Zion is a popular National Park where visitors come to immerse themselves within the grandeur of the canyon’s cliffs, and to challenge themselves with one of our many scenic and adventurous hikes. The Where is zion national park located in utah is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park. Hiking in The Narrows upstream as far as Big Spring does not require a permit. Doing the hike this way allows you to see some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon. You can hike in the river for an hour and have a great experience, or you can hike as far as Big Spring, a strenuous, ten-mile round trip, all-day adventure. You can also hike sixteen miles downstream over one or two days, entering the park soon after starting the hike and then exiting at the Temple of Sinawava.
Those who choose this option must get a permit and arrange transportation for the one and a half hour ride to start the hike outside the park at Chamberlain’s Ranch. When should I hike The Narrows? Most people hike The Narrows in the late spring and summer when the water tends to be at its warmest and the water level drops. However, this is also the time of year that storms can cause life-threatening flash floods. Winter and early spring commonly means cold water and high water levels.
The Narrows can be closed during the spring when snowmelt raises the river over 150 CFS. Fall brings more stable weather, but days get shorter and the water temperature drops. Water level fluctuates greatly from year to year and day to day depending on many factors such as rainfall and snowmelt. When the current goes above 70 CFS, walking against the current becomes challenging and crossings of mid-thigh deep are frequent with pools that can be chest deep. If the flow goes to over 150 CFS, The Narrows will be closed to all travel. The Narrows also closes when a Flash Flood Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, and remains closed for two hours after the warning is lifted. The Narrows are susceptible to flash flooding because much of the surrounding area is bare rock that does not absorb water.
Despite the forecast, flooding is possible at any time, and floods have occurred on days they were not expected. Cyanobacteria Toxins Harmful cyanotoxins have been found in the Virgin River system. Many remote areas in Zion’s wilderness cannot be regularly monitored for toxins, therefore current conditions may not be known. What should I wear and bring? Close-toed shoes and a hiking stick are recommended for hiking on the slick, uneven rocks in The Narrows. High canyon walls and water create cooler conditions than anywhere else in Zion Canyon, so wear and bring seasonally appropriate synthetic layers. Please follow these guidelines to help protect the park and keep yourself safe while visiting. Recorded park information available 24 hours a day.
Phones are answered 9 am to 12 pm Mountain Time. By Car Zion National Park is located on State Route 9 in Springdale, Utah. All mileages below represent the distance from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Stay on State Route 9 East into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is ahead on the right. Stay on State Route 9 West into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is 12 miles ahead on the left. Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado.
Code will be active for three days and provides charging at Kolob Canyon Visitor Center and Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Thank you for your actions, which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use. This partnership between Zion National Park Forever Project, Zion National Park, and YOU helps protect our resources for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Recorded park information available 24 hours a day. Phones are answered 9 am to 12 pm Mountain Time. Shuttle tickets are not required to stay at Zion Park Motel.
To learn more about who needs a shuttle ticket and how to use your shuttle ticket click the link below. Tickets for park shuttle can be purchased by clicking and following the link below at Recreation. The motel has remodeled units and newly remodeled family units. The family units will accommodate six people with two bedrooms, living room, bath and kitchen. C, free ice and free wi-fi. We do not accept pets on the premises.
The Zion Park Motel is located just one mile south of Zion National Park and the Zion Canyon Cinemax Theater. This Zion Motel is situated in beautiful Springdale, Utah, we are just two hours and a few minutes from either Bryce Canyon National Park, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or Lake Powell. This motel has a fantastic location and great prices. This motel does not have breakfast but there are tons of places that offer great breakfast just a minute walk away. Great motel with an awesome view . Nothing better to wake up with this beautiful view!
Close to Zion National Park, and restaurants near by. The pool is heated with a little cute water slide. If you looking for something affordable and good this is the place to stay. Loved that we could simply walk to eat or do some fun window shopping in the evening. If you decide to fly into the Salt Lake International Airport, we are just five hours south. George Temple and Visitor Center, and in the summer time there are wonderful outdoor musical productions at Tuacahn Amphitheater. Zion Park Motel is surrounded with a spectacular view of Zion National Park.
We have an outdoor heated pool with decorative rock walls, a lower shaded area, and a upper deck for those who would like to get some sun. We are close to the shuttle stop in downtown Springdale. When it comes to Utah’s “Mighty 5” parks, Zion National Park is one of the best places for camping. The elevation is not excessively high, so temperatures are warmer here from fall through spring than parks like Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. The most popular place for camping is near the South Gate. This is the area closest to the park’s main attractions, and it’s where you’ll find Zion National Park’s two main campgrounds. Just outside the gate is the town of Springdale, where you’ll find some RV parks.
On the east side of the park, just outside the entrance, is a small RV park, and farther on is a quaint campground at beautiful Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Campers traveling with RVs should be aware that they will need to pay a modest fee and obtain a permit to pass through the tunnel on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. The tunnel is not large enough to accommodate RVs passing other traffic, so when a vehicle over a certain size is entering the tunnel, traffic is halted in the opposing direction. Fees need to be paid at the entrance stations. Also, it is important to note that RVs are not permitted through the tunnel at night or before 8am. Specific transit times are posted on the NPS website.
Plan ahead to get a jump on reservations, and start with our list of the best campgrounds near Zion National Park. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. South Campground is undoubtedly the best place to camp in Zion. Large, leafy trees provide some shade from the heat of the day. Campsites are large and spaced a good distance from each other, and the cliff walls in behind remind you that you are in one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Southwest. Conveniently located near the south entrance, just outside of Springdale, this campground offers the advantage of staying within the park but close enough to town that you can run in and grab anything you may have forgotten. Camping inside the park also means you won’t have to deal with the lineup to get into the park in the morning.
This campground is open from March 1 to late November, and reservations are recommended. Reservations are available up to 14 days before your arrival. The campground does not have hookups, but there is a dump station and potable water. South Campground has 117 sites, and each site is allowed a maximum of one camper or RV, or two tents, and up to six people. Four group sites, allowing up to 15 people each, are available. Not far from South Campground, Watchman Campground is also conveniently located and scenic.
Fewer large trees mean there is less shade, and most campsites are in full sun, but this also allows for better views of the surrounding mountains. This campground is open year-round and does take reservations. Reservations can be made six months in advance, and you should book well in advance if you want to secure a site. About 95 campsites offer electrical hookups, and 69 sites are for tents only, including 18 walk-in tent sites. In addition, six group sites are able to accommodate between 9 and 40 people. For convenience, it’s hard to beat this RV park, located right outside the park’s south gate in Springdale and within walking distance of the Zion National Park Visitor Center.
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The campground has a spacious area for RVs and a section reserved for tents. Large deciduous trees offer some shade, and the views here are fantastic. On-site is a heated pool, coin laundry, and showers. From the front desk, you can get information on river tubing and swimming, as well as other activities in the area. Sites can be booked online, and note that pets are allowed in the RV section but not allowed in the tent section. The park shuttle stops right outside the front entrance.
Zion River Resort is a popular RV resort with manicured grounds, shady sites, paved parking pads, fire pits, and lawns. Located in the town of Virgin, between the towns of Hurricane and Springdale, this resort is about 20 minutes from Zion National Park. With pull-through sites, full hookups, tent sites, pool, Wi-Fi, showers, restrooms, and pet areas, this RV resort has everything you need. If you don’t want to drive to Zion, the resort offers shuttles for a small fee. Lava Point Campground is the smallest and most remote campground in Zion. Located on Kolob Plateau at 7,890 feet, this campground is almost 4,000 feet higher than South Campground. Temperatures are much cooler up here. Lava Point has six primitive sites set among a mix of aspen and pine trees.
To get here, you’ll need to drive 80 minutes from the south entrance back through the town of Virgin. The campground is first-come, first-served, and vehicles over 19 feet in length are not permitted. Picnic tables are provided, but no running water. If the sites are full here, consider continuing onwards to Kolob Reservoir. Unorganized camping here is free along the shoreline. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a spectacular little state park with a very nice campground. This park is one of the top state parks in Utah, and it’s worth a trip in its own right just to explore the dunes. Sites are all located along a single loop and set among juniper and pinon pines, providing plenty of privacy.
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Each site offers pull-through parking, a picnic table, and a grill. You can book a site here up to four months in advance. It’s also worth noting that the group site here is fantastic, with a modern barbecue, and it can hold between 25 and 50 people. The park is at an elevation of 6,000 feet, so be prepared for cool evenings even in the middle of summer. It can also be quite windy here, although the campground is relatively protected. Just outside the East Gate is the Hi-Road Campground.
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This campground is open year, highly recommend to anyone looking to relax and experience something new. Including 18 walk, we are 1 mile past Sunset Canyon Ranch. Between the towns of Hurricane and Springdale, enjoy a private ensuite bathroom, i am happy to report that we had a perfect experience there! George Hotels: For the best value around Zion National Park, this motel does not have breakfast but there are tons of places that offer great breakfast just a minute walk away. Most hotels in Springdale are mid, to learn more about who needs a shuttle ticket and how to use your shuttle ticket click the link below.
This is a convenient location if you are interested in getting an early start on the East Rim hike, or if you are arriving late from the east side of the park and want to stop and spend the night before driving through the park. Otherwise, this is not most campers’ first choice, and it’s not a place where most visitors linger. Hi-Ground has pull-through sites, full hookups, and tent sites. Facilities are very basic, and prices are high. Across the road from the campground is a trading post with some basic supplies. Most hotels in Springdale are mid-range or luxury, and prices for both are generally high. For better deals, you may want to consider staying in St.
Both of these are mid-range options, offering easy access to Zion, and come with a complimentary breakfast. The Quality Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool. Zion and a great place if you want to relax and enjoy the surroundings. The five-acre grounds encompass a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs, including a waterfall hot tub, as well as a riverside beach. Accommodation ranges from standard luxury rooms to multi-bedroom villas with full kitchens. George Hotels: For the best value around Zion National Park, it’s best to look for accommodation in St. Both of these provide complimentary breakfast and feature outdoor pools. The Clarion also offers rooms with fridges and microwaves.
Alternatively, for about the same price as a mid-range hotel in Springdale, you can treat yourself to luxury accommodation in St. Hiking: For a complete guide to the best trails in the area, see our articles on the Best Hikes in Zion National Park, as well as our guide to the Best Hikes near St. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. FOLLOW USWe’re sharing tips, tools, advice, and new inspiring locations for you to check out on Facebook and Twitter. Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws. The Suite is ideal for couples or families looking for the ultimate glamping experience. Enjoy a private ensuite bathroom, wood-burning stove and private deck. Perfect for couples looking for an elevated glamping trip. Enjoy the night stars on your private deck before retreating into your upscale tent kept warm by a wood-burning stove.
Keep warm with a wood-burning stove in your tent and enjoy a private deck area to gaze at the stars from. The Suite with Kids Tent is designed to accommodate families for the perfect glamping experience. This layout is designed for families looking for a unique addition to their luxury glamping adventure. This layout is designed to accommodate families of 4. Enjoy these upscale accommodations in the heart of nature. However, I am happy to report that we had a perfect experience there!
Highly recommend to anyone looking to relax and experience something new. Not a camper, so this was a treat! Under Canvas is 8 miles from HWY 9 on the left. We are 1 mile past Sunset Canyon Ranch. If you reach Zion National Park, you’ve gone too far. Exclusive monthly Under Canvas news, camp openings, and deals. Stay in the loop on all things Under Canvas! Sign up to be the first to hear about our newest camps, exclusive packages and events, special offers and more.
