The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute Nature Center and Botanical Garden Has 2025 Host Camper Opportunities In Texas
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI), also known as the CDRI Nature Center & Botanical Gardens has an opening for a Host Camper or camp couple beginning May 1, 2025.* The host camper or camper couple will live and work onsite, in exchange for free living accommodations at a private, peaceful, and beautiful site!
Duties include working as Information Desk and Gift Shop Host at the Visitor Center, Thursday – Saturday (8 hours each day; 24 hours per week), and light custodial duties at the Visitor Center.
The CDRI Nature Center, elevation 5,100 ft, is located 4 miles SE of Fort Davis, TX. The 507 acre Nature Center offers over 5 miles of hiking trails, a separate botanical garden and cactus greenhouse, a bird blind, and a mining exhibit.
This tourist destination area, renowned for its “dark skies” as well as for its diversity of bird species, including 17 species of hummingbirds during fall migration, is in the scenic Davis Mountains of Texas, close to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, the National Historic Site-Fort Davis, Balmorhea State Park and Davis Mountain State Park. It’s 20 miles from Marfa and Alpine, TX. Located in the Big Bend region of West Texas, the Center is 90 miles from Big Bend National Park and 110 miles from Big Bend Ranch State Park. Winters are mild and the area’s high elevation allows for cooler temperatures than expected in Texas’s summers.
The site includes a private RV pad with hookups, water, sewer, plus full bathroom (w/shower), and washer/dryer in the adjacent Maintenance Building. A stipend is paid at the end of the tour.
Please send an email inquiry to Lisa Gordon, Executive Director: . Website: http://www.cdri.org
We are happy to provide references from past host campers.
A background check is required.
*Host Camper spots available from May 1, 2025 through September. 30, 2025.
**Though dates are flexible, a 2-3 month stay is preferred.