US Army Corps of Engineers
Rock Island District Website

Current volunteer opportunities at Lake Red Rock are listed at the bottom of this page.

Volunteer Application Form

For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (641) 828-7522 or lakeredrock@usace.army.mil.

Want to Camp for FREE? Become a Lake Red Rock Volunteer!

Volunteers at Lake Red Rock perform a variety of tasks including: 

Greeting Visitors

Collecting Fees

Planting Flowers  

Cleaning the Bike Trail

Painting Picnic Tables  

  Learning Area History  

  Cleaning Facilities  

  Fee Booth Attendant  

  Maintaining Nest Boxes  

  Assisting with Programs  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide to volunteers:

  • A free full-service campsite, typically within the area where service is provided.
  • Volunteer shirts and name tags that are to be worn while providing service to the public.
  • Equipment and supplies required to perform the service.
  • Training and safety guidelines appropriate to the service.
  • Reimbursement for incidental costs associated with some positions such as mileage for positions requiring use of personal vehicles to perform service

For all positions, volunteers must be able to meet the following requirements:

  • Be available to work the entire service period.
  • Be at least 18 years old and provide a safe, licensed, insured camping unit and vehicle.
  • Be physically capable of performing job duties.
  • Ability to maintain a respectful, cooperative and supportive relationship with co-workers.
  • Possess good communication skills.
  • Keep a neat appearance and exercise tact, diplomacy and courtesy at all times when dealing with the public.
  • Maintain a friendly attitude with the public and portray a positive image of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 
  • Be willing to wear the uniform provided while performing duties.
  • Be willing to work within the safety guidelines provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lake Red Rock Volunteer Service Opportunities

A detailed description of volunteer duties relating to each position is available upon request. 

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The duty schedule for this position is dependent on a summer program guide to be determined.

Duties include:

  1. Assist with preparing and presenting educational programming and special events for the public.
  2. Assist Park Rangers in presenting programs about the lake area’s natural history and recreational opportunities.
  3. Greet visitors and answer questions about the lake area.
  4. Assist Ranger staff with groups participating in interpretive programs.
  5. Occasionally staff the Lake Red Rock Visitor Center.
  6. Assist with planning, development and maintenance of the Natural Playscape.
  7. Monitor amenities at North Overlook Beach.

A free full-service campsite is provided in Howell Station Campground throughout the service period. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.

Fifield Recreation Area is a scenic day use area with four shelters, two restrooms, a playground and a trailhead to the Volksweg Trail.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Tuesdays and Thursdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Open the Fifield entrance gate by 8:00 am daily and close at dusk (30 minutes after sunset).
  2. Clean two restroom buildings and four shelters.
  3. Remove litter and trash from park grounds.
  4. Perform light maintenance along a 7 mile segment of the Volksweg Trail. Trail maintenance will consist of but not be limited to litter removal, surface debris removal and light vegetative maintenance.
  5. Provide general information to visitors and notify a Park Ranger when enforcement of park rules is required.
  6. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement; including an initial cleaning of the Marina Cove public restroom building prior to April 20.

A free full-service campsite is provided in the Fifield Recreation Area throughout the period of service. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Howell Station is a popular campground located on the Des Moines River below the Red Rock Dam. It features 143 campsites, 5 shower buildings, 2 playgrounds and is bordered by an asphalt trail.

Service is provided four consecutive days in every ten day period.

Duties include:

  1. Staff the campground entrance booth.
  2. Post reservation cards at campsites.
  3. Register incoming campers.
  4. Remit all fees collected to the project office.
  5. Provide general campground surveillance and assist visitors as needed.
  6. Care for a small flower bed.
  7. Provide intermittent service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite in Howell Station Campground will be provided during the volunteer work period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers. The volunteer will be trained to use Recreation 1 Stop Reservation Service program for registering of campers.

Howell Station is a popular campground located on the Des Moines River below the Red Rock Dam. It features 143 campsites, 5 shower buildings, 2 playgrounds and is bordered by an asphalt trail.

Service is provided 4 or 5 days per week with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and every other Saturday off.

Duties include:

  1. Clean two shower buildings in the Lake Prairie camping loop.
  2. Clean a vault toilet and fish cleaning station located in Howell Landing.
  3. Service approximately 10 garbage cans.
  4. Remove litter and clean playground equipment in 2 play areas.
  5. Remove litter from roadways and unoccupied campsites in the Lake Prairie loop and in Howell Landing.
  6. Clean water fountains daily in the Lake Prairie loop and in Howell Landing.
  7. Clean two campground dump stations.
  8. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

Howell Station is a popular campground located on the Des Moines River below the Red Rock Dam. It features 143 campsites, 5 shower buildings, 2 playgrounds and is bordered by an asphalt trail.

Service is provided 4 or 5 days per week with Thursdays, Fridays, and every other Saturday off.

Duties include:

  1. Clean two shower buildings in the Pilot Point camping loop and one shower building in the Keokuk loop.
  2. Remove litter and clean playground equipment in a play area.
  3. Remove litter from roadways and unoccupied campsites in the Pilot Point loop and Keokuk loop.
  4. Clean water fountains daily in Pilot Point loop and Keokuk loop.
  5. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite in Howell Station Campground will be provided during the volunteer work period.

Howell Station is a popular campground located on the Des Moines River below the Red Rock Dam. It features 143 campsites, 5 shower buildings, 2 playgrounds and is bordered by an asphalt trail.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Sundays and Mondays off.

Duties include:

  1. Perform Howell Station East custodial duties on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and every other Saturday. Duties include litter pickup, cleaning 2 shower buildings, 2 dump stations, 3 roadside picnic sites, a fish cleaning station, a vault toilet and a playground.
  2. Perform Howell Station West custodial duties Thursdays, Fridays and every other Saturday. Custodial duties include litter pickup, cleaning 3 shower buildings and 2 playgrounds.
  3. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

Howell Station is a popular campground located on the Des Moines River below the Red Rock Dam. It features 143 campsites, 5 shower buildings, 2 playgrounds and is bordered by an asphalt trail.

Service is provided 4 or 5 days per week with Sundays, Mondays and every other Saturday off.

Duties include:

  1. North Tailwater custodial duties (2 or 3 days/week): clean a comfort station, fish cleaning station, 2 picnic shelters, 3 water fountains and 4 roadside picnic sites. Pick up litter from roadways, parking lots and a playground.
  2. Provide light maintenance on a 3 mile trail segment (3 days/week). Trail maintenance includes picking up trash on or along the trail, clearing debris, from the paved trail surface and pruning encroaching vegetation.
  3. Clean fire rings in Howell Station Campground (weekly).
  4. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite in Howell Station Campground will be provided during the volunteer work period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Ivan’s Campground is a popular riverside campground with 21 campsites and one shower building. A paved trail connects the campground with the South Tailwater Recreation area and Howell Station Campground.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Mondays and Tuesdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Post campsite reservation tags.
  2. Assist with campsite registration and provide general visitor assistance.
  3. Clean a shower building, sidewalks fountains and fire rings.
  4. Perform light maintenance on a 0.5 mile trail segment.

A free full-service campsite in Ivan’s campground will be provided throughout the work period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Volunteer will be responsible for maintenance of bluebird nesting boxes located throughout the lake area, and two purple martin houses located in the Tailwater Recreation Area.

Service hours are flexible.

Duties include:

  1. Prepare structures for nesting of target species.
  2. Document findings on nesting success.
  3. Facilitate repair or replacement of nesting structures as needed.

A free, full-service campsite in Howell Station Campground will be provided throughout the service period. Volunteer must provide transportation to and from each nesting site and will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.

North Overlook Beach is a large beach adjacent to North Overlook Campground. It includes a large parking lot, a shower building with 6 rooms, a concession building with 2 restrooms, a patio, 2 volleyball courts and a swimming area.  It is connected to a Natural Playscape by a .25 mi trail segment.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Clean 6 shower rooms and 2 restrooms.
  2. Clean a vault toilet at the Natural Playscape.
  3. Service approximately 15 trash cans.
  4. Remove litter from the beach, parking lot, roadway and picnic area.
  5. Clean the sidewalks and remove weeds growing along walkways and buildings.
  6. Open an entrance gate and 2 beach buildings by 8:00 a.m. daily.
  7. Perform trail maintenance during periods of high water.
  8. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite is provided in the North Overlook recreation area throughout the volunteer’s work period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

The North Overlook Recreation area includes a scenic campground with 46 electric sites and 8 non-electric tent sites, a playground, a shower building, a dump station, a picnic area and a beach. It is connected to a Natural Playscape by a .25 mile trail segment.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Thursdays and Fridays off.

Duties include:

  1. Clean the campground shower building, sidewalks, fountains, and dump station.
  2. Clean the picnic area restrooms and shelter.
  3. Service 3 trash cans, 2 upright grills and 1 fire ring in the picnic area.
  4. Clean campground fire rings weekly.
  5. Remove litter from roadways, unoccupied campsites, a playground and the picnic grounds.

A free full- service campsite is provided at the North Overlook Campground throughout the work period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers to transport refuse and fire ring debris.

The North Overlook Recreation area includes a scenic campground with 46 electric sites and 8 non-electric tent sites, a playground, a shower building, a dump station, a picnic area and a beach. It is connected to a Natural Playscape by a .25 mile trail segment.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Saturdays and Sundays off.

Duties include:

  1. Collect fees from depositories at two beaches and five boat ramps (round trip of approximately 35 miles) one day per week.
  2. Clean buildings and grounds in North Overlook campground and picnic area 2 days per week.
  3. Clean buildings and grounds at the North Overlook beach and natural playscape 2 days per week.

A free full-service campsite is provided in North Overlook Campground throughout the service period.

The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers to transport refuse and debris.

The North Overlook Recreation area includes a scenic campground with 46 electric sites and 8 non-electric tent sites, a playground, a shower building, a dump station, a picnic area and a beach. It is connected to a Natural Playscape by a .25 mile trail segment. Ivan’s Campground is a riverside campground with 21 sites, located approximately 1.5 miles from North Overlook.

Service is provided 4 consecutive days in every 10 day period. 

Duties include:

  1. Staff the North Overlook campground fee booth from 9 am–11 am & 3 pm–8 pm.
  2. Process reservations and register incoming campers for North Overlook & Ivan’s campgrounds.
  3. Review incoming camper reports and post reservation cards at campsites daily.
  4. Remit all fees collected to the project office.
  5. Raise and lower flags at the entrance booth.
  6. Provide general campground surveillance and visitor assistance.

A free, full-service campsite is provided at the North Overlook Campground throughout the period of service. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service. Training on fee booth operations and use of Recreation 1 Stop procedures will be provided.

North Tailwater is a popular day use area located below the Lake Red Rock dam adjacent to Howell Station campground.  It features two picnic shelters, a modern restroom, a playground, roadside picnic spots and a fish cleaning station. A paved trail connects the area to Howell Station and North Overlook campgrounds. 

 Service will be provided 4 or 5 days/week with Thursdays, Fridays and every other Saturday off.

Duties include:

  1. Clean 1 comfort station, 1 fish cleaning station, 2 picnic shelters and 4 roadside picnic areas and 4 water fountains.
  2. Service approximately ten trash cans.
  3. Remove litter from roadways, parking lots, playgrounds and public use areas.
  4. Periodically clean 4 standup grills.
  5. Periodically relocate picnic tables that have been moved from their designated location.
  6. Provide light landscape maintenance to 2 parking lot islands.
  7. Provide intermittent service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite in Howell Station campground will be provided throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and all supplies needed to perform duties will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Custodial service is performed in South Tailwater and South Overlook four days per week. The South Tailwater and South Overlook Recreation Areas includes two adjacent day use areas with four picnic shelters, three fish cleaning stations, two comfort stations, a playground and a boat landing. A 1/2 mile paved trail connects Ivan’s campground with the South Tailwater Recreation area.

Service will be provided 4 days/week with Wednesday thru Friday off.

Duties include:

  1. Open the South Overlook entrance gate by 8:00 AM.
  2. Clean two restroom buildings, four picnic shelters, three fish cleaning stations, two portable toilets, a vault toilet, a playground and five water fountains.
  3. Service approximately twelve trash cans.
  4. Remove litter from roadways, parking lots and other public use areas.
  5. Periodically clean 4 standup grills and 2 fire rings.
  6. Periodically relocate picnic tables that have been moved from their designated location.
  7. Provide light landscape maintenance to 4 parking lot islands.

A free, full-service campsite in the South Tailwater recreation area will be provided to the volunteer throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Custodial service is performed to provide relief to custodians in 4 recreation areas; South Tailwater, South Overlook, Ivan’s campground and Whitebreast beach. The South Tailwater and South Overlook recreation areas include two adjacent day use areas with a total of four picnic shelters, three fish cleaning stations, two comfort stations, a playground and a boat landing. Ivan’s campground is a popular riverside campground with 21 campsites and one shower building. A .5 mile paved trail connects the campground with the South Tailwater recreation area. The Whitebreast beach area includes an enclosed shelter house (Miner's Retreat), two picnic areas, a shower building and a large beach. It is located approximately 7 miles from Ivan’s campground.

Service is provided in South Tailwater/South Overlook 3 days per week and in Ivan’s & Whitebreast 2 days per week with Saturday’s and Sunday’s off.

Duties include:

  1. Open the South Overlook entrance gate by 8:00 AM.
  2. Clean two restroom buildings, four picnic shelters, three fish cleaning stations, two portable toilets, a vault toilet, a playground and five water fountains.
  3. Service approximately twelve trash cans.
  4. Remove litter from roadways, parking lots and other public use areas.
  5. Periodically clean 4 standup grills and 2 fire rings.
  6. Periodically relocate picnic tables that have been moved from their designated location.
  7. Provide light landscape maintenance to 4 parking lot islands.

A free, full-service campsite in Ivan’s campground will be provided to the volunteer throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers to transport refuse and fire ring debris. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.

The Lake Red Rock Visitor Center is part of the Project Office complex located on the south end of the dam. Volunteer will staff the Visitor Center from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The duty is shared by 3 volunteers each working 2 days per 6 day cycle.

Duties include:

  1. Greet visitors and answer questions about the lake area.
  2. Sell annual day use permits.
  3. Assist ranger staff with groups participating in interpretive programs.
  4. Care for the visitor center animals.
  5. Perform visitor surveys as needed.
  6. Perform light cleaning of facility.
  7. Sell items from the visitor center cooperative store.

A free full-service campsite in the Howell Station Campground will be provided throughout the service period.

Wallashuck Campground is a scenic campground with eighty campsites, three shower buildings, a picnic shelter, a fish cleaning station and a boat ramp (used only at high water levels). The Marina Cove features a privately operated marina located approximately 1 mile west of Wallashuck campground. It includes a public boat ramp and small restroom building with two rooms.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Friday and Saturday off. 

Duties include:

  1. Provide custodial service to 3 shower buildings and a picnic shelter in Wallashuck campground 4 days per week.
  2. Provide custodial service at the Marina Cove restroom building 1 day per week.
  3. Provide custodial service to the Wallashuck fish cleaning station and dump station 1 day per week.

A free, full-service campsite is provided at the Wallashuck Campground throughout the service period.

A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Wallashuck Campground is a scenic campground with eighty campsites, three shower buildings, a picnic shelter, a fish cleaning station and a boat ramp (used only at high water levels). The Marina Cove features a privately operated marina located approximately 1 mile west of Wallashuck campground. It includes a public boat ramp and small restroom building with two rooms.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Mondays and Tuesdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Provide custodial service to 3 shower buildings and a picnic shelter in Wallashuck campground 3 days per week.
  2. Provide custodial service at the Marina Cove restroom building 1 day per week.
  3. Provide custodial service to the Wallashuck fish cleaning station and dump station 1 day per week.
  4. Clean fire rings in Wallashuck campground weekly. 

A free full-service campsite is provided at the Wallashuck Campground throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

The Lake Red Rock Project Office Complex is located on a scenic plot at the south end of the dam. It includes an administrative building, visitor center and maintenance compound. The office complex is located approximately 5 miles from Wallashuck Campground. Wallashuck Campground is a scenic campground with eighty campsites, three shower buildings, a picnic shelter, a fish cleaning station and a boat ramp (used only at high water levels). The Marina Cove features a privately operated marina located approximately 1 mile west of Wallashuck campground. It includes a public boat ramp and small restroom building with two rooms.

Service will be provided five days per week with Wednesdays and Thursdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Provide custodial service for the office complex 2 days per week; which includes a visitor center, lunchroom, office space, 3 private restrooms, and 1 public restroom.
  2. Service a fish cleaning station and dump station in Wallashuck campground 5 days per week. 
  3. Provide custodial service for a small, two room public restroom at the Marina Cove Recreation Area 5 days per week.
  4. Service a playground in Wallashuck campground 2 days per week.
  5. Provide intermittent service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free, full service campsite in the Wallashuck recreation area will be provided throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Wallashuck Recreation area includes a scenic campground with eighty campsites, three shower buildings, a picnic shelter, a fish cleaning station and a boat ramp (used only at high water levels).

Service is provided 4 consecutive days in every 10 day period.

Duties include:

  1. Staff the campground fee booth from 9 am–11 am & 3 pm–8 pm.
  2. Process reservations and register incoming campers for North Overlook & Ivan’s campgrounds.
  3. Review incoming camper reports and post reservation cards at campsites daily.
  4. Remit all fees collected to the project office.
  5. Provide general campground surveillance and visitor assistance.
  6. Care for a small flower bed.
  7. Raise and lower flags at the entrance booth.
  8. Provide intermittent service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free, full-service campsite in the Wallashuck Campground is provided throughout the service period. The volunteer will be trained to use National Recreation Reservation Service software for registering of campers. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.

The Whitebreast Beach area includes an enclosed shelter house (Miner's Retreat), two picnic areas, two vault toilets, a day use fee booth, a shower building and a large beach.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Mondays and Tuesdays off.

Duties include:

  1. Open the beach entrance gate and shower building by 8:00 am.
  2. Clean the beach shower building and surrounding grounds.
  3. Clean the Miner’s Retreat building and conduct inspections for events held at Miner's Retreat.
  4. Remove litter from the beach, parking lot and grounds.
  5. Service approximately 10 trash cans in the area.
  6. Service a nearby youth camp when the area is reserved for use. 
  7. Service life jacket loaner stations at Whitebreast Beach and Whitebreast Boat Ramp.

A free full-service campsite is provided at the Whitebreast Beach Recreation Area throughout the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Whitebreast Recreation Area includes a campground with 130 sites, a beach, a youth camp, five shower buildings, four picnic shelters, six vault toilets, a dump station and a fish cleaning station. Custodial duties are shared by four volunteer positions.

Service is provided 5 days per week with two weekdays off (typically Tuesday & Wednesday).

Duties include:

  1. Clean two shower buildings in the Meadows camping area.
  2. Clean two vault toilets (located near site 35 and near the boat landing).
  3. Service a fish cleaning station.
  4. Clean the campground dump station located south of the campground entrance.
  5. Remove litter and clean playground equipment in 3 play areas.
  6. Remove litter from roadways and unoccupied campsites in the Meadows camping area and the boat landing area.
  7. Clean water fountains daily in the Meadows camping area and the boat landing areas.
  8. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite is provided at the Whitebreast Campground during the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers

Whitebreast Recreation Area includes a campground with 130 sites, a beach, a youth camp, five shower buildings, four picnic shelters, six vault toilets, a dump station and a fish cleaning station. Custodial duties are shared by four volunteer positions.

Service is provided 5 days per week with two weekdays off (typically Thursday and Friday).

Duties include:

  1. Clean three shower buildings.
  2. Clean a vault toilet.
  3. Clean 4 picnic shelters.
  4. Remove litter from roadways and unoccupied campsites in the Coal Ridge, Ponca and Heights camping areas.

A free full-service campsite is provided at the Whitebreast Campground during the volunteer’s work period. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.

Whitebreast Recreation Area includes a campground with 130 sites, a beach, a youth camp, five shower buildings, four picnic shelters, six vault toilets, a dump station and a fish cleaning station. Custodial duties are shared by four volunteer positions.

Service is provided 5 days per week with Saturdays & Sundays off.

Duties include:

  1. Perform custodial duties in the Whitebreast east campground area on Tuesday and Wednesday. Custodial duties include litter pickup, cleaning 2 shower buildings, 2 vault toilets, a dump station and a fish cleaning station.
  2. Perform custodial duties in the Whitebreast west campground area on Thursday and Friday. Custodial duties include litter pickup, cleaning 3 shower buildings, 1 vault toilet, and 4 picnic shelters.
  3. Clean all fire rings within the Whitebreast campground and Youth Camp weekly.
  4. Provide intermittent custodial service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free full-service campsite is provided at the Whitebreast Campground during the service period. A utility vehicle with fuel and supplies will be provided by the Corps of Engineers.

Whitebreast Recreation Area includes a campground with 130 sites, a beach, a youth camp, five shower buildings, four picnic shelters, six vault toilets, a dump station and a fish cleaning station.

Service is provided 4 consecutive days in every 10 day period.

Duties include:

  1. Staff the campground entrance booth four consecutive days in every ten day period.
  2. Post reservation cards at campsites.
  3. Register incoming campers.
  4. Remit all fees collected to the project office.
  5. Provide general campground surveillance and assist visitors as needed.
  6. Raise and lower flags at the entrance booth.
  7. Care for a small flower bed.
  8. Provide intermittent service in other recreation areas as needed and by mutual agreement.

A free, full-service campsite is provided at the Whitebreast Campground during the volunteer’s work period. The volunteer will be trained to use Recreation 1 Stop Reservation Service software for registering of campers. The volunteer will be reimbursed for travel by personal vehicle as required to perform service.