We could not do any of the work without the support of our dedicated volunteers. You can support ADK and the Adirondacks by greeting campers at our campgrounds, helping maintain our lodges, building trails, educating hikers on mountain summits, and more. Read below for a listing of our current volunteer opportunities.
Click the Volunteer Now button below to view our general volunteer form, or scroll down to learn more and apply for a specific volunteer program.
Loj Work Weekend
Every Spring and Fall, dedicated ADK volunteers help us get the Heart Lake Program Center ready for the upcoming season.
Work Weekend tasks include putting up and taking down canvas cabins, minor property repairs, cleaning campsites, and more.
Meals and lodging at the Adirondak Loj are provided to all volunteers free of charge.
Volunteer Trail Projects
Work with ADK trail crew leaders and other volunteers on maintenance and reconstruction projects. ADK provides leadership, group camping gear, tools, transportation from base camp, and food for multiday projects.
Thanks to generous support from donors and chapters, ADK is able to offer scholarships for participants of teen trails and education programs.
Adopt A Trail
Join the Trail Steward Program and adopt your favorite trail. Stewards clear blowdown, maintain drainages, and do other basic trail maintenance tasks. Their reports are shared with regional DEC foresters to help them determine where more intensive trail projects are required. Groups welcome!
The Trail Steward program is no longer accepting applications for 2025. We will begin accepting applications again at the end of the year. Thank you for your interest!
Adopt A Lean-to
Adopt and maintain a lean-to in the Adirondack Park. Hundreds of volunteer lean-to adopters donate thousands of hours toward maintaining a lean-to, replacing registers, and reporting problems. Major construction is not required.
The Adopt a Lean-to program is no longer accepting applications for 2025. We will begin accepting applications again at the end of the year. Thank you for your interest!
Volunteer Summit Stewards
Volunteer summit stewards play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable alpine plants. These fragile plant communities are found only on the highest mountains of the state. Stewards encourage hikers to walk on the solid bedrock above the timberline, answer questions, do trail work, and participate in research on the summits.
Hurricane Mt. Stewards
Hurricane Mountain volunteer fire tower stewards play a crucial role in educating the public about the importance of fire towers in protecting the forest, and helping recreators have a safe, enjoyable outdoor experience. They encourage the use of Leave No Trace principles and inform visitors of DEC regulations.
Volunteer Trailhead Stewards
ADK’s volunteer trailhead stewards are educators and dedicated volunteer professionals who enjoys engaging with the public to share their knowledge and assist visitors in having a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.
They act as onsite ambassadors for ADK and share ADK’s mission with the public, encouraging membership and involvement.
Buck Mt. Trailhead Stewards
ADK Buck Mountain Trailhead Stewards are educators and dedicated volunteer professionals who enjoys engaging with the public to share their knowledge and assist visitors in having a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.
Stewards are stationed at the Buck Mountain-Pilot Knob trailhead.
Campground Host
Help ADK provide a quality and safe camping experience at the Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake. Campground Hosts greet campers upon arrival, assist campers, explain campground rules, and assist ADK staff where needed. In return, they receive a free campsite for up to two people, three meals a day, and free use of specific ADK facilities when available. Hosts must be at least 21.
