Zion National Park Camping: Complete Desert Guide

Why Camp in Zion?

Most Zion visitors drive in, take the shuttle, hike Angels Landing, and drive out. They miss the magic hour when the canyon walls turn red at sunset, the quiet morning before the buses arrive, the stars framed by sandstone towers.

Camping puts you in the park when it’s actually peaceful.

The Campgrounds

Watchman Campground

Sites: 176 | Open: Year-round | Reservable: Yes

The main campground, located at the park entrance near the Visitor Center. Electric hookups available for some sites. Flush toilets, showers (at the Visitor Center for a fee).

Best sites:

• Riverside sites (A loop) for Virgin River access
• Avoid sites near the road for less traffic noise

Tips:

• Book 6 months ahead for spring/fall weekends
• Shuttle stop right there—you don’t need to move your car once parked

South Campground

Sites: 117 | Open: March-November | Reservable: Yes

Walk-in to many sites. Same location as Watchman but feels slightly more removed. No hookups.

Best for: Tent campers who don’t need electricity

Lava Point Campground

Sites: 6 | Open: May-October | Reservable: No (first-come)

Way up on the Kolob Plateau at 7,900 feet. Cool temperatures when the canyon floor is scorching. Primitive sites, no water.

Why we love it:

• Escape the crowds completely
• Stargazing is incredible
• Rarely full midweek
• Access to West Rim Trail

Note: The road (Kolob Terrace Road) is remote and sometimes closed for conditions.

Backcountry Camping

Zion has extensive backcountry options for those willing to earn their solitude.

West Rim Trail

The classic Zion backpacking route. Usually hiked top-down from Lava Point to the canyon floor. Designated campsites along the way.

Permits: Required, lottery for popular sites

La Verkin Creek

Less crowded than the main canyon. Access to Kolob Arch, one of the largest freestanding arches in the world.

The Narrows (Top-Down)

This requires a permit and planning, but camping in the Narrows slot canyon is an unforgettable experience.

Note: Flash flood risk is real. Check weather forecasts obsessively.

Seasons

Spring (March-May)

Pros: Comfortable temps, waterfalls flowing, wildflowers Cons: Variable weather, crowds building

The sweet spot is April—before it’s truly packed but after the worst winter weather.

Summer (June-August)

Pros: Longest days, everything open Cons: HEAT (100°F+), crowds, flash flood season

If you must go in summer, start hikes at dawn and retreat to shade by noon.

Fall (September-November)

Pros: Cooling temps, fall color, fewer crowds Cons: Shorter days

October is arguably the best month. Cottonwoods turn gold, temps are perfect, and the summer crowds have left.

Winter (December-February)

Pros: Solitude, dramatic snow on red rocks Cons: Cold, some trails icy/closed, shorter days

Watchman stays open year-round. The canyon is magical with snow.

The Shuttle System

Private vehicles aren’t allowed in Zion Canyon (the scenic drive) from March-November. You’ll use the free shuttle.

From the campgrounds:

• Watchman and South are at the shuttle hub
• First bus around 6am, last around 10pm (varies by season)

Pro tip: Catch an early shuttle for popular trailheads like Angels Landing before the crowds.

Getting a Site

Reservation Strategy

• Book exactly 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov
• Be online at 8am Mountain Time when reservations open
• Weekends, spring break, and October are hardest

No Reservations?

• Check for cancellations daily
• Try Lava Point (first-come)
• Nearby BLM land has dispersed camping
• Springdale has private campgrounds

Beat the Heat

Summer in Zion can be brutal. If you’re camping in hot months:

1. Start early — Trailheads by 6am
2. River hikes — The Narrows and Riverside Walk are cooler
3. Siesta — Rest 11am-4pm, explore evening
4. Hydrate — 1 liter per hour on strenuous hikes
5. Night hike — Some trails are magical under the moon

Must-Do Hikes

Easy

• Riverside Walk (2.2 mi): Paved path to the Narrows entrance
• Canyon Overlook (1 mi): Short climb to epic views

Moderate

• The Narrows (bottom-up) (varies): Wade up the river as far as you want
• Observation Point via East Mesa (6.4 mi): Avoid the closed main trail

Challenging

• Angels Landing (5.4 mi): Chains on a knife-edge ridge (permit required)
• West Rim Trail (14.2 mi): Full day or overnight

The Bottom Line

Zion is one of the most dramatic landscapes in America, and camping is the only way to experience it at its best. The red walls at sunset, the silence after the shuttles stop, the stars over the canyon—you can’t get that on a day trip.

Plan ahead. Get your reservation. Be ready for the heat (or the cold). But get there.

Into the canyon. Into the wild.