Best RV Campground in Zion National Park

Zion National Park offers an idyllic outdoor experience thanks to its beauty and geological diversity. Its sunset-colored canyons, desert, evergreen forests, and raging rivers combine to form a formidable, adventure-packed landscape. Of course, the park also has an array of RV campgrounds within its borders and some fabulous private RV parks nearby. 

So, if you’re looking for a best RV campground in Zion National Park to settle in and enjoy your vacation, we’ve wrapped up all the best campgrounds in and around Zion. Each campground on our list has a Google rating of more than 4 stars, and we’ve highlighted the top features of each location.

Quick Facts About Zion National Park 

Zion National Park, which attracts 4.3 million people annually, is situated near the charming small town of Springdale in Southern Utah. It encompasses 232 square miles — over 148,000 acres — and is known for magnificent hiking opportunities. The park’s main highlight is Zion Canyon, an awe-inspiring 2,000-foot-deep gorge that stretches for 15 miles. You’ll find plenty of hikes on its floor. 

Here are some quick facts about the park:

• It was named Zion by Mormon pioneers. The name means sanctuary in classical Hebrew.
• Zion lies at the junction of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and the Mojave Desert.
• The park has four life zones—desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest.
• It protects important archeological sites that date back to at least 6,000 B.C.
• It has one of the world’s largest freestanding natural stone arches —the Kolob Arch.
• 79 species of mammals and 289 bird species call the park home.
• You can spot endangered species in the park—The Mexican spotted owl, Mojave desert tortoises, and the California Condor, the largest flying bird in North America.
• The Virgin River, which winds through the canyon’s floor, constantly re-carves the park’s landscape. 
• It’s home to the most dramatic and dangerous hikes in the country, including the daring Angels Landing, which has claimed the lives of 13 people since the year 2000.

Best Things to Do in Zion National Park

Plan your Zion RV camping trip around these activities:

Hiking 

Some of the most popular hiking trails in Zion National Park include Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk, Angels Landing, Kolob Canyons, West Rim, Taylor Creek, and The Subway. Preview the difficulty of each hike using the trails map for the park, bring plenty of water and wear comfortable, well-fitting hiking shoes.

Canyoneering 

With deep, spectacular canyons, Zion offers guided and self-guided tours for exploring its gorges through walking, scrambling, climbing, and rappelling.

Rock Climbing 

Zion Canyon’s sandstone walls make for exciting climbing for a wide range of ability levels. Try The Narrows, Great White Throne, and Mountain of the Sun.

Wildlife Watching 

There are plenty of animals to see, from the surefooted bighorn sheep, elusive mountain lion, and swift mule deer to the majestic California condor.

Horseback Riding 

Book a horse-riding tour to cover more ground and view wildlife up and close.

Scenic Drive

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway meanders through the park from the South Entrance, offering some dramatic views. Other fantastic drives include Zion Park Scenic Byway and Kolob Fingers Road Byway.

Biking 

A two-wheel adventure is an epic way to marvel at the twisty canyons, red rock cliffs, towering peaks, and tall cottonwoods growing along the river.

Water Adventure 

The Virgin River and its tributaries offer opportunities for observing gushing waterfalls, wading through water, river tubing, and admiring emerald pools. There are several swimming holes in the park.

Visit the Human History Museum 

Learn about the region’s 10,000-year-old human history at this museum. It has captivating displays and exhibits, as well as a large model of the park.

Relax at Springdale Town 

To recharge your body and mind after some rugged adventures, head to Springdale. It has some amazing spas, mouthwatering cuisine, incredible galleries, a unique souvenir shopping scene, and a town park to unwind.

Zion also offers magical stargazing, delightful sunsets, ranger-led programs, helicopter tours — plus Jeep and ATV tours.

Best Time to Go RV Camping in Zion National Park

In general, the best season to visit Zion National Park in an RV is March, April, October, or November. Around these months, the weather is usually more lenient for outdoor activities. During these times, crowds are also fewer, as 70% of visitors come between April and September. Activities and RV accommodation prices outside the park are cheaper too. 

Keep reading to find out about the best RV campgrounds in and around Zion National Park.

Best RV Campground in Zion National Park

Overall, there are three public RV campgrounds inside Zion NP. Here are the details for each to help you decide which one is the best RV campground in Zion National Park for your needs.

Watchman Campground

• Location: UT-9, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 749 reviews
• RV Sites: 176 (65 RV specific) 
• Rates: $30 for RV, $20 for tents, and $50 for group sites daily 
• Standout Features: Sits along the Virgin River, shaded areas, and proximity to many points of interest.

Just a short walk from the main visitor center and close to many amenities, Watchman Campground is a great launch point for your Zion excursion. It’s open year-round, and it offers RV and tent sites.

Additionally, facilities include electric hookups, a dump station, potable water, flush toilets, trash service, and an amphitheater. Unfortunately, there are no showers, and campfires are sometimes restricted. However, you can take advantage of the nearby shuttle stop to access world-class hikes. Check out the Virgin River, which will offer a nice cooling dip after a day of trekking.

South Campground

•  Location: 6228+F3C, 1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 519 reviews
• RV Sites: 127
• Rates: $20 for RV daily 
• Standout Features: Close to the visitor center and shuttle bus stop, views of cliffs, sunny and shady spots.

Also located near the South entrance, South Campground is an excellent retreat at the heart of the action. It’s open from early March to the end of October, and you can book a spot up to 14 days before your arrival.

While there are no hookups, you’ll have flush bathrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, fire pits, a dump station, 4 group sites, and trash collection. Also note that the roads and some sites are too tight for big rigs, so you’re better off visiting in a small RV. Spots are a mix of dirt and asphalt pads.

Lava Point Campground

• Location: Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars from 50 reviews
• RV Sites: 6 
• Rates: $20 to $30 daily 
• Standout Features: Beautiful secluded area that’s a great jumping-off point for exploring The Subway trail.

Lava Point Campground is about a 1-hour drive from Zion Canyon on the Kolob Terrace Road and 1.5 hours from the south entrance. It has six primitive campsites, but they are closed throughout the winter.

Also, the campground has no water, so make sure your RV is self-sufficient. The only amenities available are vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Accessibility is an issue; only vehicles under 19 feet are permitted on the road to the campground. 

Best Private RV Parks Near Zion National Park

If you’re unable to book a reservations in the best RV campground in Zion National Park — or you would rather stay outside the park — here’s some information for privately owned RV parks close to Zion.

Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground

• Location: 551 UT-9, Virgin, UT 84779, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.2k reviews
• RV Sites: 131
• Rates: $65 to $100 daily 
• Standout Features: Only 5-star nature resort in Utah; set on a tranquil valley near the Virgin River and surrounded by gorgeous views of vibrant-colored cliffs.

This premium RV resort near Zion has everything you need to create lifelong memories with your loved ones. It’s just 13 miles from Zion National Park and is close to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon North Rim. 

It has a heated pool, hot tub, game room, mining sluice, and playground to keep the fun going. Other facilities include bathhouses, laundry, an off-leash dog park, a general store, an ice cream shop, and a gazebo-style community kitchen. Sites are big-rig-friendly pull-thrus equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, charcoal grills, and full hookups. 

Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort

• Location: 479 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 1.3k reviews
• RV Sites: 165
• Rates: $65 to $130 daily and $623 to $833 weekly
• Standout Features: Riverfront sites on the bank of the Virgin River and a heated pool.

The 12-acre Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort is nestled half-a- mile outside Zion’s Southern Entrance. This magnificent getaway pampers its guests with an outdoor heated pool, camping cabins, playground, BBQ grills, free shuttles to Zion, and breathtaking geological sights.

Other conveniences include climate-controlled showers, laundry, a shared pavilion, ice and wood bundles, plus a well-stocked camp store. Expect full-service sites that can accommodate large RVs. Book a riverfront site and get lulled to sleep by the flowing waters. Just a short walk away is a good variety of restaurants and shops.

WillowWind RV Park

• Location: 80 S 1150 W, Hurricane, UT 84737, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 726 reviews
• RV Sites: 177
• Rates: $60 to $90 daily, $350 to $480 weekly, and $850 to $950+ utility fee
• Standout Features: Modern showers, free WiFi, monthly package, and great home base for Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks.

About a 5-minute drive from the entrance of Zion, you’ll find WillowWind RV Park. Guests staying here enjoy complimentary WiFi and cable, a workout room, new showers, a log cabin-style clubhouse, BBQ picnic areas, billiards games, lots of shade, and fire pits.

You’ll find that the sites are level concrete pads separated by a lush lawn. Most spots have full hookups and are a mix of pull-through and back-in. The getaway is surrounded by beautiful red rocks and offers easy access to golfing, dining, scenic Sand Hollow Reservoir, and Duck Creek Village. 

Zion West RV Park

• Location: 175 Valley Rd, Leeds, UT 84746, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars from 155 reviews
• RV Sites: 36
• Rates: $25 to $50 daily, $290 weekly, and $610+ power
• Standout Features: Quiet country setting, nice tree shade, and lots of nearby ATVs, biking, and hiking trails.

Looking for a nice, affordable stopover spot? Zion West RV Park is one of the best RV parks near Zion. It’s a quiet country oasis that’s 40 minutes away from the main entrance. Each site has full hookups with 30/50 amp, and most spots are pull-through. 

Other conveniences include free WiFi, cable, a dog walk, clean restrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities. This year-round park is near Dixie National Forest, Snow Canyon State Park, and fishing and boating opportunities.

Zion White Bison Glamping + RV Resort

• Location: 175 Valley Rd, Leeds, UT 84746, United States
• Google Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 171 reviews
• RV Sites: 150+
• Rates: $80 to $150
• Standout Features: Unique accommodation options, pool, outdoor games, and old-school hospitality.

Zion White Bison RV Resort is another upscale RV camping option near Zion National Park. It’s relatively new but has plenty to keep visitors entertained. Dip in the sparkling pool, enjoy a game of pickleball, and later gather around a private crackling fire pit.

The retreat also has hot tubs, fishing ponds, walking trails, bathhouses, WiFi, and full-service sites with a concrete patio. Other accommodation options range from luxury teepees, covered wagons to luxury cliff dwellings. Notably, the Virgin River flows through the property.

Have Fun RV Camping in Zion National Park

Choosing a best RV campground in Zion National Park is an ideal choice for RVers who want to focus on the park’s outdoor adventures. Additionally, if you want to relax amidst some luxury amenities, there are many amazing private RV parks outside the park borders. Ultimately, it all depends on your preference. Happy camping!

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