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 mid-March through October (tel. 800/365-2267; http://reservations.nps.gov). At this writing there is no booking fee: You just pay the regular campsite fee. 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.

Mukuntuweep RV Park & Campground, located about a quarter mile east of the east entrance to Zion National Park on Utah 9 (P.O. Box 193), Orderville, UT 84758 (tel. 435/648-3011; www.xpressweb.com/zionpark), has some shade trees, grassy tent sites, a fishing pond, a playground, and a game room, plus great views of the surrounding rocks.

Zion Canyon Campground is at 429 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767, a half mile south of the park's south entrance (P.O. Box 99), Springdale, UT 84767 (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. 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 starting at $85 double from mid-March through December and $75 double from January through mid-March.

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