Do you enjoy traveling the trails and using the backcountry of "The Bob" and want to give something back, or are you looking for a way to explore this amazing wilderness area?

Participating in a Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation volunteer project will allow you to explore this vast area, meet new people, learn new trail and backcountry skills, as well as provide the needed work to help keep trails in Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex open and campsites pristine.

For many of the projects, no prior experience is necessary, and we just ask that you come motivated to work, prepared to have fun, and ready to make the project a success. The projects range in length from daylong weekend projects to weeklong backpacking trips. All projects vary in difficulty so make sure to review the levels of difficulty outlined below. Note that most of our projects are trail maintenance focused but we offer several campsite restoration projects as well.

Go to the project list and pick out a project that fits your schedule, ability and goals, then fill out and send back the application packet. Make sure to read all the directions and understand exactly what you're signing up for. Then, get ready to volunteer and make a difference for the wild-lands that comprise the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Happy Trails!

IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION - Please read before registering.

Registration Notes: Trips are filled on a first come, first signed up basis, however we reserve the right to review your registration information to make sure the trip is appropriate for your level of experience and fitness. Registrations received after the RSVP date will not be guaranteed a space. All participants will be signed up as Forest Service Volunteers. For participants under 18, make sure to have a parent or guardian sign the USFS volunteer application in the appropriate place. One application packet will allow you to register for multiple volunteer projects. Everyone participating needs to fill out and submit separate forms. Register Now!

Your Responsibility: Trail maintenance and campsite restoration requires physical labor which involves lifting, bending, and possibly carrying or moving heavy objects, such as rocks or logs. Please note the level of difficulty and choose a trip that matches your abilities. Volunteers signing up for extended trips are expected to be experienced backpackers and will need to provide their own gear (we will provide a list) and share in camp chore responsibilities.

Deposit: Overnight projects require a $50 deposit. The reason is two-fold. First, some projects fill up faster than others and to maintain an environmentally friendly, low impact group, those registrations and deposits received first are secured a space. Second, this helps us avoid last minute trip cancellations. At the end of the project, you will have the option to have your deposit reimbursed or donate it to the BMWF. Day trips do not require this deposit.

Cancellation Policy: It is very important to know that you are expected to commit to the project once you sign up. All of our projects take time and effort to organize and we want to make sure we have full trips so that we can complete the project as outlined to us from the Forest Service. Please don't sign up for a trip if you don't know if you can do it. If you hold a space and cancel less than 2 weeks before your trip, BMWF is entitled to consider your $50 project deposit as a donation/cancellation fee and it will not be reimbursed. Most importantly, you may prevent someone else from participating and it can be very difficult to fill your spot at the last minute. If several people cancel, it may be necessary to cancel the whole project of which time, effort, and money has gone into and the Forest Service is counting on. Partner projects are all subject to the same cancellation terms.

We realize that last minute emergencies or health reasons may prevent you from participating, but please take signing up for a BMWF project seriously and make sure the dates will work for you before sending in your application. The BMWF may find it necessary to cancel a project due to low volunteer sign-up or safety reasons (wildfire), but will contact volunteers as soon as possible and no later than two weeks before the project start date. For this reason, we strongly recommend volunteers purchase trip insurance when making airline reservations or other travel arragements.

Travel: All projects begin and end at the trailhead. Participants will be responsible for providing their own transportation to the trailhead, unless otherwise pre-arranged. Travel costs and incidental expenses on a volunteer project can be viewed as charitable contributions and may be deductible. Check with your tax advisor for further clarification. Save your receipts!

Explanation of Trip Difficulty:

Easier: Usually day trips with either light trail maintenance or restoration work. No other experience other than hiking required. May include hiking 1-5 miles with a daypack.

Moderate: Day to overnight trips where hiking distances are further and project work is moderately strenuous. Some experience with longer day hiking (5-10 miles) is required as well as backpacking on overnight trips.

Strenuous: Longer, backpacking trips with travel over rough terrain and possible significant elevation gain. Experience with backpacking and backcountry use, as well as physically fit to perform more strenuous trail maintenance work for an extended period. Hiking into and out from camp may be 6-15 miles in length with full packs (40-50 lbs).