Camping Destinations,  Destinations,  Landmarks to Visit,  National Parks

Best Hotels and Camping at Zion National Park

Where to stay at Zion National Park: You can camp at Watchman Campground.

Zion is one of the best national parks for kids, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re planning a Utah family vacation there, you have many great options for staying near Zion National Park (or even in it) depending on your preferences for lodging type (hotels, vacation rentals, or camping). When we recently visited, we stayed at the Watchman Campground just inside the park. But if you’re not up for camping, there are many hotels and lodges that are just steps away. If you’re wondering where to stay for Zion National Park, I have you covered.

Be sure to check out my 1-day Zion itinerary as well if your time in Zion is limited.

1. Springdale, Utah (Closest to the Park Entrance)

Beautiful rocky landscape behind a hotel in Springdale, Utah , which is one of the best places to stay near Zion National Park
Image from expedia.com

Springdale is the gateway town to Zion National Park, located just outside the main entrance. There are a variety of hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shops on the main stretch. And they all have beautiful views of Zion. There is also a shuttle that provides access to the park.

Hotels and Resorts:

Vacation Rentals:

  • Private homes or condos in Springdale offer more space for families or groups. Look for properties with amenities like kitchens, patios, and stunning canyon views.

Camping and Glamping:

A woman in a camping chair in a campsite in Zion National Park
  • Watchman Campground
    • Located inside Zion National Park, near visitor center and shuttle stop
    • Spacious campsites with electric hook ups and beautiful views.
  • Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
    • Full-service campground right in Springdale, ideal for RVs and tents.
  • Zion Wildflower Resort
    • Offers luxury glamping tents, covered wagons, and small bungalows with beautiful surroundings.
  • Under Canvas Glamping Resort
    • One of the best family glamping options in the U.S.
    • A luxe “glamping” retreat nestled on 196 acres of red-rock desert right next to Zion National Park, where you sleep in beautifully furnished tents with amenities like private bathrooms, wood-burning stoves, and nightly campfires.

4. Where to Stay for Zion National Park and others: Kanab, Utah (1 Hour Away)

Located east of Zion. Ideal if you’re planning to visit other parks in addition to Zion, like Bryce Canyon or the Grand Canyon.

Hotels:

5. Lodging Inside Zion National Park

There are certain national parks, like Yosemite and Glacier National Park, that I would hands down opt to stay in. From the pay station at Yosemite, it’s another 45 mins to an hour until you reach the valley, so staying outside of the park is very inconvenient. But when deciding where to stay for Zion National Park, you can truly stay outside of the park and walk inside in just a matter of minutes. Unless the price is comparable, I personally wouldn’t pay more to stay inside the park here.

Zion Lodge

  • The only hotel located within Zion National Park.
  • Features cozy cabins, suites, and standard rooms surrounded by nature.
  • Guests have private access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive outside shuttle hours.

6. Luxury and Unique Options

  • Under Canvas Zion (Virgin, Utah)(20 Minutes Away)
    • Glamping experience with luxury safari tents, on-site dining, and fire pits.
  • Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort (East Zion)(40 Minutes Away)
    • Offers cabins, vacation homes, glamping, and camping, with additional activities like horseback riding and ziplining.

7. Where to Stay for Zion National Park: Budget-Friendly Towns Further Away

  • Hurricane (25 minutes): A smaller town offering budget-friendly lodging with good access to Zion.
  • St. George (40 minutes): A larger town with more extensive amenities, including chain hotels, restaurants, and shopping.
  • Cedar City, Utah (1 Hour 15 Minutes): Affordable hotels and chain restaurants, with access to Zion and Bryce Canyon.

For the most convenient access and stunning views, Springdale is the best choice. For more budget-friendly options, consider Hurricane or St. George.

Once you decided where to stay for Zion National Park, be sure to check out my list of what to do with kids in Zion. I have all kinds of tips and strategies I share there.

Note: Links on this page may earn me commission if used to make purchases. This doesn’t cost you a thing, and it helps to keep my website up and running for free.


Discover more from

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Thanks for reading my post. My name is Jaime and I am a mom to three busy children. When we're not at the soccer and football fields, we try to get away as often as possible. I'm a teacher and my husband is a firefighter, so we mostly get away for long weekends or over the school breaks. I hope to inspire busy families to take time to recoup and relax while making memories on camping trips or cruise ships, or at the fancy resort pool--we love it all! Follow me on Instagram for real-time inspiration.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.