Major Zion National Park campground begins ‘total rehab’ since its 1920 opening
SPRINGDALE, Utah (ABC4) — A historic Zion National Park campground is undergoing rehabilitation, updating and improving infrastructure that dates back to the 1900s.
The project is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to address deferred maintenance and repair needs, according to the National Park Service, as the funding is, in part, coming from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.
Visitation at the park’s South Campground has nearly doubled over the last 20 years, and while NPS said they have taken a “deliberate and responsible” approach to maintenance, the campground has hosted campers since 1920 — and most of the infrastructure is from the 1960s.
Because of that, the campground is now set to undergo a “total rehabilitation” and receive new bathrooms, modern drinking water systems, improved sewer infrastructure, enlarged and reinforced storm water drainage, improved campsites, and new food storage boxes, NPS said.
Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said the construction process is just beginning.
“Visitors to Zion will benefit for years from the hard work of the many expert park employees and skilled craftspeople who are rehabilitating one of our most popular and historic campgrounds,” he said, adding that congress made it possible through the previously mentioned act.
In addition to this project, NPS said they are going to enhance service by building a new structure for visitors to speak with rangers, improving water drainage systems to reduce the likelihood of flooding and increase climate resiliency, and revegetating the campground using native plants — using visitors entrance fee dollars.
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