Village Life

Yellowstone National Park is made up of 2.2 million acres of Designated Wilderness Area, where wildlife roam free and the mountains cut profiles into the clear, clean skies.

Where We Live

We live in seven villages, scattered around 152 miles of the Grand Loop Road.  Each location (village) has at least one hotel or lodge, restaurant(s) and gift shop.  Three locations offer Horse Corrals.  Almost every location has interpretive tours that go into the park by bus, vintage touring car or van. 

Each village and it's surrounding area has a general store, post office, Ranger Station, NPS Visitor Center and nearby gas station.  Roosevelt Lodge does not have a post office on location, and no, all those horses in the Roosevelt Corral don't mean that they are still using the Pony Express.

Housing

Employment agreements that are offered to applicants include information about the village they are assigned to when they check in for the season.   Each village has the same living arrangements, with employee housing on site.  Almost all housing is dormitory-style, with community bathrooms for most residents.  Dorm rooms house two to three people in each room with beds, wardrobes/closets, chair and desk in each.  

There is a limited amount of housing available for married couples at each location.  Be sure to note your spouse's name on your application as the person you are traveling with.

Dorm buildings do not have any cooking facilities or phone connections.

Employees must be 18 years of age or older in order to live in company housing.  There is no family housing available and each resident must be actively employed by Xanterra.    There are no pets, candles or smoking allowed in any dormitory building.

The cost of housing is very reasonable and deducted from your paycheck every two weeks.  In 2010, the bi-weekly deduction for "room" is no more than $30.00*, or about $2.00 per day.  The housing deduction includes use of the laundry room and all utilities, and is based on actual hours worked.   There is no security deposit required.

Yellowstone is a No Tolerance Zone

Xanterra is committed to keeping our employees and our guests safe.  Part of that commitment is to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy for any illegal drugs in the park.  Anyone found in possession of illegal substances, either in their dorm room or on their person will be subject to legal prosecution and company disciplinary measures.  Yellowstone is federal land, with federal jurisdiction in legal matters.  Just to be clear, that means that you will be prosecuted for a felony crime if drugs are found in your room or on your person.  Because of the zero-tolerance policy, also strictly enforced by the National Park Service, offenders will serve full-term sentences in federal prison with no parole and no early release. 

Zero-tolerance also applies to under-age alcohol use.  Absolutely no person under the age of 21 is allowed to possess or consume alcohol.  Under age employees or their guests who are found to be in possession or consuming alcohol will be subject to legal and company disciplinary measures.
 

Any person making alcohol available to under-age persons will be subject to the same measures. 

Dining

We eat together in the Employee Dining Room (EDR), usually located inside, or very near, the restaurant building on location.  The EDR serves cafeteria-style meals that include a hot entrée and veggies, sandwich fixings, salads, fruits, cereals and beverages.  Vegetarian options are available at each meal.  The chef and EDR crew work hard to offer a variety but, unfortunately, are unable to create meals based on all dietary needs such as vegan or allergy-related restrictions.  

The cost of your "board," or meal plan, is deducted from your paycheck every two weeks.  In 2010, the bi-weekly deduction is no more than $142.00*, or about $10.00 per day.   The board deduction is based on actual hours worked each pay period.

Community living is part of the experience of working in Yellowstone.   We live, work and play together in an unusual atmosphere that brings people from the entire country (and many other nations!) into one place.   It's what makes working here something that you will remember as one of your life's great adventures! 

*Plus any applicable state taxes.  (We just can't escape them, can we?) 

About the Villages in Yellowstone

Each village, or location, has it's own personality and natural features that attract the 3-million visitors to Yellowstone each year. 

Find out more about each Village by clicking a link below. 

Living in Gardiner, Montana

Living in Mammoth Hot Springs

Living at Old Faithful

Living at Grant Village

Living at Lake Yellowstone

Living at Canyon Village

Living at Roosevelt Lodge

The seven village areas are quite a distance apart from each other and require transportation to reach from your "home" village.  Yellowstone does not have a public transportation system.   Employees who bring their own automobiles have greater freedom and ability to visit other locations.