Camping Near Zion National Park
Utah | Established 1919
About Zion National Park
Zion National Park covers 147,000 acres in southwestern Utah. The park's centerpiece is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile gorge carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River through layers of red, white, and pink Navajo Sandstone. Elevations range from 3,666 feet at Coalpits Wash to 8,726 feet at Horse Ranch Mountain.
Watchman Campground is the park's primary campground with 176 sites, including 95 with 30-amp electric hookups. It operates year-round and accepts reservations through Recreation.gov. South Campground is closed indefinitely for rehabilitation. Lava Point Campground on the Kolob Terrace has six primitive sites, open seasonally. Springdale, the gateway town at the park entrance, has multiple private campgrounds with full amenities.
Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) offer the best hiking weather and smaller crowds. Summer brings over 17,000 visitors per day, with canyon floor temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. The park shuttle is mandatory in Zion Canyon from spring through fall.
Camping Tips for Zion
- Reserve Watchman Campground on Recreation.gov as early as possible. Summer dates sell out months in advance, especially electric hookup sites.
- Canyon floor temperatures exceed 100°F in summer. Start hikes before 8 AM and carry at least one liter of water per hour of hiking.
- The park shuttle is the only way into Zion Canyon from spring through fall. Private vehicles are not allowed past Canyon Junction during shuttle season.
- Flash floods are a serious hazard in slot canyons. Check weather forecasts and obtain a permit before entering the Narrows or any slot canyon.
- The Pa'rus Trail, a 3.4-mile paved path along the Virgin River, is the only trail open to dogs and bikes. It connects Watchman Campground to Canyon Junction.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Zion National Park
41.Blue Springs Lodge
Blue Springs Lodge offers rustic log cabin rentals at Panguitch Lake in Utah, providing visitors with an exceptional vacation experience for over 31 years. Located at 51 East Utah...
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42.Desert Springs RV Resort
Desert Springs RV Resort is located in Littlefield, Arizona, offering both nightly and extended stay options for RV travelers. The resort features beautiful 360-degree views and...
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43.Hidden Springs RV Resort
Hidden Springs RV Resort is a luxury retreat nestled in Ivins, Utah, just minutes from St. George and Snow Canyon State Park. The resort offers a unique blend of comfort and...
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44.Anasazi Palms RV Park
Anasazi Palms RV Park is a newly built RV park located in Littlefield, Arizona, just off Highway 91 with scenic views of the Arizona strip mountains. The park features enormous...
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45.J&J RV Park
J&J RV Park is a big rig-friendly RV park located in Kanab, Utah, operating year-round as the #1 base camp for adventure in Southern Utah. The park features super-wide paved roads...
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46.Water Canyon RV Park
Water Canyon RV Park is a well-maintained RV resort located at 465 N. Maple Street in Colorado City, Arizona. The park offers full hookup sites with power, water, sewer, and...
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47.Zion Family Ranch RV Campground & Fishing Experience
Zion Family Ranch RV Campground & Fishing Experience is part of the Zion Family Homes portfolio, offering immersive wilderness experiences near East Zion and Bryce Canyon. The...
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48.Wheel Inn RV Park
Wheel Inn RV Park is a newly opened RV park located just 7 miles south of Kanab, Utah, serving as a gateway to some of America's most famous national parks. Positioned centrally...
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49.Zions Gate RV Resort
Unable to provide a description. The website content provided is from Jensen Property Management, a residential and commercial property rental company in St. George, Utah, not...
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50.Hillside Palms RV Park & RV Storage & Tiny Homes
Hillside Palms RV Park is located in the most iconic area of St. George, Utah, nestled just below the famous Dixie Rock and perched under the Red Cliffs, surrounded by giant Palm...
Show moreShowing 41–50 of 159 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp near Zion?
Watchman Campground costs $35 per night for standard sites and $45 per night for electric hookup sites with 30-amp service. Group sites range from $50 to $130. Lava Point Campground on the Kolob Terrace costs $25 per night for primitive sites with no water. A $35 per vehicle entrance pass is required separately.
South Campground is closed indefinitely for rehabilitation. Private campgrounds in Springdale charge $35 to $75 per night with full amenities. Zion Canyon Campground and Zion River Resort in Springdale both offer full hookups, showers, and laundry. BLM land east and north of the park has free dispersed camping for self-contained rigs.
When is the best time to camp at Zion?
April through May and September through October offer mild hiking temperatures and fewer crowds. Daytime highs range from 60 to 80°F. Summer is the busiest season with over 17,000 daily visitors and canyon temperatures exceeding 100°F. Winter is mild with highs in the 40s to 50s°F and very few visitors.
The park shuttle operates from spring through fall, restricting private vehicle access in Zion Canyon. Winter is Zion's quietest season, averaging fewer than 3,000 visitors per day. The Narrows may be closed in spring due to high water. Fall color along the Virgin River peaks in late October. Lava Point Campground is open from May through October only.
How do I reserve a campsite at Zion?
Watchman Campground takes reservations through Recreation.gov, opening six months before your arrival date. The campground operates year-round. Lava Point Campground reservations also go through Recreation.gov seasonally. Summer weekends and holiday periods sell out quickly, so book as soon as your window opens.
Electric hookup sites in Loops A and B are the first to sell out. Cancellations create openings, so check Recreation.gov regularly. The maximum stay is 14 days. For walk-up availability, check the campground bulletin board early in the morning. Private campgrounds in Springdale may have last-minute openings even when Watchman is full.
Are flash floods dangerous at Zion?
Flash floods are a serious and potentially fatal hazard at Zion, especially in slot canyons and the Narrows. Rain miles upstream can send a wall of water through narrow canyons with little warning. The park closes the Narrows and other slot canyons when flash flood risk is elevated. Always check the forecast and obtain required permits before entering.
Monsoon season runs from July through September, bringing afternoon thunderstorms. The Virgin River can rise from ankle-deep to chest-deep in minutes during a flash flood. The park posts daily flash flood risk levels at the visitor center and online. Canyoneering permits are required for technical slot canyons. If you hear roaring water or see rising water levels, move to high ground immediately.
Can I camp with an RV at Zion?
Watchman Campground accepts RVs up to 40 feet in Loops A and B, which have 30-amp electric hookups at $45 per night. There are no water or sewer hookups at individual sites. A dump station is available in the campground. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway has vehicle size restrictions for vehicles over 35 feet long or 11 feet 4 inches tall.
Large RVs entering from the east must use the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which requires a tunnel permit for oversized vehicles. The tunnel is 1.1 miles long and restricts vehicles over certain dimensions. Approaching from the south via Springdale avoids the tunnel. Private RV parks in Springdale and Hurricane offer full hookups with pull-through sites for larger rigs.
Can I bring my dog camping at Zion?
Dogs are allowed in Watchman Campground, parking areas, along public roads, and on the Pa'rus Trail only. Dogs are not permitted on any other trail, on park shuttle buses, in public buildings, or in the Zion wilderness. Leashes of six feet or shorter are required at all times.
The Pa'rus Trail is a 3.4-mile paved path along the Virgin River connecting Watchman Campground to Canyon Junction. Keep dogs out of the Virgin River due to ongoing monitoring for harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Doggy Dude Ranch in Rockville and other boarding facilities near Springdale offer day care so you can hike the canyon trails. Service dogs are permitted on all trails.
Do I need a permit to hike the Narrows at Zion?
Day hikes up the Narrows from the Riverside Walk do not require a permit. Through-hikes starting from Chamberlain's Ranch (top-down, 16 miles) require a wilderness permit from the park's Backcountry Desk. Permits are limited and available through a lottery system on Recreation.gov for peak season and on a walk-up basis during the off-season.
The Narrows involves wading and sometimes swimming through the Virgin River. Water temperatures are cold, even in summer. Canyoneering-specific neoprene socks and hiking sticks are available for rent in Springdale. The park closes the Narrows when the Virgin River flow exceeds 150 cubic feet per second. Check current conditions at the visitor center before heading out.
What are the top attractions near Zion campgrounds?
Watchman Campground sits at the mouth of Zion Canyon with direct access to the park shuttle. Angels Landing, a 5.4-mile round-trip hike with a chain-assisted scramble to a 1,488-foot summit, requires a permit. The Narrows, Emerald Pools, and Observation Point are all accessible via shuttle stops within the canyon.
Angels Landing permits are distributed through a seasonal lottery on Recreation.gov and a day-before lottery. The Riverside Walk at the end of the canyon road is a flat, paved one-mile trail leading to the start of the Narrows. Canyon Overlook Trail near the east entrance is a short one-mile round-trip with panoramic views. The Kolob Canyons section in the northwest corner of the park sees far fewer visitors.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $35/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- April – October
- Nearest Town
- Springdale, UT, St. George, UT, Cedar City, UT
- Elevation
- 3,666 – 8,726 ft
- Park Size
- 147,000 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~4.7 million