Want to work in iconic tourist spots and get free or low-cost housing? Many employers in tourist-heavy areas now offer housing to attract seasonal workers. Here’s what you need to know:
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Top Locations Hiring Now:
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges: Food Service Workers (Start: Aug 4, 2025)
- Sheep Mountain Lodge, Alaska: Baker and Housekeeper (Start: Jun 10, 2025)
- The Lighthouse Inn, Massachusetts: Line Cooks (Start: Jun 9, 2025)
- Glacier National Park Lodges, Montana: Various roles (Start: Jun 16, 2025)
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Key Benefits:
- Save on Living Costs: Housing, utilities, and meals included.
- Live Where You Work: No commute, more time to enjoy the location.
- Work in Stunning Destinations: National parks, beach resorts, and mountain lodges.
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How to Find These Jobs:
Use platforms like CoolWorks, WanderJobs, and Indeed to find housing-included seasonal roles.
These jobs are perfect for adventurers looking to explore new places while earning a steady income. Start your search today and enjoy both work and housing in some of the most beautiful destinations in the U.S.
Finding and Applying to a Seasonal Job Using CoolWorks
Benefits of Gig Jobs with Housing
The rise of roles that include housing as part of the package is reshaping how people address work-life challenges, especially in popular tourist destinations.
Lower Living Costs for Workers
One of the biggest perks of housing-included gig work is the reduction in living expenses. By providing accommodations, utilities, and sometimes even meals, these jobs help workers save significantly. This can make up for lower wages and even allow for more flexible scheduling throughout the year.
Easy Commute and Location Access
Living where you work eliminates the hassle of daily commutes. On average, workers save about 40 minutes each day. Beyond the time savings, living on-site fosters a stronger connection to the local community. In fact, 77% of workers report that proximity to their workplace is a top priority.
Travel While Working
For those with a love of adventure, housing-included gig roles offer the chance to explore new places while earning a steady income. Many workers are drawn to seasonal gigs in stunning destinations like wilderness lodges, ski resorts, or retreat centers. Not only do these jobs provide secure housing, but they often come with perks like access to outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, or skiing . This creates a unique opportunity to blend work with leisure in some of the most picturesque locations.
Best Gig Platforms with Housing in Tourist Areas
Finding gig work that includes housing can make working in tourist destinations much more convenient. Luckily, several platforms specialize in connecting workers with employers who offer accommodations as part of the deal.
Hotel and Seasonal Work Platforms
Tourist hotspots often face high living costs, which is why many employers now offer housing to attract workers. These platforms make it easy to find such opportunities.
CoolWorks is a go-to resource for jobs that come with housing at iconic locations like Yellowstone National Park Lodges in Wyoming, Glacier National Park Lodges in Montana, and Alyeska Resort in Alaska. Job types range from food service to human resources, and most include both housing and meals.
"CoolWorks linked me to diverse roles across national parks, changing my career path."
Indeed also features hotel jobs that include housing. For instance, CoralTree Residence Collection in Snowmass Village, Colorado, offers front desk roles with paid housing at $20 per hour. These jobs often provide shared accommodations, making them ideal for those looking to work and live in vibrant ski resort towns.
WanderJobs focuses on seasonal positions where housing is always part of the package. Many listings even include room and board, making it a solid option for those seeking a complete work-and-live arrangement.
These platforms are great for seasonal and hospitality roles, but for remote gig workers, co-living programs offer a unique alternative.
Digital Nomad and Co-Living Programs
For remote workers who want to blend travel with work, co-living spaces provide an exciting solution.
Occupation Wild lists adventure-focused roles, like wilderness trip leaders at Camp Walden in Maine, that come with housing. Similarly, VagaJobs connects workers to positions at Glacier Park Collection in Montana, offering lodging alongside restaurant and retail roles .
Housing options in these setups vary, from shared dormitories to private cabins, catering to different preferences. These roles are perfect for gig workers who want to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of tourist hotspots while having their housing needs covered.
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How to Get Gig Jobs with Housing
If you're looking for gig work in tourist hotspots where housing is part of the deal, having a strong profile and casting a wide net in your job search are essential. These strategies can help you land positions that offer both employment and accommodations.
Building a Strong Gig Worker Profile
Your profile is your first impression, so it should clearly show why you're the ideal candidate for housing-included roles. Focus on demonstrating qualities like adaptability, excellent customer service, and self-motivation through specific examples and measurable results.
- Showcase your strengths with real examples. Instead of listing traits, highlight achievements like successfully handling flexible schedules, maintaining high customer satisfaction scores, or completing tasks under tight deadlines.
- Leverage platform experience and ratings. High ratings and positive reviews from past gig work can boost your credibility and show you're dependable.
"A powerful profile is more than a list of your name and skills; it's your story's narrative." - The Upwork Team
- Tailor your profile for each job. Use keywords relevant to the position you're applying for. For instance, if you're applying for a ski resort job, emphasize experience in cold-weather environments. For beach destinations, highlight your hospitality skills in warmer settings.
- Quantify your experience. Use numbers to illustrate your accomplishments, like managing inventory for 500+ items or training a team of 10 employees. Specific figures help employers understand the scope of your skills.
Once your profile is polished, broaden your job search across various platforms to uncover more opportunities.
Using Multiple Platforms and Agencies
To improve your chances of finding housing-included gigs, explore multiple platforms rather than relying on just one.
- Start with niche platforms. Sites like WanderJobs specialize in roles that include employee housing, while CoolWorks.com lists seasonal jobs in national parks and resorts where housing is often provided.
- Check general job boards. Platforms like Indeed.com feature listings for "housing provided hotel jobs", such as front desk roles at hotels offering paid or subsidized housing.
- Search location-specific listings. Use search terms like "employee housing" or "seasonal job" combined with your preferred destination to find local opportunities that may not appear on major platforms.
- Be proactive and consistent. Seasonal positions tend to fill up quickly, so applying across multiple platforms increases your chances of landing a job.
Reviewing Pay and Housing Terms
Before accepting a position, take a close look at the full compensation package, including housing arrangements.
- Communicate your housing needs. Be upfront with recruiters about your preferences, whether it's the type of accommodations, location, or specific amenities like laundry facilities or a gym.
- Do your homework. Check third-party reviews of the housing offered and, if possible, ask previous workers about their experiences.
- Negotiate when necessary. Employers are often open to discussing housing arrangements.
"Remember that in the locums business, everything is negotiable, and housing is no exception. And most, if not all, locums companies will agree to rent a decent place for you as long as you ASK FOR IT!" - Vlad Dzhashi, MD, The Locum Guy
- Evaluate the total package. Factor in the value of free or subsidized housing alongside your wages to get a clear picture of your overall compensation.
- Stay open-minded. Being flexible about your housing requirements can open up more opportunities.
Conclusion: Getting Started with Housing-Included Gig Work
Housing-included gig jobs in tourist hotspots offer a chance to work in breathtaking locations while dramatically cutting down on living costs. These roles combine flexible work opportunities with employer-provided accommodations, eliminating the burden of typical housing expenses.
To land one of these roles, a strategic approach is essential. Begin by narrowing down your preferred destinations and tailoring your job search with specific keywords like "employee housing" or "seasonal job". This targeted method can help uncover opportunities that might not show up on general job boards.
Platforms such as CoolWorks.com, WanderJobs.com, and Backdoorjobs.com are excellent resources for finding these positions. WanderJobs.com, in particular, stands out because it only lists jobs where housing is provided, ensuring every opportunity meets your needs.
When applying, make sure your cover letters are concise and enthusiastic, highlighting both your interest in the role and the location. Researching companies on Glassdoor can also give you a better understanding of their culture and help you prepare for interviews by reviewing common questions.
Here’s an example: The Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, Georgia, is hiring educators for the 2025–26 school year. The job pays $13.80 per hour and includes a private bedroom in a coastal staff house for just $20 per week. It also comes with limited health insurance and paid training in coastal barrier island ecology and environmental education. This type of position not only provides housing and income but also offers valuable skills training.
When evaluating these roles, consider the added value of the housing benefit. In popular tourist destinations, the cost of housing can be significant, making this perk a major boost to your overall compensation.
Landing these jobs requires persistence and flexibility. Apply across multiple platforms and remain open to various locations to increase your chances. As CoolWorks.com says:
"Moving across the country to work in a great new place is a daunting prospect if you need to figure out where to live for the season. Fortunately, with these employers, you don't have to!"
Focus on destinations that excite you, explore the specialized job boards mentioned, and approach your search with enthusiasm. With the right mindset and effort, you can secure a position that offers meaningful work, a place to live, and an unforgettable experience in some of the most sought-after tourist destinations.
FAQs
What types of housing do gig jobs in tourist areas typically offer, and how can I make sure it works for me?
Many gig jobs in popular tourist destinations - think ski resorts, summer camps, or adventure parks - often come with housing included in the offer. The type of accommodation provided can vary widely, from shared living spaces to private rooms or even full apartments, depending on the job and employer.
Before accepting a position, it’s important to evaluate whether the housing meets your needs. Consider factors like how close it is to your workplace, what amenities are included, and whether there are any additional costs, such as utilities or meal plans. Don’t hesitate to ask your employer for specifics upfront to ensure the arrangements fit your lifestyle and expectations.
How do wages for gig jobs with housing in tourist areas compare to those without housing benefits?
Gig jobs in tourist areas that include housing benefits often come with a different pay structure compared to those that don't. While the hourly wages might be slightly lower, the offer of free or subsidized housing significantly cuts down on living expenses. This makes the total compensation package much more appealing. Workers in these roles can earn anywhere from $450 to $1,500 per week, depending on the type of job and its location.
On the flip side, gig jobs without housing benefits generally pay higher wages but leave workers to cover their own housing costs. In high-cost tourist areas, this can create more financial pressure. When housing is included, it can ease one of the biggest financial burdens, offering workers a more stable and manageable financial situation overall.
What’s the best way to find and apply for gig jobs with housing in popular tourist spots?
To score a gig job that includes housing in popular tourist spots, start by pinpointing the destinations you’re most interested in. This helps you focus your search and zero in on roles that match your preferences. Check out job boards that specialize in seasonal or hospitality positions with housing options - these often come with extra perks like meals or fun employee events.
Update your resume and online profiles (think LinkedIn) to showcase skills and experience relevant to hospitality or adventure work. Connecting with people who’ve done similar jobs can also lead to hidden opportunities and useful advice. And don’t wait too long - these roles tend to get snapped up quickly before the tourist season kicks off.
