groups from different countries. It was also really fun getting to live in Keystone, SD for three months because the Black Hills and Custer State Park provide many opportunities to get outside. I enjoyed hiking, swimming, and sightseeing. Rapid City is also very close and provided good shopping, restaurants, and other tourist attractions.
What I wish was different
Advice
My main recommendation is to go for it! It can be hard to adjust at first but the summer is the best time to try a job like this, meet new people, gain experience, and have a lot of fun!
