The Washington area of southern Utah sits at approximately 3,000 feet elevation, with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby St. George. Unlike the Zion corridor's busier glamping options, Washington's surrounding campgrounds often provide more spacious sites with mature shade trees. Several campgrounds in the region offer designated tent areas with grass - a welcome feature during hot summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 100°F.
What to do
Hike Water Canyon: About an hour from Zion Glamping Adventures, this less-crowded alternative to Zion's popular trails offers stunning scenery with fewer people. "The stars at night at this place were simply unspeakably amazing. That alone made it worth the drive," notes a visitor who appreciated the remote location.
Explore Red Cliffs Recreation Area: Located just 10 minutes from Leeds, this area offers beautiful trails and dinosaur tracks. A visitor at Leeds RV Park & Motel mentioned, "There's more than Zion within 10 min of this campground. Red Cliffs Rec area has beautiful trails and dinosaur tracks."
Cool off at Quail Creek State Park: During summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, this reservoir provides relief. "We preferred the pace of Virgin over Sugardale, and it was only 20min away," commented a camper staying at Zion River Resort, who enjoyed soaking tired feet in the Virgin River after hiking.
What campers like
Accessibility to multiple parks: The Washington area serves as a central hub for exploring several parks. A visitor at WillowWind RV Park noted its "location in reference to Zion, Bryce, and Cedar Breaks" as a major advantage, adding that there are "at least 3 state parks within a 20 mile radius."
Seasonal temperature variations: Many campgrounds offer cooler conditions than surrounding areas. One camper at Snow Canyon State Park Campground mentioned, "I'd recommend this as an early spring camp outing. The temps climb quickly in Southern Utah in late spring. My kids had a blast in the sand dune area."
Nighttime star viewing: The region's low light pollution makes for exceptional stargazing. A visitor at Zion Glamping Adventures described the night view as "AMAZING. There's barely any light pollution here so it was a stargazers dream."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have significant differences between site types. At Zion Canyon Campground, a visitor advised, "Sites 1-14 are basically parking spots. You are really close to your neighbors and have very little privacy. But there are some tent sites with power that are more spread out."
River conditions vary: The Virgin River sometimes develops algae issues. One camper noted, "On our recent trip (late Feb 2021) the river also had some kind of bad algae and you were warned to keep all pets, etc. out of the water."
Cell service challenges: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. A camper at WillowWind RV reported, "We needed stable, steady Internet for a month. While we regularly travel with two hotspots for Internet coverage, we barely needed to use them."
Tips for camping with families
Sand play areas: Some campgrounds include natural features perfect for kids. A visitor to Snow Canyon mentioned, "My kids had a blast in the sand dune area," making it an ideal destination for families with young children looking for natural playground options.
On-site activities: Several resorts offer family-friendly amenities beyond camping. A visitor to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort shared, "Lots of fun for kids. Horseback riding, putt putt golf, pad boards, cabins, tents and RV sites," while another added, "The recreation room is fantastic for antsy teens!"
Consider weather timing: Spring break can be surprisingly cold. A camper noted, "We woke up the next morning to a light dusting of snow, but were not cold during the night," suggesting proper preparation for temperature swings even during warmer seasons.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many RV sites have limited space. At Zion River Resort, a camper observed, "The cons you may want to be aware of: Wifi struggles to keep up, especially with everyone working/learning remotely. And the sites are VERY close together."
Look for shade options: The heat makes tree cover valuable. A visitor at Kolob Gate Gardens enjoyed "listening to the creek from our tent at night," while another camper at WillowWind appreciated that "despite basically being in a desert, the park had lush grass in every spot and a dense tree cover."
Water conservation awareness: The region's desert environment means water can be precious. One camper advised bringing "organic chemical free soaps because if you plan on taking a shower, the water comes and goes from the creek," highlighting the sometimes primitive water systems at smaller glamping operations near Washington, Utah.
