Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Unlike some parks, Zion has one lodge inside the canyon itself: but most visitors base themselves in Springdale, the small gateway town right at the south entrance. The town itself is walkable, easy to navigate, and sits right on the park shuttle route. Beyond Springdale you’ll find options ranging from luxury canyon-view resorts and award-winning glamping to primitive backcountry campsites under some of the darkest skies in the country. Here’s our curated guide to the best places to stay near Zion National Park.
Lodging typically fills up early at many of the places on the list, so book lodging as soon as you plan your visit.
Want to explore more in Zion?
- 3 Amazing Zion National Park One Day Itineraries
- 10 Zion Best Hikes: How to Choose the Perfect Hike in Zion
- Hiking the Zion Narrows from Bottom Up (A Complete Guide with 7 Ways to Make it the Perfect Zion Hike)
Our National Parks are full of epic hikes, sweeping vistas, and amazing ecosystems. If you like our parks, you'll love our National Parks Newsletter or you can explore exactly how we plan a National Parks Trip.
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Please note that hotel rates and amenities are updated frequently. Always double check booking information before you finalize your plans. This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep creating free travel guides!
If you visit a hotel or campground and it’s changed – please drop me a comment and let me know so I can update this post.
Staying Inside the Park
Zion is one of the few national parks with a lodging option inside the canyon itself and since only people staying at the lodge can drive up the park road, staying here puts you ahead of the crowds the moment you wake up.
Zion Lodge The only accommodation inside Zion National Park, Zion Lodge sits right in the heart of Zion Canyon, surrounded by the towering red and white cliffs that make this park so unforgettable. Options include standard rooms, suites, and private cabins: the cabins in particular are a favorite for their private porches and canyon atmosphere. The on-site Red Rock Grill is convenient for breakfast before an early hike and dinner when you’re too tired to drive into Springdale.
The big advantage here is access: you’re inside the park before the crowds arrive, and you can walk or take the shuttle to trailheads without dealing with parking or the line at the entrance. Zion Lodge books up far in advance — sometimes a year out for peak season.
Reserve through recreation.gov as early as possible.
✦ Only lodging inside the park ✦ Cabin and suite options ✦ On-site restaurant ✦ Walk to shuttle stops
Camping Inside the Park
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Zion experience, camping inside the park is hard to beat. There are three campgrounds, each with a very different feel.
Watchman Campground: Year-round · Near South Entrance The main campground in Zion and the one most visitors use. Watchman sits right near the south entrance and park visitor center, with 203 sites including standard tent sites, electric hookups for RVs, and group sites. The Virgin River runs along the edge of the campground and a handful of riverside sites are among the most coveted in the park.
The Pa’rus Trail is accessible directly from camp. This is the easiest campground to stay in and you’ll be right at the start of all the action.
Important note: there is no shade at many sites, and summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. That said, the location is unbeatable for getting an early start on the trails.
Reservations open six months in advance on recreation.gov and fill within hours for peak season (March through October). Book the moment your window opens.
✦ Open year-round ✦ Electric hookups available ✦ Riverside sites ✦ Walk to visitor center & shuttle
South Campground: Currently CLOSED South Campground, the other main canyon campground, is currently closed for a long-term rehabilitation project with no confirmed reopening date for 2026. Remove it from your planning entirely for now and check the NPS website for updates.
Lava Point Campground: Primitive · Remote · Open June–October For solitude seekers only. Lava Point is a primitive 6-site campground located an hour’s drive from the south entrance on Kolob Terrace Road, sitting at 7,890 feet elevation. Pit toilets, no water on site, and no hookups, but the trade-off is stunning high-country scenery, far fewer people, and dramatically cooler temperatures than the canyon floor.
Historically, it’s been first-come, first-served (reservations now required: check recreation.gov) and open seasonally from June through early October depending on snow conditions.
✦ 6 primitive sites ✦ High elevation — cooler temps ✦ First-come, first-served ✦ Open June–October
Where to Stay in Springdale: Top Picks
Springdale is the gateway town to Zion’s south entrance and the base for most visitors. It’s small, walkable, and sits right on the free park shuttle route: meaning you can leave your car behind once you arrive. The town has good restaurants, gear shops, and a range of accommodation from luxury resorts to budget motels.
Best Views — Cable Mountain Lodge Perched right at the edge of Springdale withsweeping views into Zion Canyon, Cable Mountain Lodge is the standout property in town. The lobby alone is worth visiting: floor-to-ceiling windows framing the canyon walls, and every room comes with a private balcony. This is my top choice for where to stay, plus there is a seasonal pool, hot tub, and walkable access to the park shuttle stop.
If views are your priority, this is your place.
Best for Families — Desert Pearl Inn One of the most consistently praised properties near Zion, the Desert Pearl Inn sits right on the Virgin River at the park entrance. Spacious suites with kitchenettes make it perfect for families, several rooms have river views, and the pool is excellent. It’s within walking distance of the park shuttle and Springdale’s restaurants which makes this a great place to stay
Best Glamping — Under Canvas Zion One of the world’s first Dark Sky Resorts, Under Canvas Zion sits in the desert outside Springdale with red canyon wall views. Safari-style canvas tents with real beds, wood stoves, private bathrooms, and a communal fire pit area. Frequently recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the best resorts in the Mountain West.
Best Unique Stay — Zion White Bison Resort Recognized as one of the top 5 glamping resorts in the US, Zion White Bison offers luxury teepees, covered wagons, cliff dwellings, and RV camping just minutes from the park. An hourly shuttle runs to Springdale, making it easy to get in and out of the park without your car. A genuinely one-of-a-kind experience.
Best Budget Option — Bumbleberry Inn A Springdale institution and excellent value in a town where nothing is cheap. Large rooms, free breakfast vouchers for a sit-down meal, and a friendly, well-run operation. Perfect for families and couples who want a reliable, comfortable base without the resort price tag. This feels like a place you should stay outside a National Park.
Luxury & Boutique Hotels
These properties offer the best combination of comfort, canyon ambiance, and location for your Zion trip.
Cable Mountain Lodge Boutique Resort · Springdale | $$$–$$$$
The most dramatic setting in Springdale: perched right at the canyon’s edge with uninterrupted views of Zion’s iconic walls from the lobby, pool, and private balconies. Modern rooms with thoughtful design, a seasonal pool and hot tub, and walkable access to the shuttle and downtown restaurants. The best choice for couples or anyone who wants a premium in-town experience.
✦ Canyon views from every room ✦ Private balconies ✦ Pool & hot tub ✦ Walk to shuttle
Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton Boutique Hotel · Springdale | $$$–$$$$
A beautiful riverside property right at the park entrance, the Cliffrose is one of the most beloved hotels in Springdale. Lush gardens, a stunning pool on the Virgin River, and a design that feels distinctly of this place rather than a generic chain. Walk to the park, walk to restaurants. Perfect for couples.
✦ Virgin River location ✦ Stunning pool ✦ Walk to park entrance ✦ Hilton Honors
Hyatt Place Springdale / Zion National Park Hotel · Springdale | $$–$$$
A reliable, well-run option with mountain views, free hot breakfast, hot tub, and a genuinely convenient location on the Springdale shuttle route. Clean spacious rooms, dog-friendly, and consistently highly rated. A great choice for families who want comfort and value.
✦ Free hot breakfast ✦ Mountain views ✦ Dog-friendly ✦ Hot tub ✦ Hyatt Points
PRO TIP: When to Book Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the country, and Springdale has limited accommodation. Book 3–6 months in advance for spring and fall (the best seasons to visit). Summer is extremely hot: canyon temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. If you’re visiting in July or August, glamping and higher-elevation options are worth considering for the cooler nights. Winter visits offer dramatically lower rates and a completely different, quieter experience.
GREAT VALUE: Mid-Range Hotels
Solid comfort at fair prices: all with easy access to the park shuttle. Overall Springdale is a bit pricey, so even a few of these hotels are on the pricey side.
Driftwood Lodge Hotel · Springdale | $$
One of the best-value options in Springdale, the Driftwood Lodge delivers clean, comfortable rooms with views of the canyon walls and a pool. Simple and unpretentious — everything you need after a big day on the trails without paying resort prices.
✦ Pool ✦ Canyon views ✦ Central Springdale location ✦ Good value
Bumbleberry Inn · Springdale | –$
A Springdale classic. Large, comfortable rooms, free breakfast vouchers for a real sit-down meal at the on-site Bumbleberry Restaurant, and a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere. One of the most family-friendly options in town and consistently well-reviewed.
✦ Free breakfast ✦ Large rooms ✦ Family-friendly ✦ Great location
UNIQUE STAYS: Resorts, Ranches & Glamping
These properties offer something a hotel room simply can’t — a true sense of place.
Under Canvas Zion Luxury Glamping · Near Virgin, UT | $$$–$$$$
One of the world’s first designated Dark Sky Resorts, Under Canvas Zion delivers a safari-style glamping experience in the Utah desert with jaw-dropping views of the red canyon walls. Canvas tents with real beds, wood stoves, private en-suite bathrooms, and communal fire pits under impossibly starry skies. Named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 20 Resorts in the Mountain West. An unforgettable experience whether you’re a first-time glamper or a seasoned traveler.
✦ Dark Sky certified ✦ King beds in canvas tents ✦ Private bathrooms ✦ Wood stoves ✦ Nightly s’mores
Zion White Bison Resort Glamping Resort · Near Springdale | $$–$$$
Recognized as one of the top 5 glamping resorts in the US, Zion White Bison offers some of the most creative accommodation options near any national park: luxury teepees, covered wagons, cliff dwellings, and RV camping. An hourly shuttle runs directly to Springdale, making it genuinely easy to visit the park without driving. For families and groups looking for something truly different, this is it. I’ve tried to book this stay everytime I visited Zion and it’s always full – maybe next time.
✦ Teepees, wagons & cliff dwellings ✦ Hourly park shuttle ✦ Unique experience ✦ Multiple price points
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort Ranch Resort · East Side | $$–$$$
Located on the quieter east side of Zion, accessible via the stunning Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and tunnel, Zion Ponderosa offers a completely different experience from the canyon-floor crowds. Cabins, glamping tents, and lodge rooms sit on a working ranch with horseback riding, ziplines, hiking, and ATV tours. A great pick for families who want activities beyond the park itself, and for those who want to explore Zion’s less-visited east entrance. This is where we stayed on our most recent visit to Zion and we loved being on this side of the park.
✦ East side access ✦ Horseback riding & ziplines ✦ Multiple accommodation types ✦ Family activities
UNDER THE STARS — Camping Outside the Park
Zion’s night skies are extraordinary: camping puts you right under them.
Zion Canyon Campground Private Campground · Springdale | –$
The closest private campground to the park entrance, Zion Canyon Campground sits right in Springdale on the Virgin River with tent sites, RV hookups, and a handful of cabin rentals. Hot showers, a camp store, and the park shuttle stop right outside the gate. If you want the campground experience with maximum park access, this is the most convenient option outside the park.
✦ Walk to park shuttle ✦ Hot showers ✦ Tent & RV sites ✦ Cabin rentals ✦ River location
Sun Outdoors Zion RV Resort & Cabins · Near Springdale | –$
A well-equipped RV resort with cabin rentals, tent sites, pool, and a good general store just outside Springdale. Best for RV travelers or those on a budget who want a solid base near the park. Less walking distance to the shuttle than Zion Canyon Campground but more space and better amenities.
✦ Full RV hookups ✦ Pool ✦ Cabin rentals ✦ General store
Looking for more help planning your Zion trip? See our complete guide to visiting Zion National Park, our top Zion hikes, and explore all our National Parks guides.
