Before this land became a national park, this spot was recognized for its dramatic beauty, even as the area's future remained uncertain as a possible state park, national park, or recreation area. In 1937, before the final designation of the land had been decided and before the scenic road was completed, construction began on the River Bend Overlook shelter. The building was designed to blend with the landscape so the scenery would remain the focal point of the view. The Civilian Conservation Corps, a 1930s and 40s public works relief program, sought to ease the Great Depression by putting young men to work conserving the nation's natural resources. Across every state in the country, more than 3 million enrollees planted trees, developed lands for recreation, built flood barriers, fought fires, and carried out other work. Two CCC camps were established to develop the park's North Unit from 1934 to 1937, and two camps operated in the South Unit from 1934 to 1937 and from 1939 to 1941. River Bend Overlook is one of several CCC-built structures still in use within the park.