Watchman Campground at Zion to undergo reconstruction

ZION NATIONAL PARK — The popular Watchman campground will be reconstructed and portions of it will be closed from Oct. 12 to April 2011.

The project will involve reconstruction and the delineation of 69 campsites with new site furnishings, resurfacing the road system, re-vegetation, installing new irrigation lines, and water and sewer line improvements.

This will take place in the tent sites within loops C and D areas only, and they will be closed during the work.

To compensate for the loss, the South Campground, which usually closes at the end of October, will remain open through Thanksgiving weekend.

Loop A of Watchman Campground will stay open through the winter months and is open to both tents and recreational vehicles.

Loops A and B of Watchman Campground were reconstructed in 1998 and the reconstruction of C and D Loops will continue improvements for visitor safety, visitor enjoyment, and protection of park resources.

The campground work will be completed primarily by contract. The general contractor is AMI General Contracting Inc. from Glendale, Colo. The project is funded from fees collected in Zion National Park as part of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.