Zion National Park is the perfect first stop to start your campervan road trip, and we have the list of the top Campgrounds and RV Parks to stay in Zion Park.
This relatively small park, located in southwest Utah and just under 3 hours drive from Las Vegas, attracts millions of visitors every year. Its unique and breathtaking landscapes of red cliffs, mountains, and forests offer plenty of opportunities to photography enthusiasts, hikers, and rock climbers.
The park’s main attraction is its world-famous hikes, varying from easy and accessible to very challenging. Among the most popular trails are Canyon Overlook, the Narrows Bottom Up, Angel’s Landing, Kolob Canyons, and Upper Emerald Pools.
The town of Springdale is just south of the park, providing entertainment, shops, and restaurants. Several other towns are within 45 minutes’ drive, so accommodation options are plentiful and varied. A free shuttle service is available to help you explore Zion Park.
Here is our list of the best 6 campgrounds and RV parks in and around Zion National Park.
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South Campground
South Campground is the most popular campground in Zion National Park and the best spot from where to explore the amazing hikes the park has to offer.
Located just half a mile from the South Entrance, it is just a short walk from the visitor center, trailheads, and the shuttle service to explore the iconic sights and hikes.
South Campground has 117 large, well-spaced campsites so that you won’t feel too close to your neighbors, and towering trees providing some very welcomed shade.
There are no hookups at this campground; however, there is a dump station and drinking water available. South Campground does have fire pits, picnic tables, flush toilets, and you will find showers and a grocery store at the visitor center.
The town of Springdale is walking distance from the campground, so you can enjoy the shops and amenities without paying the steep price of accommodation in the town.
The Virgin River runs by South Campground, so you could snag a riverside campsite if you are lucky (and arrive early).
Reservations are available 14 days in advance and highly recommended as this campground fills up very early during peak season.
Note: South Campground is open between March and November.
Watchman Campground
The other main campground inside Zion National Park is Watchman Campground. Watchman, located about half a mile from the park entrance, is also within walking distance from Springdale, the visitor center, and shuttles to visit the park’s attractions.
As with South Campground, having a campsite inside the park means that you will not have to wait to enter in the morning.
There are some campsites with electrical hookups available. Loop A allows for tent camping and RV camping. However, loop B allows for RV camping only. Fewer trees mean that most campsites have no shade, but it offers uninterrupted views of the mountains and cliffs surrounding Zion Park.
Watchman Campground is larger than South Campground but has similar amenities, which include flush toilets, picnic tables, and potable water and an RV dump station at the entrance to the campground. It is open year-round, and reservations, which we highly recommended, are available up to six months in advance.
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Park
This family-run campground adjoins the Quality Inn, conveniently located in Springdale, and less than a mile from the park’s south entrance and walking distance to the visitor center. The park’s shuttle service stops right at the entrance to the campground. Zion Canyon Campground & RV Park is an excellent choice if you can’t find a campsite inside the Zion National Park, but we recommend making your reservation well in advance.
Trees provide shade to some of the campsites, and there are great views of the surrounding mountains. The Virgin River runs by the campground, so you can take a dip to refresh, or jump into the pool. Other amenities include flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, showers, RV camping supplies, wifi, cable TV, and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Zion River Resort RV Park
Located in the town of Virgin, about 20 minutes from Zion Park, this campground is an excellent option if you want more comfort and amenities than basic camping. It offers convenience and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Zion River Resort RV Park offers shady campsites, full hookups, private restrooms around the resort with flush toilets and hot showers, picnic tables, fire rings on most campsites, showers, free wifi, communal kitchen, coin-operated laundry facilities, a playground, a pool, seasonal shuttles to the park, convenience store, and gift shop.
Reservations are recommended in advance to secure a spot.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, located about 40 minutes from the east entrance to Zion National park, is only 1 hour from the visitor center. Although not technically in Zion Park, this small campground deserves mention and a visit in its own right. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is an excellent option if you are coming from the east after you have visited Zion National Park, or if you want to discover a fantastic spot away from the more crowded national parks.
The state park offers bright blue skies and stunning coral pink dunes surrounded by red cliffs and forests. These dunes are popular for hiking, dune buggy rentals and tours, snowboarding, and plenty of photo opportunities.
The campsites are spacious and surrounded by trees, providing some privacy, and each includes a picnic table and grill. Other amenities include toilets, drinking water, and showers, but there are no hookups at this campground.
The high altitude here means that nights can be cold even throughout summer, so make sure you have packed your warm pajamas!
Reservations are available four months in advance.
Lava Point Campground
If you are looking for more primitive camping with amazing views, then Lava Point Campground is the spot for you. With only 6 first-come-first-serve campsites, you need a little luck on your side to land a campsite here, but if you do, it won’t cost a dime. Lava Point Campground is free, but amenities are slim, only offering pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash, and vehicles over 19′ aren’t allowed on the road to on the grounds. There is no running water and no hookups here, so you need to plan. If you choose to stay at Lava Point, you will be about an hour and 20 minutes from the south entrance of Zion National Park and 45 minutes from Springdale.
Pro-Tip: Don’t try and snag a campsite at Lava Point Campground on the weekends or during peak season. Lava Point is an excellent middle of the week spot, but have a backup plan in case it is full.
Exploring Zion National Park should be on your list of must-see National Parks in the USA, and spending a day won’t do it! Plan a campervan road trip and stay at one of these top Zion National Park Campgrounds or RV Parks.
Here are a few other articles that might be helpful.
The Narrows Hike – The Ultimate Zion Campervan Getaway
Best Campervan Campgrounds Near Las Vegas
Ultimate National Parks Campervan Road Trip
Guide to the Best Campgrounds for Campervans in the USA
About the Author
Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.
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