WHY VOLUNTEER?

2026 Volunteer Trips

Experience the Burn’s Wild spaces with expert leaders, learn more about its history and landscape, and give back to the land we love. Check out our upcoming trips, complete with dates, locations, difficulty levels, and itineraries. Trips fill up fast, so register now to save your spot!

Find your gear list here.

Looking for a self-guided recreational experience? Plan your visit to the Great Burn!

Filtering by: “Rehabilitation”
Heart Lake Facilities Improvement
Sep
4
to Sep 6
Rehabilitation

Heart Lake Facilities Improvement

Heart Lake is a beautiful high elevation lake, but it is so easy to access that it sees an increasing amount of use and sometimes abuse each year. Over the years, GBCA has worked with the Forest Service to install two pit toilets at Heart Lake to help mitigate human waste issues. They have been very successful, and it’s come time to dig new holes! Join us on this trip to meet a bunch of fellow outdoor lovers, eat some good food, and help relocate the existing pit toilets. We will be camping at Heart Lake, so if you’re interested in fishing, make sure to have your MT license!

Trailhead: Heart Lake #171, Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate. Our hike to Heart Lake is only 3 miles, but has a moderate amount of elevation gain.

Work

Moderate to Strenuous. We will be digging two large holes for pit toilet relocation. This will involve using tools such as shovels, post hole diggers, rock bars, pick mattocks, and more.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Heart Lake #171 trailhead at 0900MT. After a short trailhead briefing, we will hike into Heart Lake, set up camp, and begin digging one latrine hole. 3 mi. Elevation gain: 1200ft, Elevation loss: 60ft.

Day 2 | We will continue work on relocating the pit toilets, digging throughout the day and taking breaks as necessary. In the afternoon, there will be time to fish and swim. 

Day 3 | We will have breakfast, pack up camp, finish any work that needs to be done, and head back to the trailhead by lunchtime. 3 miles, 60ft elevation gain, 1200ft elevation loss.

Register Now!

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

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Surveyor's Lookout Rehabilitation
Jul
16
to Jul 19
Rehabilitation

Surveyor's Lookout Rehabilitation

Join us for the unique opportunity to work alongside the Forest Service and help to maintain Surveyor's Lookout on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This 30-foot tower overlooks the spectacular Mallard Larkins Recommended Wilderness and is in the rental program, meaning members of the public are able to stay overnight throughout the summer! During this trip, we will focus on repainting the interior/exterior of the building, working together to maintain this historical structure. If time permits, the group will also have the opportunity to complete a heritage survey with guidance from a USFS archeologist. 

This will be a front country trip. Volunteers will set up tents around the lookout area and have access to their vehicles during their stay. 


Trailhead: Surveyor’s Lookout

Closest Town: St. Regis, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity. 

DIFFICULTY

Hiking

Easy-Moderate: We will be camping and working at Surveyor’s Lookout. There will be minimal walking/hiking involved unless time permits and we can complete a heritage survey. In this instance, be prepared for some slow, off-trail hiking. 

Work

Moderate: Work will involve repainting the lookout and various minor repairs. Time permitting, we will also complete a heritage survey in the area. 

ITINERARY

Day 1 | We’ll meet at the Surveyor’s Lookout site at 1000MT. We will set up camp and get oriented with the project location and objectives. We will begin lookout maintenance with the remainder of the day. 

Day 2 | Work will continue alongside USFS, repainting and maintaining the lookout. After work, there will be plenty of time to explore the area, take a cold plunge, or relax with a good book. 

Day 3 | Work will continue on the lookout. If time and energy permits, we will have the opportunity to complete a heritage survey while being guided by the USFS archaeologist. 

Day 4 | After breakfast and tea, we will pack up camp and finish any work that is remaining. We will plan to leave the lookout site by lunchtime. 

*This trip is currently full, but we strongly encourage you to join the waitlist. People often have unforeseen circumstances arise, and that means a spot may open up for you!*

Join the Waitlist!


Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

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MEET YOUR TRAIL LEADERS

WHO WE ARE

a gear list for your trip

This checklist is meant to be a general guide, not comprehensive list. Everyone packs differently, and you know yourself best! If you run cold, throw a beanie or a pair of gloves in your pack. If you sweat a lot, you might want to change your socks more frequently than the person next to you. If you’re going out for 1 night vs 5, you’ll need more things!

GBCA will provide:

  • Breakfast, dinner, and cooking equipment.

  • Group water filter, as well as dishwashing equipment.

  • The trip leader will also carry bear spray, InReach, and a first aid kit with them at all times.

Before leaving the trailhead, trip leaders will assess trip participant gear and leave redundant gear at the trail head. Items like water filters, sunscreen, trowels, bug spray, and camp stoves can be shared.

Clothing

Avoid cotton clothes as they hold onto moisture. Cotton is a great breathable material when it’s dry, but once it’s wet it’s going to stay that way. If possible, bring quick drying, synthetic layers to wear during the work day.

Wool is also a good alternative to cotton, as it retains heat even when wet. Packing warm clothes in July or August might sound crazy, but the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and nights are often chilly.

Toiletries

It’s important to bring supplies that will make you comfortable when using the bathroom outside…but it’s even more important to mitigate the impact our waste has! Having a well made toilet kit helps us do that. If you bring toilet paper or wet wipes out with you, bring a small Ziplock bag to pack out used material.

Periods in the backcountry can be daunting, but with a little prior planning they’re easy to manage! Here’s a great guide from our friends at Leave No Trace on how to manage periods when camping: LNT Period Guide.

If you are missing any of the suggested gear, reach out and see if we have any extras! Gear rentals are also available at the University of Montana Campus Recreation Department, REI, and The Trail Head downtown location.

MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR TODAY

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BURN

Make any recurring donation, and opt in to receive action alerts, volunteer information, newsletters, and other opportunities to get engaged to become a Friend of the Burn. You’ll join hundreds of others who are showing support for permanent protection of this special place, so that it can stay Wild and available for generations to come.

→ BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BURN

ADVOCATE FOR THE BURN

Great Burn advocates play an essential role in helping shape awareness and public perception around our Mission Area. Advocates submit comments and speak up to land management agencies regarding plans, projects, or permanent protection decisions in the Great Burn and Mallard Larkins landscapes.

→ ADVOCATE FOR THE BURN

VOLUNTEER FAQS

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

  • Volunteers under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Use your best judgment when choosing a trip, keeping in mind the project’s difficulty rating and the length of travel.

    National forests must revise their plans every 15 years, but that doesn’t always happen. The Lolo National Forest plan hasn’t been updated since 1986, meaning forest plans can have a significant impact for decades.

  • All Great Burn volunteer trips are free, with a refundable $50 deposit. The GBCA will return your deposit at the start of your trip or if you cancel your reservation at least three weeks before the start date. To keep trips accessible, financial assistance is available. Email us at volunteer@greatburn.org.

  • Dogs are allowed in some areas across the Burn, but we don’t currently allow dogs on volunteer trips.

TRIP DETAILS

  • Volunteers are required to provide their own backpacking gear, snacks, and lunch items. Our recommended packing list can help guide your choices. Trip leaders will assess all volunteer gear and leave redundant gear at the trailhead. Items like water filters, sunscreen, trowels, bug spray, and camp stoves can be shared. 

    GBCA trip leaders will provide or carry:

  • A lot of time and effort go into planning our volunteer stewardship trips, so please make sure you plan on attending! However, we understand that life happens, and sometimes, you may not be able to make it. 

    In that case, your deposit will be fully refunded up to three weeks before your scheduled trip. Otherwise, your deposit will be counted as a donation to GBCA. All trips are subject to cancellation due to changing weather and wildfire conditions.

  • Yes! You should receive two emails after you register: a confirmation message and a message from our volunteer coordinator with more information on your specific trip in the days following your registration. GBCA trip leaders will contact participants one to two weeks before your scheduled trip.

  • Yes! Whether you’re a student in need of community service hours or need to complete court-ordered community service for a non-violent offense, you can earn your hours on a volunteer project. Email us at volunteer@greatburn.org for details.

POLICIES

  • Each volunteer group has a Garmin InReach device and is required to check in daily with GBCA admin. In the event of an emergency or if a volunteer needs to be reached while in the field, please contact GBCA Executive Director Hayley Newman at hayley@greatburn.org or 406-546-2329.

  • At GBCA, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all volunteers and members of our staff.  The GBCA is committed to maintaining a work environment free from all forms of discrimination regarding its employees, contractors, donors, volunteers, customers, or any other person. 

    The specific forms of discrimination prohibited by GBCA policy are those based on race, sex, gender, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual preference, physical or mental disability, marital status, and political beliefs.

  • Alcohol: Volunteers over the age of 21 participating in a GBCA volunteer stewardship trip are welcome to bring a small amount of alcohol ONLY if it is consumed responsibly. Alcohol should only be consumed after work hours and in a manner in which you can work the following day. Please avoid glass bottles.  

    Firearms: Firearms and other weapons are strictly prohibited on GBCA stewardship trips. Trip leaders carry bear spray, and GBCA encourages volunteers to carry their own. 

    Marijuana and other drugs: Marijuana is now legal in Montana, but it is still ILLEGAL in Idaho and on federal lands, including Forest Service lands, where all GBCA-led stewardship projects and trips take place. 

    Other illegal drugs are also prohibited on GBCA trips. Anyone participating in a trip is a Forest Service volunteer under a working agreement. Drug use violates that agreement and could leave you liable for any injury, loss, or other issue that occurs.

Have additional questions?

Please email us at volunteer@greatburn.org.

Make any recurring donation, and opt in to receive action alerts, volunteer information, newsletters, and other opportunities to get engaged to become a Friend of the Burn. You’ll join hundreds of others who are showing support for permanent protection of this special place, so that it can stay Wild and available for generations to come.

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BURN

Donate