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Backpacking Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FIRST LIGHT RESORTS LLC

Recreation Guide

Groveland, CA · On-site

$21/hr

While our guided adventures include hiking, biking, backpacking, sightseeing, and snowshoeing trips, the Recreation Guide Service provides a variety of additional services, including expert advice ...

City of Fresno

Assistant Director of PARCS

Fresno, CA

$118K - $204K/yr

... fishing, backpacking, and golfing. Los Angeles is approximately four hours south and the San ... The Plan serves as the visionary guide for improving Fresno's parks, open space, and recreational ...

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Backpacking Guide information

See California salary details

$7

$19

$39

How much do backpacking guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for backpacking guide in California is $19.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.51 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Backpacking Guide do?

A Backpacking Guide leads individuals or groups on multi-day hiking trips in remote or wilderness areas. They ensure safety, provide navigation, teach outdoor skills, and share knowledge about local flora, fauna, and geography. Guides also assist with camp setup, meal preparation, and emergency response if needed. Their goal is to provide an enjoyable and educational outdoor experience while prioritizing safety and environmental responsibility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Backpacking Guide position, and why are they important?

Excelling as a Backpacking Guide requires comprehensive outdoor skills, strong navigation abilities, and first aid certifications, often supported by Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) credentials. Familiarity with GPS devices, topographic maps, satellite communicators, and permitting systems is typically necessary. Exceptional leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help guides foster positive group dynamics and respond to emergencies. These competencies are crucial for ensuring group safety, delivering a memorable experience, and successfully leading trips in remote environments.

What are some common challenges a Backpacking Guide may face on the job?

Backpacking Guides often encounter unexpected challenges such as rapidly changing weather conditions, route alterations, group members with varying fitness levels, and wildlife encounters. Adapting plans to keep groups safe while maintaining morale is a key part of the job. Guides must be prepared for long hours outdoors, carrying group gear, and providing support during emergencies. The role is both physically and mentally demanding, but it offers the reward of leading others in immersive outdoor experiences and honing a wide range of skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Backpacking Guide jobs in California? The most popular types of Backpacking Guide jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Backpacking Guide jobs in California? For Backpacking Guide jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Backpacking Guide jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Backpacking Guide jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Backpacking Guide jobs? Cities in California with the most Backpacking Guide job openings:
Backpacking Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Backpacking Guide job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 20% Temporary. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $40,450 per year, or $19.4 per hour.
Assistant Mountain Guide

Assistant Mountain Guide

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • On-site

$17 - $20.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Location : 1717 S Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA
Job Type: Staff Temporary Part-Time
Job Number: 2026-00652
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Position Summary
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Reports To: Wilderness Studies, Programs Coordinator
Status: Non-Exempt
The Assistant Mountain Guide is a temporary part-time position with the Wilderness Studies Program at Fresno Pacific University. This role is passionate about introducing beginners to Sierra backpacking, shows experience or promise that they can safely assist in leading guided hikes and overnight backpacking trips into various parts of the Sierra Nevada. The Assistant Mountain Guide will work under the broad supervision of the FPU Wilderness Program Coordinator and/or assigned General Operations Staff member. On trail, Assistant Mountain Guide reports to their assigned lead guide, and will work collaboratively with their lead guide, faculty, and students during programs.
Essential Functions
  • Provide strong outdoor leadership for hiking groups of students, professors, and fellow guides
  • Support and provide appropriate collaborative insight to all wilderness-related decisions made by assigned Lead Mountain Guide(s).
  • Actively build team dynamics and encourage healthy and safe decisions among guide team and participants during hikes.
  • Respond to emergency situations, major or minor injury, and concerns in a thoughtful and safe manner.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
  • Embrace the , and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the , and support the ideals and practices articulated in ""
  • Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University's commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities.
  • Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
  • Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
  • Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
  • Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required:
  • Significant hiking/ overnight backpacking experience.
  • Basic CPR/ First Aid Certification, WFR, or WAFA (or willingness to obtain upon hire, provided by employer).
  • Ability to perform the physical tasks required for mountain guiding, including hiking on varied terrain and carrying necessary equipment.

Preferred:
  • Experience in various leadership and group dynamic capacities while serving a diverse community.

Environmental Conditions:
  • Outdoors with possible exposure to noise, dust, temperature changes and other varying environmental conditions
  • May drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
  • Public contact position requiring appropriate apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:
  • Weather Conditions may affect outdoor activities which are always at the mercy of the weather and the adverse impacts that this may cause.
  • Requires up to 8 hours a day hiking, under varying weather conditions, with ability to sit and rest interspersed throughout.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members.
  • Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

University Information
$17.00 to $20.50 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.
Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU's Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University's governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Fresno Pacific University offers a wide range of affordable benefits that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. As well as, a 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, and a number of unique unviersity benefits. Please visit and you may review our current Holiday Calendar.
For any benefits questions, please email us at hr@fresno.edu.

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