Notable Campgrounds
- Best for ditching the crowds: Lava Point is a primitive campground off Kolob Terrace Road in a far-flung corner of the park.
- Best for hikers: South Campground connects campers with the Pa’rus Trail and the Watchman Trail.
- Best for year-round camping: Watchman Campground offers first-come, first-served campsites in winter.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Campsites in South Campground are available by reservation only. They can be booked up to two weeks in advance at www.recreation.gov. The campground is typically open from March through October.
- Watchman Campground is open year-round and sites are available by reservation at www.recreation.gov from mid-March through November or December depending on location. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Sites are first-come, first-served the rest of the year.
- The six primitive sites at Lava Point Campground are first-come, first-served.
When to Go
May through September is high season, so expect very heavy crowds and temperatures that consistently exceed 100°F. Wildflowers begin to bloom in spring, but the Narrows may be closed if heavy snowmelt raises the level of the river. March crowds can be heavy with spring breakers. October and November are a pleasant time to visit with slightly lighter crowds than summer. Fall foliage hits its peak in the lower canyon in late October and early November.
Know Before You Go
- Entry into Zion Canyon is by shuttle only from mid-February through late November, and then again over the December holidays. This means your personal vehicle is not allowed in the canyon or along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive unless you’re staying in Zion Lodge. Shuttle reservations are required and must be made ahead of time online.
- A free shuttle links the park with various stops in the adjacent town of Springdale.
- Large vehicles require a permit for travel through the narrow Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel, which leads to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Zion National Park
Lush Zion Canyon in Utah wows hikers with thrilling trails and unique cliff-side formations.
The knife-sharp ridge that soars to Angels Landing might be daunting, but it’s best to tighten your laces, grab the safety chain, and avoid looking down as you make the final push between two sheer cliffs. Your reward? A bird’s-eye view of ruddy cliffs rocketing above the Virgin River and its riparian greenery. Yep, Zion Canyon is a captivating place, dotted with natural attractions straight from a fantasy novel: weeping rocks, hanging gardens, hidden pools, and a serpentine river trail through a tight canyon known as The Narrows. A striking sandstone formation dubbed The Watchman overlooks its namesake campground beside the town of Springdale.
The knife-sharp ridge that soars to Angels Landing might be daunting, but it’s best to tighten your laces, grab the safety chain, and avoid looking down as you make the final push between two sheer cliffs. Your reward? A bird’s-eye view of ruddy cliffs rocketing above the Virgin River and its riparian greenery. Yep, Zion Canyon is a captivating place, dotted with natural attractions straight from a fantasy novel: weeping rocks, hanging gardens, hidden pools, and a serpentine river trail through a tight canyon known as The Narrows. A striking sandstone formation dubbed The Watchman overlooks its namesake campground beside the town of Springdale.
Activities in the park
3 campgrounds in Zion National Park
Not only can you camp at Zion's highest point, but you can also camp there for F-R-E-E! These first-come, first-served sites offer access to the lesser traveled part of Zion Canyon, Kolob Terrace, and Lava Point. It's also an excellent jumping off point for one of Zion's best hikes: “The Subway. " Lava Point Campground is just off of Kolob Terra Read more...
If you like to gamble and never lose, then place your bets on Watchman Campground. There are sites to for RVers, walk-in lovers, and first-come, first-served last-minute planners (you know who you are). You'll get some serious face time with the monoliths at Zion here. You know that means insane sunsets and wildlife making your trip feel like a Read more...
For visitors to Zion National Park, South Campground is an ideal place to stay. Reservations for South Campground are available 14 days ahead of arrival. Located near the park's south entrance, the campground is just a short walk from the main visitor center, the Zion Canyon Shuttle System and the adjacent town of Springdale. The canyon and most o Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
May through September is high season, so expect very heavy crowds and temperatures that consistently exceed 100°F. Wildflowers begin to bloom in spring, but the Narrows may be closed if heavy snowmelt raises the level of the river. March crowds can be heavy with spring breakers. October and November are a pleasant time to visit with slightly lighter crowds than summer. Fall foliage hits its peak in the lower canyon in late October and early November.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —