Zion National Park’s South Campground in Utah, the park’s oldest, is closed for the 2024 season for infrastructure improvements. The campground, which has welcomed campers since the 1920s, is set for a major overhaul to address its aging facilities, including drinking water systems, stormwater management, and comfort stations.
The project, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, disaster recovery appropriations, and visitor entrance fees, aims to modernize the campground’s facilities. These updates include updated bathrooms, modern drinking water systems, improved sewer infrastructure, enlarged and reinforced stormwater drainage, and improved campsites.
Jonathan Shafer, Zion National Park spokesman, said that visitors will benefit from the improvements, and the construction of a new building where rangers will issue wilderness recreation permits and manage campground reservations.
“Wildlife and campers will also benefit from the new food storage boxes we’re installing that make it easier to keep human food away from animals,” Shafer said, as reported by St. George News.
The Great American Outdoors Act has been important in providing the necessary funds for these improvements. The act, along with other funding sources, has enabled the park to address maintenance and repair needs.
Jeff Bradybaugh, superintendent of Zion National Park, stated that construction is just beginning. Bradybaugh mentioned that 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 the park’s most popular and historic campgrounds.
In addition to infrastructure updates, the project will also focus on improving water drainage systems to reduce the likelihood of flooding and increase climate resiliency.
Park visitation has more than doubled in the last 20 years, significantly damaging the campground’s infrastructure. This increase in use, coupled with the need for regular maintenance, has overwhelmed the existing facilities.
The construction timeline will depend on various factors, including the time of year and the specific proposals pursued. According to Ally O’Rullian, communications specialist for Zion National Park, the timeline will be clearer once the final plans are in place.
The situation with Zion National Park’s South Campground underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and proactive infrastructure improvements for RV parks and campgrounds. By prioritizing maintenance, RV park owners and campground operators can ensure their facilities remain safe, functional, and appealing to visitors.