If you’re traveling to Springdale with plans to enjoy Zion National Park or any of the other great parks in the area, what better place to stay than in a campground? Whether you’ve got a comfortable RV or prefer to pitch a tent, there are plenty of places to choose from, including everything from fancy RV parks to primitive campgrounds. Keep reading for a list of some of the best.
Zion Canyon Campground & RV Park
While the name may suggest otherwise, this campground and RV park is not operated by the national park. But with breathtaking views of The Watchman right from your campsite, you’ll feel as though you’re staying in the heart of Zion.
Zion Canyon Campground & RV Park is a family-owned and operated campground located just a half mile from the South Entrance of the park. They offers sites for both RVs and tents, with both 30 amp and 50 amp sites and sewer hookups on most sites. They also offer amenities including a shower house, barbecue grills, picnic tables, and a swimming pool.
The free Springdale Shuttle has a stop just outside of their registration building, leaving every 20 minutes to ferry guests to and from the entrance to Zion. From there, you can walk into the park or catch the Zion Park Shuttle to take a ride along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, where you can then hop on and off for hiking and sightseeing.
With no vehicles allowed on Scenic Drive during the busy season and parking limited at the Visitor Center, the ability to get on the shuttle right from the campground, leaving your car behind, is a huge plus. The park also offers a free shuttle to transport campers to more than a dozen restaurants in Springdale, ranging from the casual to upscale spots.
Leeds RV Park & Motel
If you’re looking for a low-key, quiet place to relax after a long day of hiking on busy trails, Leeds RV Park & Motel is the perfect escape.
Located 40 minutes from Springdale, the park offers both RV sites with 20, 30, or 50 amp hookups as well as tent sites. Shade trees offer a break from the summer heat, while grassy tent sites provide a softer spot to set up camp.
Amenities in the campground include laundry facilities, a clubhouse with a small library, showerhouses, and a pavilion and picnic area. While the campground might be a bit of a drive from Springdale, during busy times of year, it’s a welcome alternative to the crowded park entrances and packed campgrounds in town.
Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground
If you want to stay a little closer to the action, Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground is another option located just minutes from the entrance to Zion. Situated beside the quiet Virgin River, the park features well-manicured sites and top-of-the-line facilities.
The resort has both RV sites and riverside tent sites. From a swimming pool and spa, to gem mining, a social hall, a take-out grill, a full gift shop, and more, there are tons of amenities to make your stay at the campground as much a part of your vacation as your visit to the national park.
While the campground isn’t located on the Springdale Shuttle loop, they do offer shuttle service from March 1st to October 31st. The shuttle is $7 per person for a round-trip ride from the resort to the entrance to Zion.
Zion River Resort also offers Camper Cabins for those who don’t have an RV or who are flying to the region. They have 4-person cabins and 2-room, 6-person cabins to accommodate different sized groups. While they don’t have bathrooms, they do feature heating and air conditioning. Renters also have access to showers houses nearby. There’s also a 2-bedroom suite with a kitchen and bathroom, as well as in-suite laundry facilities.
Watchman Campground (National Park Campground)
What better way to enjoy a visit to Zion National Park than with a stay on park property? The Watchman Campground is one of two national park camps in Zion. It offers 176 sites, we well as 2 additional wheelchair accessible sites and 6 group camping sites.
Open March through the end of November, the park offers both RV and tent sites. Like many National Park campgrounds, there are no sewer hookups, though a dump station is available. Located just a quarter mile from the South Entrance and adjacent to the park visitor center, you can easily hop on and off both the Visitor Center and Zion Canyon Theater shuttles to get around the park and to and from Springdale.
Sites in the park often fill up very quickly, especially during busy times of year. You can book your site at Watchman up to 6 months in advance–and you’ll want to do just that to guarantee that you get the dates you want.
South Campground (National Park Campground)
While Watchman Campground offers many of the same amenities of campgrounds outside of the park, Zion also offers an alternative for braver campers who aren’t afraid of a bare-bones experience. Unlike dispersed camping, you’ll have a reserved site and room to park your car, while still enjoying a true primitive camping experience.
Located a half mile from the South Entrance is the aptly named South Campground. It features 117 sites, 3 of which are wheelchair accessible. There are both tent and RV sites, though there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups available. RV campers can use a dump station that also offers potable water on-site. Generators are allowed, but only from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There are no restroom facilities at the South Campground. Campers can walk the .3 mile trail to the nearby Watchman Campground to use the restrooms located there. From there, campers can also catch the shuttles that travel within Zion and to Springdale.
Like Watchman Campground, spots in South Campground fill up fast. But rather than 6 months, you have just 2 weeks to make your reservation here. Despite the short window, every site in the park is full every night throughout the reservation season.
Quail Creek State Park
If you’re planning a visit during peak season in Zion and are looking for alternatives to fighting the crowds in the park every day, Quail Creek State Park is a great alternative.
Besides just having a place to park your RV or set up your tent, you can also spend a day or two enjoying all that the park has to offer, with fewer crowds than the nearby national parks.
Located just 40 minutes from Springdale, the park is home to the expansive Quail Creek reservoir, which has some of the warmest waters in the state. Here you can enjoy fishing, boating, and other watersports, as well as plenty of hiking, off-roading, mountain biking, and even golfing on multiple courses located close by.
Planning Your Zion National Park Camping Trip
Camping in and around the park is a great way to soak up some nature and experience Zion from a different perspective.
Don’t see a campground on this list that suits you? Not looking to rough it and want to find a hotel or vacation rental instead? Check out our list of the best lodging options in Springdale and nearby to find the perfect basecamp for your next adventure!
