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Camping near Zion National Park

2,163 Reviews

Camping near Zion National Park spans from official park sites to nearby alternatives when the main grounds fill up. The West Rim Trail area has some good camping spots with canyon views. When park campgrounds reach capacity, many campers head to Zion Canyon Campground just outside the park boundaries, which puts you close to the most popular hiking trails. North Creek Dispersed Camping sits adjacent to Zion and works well for campers who want fewer neighbors and don't mind basic conditions. Some of the back roads to camping areas require vehicles with good clearance, particularly after rain. Book your sites well ahead of time, as spring and fall camping spots disappear quickly around Zion. Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks are within driving distance for day trips or additional camping. Springdale, the gateway town to Zion, has grocery stores and restaurants where you can stock up on supplies. The red rock landscape around Zion makes for great morning and evening views from your campsite. Most camping areas have fire rings, but always check current fire restrictions. When camping in this area, pack out all your trash since facilities can be limited, especially at dispersed sites.

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Best Camping Sites Near Zion National Park (270)

    1. Watchman Campground — Zion National Park

    242 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3837

    $35 - $130 / night

    "Watchman is conveniently located within walking distance of the Zion National Park south entrance. The camp sites are shaded with trees and red gravel/sand ground structure."

    "Pros: clean, level sites, close to shuttles. Cons: crowded campground, sites too close to each other. Watchman campground is just inside the gates of Zion National Park."

    2. Westside Campground — Sand Hollow State Park

    569 Reviews
    Hurricane, UT
    20 miles
    +1 (435) 680-0715

    $50 / night

    "It’s fun of all sorts, kayaking, lake beach, boating, cliff jumping, bbq, off-roading everywhere!!! And the beauty that surrounds is unreal!!"

    "It’s always a family favorite when we go to Southern Utah"

    3. South Campground — Zion National Park

    91 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3256

    $35 - $50 / night

    "This campground is great for exploring Zion National Park. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. There are restrooms with running water and electricity."

    "You can check out my other reviews for Zion National Park. Make sure you don't get confused, there is only one south campground at Zion National Park."

    4. Zion Canyon Campground

    92 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 772-3237

    "Incredible location to fully enjoy Zion National Park. Very clean campground despite being full. The staff is friendly."

    "Stayed at this campground two nights when visiting Zion National Park. Loved the location could easily walk to entrance of the park and restaurants. Great spot on the Virgin river."

    5. Zion River Resort

    75 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 822-8594

    "Clean rv resort with plenty of amenities and right down the road from Zion National Park. One of my favorite places for sure. Highly recommend."

    "The park is 10minutes away from Zion National Park and about 2hrs from Bryce Canyon. The park is adjacent to the Virgin River. Walking path to the river is great for kids."

    6. North Creek Dispersed Camping

    45 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    6 miles
    Website

    "Right next to Zion National Park."

    "Sandy and right off road. Road noise minimal if any after dark."

    7. Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed

    38 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    7 miles
    Website

    "If you’re looking to explore a lesser known area of Zion National Park and avoid the crowds, this is the place for you."

    "Great spot, easy to access, close to Zion National park"

    8. Zion RV and Campground (Hi-Road)

    46 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 648-3302

    $40 - $54 / night

    "Just outside Zion National Park, this resort has absolutely everything you'll need. ATV, horseback, rock climbing, and even canyoneering tours are available."

    "We were unable to get a campsite within Zion National Park, and ended up camping here for a few nights instead."

    9. Sheep Bridge BLM Area (Hurricane Cliffs Trail System) - Utah

    33 Reviews
    Virgin, UT
    9 miles
    Website

    "Only 20 or so minutes from Zion National Park. We didn't secure a spot in the park before getting there and everything was booked so we needed an easy option in a pinch and this was great."

    "Cool biking, hiking and off-roading trails. Peaceful and secluded as you can look off into the mesas and up at the best view of the stars I've seen."

    10. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

    29 Reviews
    Springdale, UT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 293-5444

    "About 40min drive from the west side of Zion National Park. It’s ok though, the drive was very scenic with many photo stops and hiking trails."

    "The campground is located away from the resort features which we appreciated, so that is was a little more of an authentic camping experience."

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Recent Camping Photos near Zion National Park

607 Photos of 270 Zion National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Zion National Park

2163 Reviews of 270 Zion National Park Campgrounds

  • Dallin S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Archers Overlook East Zion

    Quick easy spot

    Nothing special, hard ground, limited space, good for hammocks or pull over van camping. Fires capable.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Baker Dam Recreation Area

    Decent, quiet campground

    As noted, there is no water or dump here. Vault toilets clean, and were cleaned every couple of days with TONS of toilet paper (no stink at all on those days), sites fairly level and most were very wide. There were some local kids hanging out in day use area in evening but did not stay late. Another camper with a reservation arrived to find their site occupied and that occupant did not return until evening but did leave without apparent incident. 

    If you're passing through Veyo, UT down the road, do yourself a favor and stop at Veyo Pies on the main hwy. Wow. We had the personal chicken pot pie (VERY good, meat was tender and crust fantastic!), a slice of Volcano pie and slice of apple, and took a whole cherry/raspberry pie with us to a gathering 600 miles away---it was the hit of the party. For those familiar, these pies were on par with those of 'The Pie-O-Neer' in Pie Town, NM (although Pie-O-Neer may have  recently changed their name---not confirmed). 

    ---->>ALSO in October 2025, information posted said there was'bad algae' in the reservoir, so do NOT fish or drink(including dogs!)<<----

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Snow Canyon State Park Campground

    Scenery never fails to impress

    Sites with hookup--with a couple of exceptions--are VERY close together. You can reach out and touch someone. If you have slide-out, you may not be able to use, or use fully extended. Other non-hookup sites have LOOONG driveways (ours was ~90'). Level, great places in most sites to set up tents/shades. There are 4 showers and they are all closed mid-day for cleaning. As someone noted here, the showers require that the chain be held down---a fix that worked for us: Put a rock(s) in bag and tie/hang it from the chain (worked great). Bathrooms were clean, flush toilets. There is a dump station available. Overall it was quiet, cell signal 4g and one itty bitty teeny tiny bar--very spotty. No bugs.

  • e
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area Campground (BLM)

    Accessible quiet campsite

    Easy to access off of I15 with paved roads the whole way. Loads of sites, but each was quite small. $16 to reserve (provides a sheltered spot) and $8 to walk-up. Toilets plumbed but could be a little cleaner. Overall great place to stay between vegas and Zion!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Jellystone Park at Zion

    Just Incredible !!!

    This place is incredible. It has an amazing pool area that reminds me of great Wolf Lodge for camping! Huge waterslides, splash pad, zone, multiple pools and hot tubs and a lazy river! It has a huge trampoline jump, park and incredible park. This place is a kids paradise!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Coal Creek

    Dumping ground

    This could be a real nice little Stop over if it wasn’t full of dumped homeless encampment garbage. Derelect vehicles with Police tow stickers and what looks to be homeless Living in cars and shooting up. Not staying and not Coming back.

  • Natalie G.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Zion Wright Family Ranch

    Quiet and gorgeous scenery!

    This was a great spot to camp! It was quiet and the night sky was great and the sunrise/sunset was even greater!

    Some of the porta potties were a little full and others were spotless. The road in is a little rough, but is definitely drivable when dry.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Gunlock State Park Campground

    Nice spot for short stay

    Very well maintained. New bathrooms with lots of (free to campers) showers. Water and electric worked great the whole time we were here. Super friendly staff.

    Looks like the roads were just paved and in need of more directional arrows. The layout is confusing as the campsites blend into the road so it’s easy to drive through an empty campsite. We were in a 24ft van and were able to be level without blocks by entering from the wrong way. Larger rigs would have had difficulty because of the slope. Many sites were sloped quite a bit so choose your site accordingly. We had site 21 that had great views but was exposed to ferocious winds one of the nights.

    We prefer campgrounds with walking access to trails. This one didn’t have that so we’d come back but just for an overnight.

  • Tyler M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Rocky Peak Campground

    Campsite with plenty of space

    Plenty of space in each of the campsites. A couple trails nearby and other activities to do. Not a bad place to spend the night. $20 to reserve online.

Guide to Zion National Park

Camping near Zion National Park, Utah, offers stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Zion National Park is famous for its trails. Many campers love the convenience of being close to the trails. One reviewer at Watchman Campground said, "Many hikes start close to here. It was a great weekend."
  • Exploring the Visitor Center: The visitor center is a great starting point for your adventures. A camper at South Campground mentioned, "Beautiful views and so convenient to the visitor centre."
  • Dining in Springdale: After a day of hiking, you can walk into Springdale for dinner. A happy camper at Watchman Campground noted, "Campground is convenient to being able to walk to town for dinner."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the breathtaking scenery. One reviewer at Zion Canyon Campground said, "The place was amazing, it’s crazy to be in the middle of Zion. The view was stunning."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Zion River Resort shared, "This place was very nice. It had good amenities and was clean."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey are great for families. One family said, "The kids love that they can go swimming or hit the playground whenever."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Zion Canyon Campground mentioned, "It was quite crowded. No intimacy at all."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. A visitor at South Campground pointed out, "No showers but restrooms clean and well stocked."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A reviewer at Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed said, "The stars are absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Zion River Resort that offer amenities for kids. One reviewer noted, "It was kid-friendly and I’m considering coming back with the family."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of family activities. A camper at Watchman Campground mentioned, "The views can’t be beat!"
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes. A visitor at Quail Creek State Park Campground said, "Beautiful surroundings, new showers and restrooms."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Zion RV and Campground warned, "The facilities are awful. There was a powerful sewage smell throughout the whole game room/bathroom building."
  • Book Early: Reserve your spot ahead of time, especially during peak season. A camper at Zion Canyon Campground said, "I recommend calling day ‘of’ to get your site as cell service is very limited."
  • Bring Extra Water: Some campgrounds may not have water hookups. A visitor at Sand Hollow State Park Campground mentioned, "Great spot with great staff! All around respectful and facilities clean and up to date."

Camping near Zion National Park, Utah, is an adventure filled with natural beauty and outdoor fun. Just be prepared for crowds and plan accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there private campgrounds outside Zion National Park?

Yes, several private campgrounds provide comfortable alternatives to public sites inside Zion. Zion River Resort is a popular choice located just 10 minutes from the park entrance and adjacent to the Virgin River with walking paths. It offers a perfect basecamp for exploring Zion and is about 2 hours from Bryce Canyon. Gateway Luxury RV Resort offers upscale amenities less than 20 miles from Zion, featuring a resort-style swimming pool, hot tub, pickleball courts, and cornhole boards. Other private options include Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort near Orderville and Camp Lutherwood, which offers affordable cabins with access to showers, a kitchen, and electricity. Private campgrounds typically provide more amenities than public sites, including WiFi, showers, and sometimes swimming pools.

Where can I find campgrounds near Zion National Park?

Zion National Park offers diverse camping options both inside and nearby. Within the park, Watchman Campground is conveniently located within walking distance of the south entrance with shaded sites and red gravel/sand ground. For those looking to avoid crowds, Kolob Terrace Road Dispersed camping is about 30 minutes away in a less-trafficked area of the park near a stream. Other options include Ponderosa Grove Campground (40 minutes away), Sheep Bridge BLM Area (20 minutes), and Red Cliffs Campground (a short distance from Zion). Public campgrounds typically offer basic amenities like fire rings and pit toilets, while private resorts provide more comforts. Most locations outside the park are within 15-45 minutes' drive of Zion's entrances.

What RV camping options are available near Zion National Park?

Zion West RV Park offers convenient RV camping about 45 minutes from Zion National Park with amenities including WiFi and showers. The owner is known for being friendly and helpful with site instructions. Rates run around $20-30 for vans, and they also offer glamping tents and tiny houses. Another excellent option is Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort near Orderville, which provides full hookups and big-rig-friendly sites with resort amenities. For luxury RV camping, Gateway Luxury RV Resort features a swimming pool, hot tub, and recreational activities less than 20 miles from the park. Most RV parks in the area offer water, electric, and sewer hookups, with many providing WiFi, laundry facilities, and shower houses. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season.

What are the best tent camping sites in Zion National Park?

For tent camping within Zion National Park, South Campground is highly recommended with its scenic setting and convenient location. The most popular in-park option is Watchman Campground, featuring shaded sites with trees perfect for hammocks after a day of hiking. It's within walking distance to the park's south entrance and the town of Springdale. Sites have red gravel/sand ground and good tree coverage. For those who can't secure spots inside the park (which fill quickly), nearby alternatives include Ponderosa Grove Campground with its $5/night fee, or the free Sheep Bridge BLM Area about 20 minutes from Zion. These outside options are excellent backups when in-park camping is full, especially during busy summer months.

Is dispersed camping allowed near Zion National Park?

Yes, several dispersed camping options exist near Zion National Park on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Kolob Road BLM Dispersed offers plenty of space just 15-20 minutes from Zion with spectacular views. Another option is Sheep Bridge BLM Area, located about 20 minutes from the park and popular with mountain bikers for its trail access. Kolob Terrace Road also offers dispersed camping opportunities about 30 minutes from the main park areas, providing a quieter experience away from crowds. North Creek Dispersed Camping near Virgin is another alternative with drive-in access that accommodates larger vehicles. These dispersed sites are free but lack amenities like water or restrooms, so come prepared with everything you need and practice Leave No Trace principles.

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