Work & live where the ranch experience comes to life!
Founded in 1861 by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill, the Circle H is one of the oldest ranches in California. It is still owned and operated by the Hunewill family, who, along with the staff, provide a world class western vacation to people from all over the world.
Located on the Northeastern border of Yosemite National Park.
About Hunewill Guest Ranch
Located on the Northeastern border of Yosemite National park, the ranch is comprised of 4500 acres of irrigated pasture surrounded by mountains. The ranch house, originally built around 1880, houses the restaurant and the well-equipped and sunny commercial kitchen.
The Employee Experience
The old-fashioned western traditions of ranch life and its values continue to be alive and well at the 160-year-old Hunewill Ranch. Ride along with this outfit and share in western values of honesty, integrity, family, pride in hard work and a love of the land. This is our home and where we raise our children. The ranch staff and guests are an extension of our family. We welcome back our returning ranch family and hope that new hands will feel the same sense of coming home as we do.
All jobs on the ranch are physically demanding, so being healthy and physically fit is important. The ranch is located at 6500 feet. When there is free time, staff members may go hiking, camping, fishing, or horseback riding. They may also enjoy reading a good book, working on a hobby such as painting, playing an instrument, rawhide braiding, etc. In the town of Bridgeport, which is 5 miles away, there is a friendly restaurant where the crew often gets together to socialize and play pool. The Wifi is not impressive, so streaming movies is not really an option. Some staff members bring DVD players for that type of entertainment.
Staff members often look back at their working days at the Hunewill Ranch as one of the most rewarding times of their lives. It is not unusual for them to make lifelong friendships with other staff members.
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Covid-19 and Hunewill Ranch in 2021
We are anticipating that we will still be dealing with the challenges of the current global pandemic next summer and we are currently making necessary preparations that will allow us to operate our programs in the safest way possible. Our plans for the summer of 2021 are to continue with the covid protocols that we followed in 2020, to keep our staff, guests, and community as safe and healthy as possible. Those protocols included mask-wearing, physical distancing, best-practices for sanitation and personal hygiene, smaller group sizes and, possibly creating a closed-community or bubble, and a sound plan for possible and positive cases of Covid-19. We will continue working with our local public health organization to keep our plans and protocols current. We understand that it is possible that the general state of the pandemic could improve by next summer. We also understand that there will likely be more scientific advancements that will help us all toward a possible resolution. Thus, there is always the possibility that by next summer, we may be able to scale back some of these protocols. Nonetheless, we will be prepared to keep Hunewill Ranch open to those who enjoy high sierra vacations in 2021. And we will need great staff like YOU to help us reach our goals and accomplish our mission no matter the challenges we face.
Ideal Candidate
Our season is from the end of May to the middle of October. Ideally, staff members can stay for the entire season. Since that isn't always possible, others are encouraged to apply, and 2 or 3 candidates may be able to fill one position. Cooks must have previous culinary experience and must be able to stay for the full season. Because the ranch is at 6500 feet, applicants must be physically fit in order to carry out the requirements of their job.
Room and Board
We provide free housing for our staff. Meals also provided for a nominal fee. We have single & double cabins and a centrally located Men's & Women's bathroom.
Employee Perks
Horseback riding is available on site and there is a great deal of hiking country near the ranch. Many world-class fishing areas are within a 10-minute drive. Mountain biking is also popular. Ski areas such as Mammoth Mountain and Heavenly Valley are nearby, should an employee seek winter employment in this area. And what's not to love about being able to walk to work!
Getting Here and Getting Around
Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a Grey Hound bus station, and an Amtrak station are all approximately 2 hours from us in Reno, Nevada. Employees can catch the CREST transit shuttle (Eastern Sierra Transit) from Reno to Bridgeport where we will pick you up. The town of Bridgeport is just 5 miles from the ranch and has a post office, general store, gas stations, and various shops. There is also a small airport at Mammoth Lakes about 1 hour from the ranch. Special arrangements must be made to get a pick up from there. It is handy to have a car, but if you don't, you can usually catch a ride with a fellow staff member to nearby towns and attractions.
For Fun
Fun destinations within 2 hours driving distance: Yosemite National Park, Bodie National Park, Reno, NV, Lake Tahoe, as well as peaks to climb, trails to hike, and lakes to enjoy.
Fabulous horseback riding, fishing, hiking, fresh air, and great people, draw guests and staff back year after year.
How to Apply
Please email your resume with three professional references.