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Wilderness Guide Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

YMCA

Trail Counselor Guide - Daily

Grand Marais, MN

$95/day

The Trail Counselor is responsible for leadership in group facilitation and wilderness camping for ... Guide and influence the trail group's social interaction and personal growth Observe camper ...

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Wilderness Guide information

See Minnesota salary details

$7

$19

$39

How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness guide in Minnesota is $19.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.41 and $19.52 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 Minnesota?

For Wilderness Guide jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wilderness Guide jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Wilderness Guide jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Wilderness Guide jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Wilderness Guide job openings:

Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% As Needed, 57% Full Time, and 29% Temporary. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $40,143 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Trail Counselor Guide - Daily

YMCA of the USA

Grand Marais, MN • On-site

$95/day

Temporary

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Description
Camp Menogyn is looking to hire a diverse team of adventurous and responsible Trail Guides for the fall season. Trail Guides can expect to spend most of their time outdoors, guiding multi-night canoe trips into the Boundary Waters for school groups, leading activities and day trips into the Boundary Waters during family camps, and acting as a host for retreat and artist groups. Wages start at $95/day and include room and board and a free YMCA membership.
1. Job Summary:
The Trail Counselor is responsible for leadership in group facilitation and wilderness camping for groups of teenagers, families, or adults as well as program support.
2. Essential Functions:
• Provide professional and culturally sensitive leadership to diverse groups of campers on overnight wilderness trips and during pre-trip preparation
• Provide inclusive instruction in wilderness camping, canoeing, and backpacking
• Participate in camp programs, such as campfires, group singing, and games
• Guide and influence the trail group's social interaction and personal growth
• Observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, and apply the necessary behavior-management techniques
• Promote the core values - Caring, Equity, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
• Enforce safety and health regulations and emergency procedures
• Comfortable leading a group of teenagers for at least 7 days in remote and backcountry wilderness areas
• Complete all paperwork including camper evaluations, parent letters and trip reports etc. in a timely, high-quality manner
• Participate in routine camp maintenance, facility upkeep and other duties as assigned
3. Relationships:
This position reports to both the Program Director and Executive Director. Trail Counselors need to maintain professional, positive working relationships with the entire camp team including kitchen staff, office and support staff and other trail counselors.
4. Qualifications:
Required:
Required certifications provided by YMCA or other certified organization may be acquired after hire but must be completed before an employee supervises youth in the backcountry:
• Lifeguard certification. The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Red Cross, YMCA, Star Guard, and Boy Scouts of America
• Basic Life Support/CPR for the Professional Rescuer (renewed annually). Must include adult, child, and infant 1 and 2 person and use of an AED.
o The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Safety and Health Institute BLS, American Red Cross BLS or CPR for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
o The YMCA recognizes and accepts WFR certifications from a variety of institutions if they meet certain requirements. A full course must be at least 70 hours with a practical in-person component, must be called a "Wilderness First Responder" certification, and the institution providing the certification must have a medical director who is an MD and advises on the curriculum.
• Minimum age of 18 years
• If applicable, valid DOT Medical Examiners Certificate
o Valid US Driver's License and ability to pass both external driving background check and camp driving evaluation as well as a Physical Exam
o Minimum age of 21
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Experience or education in wilderness risk management, camp counseling, outdoor education, outdoor recreation, youth development, or related field
• Training or experience in wilderness camping, canoeing, backpacking, and/or trip planning
• Demonstrated good judgment without direct supervision
• Ability to operate in an emotionally demanding environment without access to front-country support systems
• Strong organizational and communication skills
Preferred:
• 1 season of experience leading wilderness trips, camp counseling or a related field
• Leadership experience with groups of youth
• Wilderness camping experience
5. Work Conditions:
• Ability to communicate and work with groups of campers, adults and families
• Emotional awareness, health and stability to create a supportive, empowering and affirming environment for young people
• Visual, auditory, and decision-making ability to calmly and effectively identify and respond to environmental, human and other hazards related to remote travel.
• Ability to lift and carry canoe and backpack weighing up to 100 lbs in rough and hilly terrain for extended periods of time.
• Ability to live and work outside in a wide variety of conditions including extreme weather.
6. Additional Notes:
At all times the Trail Counselor must keep the safety and enriching experience of the campers in the forefront of their thoughts and actions.
This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Trail Counselor is also responsible for taking direction from the Executive Director and Program Director or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the Branch or Association success.

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