Backcountry Trails Program
Get Off-Grid!
Watch to see what a summer in the Backcountry is all about!
Gear UP
It is a five-plus month commitment to intense work while living in remote wilderness areas with no modern amenities. Make no mistake – this not a paid vacation. See what life is like in the backcountry!
Know Before You Go
Schedule
Corpsmembers are in the wilderness full time. View our typical daily schedule to get as sense of daily life.
Equipment
Corpsmembers must pay $500 per month for food & supplies. Additional gear can be bought and/or borrowed.
Eligibility
Young adults 18-25 and military veterans up to age 29 can join. Individuals must live in the USA.
Find Your Path
Highly regarded in the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and trails community, the BCTP offers a path for those interested in pursuing a career in related fields. Corpsmembers have continued into jobs including trails, outdoor education, fire, resource management, leadership, and more. Don’t believe us?! Hear from CCC backcountry alumni.
Erica Bradley
East Bay Regional Parks District
“When I was a kid,” said Corpsmember Erica Bradley. “I couldn’t even spend a night at a friend’s house without getting homesick.” Fast forward years later, Erica decided to challenge herself on her CCC Path to Success by joining the CCC Backcountry program.
She worked on the 2022 Big Basin State Park and Inyo National Forest crew. “Living with each other for five months in the woods with no distractions, I’m very thankful I was able to experience that,” said Erica. “I was really nervous at first, but about a month in I knew I could make it through the season.”
Erica had loads of fun using Pulaskis and McLeods to restore trails. Now, this passion has carried over into her new job with the East Bay Regional Parks District where she uses the same skills to reduce wildfire risk in the Bay Area.
Erica Bradley
Marisol Santiago
Backcountry/Front Country Trails Lead
Montana Conservation Corps
When we say the CCC can Transform Your Life, we mean it. CCC Santa Maria Corpsmember Marisol Santiago lived it.
“The CCC completely changed my life for the better,” she said. “I found a version of myself here that I thought I could never attain and with my new sense of confidence I hope to make a positive impact on the new people I meet in the conservation industry.”
You could say Marisol is playing a game of follow the leader. Inspired by her Conservationist 1s and CCC Backcountry supervisors in the CCC, Marisol is now leading a trails crew of her own with the Montana Conservation Corps.
“I met incredible leads who inspired my love for the outdoors and inspired my love to teach young adults about conservation,” Marisol said. “I love helping others and hope to continue making a positive impact on those around me.” She’s building pathways and a Path to Success for herself and others
Marisol Santiago
Alejandro Santiago
Trail Worker
National Park Service
To say CCC Pomona’s Alejandro Santiago loved his five months living and working in the CCC Backcountry Trails Program might be an understatement. He enjoyed the experience so much, he’s kind of doing it again.
This time though he’s working for the National Park Service in Yosemite as a project sponsor as an NPS trail worker. Alejandro called Backcountry the biggest challenge he overcame in his 18 months in the CCC. While working in the rain with the Forestry Corps is a memory he’ll never forget, putting in the hard work in Backcountry motivated him to take this next career step.
“The CCC is a steppingstone for your future,” Alejandro says. “Use the time to pursue goals that will get you a job that you love.” Safe to say that’s what Alejandro did.
Alejandro Santiago
Sunny Caim
Senior Maintenance Aide
California State Parks
In 2023, Sunny Caim embarked on a five-month journey off-grid with CCC Backcountry Trails Program, constructing trails far from her hometown of Long Beach.
“The CCC built my skill set and widened my network,” she said. “It also helped me gain more self-confidence and assurance of my capabilities.” Once on the CCC Path to Success, there was no stopping her.
Now, Sunny — who served at the CCC Los Angeles Center — proudly serves as a Senior Maintenance Aide with California State Parks, where she continues her work in trail construction and maintenance.
For those thinking of joining the CCC she says, “You have nothing to lose joining a program that is designed to help young adults grow.”
Sunny Caim
Explore the wilderness
Backcountry locations vary, but common parks and forests that we work with include:
- Yosemite National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Inyo National Forest
- Stanislaus National Forest
- Klamath National Forest
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Crews usually start in a front-country location for a few weeks and then move to their backcountry location for the rest of the season. Crews may move camps multiple times during the season depending on their project locations, but most crews stay within a single park or forest.
Delta Center
Ask Us Anything
We know you have questions about the backcountry trails program. Here are some of the common one’s we get. Have more questions? Read our full BCTP Frequently Asked Questions Document, call us, or send an email to backcountrytrails@ccc.ca.gov.
Contact Us
707-599-2803
What do you look for/what certifications or training can I do to help me get selected?
Since we are a development and training program, prior experience and certifications do not have a strong influence on our selections. What we do look for are people who are mentally, emotionally, and physically capable of rising to the challenge of the program, and who have a strong personal desire and commitment to complete the program. Five months in the wilderness building trails and living closely with a diverse group of strangers is a lot! We want to make sure Corpsmembers are able to live and work well with others and are willing to push themselves to work hard, learn, and make the most of the experience.
Is your age limit flexible?
Unfortunately, our age limit is not flexible. However, if you are currently within the age limit but will age out before the start of our program, and you are a California resident, you can join the traditional CCC program and then transfer to the Backcountry Trails Program from there. Otherwise, there are many other conservation corps across the country that may have different age requirements from our program, as well as entry-level state and federal trails and maintenance jobs. There are also many volunteer-based trail organizations that you can find by doing an internet search for volunteer trail work opportunities in your area.
Can I start late/end early?
Our program typically starts the last week of April and ends the last week of September. Unfortunately, the start and end dates are not flexible. Our five-month season is part of what makes our program unique, and we strongly believe that our longer program time helps our Corpsmembers grow and develop, both individually and as a community. Early and late start dates also present logistical problems for us, and would inhibit our ability to complete both the work we are contracted to do during the season as well as the number of AmeriCorps hours our Corpsmembers need to get their scholarships.
How can I communicate with people outside the program?
Mail, food, and other supplies are delivered to camps once a week by mule or helicopter. Depending on weight and space concerns, mail may not be delivered every week. While mail is the only method of personal communication for Corpsmembers, crew supervisors will have radios, satellite devices, and cell phones (when in range) to keep in touch with staff and in case of emergency. Corpsmembers are not allowed to bring personal cell phones or satellite devices into the backcountry.
How do I receive my stipend? Can I sign up for direct deposit?
Checks are mailed to Corpsmembers at their backcountry camps during the season. Direct deposit is not available for this position. Most Corpsmembers will mail their checks to a trusted person outside the program who can deposit it for them. If you have concerns about this, or you think it could be a barrier to you in applying for the program, let us know and we may be able to help you figure out a solution.
REad Our NEws
CCC’s Backcountry Trails Program will receive a 2025 Project of the Year Award from The Corps Network!
Another season of the CCC Backcountry Trails Program is in the books.
If you think packing for a weeklong trip is tough, wait until you try to pack for five months living off-the-grid
The CCC Backcountry Trails Program received the 2024 California Trails and Greenways Program Merit Award.