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Wilderness Ranger Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Wilderness Ranger information

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$12

$21

$41

How much do wilderness ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness ranger in Colorado is $21.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.22 and $22.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a wilderness ranger do?

A Wilderness Ranger is responsible for protecting and maintaining designated wilderness areas. They patrol trails, educate visitors on Leave No Trace principles, perform trail maintenance, and monitor environmental conditions. Rangers also enforce regulations to ensure the preservation of natural resources. Their work helps maintain the ecological integrity of wilderness areas while promoting safe and responsible recreation.

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

To thrive as a Wilderness Ranger, you need strong outdoor survival skills, ecological knowledge, physical fitness, and usually a degree in natural resource management or a related field. Familiarity with GPS navigation, radio communication, first aid/CPR certification, and park management systems is often required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and adaptability help rangers interact with visitors and handle unpredictable situations. These abilities are essential for effectively protecting natural resources, ensuring visitor safety, and promoting positive experiences in wilderness areas.

What are the most common challenges faced by wilderness rangers in the field?

Wilderness Rangers often encounter unpredictable weather conditions, remote terrain, and limited resources, which can make daily tasks physically and mentally demanding. Managing visitor safety, enforcing regulations, and responding to emergencies are regular challenges, especially in high-traffic or sensitive ecological areas. Collaboration with other rangers, law enforcement, scientists, and volunteers is frequent, requiring strong teamwork and communication skills. Successfully navigating these challenges is rewarding but demands flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine passion for conservation.

Is it hard to get a job as a wilderness ranger?

Getting a job as a wilderness ranger can be competitive, as it often requires relevant experience, physical fitness, and knowledge of conservation practices. Many positions are seasonal and may require certifications such as CPR or first aid, along with a background in outdoor skills and environmental education.

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Ranger jobs in Colorado?

For Wilderness Ranger jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Wilderness Ranger jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Wilderness Ranger jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Wilderness Ranger jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Wilderness Ranger job openings:

Wilderness Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Ranger job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,191 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Activities Guide - Fall/Winter Season (August 2026 - April 1, 2027)

C Lazy U Ranch

Granby, CO • On-site

$15.16 - $17.16/hr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Description

Work outdoors doing the activities you love!


Hiring Activities Guide for Fall/Winter Season (August 2026 - April 1, 2027)

Join a legacy 107 years in the making! C Lazy U Ranch, one of America's top guest ranches, is hiring for the 2026 summer season in beautiful Granby, Colorado. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service that sets us apart. To maintain this standard, we seek enthusiastic, service-oriented professionals with strong communication skills who go above and beyond to create unforgettable guest experiences. We offer below-market housing and three complimentary meals daily. S


Working Environment: Working Ranch & Guest Hospitality

Summary: 

The Activities Guide is a member of a team who facilitates guest activities in a safe, fun, and educational manner throughout the fall and winter season. These activities primarily are mountain biking, hiking, and side-by-side vehicle tours in the fall season. Winter activities include snowshoeing, xc skiing (classic Nordic and skate skiing), snowmobile tours, and assisting with an outdoor ice-skating area. Snowmobile tours on property are on groomed trails but are on an undulating and challenging mountainous terrain. While on-the-job training for some of the activities is expected; familiarity with snowmobiles is preferred for this position. An Activities Guide will run Activities Yurt when experiences are not booked, assist guests with equipment fitting, trail recommendations, and professionally representing the Ranch's offerings. The fall/winter activities guide position is also responsible for assisting with the transition from the summer seasonal offerings into winter activities. This includes readying equipment, transitioning indoor spaces, and establishing a winter trail network. The ideal candidate possesses a wide skillset and is friendly, active, service-oriented, and passionate about outdoor recreation. 


Essential Duties & Responsibilities:


Confidently and enthusiastically guides the following activities:

  • Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Ranger (side by side) Rides
  • Snowmobiling 
  • Snowshoeing 
  • Nordic Skiing 
  • Ice Skating 

Help facilitate unguided activity areas such as:

  •  Ice skating pond- Zamboni and pond care
  • Game room
  • Fitness center
  • Assist guests with grab-and-go equipment and trail recommendations
  • Provides information on local flora, fauna, geology and history
  • Creates informative and fun experiences with a focus on safety
  • Serves as Activities Yurt attendant to provide information about the ranch activities and recommendations
  • Maintains activity department equipment
  •  Responsible for presentation, cleanliness and functionality of various activity locations on the Ranch, including Activities Yurt, outdoor games, ropes course, game room, fitness center and racquet sports

Secondary Job Responsibilities:

  • Assists land and trails team with trail maintenance
  • Emergency and first aid response
  • Assist other departments when required (e.g., setup for events, fire building, luggage handling, bed making, dish help, etc.)


Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements:


Required:

Prior experience in guest services, outdoor recreation, or activity facilitation

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

First Aid and CPR certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)

Valid driver's license with clean driving record

Ability to safely drive vehicles and snowmobiles in winter conditions

Physical ability to lift up to 60 lbs. and work outdoors in snow, ice, and cold temperatures

Flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays

Preferred:

Experience in a ranch, resort, or luxury hospitality environment

Familiarity with mountain biking,  snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and winter sports

Background in outdoor education, recreation, or wilderness programming


Work Environment & Culture:
The Activities Guide at C Lazy U Ranch is an enthusiastic team player who creates unforgettable experiences for guests in a stunning Colorado mountain setting. This role involves working outdoors in varying and sometimes extreme conditions, interacting with guests of all ages, and adapting to the needs of a dynamic hospitality environment. They are adaptable to assist the Ranch in many ways outside of Activities and promote a Team Culture across the Ranch. 

If you're excited about winter recreation, love working with people, and want to be part of a world-class guest experience, we invite you to join the C Lazy U Ranch team and help create lifelong memories. 


This Job Description is an overview of the scope of responsibilities for the Activities Guide position and is not intended to be an inclusive list of tasks and expectations. Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. I further understand that this Job Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment and that the company reserves the right to revise and change duties as the need arises.

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