Earthquake Lake Visitor Center Volunteer

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Hebgen Lake Ranger District on Custer Gallatin National Forest is looking for volunteers to share the story of the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake to visitors at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

Volunteers provide educational information on the area’s geological activity and historic events as well as general information for up to 50,000 visitors annually. Volunteers lead and assist with programs, including the 1.5-mile guided hike at Refuge Point Trail and the Junior Geology Ranger program. Volunteers assist with the daily opening and closing procedures of the Visitor Center and help ensure the facilities are clean and functional.

The Visitor Center, located 27 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, MT on US Highway 287, is open from Memorial Day weekend (late May) through September 15th. Start and end dates are flexible. Volunteers typically work 9-hour days 3 to 4 days a week. This position is well suited for both individuals and couples who are interested in volunteering together. Per diems are available. Trailer pads are available for volunteers at the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station in West Yellowstone, MT. Government vehicles are provided for the commute to and from the Visitor Center.

Earthquake Lake Historic Information: On August 17, 1959, an earthquake struck near West Yellowstone, MT and triggered a massive landslide which blocked the Madison River and formed Earthquake Lake. The natural scenery and the easily seen effects of the earthquake make this area one of the most outstanding scenic and geological study areas in the west. The Visitor Center provides a panoramic view of the mountain that fell and the lake that was formed and hosts interpretive displays on earthquakes, plate tectonics, and seismology. In the Vista Room, a movie further explains the story of the earthquake. Outdoors, visitors can explore the nearby trails system and participate in a self-guided auto tour of the canyon.

Start Date - 2025-05-15

End Date - 2025-09-15