ExplorUS Crater Lake

Wake Up to America’s Most Breathtaking Blue Lake

Imagine finishing your shift and walking five minutes to the rim of a 1,943-foot-deep volcanic lake with water so blue it looks unreal. That’s daily life when you join the Housekeeping Crew at ExplorUS Crater Lake in Oregon — one of the most iconic national park destinations in the United States.

ExplorUS operates the hospitality services inside Crater Lake National Park, welcoming visitors from around the world. As part of the housekeeping team, you’re a key player in creating the warm, comfortable experience that makes guests’ trips unforgettable — and you’ll be doing it inside a working national park, not a city high-rise.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Cleaning and preparing guest rooms, cabins, and lodge accommodations to high hospitality standards
• Changing bed linens, making beds, and refreshing towels and amenities
• Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing bathrooms and living areas
• Restocking supplies and reporting maintenance issues to supervisors
• Managing laundry, linen carts, and housekeeping storage areas
• Assisting with public area cleaning in lobbies, hallways, and common spaces
• Delivering friendly, five-star service to international guests

The Package

• Hourly rate: $17.00 per hour
• Tips: Yes — guests regularly leave gratuities for housekeeping staff
• Hours: 35 hours per week, with overtime often available during peak season
• Season: Summer through Fall — one of the longest Work & Travel seasons available
• Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Why Crater Lake?

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, formed when a volcano collapsed nearly 7,700 years ago. It’s famous for its impossibly blue water and the volcanic Wizard Island rising from its center.

On your days off you can hike the Garfield Peak Trail, drive the 33-mile Rim Drive, swim at Cleetwood Cove, spot deer and eagles, and stargaze under some of the darkest skies in America. Nearby, you’re within reach of Bend, Ashland, and the Oregon Coast — and Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco are all realistic road-trip goals for the end of your program.

Because you’ll be living and working in a small park community, you’ll build tight friendships with participants from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Thailand, Jamaica, and beyond. Many students say their national park summer was the best few months of their lives.

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 on a J-1 Work & Travel USA visa
• Conversational English — enough to communicate with guests and teammates
• Good physical stamina: you’ll be on your feet, bending, and lifting during shifts
• Reliability, attention to detail, and pride in a job done well
• A positive, team-first attitude and flexibility with schedules (including weekends and holidays)
• Genuine excitement about living in a remote, nature-first environment

Good to Know

Crater Lake is a remote mountain location at high elevation — nights are cool even in summer, and the nearest large town is a drive away. If you’re looking for beach bars and nightclubs, this isn’t your placement. If you want mountains, waterfalls, stars, and a genuinely unique American summer, apply now — national park positions fill fast.

Apply today and spend your summer at the edge of a volcano.