Work Projects

The act that established the CCC in 1933 outlined possible conservation work projects that were undertaken, such as “…the prevention of soil erosion, flood control, and similar projects.” Much of this work was accomplished by hand without the use of heavy machinery, which was used as a method of keeping down costs and ensuring enough work was available. CCC men would work a traditional 40-hour work week with the weekend free to explore and enjoy the recreation opportunities of the parks. 

In Zion National Park, CCC workers were responsible for creating much of the early infrastructure in the park. This included establishing new trails, building retaining walls along the Virgin River, constructing buildings, working on the switchbacks below the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, and more. A few men were even able to assist with some of the earliest archeological research conducted in the park.

 
ZION 1880: The CCC created critical infrastructure that helped direct and control the increased visitation that was occurring in National Parks. One structure was the south entrance station.
ZION 1880: The CCC created critical infrastructure that helped direct and control the increased visitation that was occurring in National Parks. One structure was the south entrance station, which provided a new point of contact between visitors and rangers at the park's boundary.
 
Two black and white images, the left shows two men digging a ditch near saplings, the right shows three men working on a stone retaining wall.
Left image, ZION 1885: CCC crew, sometimes also referred to as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army,” were often tasked with planting trees. This photo shows men working with irrigation ditches to water new trees near the South Campground in Zion.

Right image, 12 ZION 14887: CCC crews assisted with roadwork associated with the switchbacks below the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. They sloped the banks and constructed retaining walls like the one shown here at the Nevada Switchback.

 
CCC member Belden Lewis created a scrapbook to document his experience at Zion National Park. The page featured here discusses the variety of work the men completed.
ZION 12000i: CCC member Belden Lewis created a scrapbook to document his experience at Zion National Park. The page featured here discusses the variety of work the men completed.
 
CCC crews were responsible for creating much of the water management infrastructure along the Virgin River, including retaining walls that supported the riverbanks and diversion dams, like the one pictured here.
CCC crews were responsible for creating much of the water management infrastructure along the Virgin River, including retaining walls that supported the riverbanks and diversion dams, like the one pictured here. Some of these structures can still be seen in the park today.

Last updated: October 6, 2021

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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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