There are several great campgrounds near Zion National Park. Camping near Zion is a good option if all of the park campgrounds are full—or you want additional luxuries like hot showers, laundry, wifi internet, or a cool swimming pool on a hot summer day.
Many campgrounds outside Zion are privately owned, but there are also some free campsites on public land. Free campsites are short on modern amenities, but big on beautiful wilderness scenery.
Most campgrounds near Zion are located south and west of the park along Route 9 between Springdale and Hurricane—the most popular route to Zion Canyon. Additional camping is available east of Zion National Park.
Camping South of Zion National Park
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
Open: Year-round
Cost: $44 per tent campsite, per night
Elevation: 3,870 feet (1,180 meters)
Located in the town of Springdale, Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort is the closest private campground to Zion Canyon. The campground is just a 10-minute walk from Zion National Park’s pedestrian entrance.
Perched on the banks of the Virgin River, Zion Canyon Campground accommodates a mix of RVs and tent campers. The best campsites overlook the Virgin River. Even if you can’t secure a river campsite, you can scramble down to the river (when the current is low) and enjoy the cool, clear water.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring with grill. Drinking water is available at communal water spigots.
Amenities at Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort include hot showers, flush toilets, dishwashing stations with warm water, a laundry room, free wifi, and a swimming pool. Several great restaurants and outfitters are located a short walk away. Springdale’s free shuttle stops near the campground entrance.
Zion River Resort
Open: Year-round
Cost: $45 per tent campsite, per night
Elevation: 3,500 feet (1,070 meters)
Located in the town of Virgin (20-minute drive from Zion’s South Entrance), Zion River Resort accommodates a mix of tent campers and RVs. Tent sites are located along the Virgin River, and each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring.
Amenities include hot showers, flush toilets, and laundry. Between March 1st & October 31 the campground offers a private shuttle ($7 per person, round-trip) to Zion National Park.
Zion River Resort is a great choice if you’re planning on exploring Zion’s Kolob Terrace section, which is home to popular hikes like The Subway, Northgate Peaks and the West Rim Trail. Kolob Terrace Road, which twists through Kolob Terrace, starts in Virgin.
Quail Creek State Park
Open: Year-round
Cost: $25 per per night
Elevation: 3,000 feet (900 meters)
Located near the town of Hurricane, Quail Creek State Park Campground is situated between Interstate 15 and Quail Creek Reservoir. There are 24 campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring.
Camping East of Zion National Park
Hi-Road Campground
Open: Year-round
Cost: $40 per tent campsite, per night
Elevation: 5,840 feet (1,780 meters)
Located just outside the East Zion Entrance Station (1 mile, 2-minute drive), Hi-Road Campground is a terrific option if you want to explore East Zion. There are campsites for both RVs and tent-only campers.
Located at nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, the campground is much cooler than campgrounds south of Zion National Park. This is great in summer when temperatures in Zion Canyon and Springdale often top 100 F. In spring and fall, be prepared for chilly nights.
Amenities include showers, laundry, and wifi. A small store across the road sells food and basic items.
Zion Crest Campground and RV Park
Open: Year-round
Cost: $30 for two people, $12 each additional person, per night.
Elevation: 6,600 feet (2,000 meters)
Zion Crest Campground and RV Park is located 8 miles (15-minute drive) from Zion’s East Entrance. The tent campsites are just a short drive away from some of East Zion’s best hikes, including Cable Mountain, Deertrap Mountain, and the East Rim Trail.
Located 600 feet higher than Hi-Road Campground, temperatures are even cooler at Zion Crest Campground, which is wonderful in summer but chilly in spring and fall.
Amenities include hot showers, laundry, wifi, swimming pool, hot tub, and a game room. There is also a restaurant and bar.
Free Public Campgrounds near Zion National Park
Smithsonian Butte Camping (BLM)
Open: Year-round
Cost: Free
Elevation: 4,300 feet (1,280 meters)
Smithsonian Butte offers the best free camping near Zion National Park. Located on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land just south of the park, it offers classic Utah scenery (red rocks, mesas, buttes) that, in many ways, is just as beautiful as the scenery in Zion. Smithsonian Butte is a roughly 25-minute drive from Zion’s South Entrance.
To get there from Route 9, turn right onto Bridge Rd in the small town of Rockville. Turn right onto 250 S/Grafton Rd, then turn left onto Smithsonian Butte Road. The road is extremely bumpy. High clearance and 4WD are recommended. Not a good option for RVs or trailers.
Camping is prohibited within 0.5 miles of Smithsonian Butte Road. Some smaller roads branch of the main road and head to beautiful campsites.
Note: there are NO amenities (water, toilets, etc). This is rugged, backcountry camping. It’s not for everyone, but the scenery is gorgeous. Contact the St. George BLM office for current conditions.
North Creek Campground
Open: Year-round
Cost: Free
Elevation: 3,600 feet (1,100 meters)
This is one of the most popular free campgrounds near Zion due to its location alongside North Creek, just north of the town of Virgin. It’s roughly 15 miles (25-minute drive) to Zion’s South Entrance from North Creek Campground.
Gooseberry Mesa
Open: Year-round
Cost: Free
Elevation: 5,100 feet (1,550 meters)
Gooseberry Mesa is a popular area for mountain biking, and dispersed camping is allowed at campsites where previous use is evident. Like Smithsonian Butte, the camping is rugged and gorgeous. Be aware that there are NO amenities (water, toilets, etc). Also note that Gooseberry Mesa is located roughly 45 miles (1.3-hour drive) from Zion’s South Entrance.
To get to Gooseberry Mesa, take exit 16 off Interstate 15, then head east on State Route 9 to Hurricane City. Turn right on Main Street, then take the first left onto State Route 59. Turn left on Smithsonian Butte National Backcountry Byway. At 2.8 miles, turn left and head northwest 3.3 miles until reaching the Gooseberry Trailhead. Contact the St. George BLM office for current conditions.
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