The CCC: Then and Now

More About the CCC

The legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) is apparent in many places today. Below, compare historic and modern photos of a few of the locations in Zion that CCC workers impacted. The projects completed during their nine years in the park made a lasting impression.

Nearly 100 years later, the work projects of the CCC continue to impact many visitors and rangers at Zion. The projects include:

  • Trails like the Watchman Trail
  • Structures like the park entrance monuments
  • Shade trees and the amphitheater in South Campgound
  • Park housing
  • Flood control structures, retaining walls, and river bank stabilization
 

South Entrance Station

Black and white photo of the South Entrance with a road and structure and cliffs in the background. Black and white photo of the South Entrance with a road and structure and cliffs in the background.

Left image
This black and white photograph shows the newly constructed South Entrance Station, c. 1934.
Credit: ZION 1880

Right image
Zion National Park South Entrance today.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

South Campground Amphitheater

Black and white photo of rows of benches in front of a small screen with Zion Canyon in the background. Black and white photo of rows of benches in front of a small screen with Zion Canyon in the background.

Left image
Photograph of the newly constructed South Campground Lecture Circle, completed in 1935.
Credit: ZION 11990

Right image
Modern photograph of the South Campground Amphitheater.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Trees and Irrigation Ditches

Black and white photo of two men working in near a ditch and saplings with Zion Canyon in the background. Black and white photo of two men working in near a ditch and saplings with Zion Canyon in the background.

Left image
In South Campground there were numerous CCC projects conducted, such as planting trees and digging irrigation ditches, date unknown.
Credit: ZION 1885

Right image
This is what the South Campground trees look like today.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Diversion Dam on the Virgin River

Black and white photo of six men stacking rocks near a river bank. Black and white photo of six men stacking rocks near a river bank.

Left image
CCC workers and park laborers in this photo are engaged in construction and rock work on a diversion dam in the Virgin River. It is now known as the Crawford Dam, 1936.
Credit: ZION 13512

Right image
The diversion dam can still be found today at Canyon Junction.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Roadside Grading

Black and white photo of men and machinery clearing a slope with a cliff in the background. A tunnel window is in the cliff. Black and white photo of men and machinery clearing a slope with a cliff in the background. A tunnel window is in the cliff.

Left image
CCC workers engaged in grading slopes along the Nevada Switchback, c. 1938.
Credit: ZION 15455

Right image
Nevada Switchback as it is today on State Route 9 leading up to the Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

Panorama of Zion Canyon

Panoramic black and white photo looking up Zion Canyon, structures are seen near the river. Panoramic black and white photo looking up Zion Canyon, structures are seen near the river.

Left image
View of Bridge Mountain CCC Camp NP-4, 1939.
Credit: ZION 7099

Right image
View looking up Zion Canyon from the Watchman Trail.
Credit: NPS Photo

Last updated: October 6, 2021

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, UT 84767

Phone:

435-772-3256
If you have questions, please email zion_park_information@nps.gov. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

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