What to expect: living in staff housing

Considering applying to a park that offers staff house accommodations?

Living in a staff house at a provincial park can be an incredible, unique, and memorable experience.

Read on to discover what staff house living is like.

What is staff housing?

Staff housing takes many different shapes and forms and varies from park to park.

A staff house may be a house, a lodge, a rustic cabin, or a travel/modular trailer.

Staff housing at Killarney Provincial Park

Staff houses are often shared, fully furnished accommodations. You may have a shared or single room with access to shared living areas, including kitchen, dining areas, bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.

Staff houses can accommodate anywhere from one to over 50 staff members, depending on the park.

Which parks offer staff housing?

Over 35 provincial parks offer limited staff house accommodations.

Staff house benefits

Campfires, new friends, endless sunsets, and amazing wildlife sightings are just a few benefits to living in a staff house.

A group of people sitting around a campfire, partially illuminated by the orange light, partially shadowed by the dark — Park staff campfire at Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Here’s a closer look at what makes living in a park such a special experience:

Lifelong friendships

While living in a staff house, you’re likely to develop close bonds with your coworkers, and might spark lifelong friendships.

A group of staff standing in front of the rocky shoreline of a river with a small set of falls; they smile and have their arms around each othe's shoulders — Park staff hike in French River Provincial Park

Whether you hike out to the lake to listen to the frogs, take a stroll to the beach for an impromptu volleyball match, or spend your days off exploring the area, these shared moments make for a fun summer.

Long-time Ontario Parks staff often remark the friendships that they made during their time living in a staff house.

A sense of community

Staff housing brings together people from diverse backgrounds. Living in a staff house is a great opportunity to share new experiences and learn about different cultures.

After work and on days off, staff often enjoy campfires, cooking together, exploring their home park and nearby parks, and sharing hobbies and interests.

A Park staff member in the back of the canoe looking back into the camera and smiling; they are paddling in a lake — Park staff enjoying a backcountry trip together

Many parks organize events such as BBQs and sports events throughout the summer for park staff to take part in.

A park as your backyard

Calling a provincial park home for the summer allows you to create a deep connection with nature and the park.

Park staff observing the Aurora Borealis outside the staff house in Quetico Provincial Park — Park staff observing the Aurora Borealis outside their staff house

With the park as your backyard, there’s always a new adventure to embark on. Swimming, hiking, fishing, paddling, and biking are some of the activities to enjoy while living in a park.

Endless sunrises and sunsets and the chance to witness once-in-a-life-time wildlife sightings are some of the top perks to living right in a park.

A Canada Lynx crouched down on the forest floor — A Canada Lynx photographed by park staff, right outside the staff house in Neys Provincial Park

Opportunity to explore a new region!

Ontario is a big province! The majority of parks that offer staff house accommodations are situated in the northern region of the province.

Living in a staff house allows you to work at a park and experience a new region of Ontario. On your days off, you can be a tourist to explore local attractions and other nearby provincial parks.

Parks that offer staff housing are often located near smaller cities or towns and offer limited amenities. Be sure to research the location of the park and the closest cities/towns prior to applying or accepting a position.

Additional benefits

minimal staff house fees
often a short commute to work
opportunity to gain independence
experience living in shared accommodations

What to expect

Three pictures of the interior of staff housing. The first shows couches on an enclosed porch, the second shows beds in a bedroom, and the last picture is of a common room with couches and chairs with a tv mounted on the wall — The staff housing at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Staff housing varies by park

living in a remote, park setting
shared or single rooms
shared living areas, kitchen, dining areas
access to bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities
cook your own meals and purchase groceries (unless the park offers a meal plan)
bring your own bedding, towels, toiletries, and personal items
exposure to biting insects
living in bear country
potentially limited cell service and wi-fi access
cleaning responsibilities
staff house agreement and rules

As accommodations vary from park to park, be sure to ask your hiring manager for more detailed information on types of accommodations, living arrangements, and what to bring with you.

Create unforgettable memories

Staying in a staff house is sure to be an unforgettable summer adventure. Immerse yourself in nature and surround yourself with people that share a common sense of purpose.

Learn more about Ontario Parks jobs and how to apply on our careers page.

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy website and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.