TKO’s Trail Ambassador Program places volunteers at popular trails in the Columbia Gorge, on Mt. Hood, in the Willamette Valley, and along Oregon’s coast. Both Trailhead Ambassador and Wilderness Ambassador volunteers give back to the trails they love by engaging with visitors around hiking safety and etiquette, Leave No Trace, responsible use of public lands, and more.
Ambassadors are thanked for their service to our trails with apparel, FREE NW Forest Passes, discounts to local businesses, and more! Scroll down to learn more about the many ways to be an Ambassador.
Trailhead Ambassadors
Trailhead Ambassadors are friendly folks excited to engage with trail users just heading out on their adventures. These volunteers set up a table at some of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge, on Mount Hood, in the Willamette Valley, and along the Coast (see available trailheads here) to help and educate visitors on topics like Leave No Trace, wayfinding on the trail, safety, and more!
You can even volunteer as a Trailhead Ambassador with a team! Bring your group of friends, family, or coworkers, and spend the day together supporting trails by engaging with trail users, hiking, and cleaning up the trail. Click below to learn more!
Wilderness Ambassadors
Wilderness Ambassadors are a special type of volunteer. Experts at public engagement and education, these adventurous folks head out on some of the most beloved wilderness trails on Mount Hood, in the Columbia River Gorge, and in the Drift Creek Wilderness on the central coast (see available Wilderness trails here) to share Leave No Trace principles, hiking safety, and trail stewardship with trail users. Click the link below for more info!
Getting Started as an Ambassador
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A TRAIL AMBASSADOR?
To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the public, we have created training courses and materials for all Trail Ambassador volunteers. Due to the inherent risks of backcountry hiking, Wilderness Ambassadors have a few more training steps to complete before volunteering on the trails solo.
- Step 1: For both Trailhead and Wilderness Ambassadors, we ask that you complete the online Trail Ambassador training. This is a short series of videos and quizzes that can be done at your own pace.
- Step 2: Completion of the online training will begin the background check process. All TKO Volunteer Leaders are required to complete an annual background check, which includes all Trail Ambassadors! After this is complete, Trailhead Ambassador volunteers are set to volunteer solo.
- Step 3: Wilderness Ambassador volunteers will also need to complete one classroom training day. This training covers volunteer logistics, Leave No Trace principles, and tips for you to help folks have a safer and more enjoyable experience on the trail. This will equip you with the resources to feel confident in your role talking to visitors and navigating potentially challenging situations. Find an upcoming Wilderness Ambassador Training on our calendar here.
- Step 4: Wilderness Ambassador volunteers will then complete 3 Mentor Hikes. These are paired hikes with Wilderness Ambassador Mentors where you will learn about a “day in the life” on the trail. After your 3rd hike (or however many it takes until you feel comfortable!), Wilderness Ambassador volunteers are able to volunteer solo.
2024 Trail Ambassador Training Schedule
Wilderness Ambassador Trainings for the 2024 season are: April 14th, June 1st, July 21st, and October 5th. Click the link for each date to learn more and sign up!
Trailhead Ambassadors are highly encouraged, but not required, to attend a Trail Ambassador Intro Hike before volunteering solo. These Intro Hikes are meant to get folks acquainted with the trail and Trailhead Ambassador equipment. Dates for the 2024 season are April 13th, April 21st, May 25th, June 29th, July 28th, August 11th, and September 7th. Click the link for each date to learn more and sign up!
Sign up for our monthly Trail Ambassador Newsletter to receive program updates and event notices!
Other ways to be an Ambassador
Field Guide Editors
TKO manages the extremely popular OregonHikers.org. We are always on the lookout for dedicated folks from around the state who are interested in helping to edit and curate this amazing, volunteer-built resource. Apply to be a Field Guide Editor today!
Building a Trail Ambassador Network
Trail Ambassadors has been a collaborative effort from the start. This program is built on the foundational idea that nonprofit partners, agencies, and the public are more powerful together than apart. This program is the result of many years of hard work from the partners listed here. TKO works with an extensive network of partners to support this program. We are always excited to partner with new volunteer groups who might be look for skills training, or new land managers who might be looking for field support.
If you are involved with a nonprofit, agency, or business interested in becoming a part of the Trail Ambassador Network, please email:
Want to Get Involved?
Email volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org for more information on TKO programs.
Or contact us at:
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, Oregon 97293
(971) 206-4351
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Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351
Tax ID: 27-1209205