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Wilderness Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FIRST LIGHT RESORTS LLC

Recreation Guide

Groveland, CA · On-site

$21/hr

Want to gain guiding and guest service experience -- with room to grow if you excel? If that sounds ... Wilderness First Responder preferred; First Aid and CPR certified minimum required * Possess or ...

FIRST LIGHT RESORTS LLC

Recreation Guide

Groveland, CA · On-site

$21/hr

Want to gain guiding and guest service experience - with room to grow if you excel? If that sounds ... Wilderness First Responder preferred; First Aid and CPR certified minimum required * Possess or ...

Benchmark

Kayak Guide (PT Seasonal)

Lake Arrowhead, CA · On-site

$17.50/hr

Lead guided kayak tours that are safe, educational, and aligned with the resort's luxury guest ... Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Compensation: $17.50 - $17.50 Pyramid Global ...

associated

B'Naiture Mentor

Berkeley, CA

$25 - $30/hr

As a B'naiture mentor, your role is to provide nature-based games, challenges, crafts, stories, Jewish and nature-based learning, and help guide youth into their teen years. ABOUT WILDERNESS TORAH ...

Aramark

$19.30/hr

... Wilderness EMT or EMT/Paramedic preferred • Multi-lingual skills a plus • Must have extensive experience guiding in the same or related environment • Sit, stand and walk for varied amounts of ...

Aramark

$19.30/hr

... Wilderness EMT or EMT/Paramedic preferred • Multi-lingual skills a plus • Must have extensive experience guiding in the same or related environment • Sit, stand and walk for varied amounts of ...

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Wilderness Guide information

See California salary details

$7

$19

$39

How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness 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 is a wilderness guide?

Wilderness Guides are professionals trained to lead individuals or groups safely through natural, undeveloped areas such as forests, mountains, or national parks. They are responsible for planning routes, providing information about local ecology and wildlife, ensuring safety, and sometimes teaching outdoor skills like navigation, camping, and survival techniques. Wilderness Guides help create memorable, educational, and safe outdoor experiences for participants, ranging from day hikes to multi-day expeditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness guide?

To thrive as a Wilderness Guide, you need strong outdoor survival skills, first aid certification, and knowledge of local geography and ecosystems. Familiarity with navigation tools (like GPS, maps, and compasses), wilderness medicine certifications (such as Wilderness First Responder), and outdoor gear are typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and decision-making skills help guide groups safely and create memorable experiences. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safety, managing risks, and providing an informative and enjoyable adventure for clients.

What are some common challenges faced by wilderness guides during multi-day expeditions, and how are they typically managed?

Wilderness Guides often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, navigation through difficult terrain, and managing group dynamics over extended periods. To handle these, guides rely on thorough pre-trip planning, constant monitoring of weather updates, and strong communication skills to ensure group safety and morale. They are trained in first aid and emergency procedures, allowing them to address any medical or safety issues promptly. Adaptability and proactive problem-solving are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

What is the difference between Wilderness Guide vs Outdoor Educator?

AspectWilderness GuideOutdoor Educator
CertificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, outdoor skills certificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentRemote wilderness areas, guiding outdoor activitiesSchools, camps, outdoor programs
Industry UsageTourism, adventure companies, outdoor recreationEducational institutions, youth programs

Wilderness Guides and Outdoor Educators both work outdoors and often hold similar certifications like Wilderness First Aid. However, Wilderness Guides primarily lead adventure activities in remote areas, focusing on guiding clients safely through wilderness experiences. Outdoor Educators typically work in structured settings like schools or camps, emphasizing teaching outdoor skills and environmental education. While their roles overlap in outdoor environments, their main focus and work settings differ.

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Guide jobs in California? For Wilderness Guide jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness Guide jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness Guide jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Wilderness Guide jobs? Cities in California with the most Wilderness Guide job openings:
Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 37% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 18% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,450 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Adventure Guide

arc After School and Experiential Education

San Diego, CA • On-site

$20 - $24/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Make a Difference Today!

Do you thrive in the great outdoors? Love being active and working with youth? Are some of your best memories from hiking, camping, climbing, or water sports? If you believe kids learn more from hands-on outdoor experiences than sitting in a classroom, and you are looking for a flexible work schedule, then this is your calling!

Arc Experience provides before and after school programs for youth throughout Southern California in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Imperial Valley.

We highly value our employees, and we invest in them by providing opportunities to expand their career and life skills. Arc is looking for motivated and compassionate people who want to expand their career working with youth and have a desire to give back to the community.

Arc Experience’s Outdoor Adventure division is seeking enthusiastic Outdoor Adventure Guides to inspire and empower youth through nature-based activities. No need to be a backcountry expert—we will train you in the outdoor skills you need!

As a guide, you will lead team-building challenges, obstacle courses, and offsite adventures like kayaking and biking, helping students build confidence, develop social-emotional skills, and discover their potential—all while having an unforgettable time outdoors!

If you are ready to turn your love for adventure into a meaningful job, join our team today!

Qualifications & Experience

  • 2+ years of experienceworking with K-12 students.
  • Understanding of outdoor educationor leadership development programs.
  • Experience in adventure activitiesis highly preferred. Our most common programs include:
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Kayaking
    • Rock climbing
    • Team-building activities
  • Ability to personally participatein outdoor activities.
  • Strong leadership and behavior management skills, overseeing up to 20 students.
  • Encouraging and patient approachwhen working with youth.

Safety & Compliance Requirements

  • Mustcreate and maintain a physically and mentally safe environmentfor students, fostering personal growth, confidence, self-reliance, and leadership.
  • Laser-focused on participant safetyandcertified in first aid, CPR, and basic wilderness safety(or willing to complete training).
  • Ability to drive vehicles(with and without student passengers) per Arc's requirements. You will be trained to operate a vehicle towing a climbing wall and must participate in occasional refresher training.
  • College transcripts that show you have 48+ college credit units completed OR you take and pass an academic proficiency exam.
  • To get a TB test (and provide proof that it is negative) and pass a Live Scan background check.
  • You will be required to take CPR and first aid training or provide proof that you have been certified within 12 months.
  • English - Spanish bilingual speaker highly preferred.
  • Valid California driver's licenserequired (Commercial Driver's License a plus!).

Additional Expectations

  • Available to workboth weekdays and weekends.
  • Someadministrative paperworkis required for each outing.
  • Willingness to assist withevent prep, post-event tasks, cleanup, and inventory.
  • Familiarity with Leave No Trace (LNT) principlesis preferred.
  • Open tosharing ideas for improving programs and logistics.
  • Bilingual English-Spanish speakerswill have a competitive edge!
  • High school diploma or GED required(Bachelor's degree highly preferred).

Pay Rate & Benefits

  • Position Type:Part-time, non-exempt
  • Reports To:Director of Outdoor Education Operations
  • Compensation:$20.00 - $24.00 per hour (based on experience & skills)

If the school you will be working at requires a Covid-19 vaccination, then you must provide documentation that shows you are fully Covid-19 vaccinated.

Perks of Being an Arc Outdoor Adventure Guide

  • Earned paid sick leave
  • All equipment provided for events and activities
  • Company-sponsored certification assistance for long-term guides
  • Arc-branded outdoor wear
  • Ongoing training & professional development opportunities

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Reliably commute before starting work (Required)

Arcis an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply