Last updated: April 5, 2024
Place
CCC Picnic Area
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Mile 4.75 of the 18 mile Southern Scenic Drive
Significance:
One of 6 designated picnic areas in the park
Amenities
2 listed
Picnic Table, Trash/Litter Receptacles
Picnic tables are available for use at this forested pull-out.
The Civilian Conservation Corps and Bryce Canyon
Begun in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a task force to work on a wide variety of conservation and public works projects, the CCC's objective was primarily unemployment relief. It provided work for a total of 3 million people--mostly young men during its existence. Crews would create parks, plant forests, and construct roads, trails, shelters, and picnic areas throughout the nation. Bryce Canyon would host camp NP-3, which worked primarily on roads, footpaths, insect control, and landscaping work. Notable projects included the Under-the-Rim Trail from Rainbow Point to Bryce Point, structures at Rainbow Point and the Bristlecone Loop Trail gazebo, insect pest control--including the felling and burning of trees, and front-country campground development.
Camp NP-3
Camp NP-3 operated from 1934 until the camp was disbanded in 1943, and was located in the vicinity of this picnic area.
In a report to the Chief Architect of the Park Service, dated May 10, 1934, Resident Landscape Architect Harry Langley described the selection of NP-3's campsite:
"I reviewed the campsite with the Army officers in charge and think they have chosen a good location. It is the same place where a road contractor [Union Construction Company] established camp when building section A[1-A] of the Rim Road and is approximately three miles south of headquarters area. Water is supplied from a spring used by the Utah Parks Company years ago and considerable work was necessary on the pipeline due to lack of maintenance since it was abandoned."
Within days the campsite sported a frame messhall, recreation building, latrine, and a number of tents to quarter enrollees.