Best Camping Near Zion National Park

Camping Near Zion National Park

By Nathan Swartz

With over three and a half million visitors per year and only around 270 campsites in the park itself, odds aren't exactly in your favor if your greatest desire is to camp in the shade of these canyon walls and watch daily as the sun paints its ever-changing masterpiece.

No need to gamble on a site, though, we've got your back with all things camping in Zion National Park, from the glamorous to the traditional, sites sufficiently sized to host your A-Class or quiet and cozy enough for even the most ardent tenters.

Zion National Park Camping

The park itself is home to three official campgrounds, all of which accept RVs of some length. South Campground and Watchman Campground are in the canyon proper, can accommodate large RVs, and have around 300 sites combined. They're near enough to one another that the views and experience are similar enough, from both you can take advantage of the cycling trail and shuttle service within the park itself.

While not technically in the park, Zion Canyon Campground & RV Resort is only a few minutes from the park's southern entrance, and is close enough to the National Park campgrounds listed above that you get practically the same view...but with full hookups, much smaller spaces, and the need to drive through the park's entrance every day (which can mean a long line of fellow explorers ahead of you). If you take the shuttle, don't mind the convenience of being in the rather quaint little town of Springdale, Utah, and are willing to shell out the extra fees (this private campground is two to four times the price of the park service campgrounds), you can still catch the shuttle or ride your bike into the park.

On the northern end, about an hour's drive away from the main canyon in Zion National Park, Lava Point is an official campground right in the park proper, can accommodate RVs up to 19', and promises more seclusion and a slower pace...in exchange from being significantly farther away from Zion's main draws.

BLM Camping Near Zion National Park

Seven places to camp on Bureau of Land Management property exist within less than 20 minutes of one of the park's entrances. If you brought your 4WD, you can leave the crowds behind in favor of true solitude via spots like Smithsonian Butte, and gorgeous--the kind of jaw-dropping beauty that put the "awwwwwww" in awe-- places like Sheep Bridge Road and Virgin Dam.

As a general rule of thumb, it's next to impossible to not find something lovely to look at in every direction of this region, if you keep at least one eye open.

Zion National Park RV Camping

If full hookups and creature comforts trump the more rough and tumble destinations near Zion, you're in luck. Only a mile from the park's quieter east entrance, Zion RV & Campground, or on the other side of the park, Zion River Resort promises epic WiFi a little closer to civilization.

Camping Near Zion National Park

The road less traveled often proves the most remarkable, and if you're the type to blaze a trail rather than rely on the opinions of others, these campgrounds tend to see less traffic, whether you want to brave the 4WD access to Gooseberry Mesa or knock back a round of mini-golf at the full hookups park of Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

Looking for even more camping near Zion National Park?

We cover 16 campgrounds within 45 minutes of the park via our Free Camping near Zion National Park article here.

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Recent Zion National Park Campground Reviews

Mar 15, 2023

"Great location!"

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We had plenty of room for our 38' motorhome and toad. We had a nice set up with amazing views surrounding our coach. We had full hookups and a nice pull thru spot. There was no internet or cable and we had 3 bars of T-Mobile. We were right on the river as well. It is still off season, so the campground was not very crowded. We have e-bikes and...
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Charlene
30 reviews
Virgin, UT

Zion River Resort

Mar 08, 2023

"Nice Spot Close To Zion"

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We had no issues during our stay. It’s a nice spot! Pros: - Friendly staff - Well maintained and you can tell they pay attention to details! - dog park - small playground - pool/ hot tub. Only the hot is open in colder months, but it’s great! - quiet - safe - nice gift shop - laundry - FHU - picnic table and fire pit - beautiful location...
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Springdale, UT

Watchman Campground

Mar 04, 2023

"Great campground for proximity to epic trails!"

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We stayed here in mid-February for a week. When we got here, there was snow still around in the campground but a lot of it turned into red mud. Bring an outdoor rug to attempt to reduce the amount you bring inside your camper! Sites were $30/day without any extra taxes or daily use fees, etc. Note we did use our annual Americas pass to get...
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"Beautiful, Easy, Fire Ring "

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First come, first serve. Very easy to find and get to, yet still very private and dispersed. Beautiful views in all directions. Only complaint would be the very small road noise from hwy 9 in the distance. Will come back.

Snowplow
1 review
Springdale, UT

South Campground

Feb 14, 2023

"Consider alternatives for 2023"

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According to the Recreation.gov website, South Campground will be closed for road construction projects during the Spring 2023. It does not state this on the NPS website, although it references the construction. South Campground opens reservations 14 days before arrival and after much effort, I finally got someone from NPS to clarify and they...
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Rae
1 review