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Recreation Areas and Campground Database

Zion National Park

West Temple, Cheryl Decker

Follow the paths where native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience wilderness in a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.

RecAreaDirections


Zion National Park's main, south entrance and administrative offices are located near Springdale, Utah

You may drive yourself on all open park roads except the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. During most of the year, the Scenic Drive is accessed by shuttle bus only. Shuttles are free to ride. Board one in Springdale or at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

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Facilities


Zion Canyon Visitor Center Visitor Center

Located near the South Entrance of the park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is an excellent place to begin your exploration of Zion Canyon. Park rangers and outdoor exhibits will help you plan your visit and make the most of your time. Inquire at the Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk about permits for backpacking, canyoneering, and other trips into the wilderness. Visit the bookstore for maps, books, and gifts.


Human History Museum Visitor Center

Indoor exhibits focus in the human history of Zion National Park. A 22-minute orientation film highlights the dramatic landscapes of the park and examines the history of the canyon. Rotating art exhibits feature regional artists. Visit the bookstore for maps, book, and gifts. There are dramatic views of the Towers of the Virgin and Bridge Mountain outside.


Kolob Canyons Visitor Center Visitor Center

This is the entry point to the Kolob Canyons area of the park. It is located 45 miles north of Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar City at Exit 40 on Interstate 15. Park rangers are available to answer questions. Exhibits explore the geology, vegetation, and wildlife of this unique landscape.


Lava Point Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Lava Point Campground is typically open May through September, as weather allows. Situated at 7890 feet above sea level, it is off the Kolob Terrace Road, 25 miles (45 minutes) north of the town of Virgin. It takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to drive to the campground from the South Entrance of Zion Canyon.

Recreation

Barney's Trail leaves from the campground and provides access to Lava Point Overlook and the West Rim Trail. The campground is also excellent for wildlife watching and stargazing. 

Facilities

Lava Point is a primitive and dry campground. There is no potable water on site so campers must bring their own. There are no electrical hookups or outlets on site. Each campsite has a trash receptacle, picnic table, and fire ring. Restroom facilities consist of pit toilets. 

Natural Features

Lava Point Campground is situated at 7,890 ft. above sea level providing cooler temperatures for campers during southern Utah's hot summers. Pine and Aspen trees create shade and protect campsites from wind on gustier days. A short distance from the campground entrance is Lava Point Overlook where campers can take in breathtaking panoramic views to the South towards Zion Canyon. 

Nearby Attractions

Lava Point Campground is approximately a 1 hour drive from the South Entrance of Zion National Park in Springdale, UT. In between the campground and the South Entrance there are several trailheads providing access to Zion wilderness. Lava Point Campground is also located just a few miles South of Kolob Reservoir which provides fishing and water recreation opportunities.  

Charges & Cancellations

Due to the remote nature of the campground reservation modifications are the responsibility of the camper. Please manage your reservation by logging into your Recreation.gov account or calling the Recreation.gov reservation line at 1-877-444-6777. 

Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies will apply. 


WATCHMAN CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

For visitors to Zion National Park, Watchman Campground is an ideal place to stay. Located near the park's south entrance, the campground is just a short walk from the main visitor center, the Zion Canyon Shuttle System and the adjacent town of Springdale. The canyon and most of the park's trails are only accessible by shuttle bus from approximately March through November each year.

Season Dates: Watchman Campground is open year-round. Reservations are available 6 months in advance. 

Recreation

Hikers can access three trails directly from the facility: the Watchman Trail, a moderate trail that ascends the peak behind the campground; the Archeology Trail, which offers a light hike to an archeological site nearby; and the Pa'rus Trail, a paved walking and biking trail that runs alongside the river, and the only trail in the park that allows dogs. Although there are no rock climbing routes in the campground, many popular climbs are within a short shuttle bus ride into the main canyon. Use of OHVs and ATVs is prohibited in Zion National Park.

Facilities

Toilets, drinking water and picnic tables are provided at this facility. Tent-only (F-Loop), non-electric sites (C & D Loop) do not permit vehicles 19 feet and over or in combined length. Group sites (E-Loop) are also tent-only and can accommodate between seven and 40 people. Standard electric sites in A & B loops may be used for either tent or RV camping. There are no full-hookup campsites. Electric sites are all 30 amp, with only a handful of sites that supply 50 amp; a dump station with potable water is available at the entrance to the campground.

Natural Features

Zion is known for it's dynamic geologic history and Watchman Campground is no exception. Named for the rocky peak that rises above it, the campground is surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs that glow red and orange during sunrise and sunset. The Virgin River, a narrow but powerful river that has carved out the canyon over time, runs adjacent to the campground. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Most of the campsites are in partial to full sun, however in the Group sites (E-Loop) and the Walk-To sites (F-Loop) visitors may receive some shade under pergulas that are constructed over the picnic tables. Visitors can also cool off in the cold river when temperatures peak during summer. Be Advised: The months of April and May bring an unusual infestation of Tent Caterpillars, which fall from trees onto tents, tables, and unsuspecting campers and can make it quite uncomfortable to sit outside. The months of July and August in particular bring a higher concentration of ants in the campsites, which seem to come out especially after the monsoons, but are present all summer long. Insecticidal treatment by visitors is not permitted.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (877) 444-6777.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Springdale has shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and a public library. Throughout the year, concerts, festivals, and parades are held in the town.

Charges & Cancellations

  • Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee
  • If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time on the day of arrival you must contact campground staff at [email protected].
  • Group campsite: Customers who cancel a group site reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.


SOUTH CAMPGROUND (UT) Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Reservations for South Campground are available up to 14 days before your arrival and may extend up to two days beyond this 14-day booking window. 

For visitors to Zion National Park, South Campground is an ideal place to stay. Located near the park's south entrance, the campground is just a short walk from the main visitor center, the Zion Canyon Shuttle System and the adjacent town of Springdale. The canyon and most of the park's trails are only accessible by shuttle bus from approximately the end of February until the end of November each year.
Season Dates: South Campground is open from early March to the end of October. Reservations are available up to 14 days before your arrival. For example, if you want to make a reservation for March 14 to 16, you may book this reservation beginning on March 1. Reservations that extend beyond the 14 day booking window cannot be altered.

For reservations more than 14 days ahead of arrival, please check Watchman Campground which offers reservations six months in advance of arrival.

Recreation

Hikers can access three trails directly from the facility: the Watchman Trail, a moderate trail that ascends the peak behind the campground; the Archeology Trail, which offers a light hike to an archeological site; and the Pa'rus Trail, a paved walking and biking trail that runs alongside the river, and the only trail in the park that allows dogs. The Zion visitor center and the park shuttles are a short walk from the campground. Many popular rock climbing routes are within a short shuttle bus ride into the main canyon. Use of OHVs and ATVs is prohibited in Zion National Park.

Facilities

Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, firepits and a dump station are provided at this facility. Four group sites are available that can accommodate RVs and tents. There are no hook-ups in this campground. Generators can be used during specific hours.

Natural Features

Zion is known for its dynamic geologic history. The South Campground and Amphitheater were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the early 1930s. The project was completed and opened to the public in the spring of 1935. The Virgin River, a narrow but powerful river that has carved out the canyon over time, runs adjacent to the site. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Although the campground is moderately forested, most of the campsites are in partial to full sun but visitors can cool off in the cold river when temperatures peak during summer. Be Advised: The months of April and May bring an unusual infestation of Tent Caterpillars, which fall from trees onto tents, tables, and unsuspecting campers and can make it quite uncomfortable to sit outside. The months of July and August in particular bring a higher concentration of ants in the campsites, which seem to come out especially after the monsoons, but are present all summer long. August and September bring yellowjackets. Insecticidal treatment by visitors is not permitted.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Springdale has shopping, art galleries, shower facilities, restaurants. equipment rental businesses, gas stations, markets, bike rentals, library and health clinic.

Charges & Cancellations

  • Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
  • If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time the day of your arrival you must contact campground staff at [email protected]
  • Group campsite: Customers who cancel a group site reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.


Zion National Park Shuttle Tickets Ticket Facility

Starting June 26, 2020, Zion National Park will implement a temporary timed ticket system for the park shuttle in order to provide predictable access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, meet the CDC, state and local guidance related to COVID-19, and reduce shuttle wait times.

All passengers including children age three and older will require a ticket to board the shuttle. Children age two and under do not need a ticket, but must be held on an adult’s lap. You may reserve up to 8 tickets per day.

The shuttle is the way to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, including the trailheads for the Narrows and Angels Landing. Private vehicles may not drive up the scenic drive when the shuttle is operational. All other areas of the park including the east side of the park, the mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, Kolob Terrace, the Watchman and Pa Rus trails will not require a shuttle ticket.

In addition to the shuttle reservation, you must pay the park entrance fee. After adding your shuttle tickets to the shopping cart, you may also add a Zion National Park digital pass to pay in advance for your park entrance fee. The park will honor annual and lifetime passes for entry including: Zion Park Annual Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Volunteer Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency 4th Grade Pass. If you have one of these passes, you will not need to purchase a Zion National Park digital pass for entry, but you will need to have your pass available at the entrance station for verification. All pass holders will need to reserve shuttle tickets if you plan to ride the shuttle.


Angels Landing: Spring (Hikes on April 1 – May 31) Permit


Angels Landing: Summer (Hikes on June 1 – August 31) Permit


Angels Landing: Fall (Hikes on September 1 – November 30) Permit


Angels Landing: Winter (Hikes on December 1 – February 28) Permit


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