Camping

Pets are accepted at all campgrounds listed here, but they must be leashed.

Inside The Park

The two developed national park campgrounds in Zion Canyon are the best places to camp while visiting the park, if you can find a site. Both of the park's main campgrounds -- South and Watchman -- are located just inside the park's south entrance. They have paved roads, well-spaced sites, lots of trees, and that national park atmosphere that you came here to enjoy. There are restrooms with flush toilets, and sites for those with disabilities. Although there are no RV hookups at South Campground, electric hookups are available in two loops in Watchman. Lava Point, a free primitive campground, is located on the Kolob Terrace. It has fire grates, tables, and vault toilets, but no water.

Reservations for Watchman Campground can be made from early April through October (tel. 877/444-6777; www.recreation.gov). Some campers without reservations stay at nearby commercial campgrounds their first night in the area, and then hurry to the park campgrounds the next morning, circling like vultures until a site becomes available.

There are no showers in the national park, but the commercial campgrounds listed below offer showers, for a fee, to those camping in the park.

Outside The Park

Just outside the east and south park entrances are commercial campgrounds with hot showers and RV hookups. Keep in mind that the park's visitor center, campgrounds, and most of its developed attractions are closer to the south entrance than to the east.

East Zion Riverside RV Park is located in the Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge complex in Mt. Carmel Junction, about 13 miles east of the east entrance to the national park (P.O. Box 5536, Mt. Carmel Junction, UT 84755; tel. 435/648-2203; www.zionnational-park.com). Especially good for self-contained RVs, the park sits along the banks of the East Fork of the Virgin River in the shade of cottonwood trees, and offers campers use of the pool, hot tub, and other amenities at the adjacent Thunderbird Lodge. All sites are back-in.

Zion Canyon Campground is at 479 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, UT 84767, a half-mile south of the park's south entrance (tel. 435/772-3237; www.zioncamp.com). Although quite crowded in summer, the campground is clean and well maintained, with tree-shaded sites and grassy tent areas. There are also especially large sites for big RVs. Some sites are along the Virgin River, and the campground has free cable TV hookups, a swimming pool, a game room, a playground, and a store. Dogs are permitted at RV sites but not tent sites. There is a Quality Inn (42 units) on the grounds (tel. 435/772-3237; fax 435/772-3844), with rates of about $140 double in summer, $110 double in winter.

In addition to the two commercial campgrounds discussed here, there is also camping at Cedar Breaks National Monument and Snow Canyon State Park.