Seasonal Trail Jobs in Maine

These seasonal and internship positions, when available, are tailored specifically for students, young adults, and career-changers. These are direct links to specific organizations that offer hands-on, short-term field work (like summer trail crews, backcountry ridge running, and conservation internships) typically lasting anywhere from 2 to 11 months.

Hands-on Trail Crews and Youth Corps

• Maine Conservation Corps (MCC)
  • About the roles: MCC members are a diverse group of people who commit to serving anywhere from 3 to 11 months to gain field experience in natural resources. Positions are open to students, recent graduates, and career changers.
  • Common titles: Field Coordinators, AmeriCorps Environmental Stewards (ages 18+), AmeriCorps Field Team Positions, Team Leaders, and Team Members.
• Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC)
  • About the roles: Offers seasonal opportunities managing and maintaining Maine's iconic 267-mile section of the Appalachian Trail.
• Friends of Baxter State Park: Baxter Youth Conservation Corps
  • About the roles: A paid job training and service-learning opportunity designed specifically for high school students and recent graduates from the Katahdin region (ages 15–19). Participants work full-time on backcountry trail projects alongside experienced adult crew leaders.
• Portland Youth Corps: Youth Conservation Crew 
  • ​About the roles: A community-focused program providing outdoor employment opportunities for Portland-area youth to protect, restore, and manage local public parks and natural areas.
• Wabanaki Youth in Science Trail Crew
  • About the roles: Connects Indigenous youth with experiential learning opportunities, weaving traditional ecological knowledge with western science through trail maintenance and stewardship projects on Ancestral Lands.
• Student Conservation Association (SCA)
  • About the roles: A massive national network offering paid seasonal trail crews, internships, and conservation service positions across the country and right here in Maine.

State, Federal, and Regional Parks

• Baxter State Park
  • About the roles: Look for dedicated, rugged seasonal backcountry trail crew positions, laborer roles, and campground steward opportunities within Maine's largest wilderness park.
• Acadia National Park
  • About the roles: Seasonal federal positions supporting one of the most visited national parks in the country. (Note: Be sure to also check out Friends of Acadia and the Schoodic Institute for seasonal Restoration Field Technician opportunities).
• Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge
  • About the roles: Federal seasonal positions and internships focused on trail maintenance, habitat management, and wildlife conservation within eastern Maine's beautiful refuge lands.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
  • About the roles: Frequently hires seasonal Field Coordinators, Stewardship Technicians, and Ridge Runners to monitor and maintain the AT corridor in Maine. Check early winter for listing updates.

Regional Nonprofits and Land Trusts

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)
  • About the roles: Employs a robust seasonal workforce in Maine’s North Woods. Opportunities span direct trail crew work, environmental education, and hospitality/lodge staff. Check early winter/spring for updates.
• Katahdin Area Trails
  • About the roles: Seasonal trail crew and stewardship positions helping to build and maintain multi-use mountain biking, hiking, and Nordic ski trails in the greater Katahdin region.
• Inland Woods + Trails
  • About the roles: Seasonal positions building and maintaining community trail systems in Western Maine, centered around the Bethel area.
• Maine Island Trail Association (MITA)
  • About the roles: Seasonal stewardship and field staff positions dedicated to the care and maintenance of wild islands along the Maine coast.
• Maine Huts & Trails
  • About the roles: Offers unique seasonal roles blending outdoor backcountry stewardship with eco-lodge operations along their western Maine trail network.
• The Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI)
  • About the roles: Seasonal positions and internships focused on community gear management, outdoor education leadership, and trail stewardship development.

Links to external sources are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or approval of their content by the Maine Trails Coalition.