According to a report, after a three-year closure, the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area Campground (Arizona) is reopening to the public at the end of next week.
The Bureau of Land Management Arizona Strip Field Office announced on Wednesday that the campground would be open on April 8 following the closure in April 2019 to enable renovations to the facilities to ensure the safety and health of all those who use the public land, as well as to improve the restrooms and other facilities in the 45-year-old campground.
The work completed included a thorough renovation of the restrooms, improvements to the electrical and water systems, resurfacing roads within the campground, making campsites ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) accessible, and changing or retreating picnic tables as needed.
While many of the improvements have been completed, repair of the epoxy floors in the bathrooms and the replacement of the leach/septic tanks at all three restrooms has yet to be completed.
However, the BLM announced that they would reopen the campground to satisfy the public’s demand for the site, and the work will be completed once the campground is reopened.
The BLM will replace septic systems in phases so that the campground will not need to close again, allowing the BLM to finish these necessary improvements with just a handful of sites temporarily unavailable as work is being done.
The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is located in Mohave County, Arizona, in the Virgin River Gorge, approximately 20 miles southwest of St. George.
It offers the opportunity to camp, picnic, geology, and nature viewing and hiking. The area also provides access to the Virgin River corridor, the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness, and Paiute Wilderness.
Vibrant canyons and rugged cliffs surround the scenic area. It is a popular destination for thousands of visitors every year due to its position along the high traffic volume Interstate 15.
To enhance the recreational opportunities in the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area, the BLM’s Arizona Strip Field Office finalized an additional rule that reinstated a stay period of 14 consecutive days on the site.
The decision, published in the Federal Register on January 6, permits more citizens to go camping, hiking, fishing, scenic viewing, and boating on this popular site.
This story originally appeared on St. George News.
Thrilling news for nature lovers! New guided walks and educational programs will enrich the experience at the campground. Can’t wait!