Volunteer Trail Crew

Multi-day trail projects across the state

(photo by Erin Clark)
(photo by Erin Clark)

Join our Volunteer Trail Crew for the
adventure of a lifetime

A Volunteer Trail Crew (VTC) project is a chance to build community, explore new wildlands, and give back to the trails that connect you to the places you treasure. Our highly experienced professional leaders facilitate projects ranging from weekend frontcountry trips to weeklong backcountry adventures. We work across the state addressing backlogged maintenance needs so the trails we love to hike and ride remain open for all. Every trip is free to join.

Our 2024 Volunteer Trail Crew project registration is now open! You can learn more about each project below before you register. Please read the volunteer registration information before registering. Don’t be deterred if you find a project you’re interested in is waitlisted. We often pull from our waitlists as our initial roster members change their plans.

2024 Volunteer Trail Crew Projects

 

ProjectDatesLandscapeDifficultyStatus
Madison Buffalo JumpMay 9–12Headwaters of the Missouri RiverModerateJoin the Waitlist
North Fork BlackfootMay 23–26Scapegoat WildernessStrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Koo Koo SintMay 30–June 2Cabinet MountainsModerateJoin the Waitlist
Tunnel CreekJune 1Great Bear WildernessModerateRegister w/ BMWF
Mann GulchJune 24–27Gates of the Mountains WildernessVery StrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Indian MeadowsJuly 11–14Scapegoat WildernessStrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Mussigbrod IJuly 18–21Anaconda RangeStrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Priest PassAug. 1–4Continental Divide TrailModerateJoin the Waitlist
Mussigbrod IIAug. 8–11Anaconda RangeVery StrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Sunlight RidgeAug. 15–18Crazy MountainsVery StrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Snowcrest TrailAug. 22–25Snowcrest RangeVery StrenuousJoin the Waitlist
Great NorthernSept. 12–15Cabinet MountainsStrenuousJoin the Waitlist

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Volunteer Registration Information

Physical Ability – Please Be Honest

Newcomers are welcome! We love teaching people how to dig trail, pull a crosscut, and even pitch a tent if it is your first time camping. However, it is extremely important that you select a project that matches your ability level. To ensure your safety and the safety of the entire crew, you must be prepared for the level of difficulty of the project you select.

Here’s what you can expect from projects with these levels of difficulty:

  • Moderate Project requiring fewer than 5 miles of daily hiking. Work is physically demanding, but can be self-paced according to one’s comfort level. Camp is not far from the worksite and there is access to vehicles at camp.
  • Strenuous Project requiring some combination of long daily hikes, demanding work tasks, and/or a hike into a backcountry camp. Opportunities for self-paced tasks exist during the workday but may not always be available. We’ll be working far from camp and may be backcountry camping.
  • Very Strenuous Project requiring some combination of long daily hikes, a burly hike into a backcountry camp, especially demanding work tasks and the need to keep pace with the rest of the crew at all times. These are our most challenging projects.

If you have any concerns about your ability to participate, or just want a better idea of what you are getting into, contact Stewardship Coordinator Ande Alvarez at aalvarez@wildmontana.org.

Project Deposits

Wild Montana requires a $75 refundable deposit to hold your place on a Volunteer Trail Crew project. The integrity of our program requires committed volunteers. If you register for a project, we are counting on you to show up. If you either cancel (with less than one month’s notice) or do not show up, Wild Montana will accept your deposit as a donation to offset some of the cost we incurred.

Most deposits will not be refunded until the conclusion of the field season. Expect to receive your refunded deposit around November 1st. Deposits are refunded to the credit card used to process the transaction.

Cancellations

If you cancel less than one month before the project start date, your deposit will be considered a donation and will be used to offset the expense we will incur to find your replacement on the crew. We understand that sometimes life happens and plans need to change. If you cancel with at least one month’s notice, your deposit will be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.

Waitlists

Those projects listed as “FULL” are at capacity, although you can still register and be added to the waitlist. You’ll still need to provide a refundable project deposit. In the event of a cancellation, we will begin calling everyone on the waitlist. The first to respond and accept the position will be added to the confirmed list. Wild Montana will refund your project deposit if you aren’t added to the confirmed list. We will also gladly accept deposits as donations to the stewardship program.

  • Project registration begins March 4, 2024

    We’ll be returning to our favorite haunts in 2024. Make sure you mark your calendars and return here in early March – projects fill fast. You can let us know if you are interested in joining a project here. We hope to see you on the trail again next summer!

  • Our 2023 season is a wrap – thanks to all the volunteers who made it possible!

    All told, 209 volunteers contributed over 2,900 hours to Montana’s wild public lands. These efforts are valued at over $88,500. Read our 2023 Trail Stewardship Annual Report to learn more about our impact this season.

Check the Volunteer Guide for:

  • What to expect
  • What to bring
  • Our typical day on the trail
  • The types of work we do
  • Answers to other frequently asked questions

EXPLORE OUR VOLUNTEER GUIDE

trail crew in the backcountry
A Wild Montana volunteer trail crew restored trails in the Cabinet Mountains in 2021.
A group of volunteers pose out on the trail holding their trail crew gear
2020 Volunteer Trail Crew

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