Camp Wrangler & Backcountry Cook Job in Montana | Black Otter Guide Service

Black Otter Guide Service | MT

The Short ANswer

Black Otter Guide Service is hiring a seasonal Camp Assistant (Wrangler / Packer / Cook) for summer pack trips and fall hunting expeditions in the backcountry of southwest Montana. The position runs July 1 through December 1, pays $3,000/month, and includes a private studio bunkhouse with bathroom, bedroom, small kitchen, internet, and electricity based out of Paradise Valley, MT.

About black Otter Guide Service

For more than 50 years, Black Otter Guide Service has been leading expeditions deep into the mountains of southwest Montana, the kind of country most people only see in photographs. Operating under special-use permits from the Custer Gallatin National Forest and as an authorized concessioner for Yellowstone National Park, our pack strings travel 15+ miles from the nearest trailhead, crossing high-altitude landmarks like Wallace Pass at nearly 10,000 feet.


This is not a guest ranch. This is the real thing: wall tents, wood stoves, mountain-bred horses and mules, and clients who come from across the country to experience a wilderness that has to be earned. The team that delivers that experience is small, skilled, and proud of the work. If you want a season that matters, one where the skills you build are real, the country is wild, and the satisfaction runs deep, this is it.

Job Overview

Position:  Camp Assistant |  Wrangler|Packer/Cook

Season: July 1 – December 1

Location: Pray, MT (Paradise Valley) with backcountry assignments throughout the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park

Schedule: 5–7 days per week, flexible days off based on trip schedule

Compensation:$3,000/month

Housing: Private studio bunkhouse with bathroom, bedroom, and small kitchen (hot plate, refrigerator, and microwave). Internet and electricity included.


What This Job Is

The Camp Assistant is a versatile, full-season role that keeps Black Otter Guide Service’s backcountry operations running at the high standard our clients expect. On any given week you may be hauling hay and loading mules in Paradise Valley, packing a string into a spike camp above 9,000 feet, or putting a three-course dinner on the table over a wood stove in the middle of the wilderness. On designated trips, you serve as the primary camp cook for guides and clients alike.


This is a job for someone who thrives without a script — someone who sees what needs to be done and does it, who takes as much pride in a clean cook tent and a well-packed pannier as they do in a view that stops people mid-sentence.

For more than 50 years, Black Otter Guide Service has been leading expeditions deep into the mountains of southwest Montana, the kind of country most people only see in photographs. Operating under special-use permits from the Custer Gallatin National Forest and as an authorized concessioner for Yellowstone National Park, our pack strings travel 15+ miles from the nearest trailhead, crossing high-altitude landmarks like Wallace Pass at nearly 10,000 feet.


This is not a guest ranch. This is the real thing: wall tents, wood stoves, mountain-bred horses and mules, and clients who come from across the country to experience a wilderness that has to be earned. The team that delivers that experience is small, skilled, and proud of the work. If you want a season that matters, one where the skills you build are real, the country is wild, and the satisfaction runs deep, this is it.


Responsibilites

Wrangler & Packer Responsibilities

  • Saddle, unsaddle, and pack stock for backcountry trips
  • Help prepare for each trip when not in camp: gathering hay, filling water troughs, and hauling stock
  • Cut and split firewood for wood stoves using a chainsaw or crosscut saw as required by each camp
  • Maintain fuel in lanterns and assist with general camp maintenance, including fence repair and camp setup
  • Drive a truck and trailer to the trailhead with stock when needed
  • Assist with water hauling, treatment, and camp infrastructure between trips
  • Maintain camp cleanliness in accordance with Leave No Trace principles and Black Otter Guide Service’s Safety, Food Storage, and Visitor Orientation plans

Backcountry Camp Cook Responsibilites

  • Provide three quality, home-cooked meals per day for clients and guides (appetizers, salads, mains, sides, and desserts)
  • Cook on a wood stove; chop and maintain firewood as needed
  • Help pack food and supplies for trips when not in camp
  • Manage a clean cook tent: wash dishes with bleach in rinse water, air dry, and maintain sanitary surfaces
  • Treat all drinking water using UV irradiation and label clearly
  • Store food and trash in compliance with bear safety protocols (meat pole or electric fence) each night
  • Keep an accurate food inventory and communicate supply needs before each trip
  • Adapt meals to available ingredients while maintaining the Black Otter Guide Service standard of quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to apply for this backcountry job in Montana?

To be considered for this position at Black Otter Guide Service, applicants must have experience and competence with chainsaw and splitting maul operation for firewood gathering, solid horsemanship skills and packing experience, experience cooking on a wood stove, the ability to manage a set menu with limited supplies, and a valid driver’s license with no DUIs in the last 3 years.


What are the physical requirements for this job?

This is a demanding physical position. Successful candidates must be able to regularly lift 50–70 lbs (saddle weight and hay bales), hike in snow for at least 3 miles, and ride horseback for extended periods of approximately 6 hours per day. Work takes place at high altitude in all weather conditions.


What does the pay and housing situation look like?

The position pays $3,000 per month. Housing is a private studio bunkhouse on the property with a bathroom, bedroom, and small kitchen equipped with a hot plate, refrigerator, and microwave. Internet and electricity are included. The season runs from July 1 through December 1.


What wilderness areas does Black Otter Guide Service operate in?

Black Otter Guide Service holds special-use permits from the Custer Gallatin National Forest and operates as an authorized concessioner for Yellowstone National Park. Expeditions travel into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and cross high-altitude landmarks such as Wallace Pass at nearly 10,000 feet.


Is this a good job for someone who wants to learn the outfitting business?

Yes. Black Otter Guide Service actively looks for candidates who want to understand every aspect of the backcountry outfitting operation — from stock care and packing to camp management and client service. This role provides hands-on experience across the full range of skills required to operate at a high level in Montana’s wilderness.


When does the hunting season portion of the job begin?

Black Otter Guide Service runs archery hunting expeditions beginning September 1, mountain goat hunts from September 15 through October 10, and rifle hunting from October 25 through November 20. The camp cook and wrangler role supports all of these seasons.

What We Are Looking For

The best candidates for this role do not wait to be asked to accomplish tasks. They see what needs to be done and they do it. They take pride in the details: a well-packed mule, a clean camp, a dessert that earns a compliment at the end of a long day in the saddle. They are team players who understand that in the backcountry, every member of the crew carries the load.

  • Professional conduct in all client and team interactions
  • Initiative without prompting; willingness to ask for clarification when needed
  • Genuine care for the health and wellbeing of the livestock
  • Timely, quality meal preparation with adaptability to available ingredients
  • Rigorous cleanliness standards for kitchen, dishes, and cook tent
  • Attention to food inventory and proactive supply management

Apply Now

Ready to trade the pavement for the pack string?


Apply online: Apply for this position here

Questions? Call or text 406-224-0035 or email nika@blackotterguideservice.com

Learn more: blackotterguideservice.com