(CS5.3) Mission 66: Modernizing Campgrounds while Preserving Historic Heritage

It has been about 80 years since the inception of the National Park Service Mission 66 program, an initiative that focused on providing new campgrounds and facilities across the nation, while also concentrating on modernization and expansion. With the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, camping popularity increased exponentially; post-WWII, more and more families were packing up their cars and hitting the road. With this surge of visitors, it became apparent that existing park facilities were too small and in need of repair and expansion.

Mission 66 campgrounds are located from coast to coast and include designed landscapes that clustered campsites into loops and accommodated car camping. They also provided modern comfort stations, walking paths, as well as gathering areas such as amphitheaters and visitor centers. These campgrounds focused on the natural environment, vegetation and features found in the area and centered on the idea of congregation with programming and picnic structures.

Mission 66 was a successful initiative that helped standardize and modernize campground design. To today’s visitor, these places may seem commonplace however, their landscapes and structures were all thoughtfully designed based on natural features, camping styles, and place making. These campgrounds are now facing modernization challenges. Many of the buildings and sites are not accessible, they lack modern amenities such as showers and sites are not equipped for current camping needs.

As visitor use evolves, it is critical to understand and assess these resources for potential historic significance to allow them to adapt to changing needs and protect their historic character. NPS responded to this challenge by working with Quinn Evans to create and implement strategic and standard guidelines that will allow for successful and efficient evaluation, documentation, and rehabilitation of historic campground landscapes and buildings. National Park Service facility improvements strive to find balance in historic resource protection, visitor enjoyment, and operational efficiency. These Treatment Guidelines can support planning and design approaches that allow historic Mission 66 campgrounds to serve todays and tomorrow’s visitors with a sense of history and place.