HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

Live Your Alaskan Summer at Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping outside to a jaw-dropping view of Denali – the highest peak in North America – glowing pink in the midnight sun. That’s daily life at HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, tucked into the wilderness of Denali State Park near Trapper Creek, Alaska. If you’re a university student craving an adventure that no classroom can offer, this Work & Travel USA position is your ticket to the Last Frontier.

About the Position: Dish Steward

The kitchen is the beating heart of the lodge, and the stewarding team keeps it alive. As a Dish Steward you’ll be an essential part of a fast-moving, high-energy culinary crew that serves guests from all over the world. No previous experience required – full training is provided!

• Operate industrial dishwashing machines and hand-wash pots, pans and kitchen equipment
• Keep dishware, glassware and utensils clean, sanitized and ready for service
• Maintain spotless kitchen floors, work stations, storage areas and dish pit
• Support chefs and cooks by delivering clean equipment quickly during busy service
• Assist with receiving deliveries, stocking supplies and taking out trash/recycling
• Follow all health, safety and sanitation standards

Pay & Schedule

• Hourly rate: $16.00 per hour
• Hours: 40 hours per week, with overtime often available during peak season
• Season: Summer through Fall
• Tips: Not applicable for this role – but your steady hourly wage adds up fast

Why Denali State Park?

This isn’t a city job – it’s a full-on wilderness experience. The lodge sits on a bluff above the Chulitna River with panoramic views of the Alaska Range. On your days off you can hike the Curry Ridge Trail, spot moose and bald eagles, go river rafting, try flightseeing over the glaciers, fish for salmon, or simply sit by a fire pit under the endless Alaskan sky. In late summer, you may even catch your first northern lights.

Perks & Benefits

• Employer-provided housing right on or near property (deducted at a low cost)
• Affordable employee meals / staff dining
• Employee events, hikes and organized staff activities
• Discounts on tours, rail excursions and other Princess/Holland America properties
• An international staff community – make friends from 20+ countries
• Opportunity to transfer skills into other lodge departments and build a global hospitality CV

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 with a valid J-1 Work & Travel visa
• Conversational English and a friendly, team-first attitude
• Strong work ethic – the pace is fast and the standards are high
• Ability to stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs (about 23 kg)
• Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
• A sense of adventure and readiness for remote wilderness living (limited shopping, spotty Wi-Fi, lots of nature)

Ready for the Adventure?

Positions at Alaska’s wilderness lodges fill quickly every season. Apply now and spend your summer earning dollars, improving your English, and collecting memories under the midnight sun in Denali State Park.