ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Backpack Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bay Flats Lodge

Lodge Attendant

Seadrift, TX

$15/hr

Assign Guide Name to Each Yeti Backpack Based on Next Day's Guide Schedule. * Keep Yeti Water Equipment Clean and Properly Maintained. * Notify Manager of Any Changes, Repairs and Maintenance ...

Bay Flats Lodge

Lodge Attendant

Seadrift, TX · On-site

$15/hr

Assign Guide Name to Each Yeti Backpack Based on Next Day's Guide Schedule. * Keep Yeti Water Equipment Clean and Properly Maintained. * Notify Manager of Any Changes, Repairs and Maintenance ...

MNL

Vegetation Management Crew Leader

Otsego, MN · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Do you have a strong background in vegetation management, a knack for guiding others , and ... Safely run equipment such as backpack sprayers, chainsaws, weed whips, UTVs/ATVs, and small engines.

Treeswift Inc

Head of Hardware

New York, NY · On-site

Lead the design and scale-up of the Treeswift hardware devices (backpack and vehicle-mounted ... standards that will guide the team as we grow. You'll tackle the unique challenges of field ...

Career Search

Grounds Keeper

Weaverville, NC · On-site

$14.75 - $19/hr

To help guide us towards this goal, all members of Carter-Haston team follow a management approach ... Operate backpack blowers and pressure washers to maintain grounds of the community * Responsible ...

Career Search

Grounds Keeper

Johns Creek, GA · On-site

$14 - $18/hr

To help guide us towards this goal, all members of Carter-Haston team follow a management approach ... Operate backpack blowers and pressure washers to maintain grounds of the community * Responsible ...

company178

Grounds Keeper

Weaverville, NC · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

To help guide us towards this goal, all members of Carter-Haston team follow a management approach ... Operate backpack blowers and pressure washers to maintain grounds of the community * Responsible ...

company178

Grounds Keeper

Johns Creek, GA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

To help guide us towards this goal, all members of Carter-Haston team follow a management approach ... Operate backpack blowers and pressure washers to maintain grounds of the community * Responsible ...

APTIM

LDAR/ MOC Technician

Midland, TX · On-site

$28/hr

Ability to bend, stretch, walk and climb with 30 lb.+ backpack - up to 10 hours a day on concrete ... APTIM 401(k) Guide * APTIM - Helpful Documents Watch our video: About APTIM - In Pursuit of Better ...

The Bruce Company

Horticulture Crew Leader

Middleton, WI · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Lead by example and guide Crew Members regarding company policies and procedures, including ... Familiarity with landscape tools and equipment (pruners, string trimmers, shears, backpack blower ...

APTIM

LDAR Technician

NM · On-site +1

$22/hr

Ability to bend, stretch, walk and climb with 30 lb.+ backpack - up to 10 hours a day on concrete ... APTIM 401(k) Guide * APTIM - Helpful Documents Watch our video: About APTIM - In Pursuit of Better ...

APTIM

General Labor

Mount Vernon, IN · On-site

$20/hr

Ability to bend, stretch, walk and climb with 30 lb.+ backpack - up to 10 hours a day on concrete ... APTIM 401(k) Guide * APTIM - Helpful Documents Watch our video: About APTIM - In Pursuit of Better ...

APTIM

General Labor

Catlettsburg, KY · On-site

$19/hr

Ability to bend, stretch, walk and climb with 30 lb.+ backpack - up to 10 hours a day on concrete ... APTIM 401(k) Guide * APTIM - Helpful Documents Watch our video: About APTIM - In Pursuit of Better ...

APTIM

General Labor

Midland, TX · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Ability to bend, stretch, walk and climb with 30 lb.+ backpack - up to 10 hours a day on concrete ... APTIM 401(k) Guide * APTIM - Helpful Documents Watch our video: About APTIM - In Pursuit of Better

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsBackpack Guide Jobs

Backpack Guide information

See salary details

$9

$15

$19

How much do backpack guide jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for backpack guide in the United States is $15.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What key skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a Backpack Guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Backpack Guide, you need strong outdoor survival skills, wilderness navigation experience, and certifications in first aid or wilderness medicine. Familiarity with GPS devices, map and compass navigation, and knowledge of Leave No Trace principles are typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and decision-making skills help guide groups safely and foster a positive experience. These abilities are crucial for ensuring client safety, managing unexpected challenges, and delivering memorable outdoor adventures.

What are some common challenges faced by backpack guides during multi-day trips?

Backpack guides often encounter challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, ensuring group safety, and managing diverse skill levels among participants. They must be well-prepared to handle unexpected situations, like injuries or route changes, while keeping morale high and maintaining a positive group dynamic. Effective communication, sound judgment, and strong leadership are essential for successfully overcoming these obstacles and providing a memorable, safe experience for all participants.

What does a backpack guide do?

A backpack guide is a professional who leads individuals or groups on multi-day hiking or trekking trips, often in remote or wilderness areas. Their responsibilities include planning routes, ensuring the safety of participants, providing information about the local environment, and helping with camping logistics such as setting up tents and preparing meals. Backpack guides are trained in first aid, navigation, and outdoor survival skills to handle emergencies and enhance the experience for their clients. They also educate hikers about Leave No Trace principles and the natural or cultural history of the areas visited.

How much does a backpacking guide make?

A backpacking guide typically earns between $15 and $30 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on experience, location, and the type of tours or expeditions. Guides often need certifications in first aid and outdoor skills, and may work seasonal or part-time schedules.

What is the difference between Backpack Guide vs Tour Guide?

AspectBackpack GuideTour Guide
CredentialsOften requires outdoor or adventure certifications, first aid, and sometimes language skillsTypically needs tourism or hospitality certifications, language skills, and local knowledge
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, trekking routes, adventure parksIndoor and outdoor sites, museums, city tours
Employer & IndustryAdventure travel companies, outdoor tour operatorsTravel agencies, sightseeing companies, museums
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing outdoor adventure rolesPeople interested in city or cultural tours

The main difference between a Backpack Guide and a Tour Guide lies in their work environment and required skills. Backpack Guides focus on outdoor, adventure-based settings, often requiring outdoor certifications, while Tour Guides typically operate in urban or cultural sites with hospitality or tourism credentials. Both roles serve travelers but cater to different experiences and settings.

More about Backpack Guide jobs
What cities are hiring for Backpack Guide jobs? Cities with the most Backpack Guide job openings:
What states have the most Backpack Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for Backpack Guide jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Backpack Guide jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Backpack Guide jobs are:
Backpack Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Backpack Guide job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 15% Physical, and 85% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,336 per year, or $15.1 per hour.

Horseback Trips Guide

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF DENVER

Elbert, CO • On-site

$15.25 - $19.50/hr

Other

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

The JCC Ranch Camp is not just the Denver JCC's overnight summer camp, it's also one of the best places to work during the summer. As a staff member, Ranch Camp will become your home away from home as you work to create a community where people can thrive. You're a hero to your campers; you have the chance to do something you really care about and have a whole lot of fun doing it. Your experience as a staff member is just as important to us as our campers' experience. That being said: We're here to serve kids and make sure they are in the safest environment possible while having the time of their lives.

First and foremost, all our staff are madrichim or counselors.

Madrichim/Counselor Responsibilities

  • Take care of your campers by prioritizing the physical, social, emotional health, safety, and well-being.
  • Work as a team with your co-staff to make sure every day runs the way it's supposed to and complete daily camper notes.
  • Create a community that you want to be a part of and that you want campers to be a part of.
  • Include everyone and make sure everyone is included.
  • Jump into the camp life: ride horses, swim, camp, play games, sing songs, roast s'mores, be ready to do everything the campers do!
  • Know where your campers are and what they are doing all the time.
  • Manage camper behaviors using the tools you learn in Staff Orientation week (We'll go over positive behavior management techniques, enforcing appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, camp rules, and more.)
  • Be flexible and adaptable because things change quickly at camp. You have to be able to roll with it.
  • Live in a bunk with your co-staff and your campers.
  • And other duties and responsibilities as assigned: you might need to make your campers' dreams of a beach themed ice-cream campfire song session come true or become your favorite legendary Pokemon for an evening program.

But our staff aren't just counselors. We want you to do what matters to you while you're at camp.

Want to spend your summer outside, exploring the back country of Colorado and climbing mountains? We have a job for you. Does spending the morning playing soccer and the afternoon creating art make your heart happy? We have a job for you. Want to design a rocket that can make grilled cheese, but also land on Mars? We probably have a job for you, let's talk.

Trips Staff Responsibilities

  • Take a leadership role to lead an 8 day trip out of camp and into the backcountry on horseback.
  • As a guide on Pack 'n Ride, you will build campers' personal skills; bond the group of campers together and give them the tools they need to be self-sufficient while camping and horseback riding.
  • Work as a member of the on-site wrangler team to lead horseback riding instruction and lessons for campers of all ages and experience levels are safe, fun, and memorable while not out on trip.
  • Provide feedback on trip intensity and adjust to fit camper needs.
  • Drive 15 passenger Turtle Top Bus.
  • Assist with issuing and return of gear to ensure gear is in good repair.
  • Ensure camper safety through conscientious decision making.
  • Create and run multiple programs each day for campers in your specialty area that are safe, fun, and memorable.

Finally, all staff must be able to attend Staff Orientations and be available to live at camp for the summer season. While we prefer staff to work for the entire summer, we understand if you can't and encourage you to apply if you can work at least 5 - 6 weeks of our summer season.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Physical Demands: This job requires the incumbent to have operative auditory and visual functioning. Employee must also be able to walk upwards of two (2) miles each day, including use of stairs and uneven terrain. Employee may also stand, sit in chairs or on the ground, run, and swim. Employee may lift or body block campers when necessary. Additionally, all trips staff must be able to hike on uneven terrain at high elevations while carrying a 50 - 60 lbs. backpack for extended durations of over one mile per day.

Work Environment: Working conditions may include being in indoor, often time's loud spaces and spending extended time outdoors under the sun. Must have the ability to work in a hectic, sometimes stressful environment while maintaining the standard of care.

Qualifications and Requirements

Basic Qualifications

  • Valid driver's license and ability to transport campers using company vehicles as needed.
  • One year experience with group facilitation of teenagers with the ability to instill confidence in and lead others
  • One year prior experience leading and/or guiding backpacking trips
  • Two years' experiencewith teaching Western horseback riding
  • Current Wilderness First Responder certification
  • Ability to use SatPhone and Spot Device
  • Bachelor's degree or degree in progress in outdoor education, psychology, social work, education, or other related field or equivalent experience
  • Satisfactorily fulfill requirements for employment at the Staenberg-Loup JCC, including: background screening, three references, documentation, and compliance with CDHS law.
  • Must be high-energy, enthusiastic, creative, and open-minded!

Benefits Overview

This is a seasonal job and is therefore ineligible for benefits.

Please note: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of every duty and responsibility which will ever be required of an employee in this position; however, the employee will be held responsible for all duties assigned.

The Jewish Community Center values diversity and inclusiveness and is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply