- Overview
You’re headed to Utah’s parks! Camping around Zion National park is one of the best things that you can do. The elevation is not too high and the temperatures are also warmer here as compared to other parks like Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. Zion National Park has three campgrounds. South and Watchman campground are in Zion Canyon and the Lava Point Campground is about to hardly 1-hour drive from Zion Canyon on Kolob Terrace Road. The one of the best and most popular places for camping near Zion national park is near the South Gate. No campground aren’t there in Kolob Canyons. Camping is allowed in designated campsites locations, but not in the parking lot. Camping is popular and all the campgrounds are often full until early morning. The campgrounds are filled almost every night from late November to mid-March.
Campers traveling with an RV should be aware that they must pay a small fee to pass through the tunnel on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. The tunnel is not large enough for the RV to accommodate other traffic, so when a vehicle of more than a certain size is entering the tunnel, the traffic stops in the opposite direction. Fees are required to be paid at entry stations.
You are on your way to Zion National Park, where 90 miles of trails and 124,400 acres of dense forest awaits you. But where to camp in Zion national park? Here is a personal guide to help you and decide where to spend the night in the campgrounds at zion national park.
How to Reach at Zion National Park
Reaching the Zion National Park is not so hard. it was just 2.5 hours away from Las Vegas, 4 hours from Salt Lake City and up to 6 to 7 hours from Los Angeles. You can drive towards the park, but during the park’s peak season (April to November). you can reach the main valley only by shuttle.
Through Airways
If you were trying to reach the Zion national park campgrounds, the nearest airport at Zion National Park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Which is 170 miles away from the park. and the other one Salt Lake City International Airport is the next closest, which is 311 miles away from the park.
If you are flying from Salt Lake City, you can take a connecting flight to Saint George, Utah or Cedar City, Utah. Saint George is just 49 miles away from the park, and Cedar City is just 60 miles away from the park.
Via Car
If you are planning to travel via car from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, St. George or Cedar City. then, here are the fastest and quick directions to reach at the Zion National Park.
From Las Vegas (163 miles from Zion) or St. George (40 miles from Zion):
Jump on Interstate 15 north
Exit 16 and stay 33 miles on State Route 9 East
Keep right to continue on State Route 9 East for 20 miles to La Verkin, Utah
Stay on State Route 9 East to reach Zion National Park
From Salt Lake City (307 miles from Zion) or Cedar City (57 miles from Zion):
Jump on Interstate 15 south
Exit 27 and stay 26 miles south on State Route 17
Stay on State Route 9 East in La Verkin for 20 miles
Continue onto State Route 9 East to reach Zion National Park
Best places to camping around zion national park
South Campground in Zion National Park
The South Campground is undoubtedly one of the best places to camp in Zion National park. Large, leafy trees provide shade from the heat of the day. The campsites are large and at a good distance from each other, and the back walls remind you that you are one of the most spectacular landscapes in the southwest. Situated near the entrance to the south, just outside of Springdale.
There are 117 sites in the South Campground, and a maximum of one camper or RV is allowed at each site. And up to three tents and six people are allowed at each site. Four group sites, each with a maximum of 15 people available.this campground offers the advantage of staying within the park, but close enough to the city so that you can run into it and catch anything you’ve forgotten. Camping inside the park also means that you will not have to grapple with the lineup to get to the park in the morning.
Best time to visit: From March 1 to late November. And reach early as you can till 5:30 during season, and campsites are assigned beginning at 7:00 and 8:00 am.
Cost: 20$ per night for up to 6 people. And 50$ for group sites.
Facility: Fire grate, picnic table, dump station, potable water, and Flush Toilets are available here.
Watchman Campground in Zion National Park
Not far from South Campground, the Watchman Campground is also located at a very convenient and scenic place. Fewer large trees mean there is less shade, and most of the campsites are in full sun, but it also allows to see the better views of the surrounding mountains.
There are popular 176-site in Watchman Campground and puts nearly everything right at your fingertips ⎯ a shuttle stop to go around the park, the city of Springdale, a park visitor center, amphitheater for ranger events and three trails. This campground is open across the year and takes reservations. If you want to secure a site, reservations can be made up to six months in advance, and it’s good to get a booking in advance to secure a site. About 95 camps offer electrical hookups, and 69 sites are for tents only, including 18 walk-in tent sites. In addition, six group sites are capable of accommodating between 9 and 40 people.
Best Time to visit: Make a reservation for March through late November
Cost: For tent sites 20$ per night and for RV Camping 30$ per night
Facility: Fire rings, nearby flush toilets, dump stations and access to drinking water. And electric hookups are also available for RV Camping
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
As compared to the convenience level, it’s really hard to beat the RV park. There are 184 sites in the Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort and one of the best campgrounds in Zion national park. And it is located just outside the park’s southern gate in Spring-dale and just around a walking distance from the Zion National Park Visitor Center. The Zion national park campgrounds have a large area reserved for RVs and a section reserved for tents. The large deciduous trees provide some shade, and the scenic viewpoints is quite spectacular.
The Zion campground connects with the Quality Inn and is part of the same operation. On-side, there is a heated pool, coin laundry, and shower. From the front desk, you can get information about river tubing and swimming as well as other activities in the area.
Best time to visit: Book advance, in December for March 1 through November 30
Cost: For tent sites 49$ and for RV campsite is 59$. And extra people charges is 5$
Facility: Coin laundry, Outdoor pools, fire ring with grate, picnic tables and swimming pool. And Electric hookups and cable TV for RVs campsites
Zion River Resort RV Park and Campground
It’s just quite distanced away from Zion National Park. and located at easy access like several of the nation’s most beautiful parks. Zion River Resort campsites near zion national park is the perfect base camp for day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim, Cedar Breaks National Monument and many other of the Southwest’s most popular destinations. You can participate in the exciting events throughout the year.
Camping around Zion national park at Zion River Resort. Which is a very popular RV resort with Manicured grounds with floral borders, paved parking pads, shady sites, fire pits, and lawns? Located in the town of Virgil, between the towns of Hurricane and Spring dale, this resort is about 20 minutes from Zion National Park.
Best time to visit: Throughout the year, but, Book advance to secure a site
Cost: Rates are 39$ to 81$ per day for 4 persons, according to the type of facility. And 195$ for Bedroom suite. And 5$ per day for extra person
Facilities: Full hookups, tent camping, pool, Wi-Fi, showers, restroom, and pet areas. This RV resort has everything that you need. Also, offers shuttles with a small fee towards Zion
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a spectacular small state park with a very fine campground. It is worth a visit in itself to explore the dunes. This campground is about a 40-minute drive from the East Gate of Zion National Park but is worth considering if you are looking for a place to camp in the east direction of the park.
All the sites are located along the same loop. And located between Juniper and Pinon Pines, providing plenty of privacy. Each site offers pull-through parking, picnic tables, and grill. You can book a site here up to four months in advance. It is also worth noting that the group site here is spectacular, featuring a modern barbecue, and can hold between 25 and 50 people.
Best time to visit: Opens throughout the year. But, spring and fall are the best times to visit.
Cost: For each single site 20$ and 40$ for double site. And 30$ for each electric hookups site
Facility: Modern restaurants with showers, picnic facilities with gas grills and visitor center.
Now, that you have seen all the options for best campsites in Zion national park. So, are you ready to make sure and don’t miss out the best sight in the park? Zion national park campgrounds are often the gateway for travelers touring Utah. here you will find the best campsites in Zion national park, along with the amazing viewpoints and sightseeing views. As you can see, this is the complete guide about where to camp in Zion national park.
