Springdale sits right outside the South Entrance to Zion National Park, so most people come here to hike. But this small town of around 500 people, strung along the Virgin River beneath towering red cliffs, has plenty to fill the rest of your time: galleries, spas, a riverside park, good restaurants and a ghost town just down the road.
These are the best things to do in Springdale, from the obvious (Zion) to the easily missed, plus where to stay and when to visit. It’s also a handy base for the rest of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks.
Looking for a place to stay in Springdale? Try Flanigan’s Resort & Spa, an easy walk from the park entrance and home to the Spotted Dog restaurant.
Top 5 Fun Things to do in Springdale, Utah
Visit Zion National Park
There’s no way you’re visiting Springdale without heading into Zion. The pedestrian entrance is at the north end of town, and the free Springdale shuttle stops outside many of the hotels, which is why it’s one of the best places to stay near Zion.
Zion hardly needs an introduction: red rock cliffs, the Virgin River and some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Utah. The Watchman Trail, which starts by the Visitor Center, was one of our favourite hikes, though it’s currently closed for repairs, so check before you go. The flat, paved Pa’rus Trail starts from the same spot, and The Narrows is the classic challenge if you don’t mind getting wet.
When you’re not hiking, there are plenty of other things to do in Zion National Park, from canyoneering to stargazing. Start at the Zion Human History Museum, at Stop 2 on the park shuttle, to learn about the canyon’s Native American and pioneer history; its 22-minute film is a good introduction. It’s open from spring to autumn.
Tip: Book a guided Zion Narrows hike or a half-day canyoneering experience to make the most of your trip.
Watch a Performance at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
Looking for things to do in Springdale at night? The O.C. Tanner Amphitheater is an open-air venue at the edge of town, with the cliffs of Zion as its backdrop, making it one of the most scenic places in the state to catch a show.
It hosts concerts and performances in the warmer months. Programmes change from year to year, so check what’s on before your trip.
Tip: Bring a cushion and a layer for after sunset, when the desert air cools quickly.
Float Down the Virgin River
Name a better way to cool off than floating down the Virgin River beneath the cliffs? We’re not sure you can.
Zion Outfitter, at the park entrance, no longer rents tubes, but it sells inflatable tubes in spring and summer, from around $25. For an organised trip, Zion Tubing, in Virgin about 15 miles west of Springdale, will shuttle you upstream so you can float back down; it’s suitable for ages 4 and up.
It isn’t all smooth sailing. Depending on the water level, there are shallow, rocky stretches where you’ll need to get out and walk, and faster riffles where you’ll need to steer, so wear water shoes. Floating depends on river flow, which is usually best in late spring and early summer, and the park currently advises against putting your head under the water because of toxic cyanobacteria.
Sleep Under the Stars at a Springdale Campground
With so much natural beauty around you, camping is a great way to get closer to it, and it saves on hotel bills too. Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, so the stars overhead are a big bonus.
In Springdale itself, Zion Canyon Campground is the town’s only campground, with 131 RV sites with hookups and 15 tent sites by the river, about half a mile from the park entrance.
Just inside the park, a short walk from Springdale, are Zion’s two main campgrounds. Watchman Campground has around 180 sites, including electric RV sites and walk-in tent sites, and is open all year. South Campground, with around 125 sites and no hookups, is open from early March to the end of October.
Tip: These campgrounds book up fast. Watchman opens for reservations six months ahead on Recreation.gov, and South Campground 14 days ahead.
Unwind at a Spa
A spa day might not be top of your list for a trip to the great outdoors, but after a long hike you’ll be glad of it. Springdale has several places to ease your aching legs.
Massage Zion, in the middle of town, offers both massage and yoga, so you can stretch before a hike or book a massage afterwards. At the park end of town, Cable Mountain Spa at Cable Mountain Lodge offers massages and facials.
For a bigger treat, the Five Petals Spa at Cliffrose Springdale is open daily, with 50-minute massages from around $149, and the Deep Canyon Spa at Flanigan’s offers massages, facials, yoga and Pilates, plus a meditation labyrinth.
Brilliant Things to See & Do in Springdale
Bike the Pa’rus Trail
Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the park from Springdale. The Pa’rus Trail is a paved, mostly flat path along the Virgin River from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction, 3.5 miles there and back, and it’s the only trail in Zion open to bikes. From there, you can carry on up the Scenic Drive.
Rent a bike in town: Zion Outfitter has cruisers from around $29 for an afternoon and e-bikes from around $79, and Zion Cycles rents e-bikes from about $25 an hour. Only Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed in the park, and e-bikes can’t go on the shuttle.
Explore the Art Galleries
When you’re not out in nature or getting a massage, why not browse a few of Springdale’s galleries? Most are within a few minutes’ walk of each other along Zion Park Boulevard.
The David J. West Gallery shows striking landscape photography of Zion and the Southwest. Nearby, the Worthington Gallery, open since 1980 in an 1880s pioneer home, sells pottery, wind chimes, paintings, glass and jewellery.
The DeZion Gallery displays paintings, sculpture and ceramics by artists inspired by the park.
Go Souvenir Shopping
If nothing in the galleries caught your eye, you might find the perfect Zion souvenir in one of the town’s gift shops.
Near the park entrance, the Tribal Arts Gallery has sold authentic Native American arts and crafts, including baskets, rugs, pottery and jewellery, since 1988.
Further along, stop at Bumbleberry Gift Shop & Bakery for T-shirts, gifts and its famous bumbleberry pie, plus jams and syrups to take home. Springdale Candy Co, close by, is a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Unique Things to See & Do in Springdale: Hidden Gems That are Off the Beaten Track
Visit a Ghost Town
The historic ghost town of Grafton is one of the best things to do near Springdale, and it’s only about 15 minutes’ drive away.
Mormon pioneers founded Grafton in 1859, then moved it a mile upstream after a flood in 1862. The town never really thrived, and the last residents left in the mid-1940s. Today the Grafton Heritage Partnership looks after what remains, including the adobe schoolhouse of 1886, which doubled as a church and meeting hall, several restored homes and a small pioneer cemetery.
It might look familiar: Grafton has appeared in films including In Old Arizona (1929), The Arizona Kid (1930) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).
Tip: Take Bridge Road south from Rockville across the river and follow the signs. There’s no water or toilets, and the road can become impassable in heavy rain.
Have a Picnic at George Barker River Park
Along the Virgin River off Zion Park Boulevard, George Barker River Park is a lovely spot for a picnic, especially if you’re travelling with a dog. There are picnic tables, barbecue grills, toilets and river access.
Across the footbridge is the Marj Bonner Dog Park, an off-leash area where your dog can run around, plus walking trails along the river. Watch out for rattlesnakes in summer.
Explore Other Nearby Parks
Zion will probably be your main focus, but Springdale is also a good base for exploring further afield.
Bryce Canyon National Park is about 86 miles away, or roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by car through Zion’s East Entrance. Its hikes among the hoodoos and its sunrise and sunset spots are unforgettable, and there are good restaurants in Bryce Canyon for afterwards.
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim is about 2 hours 30 minutes away, but after the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge it’s only partly open, with no lodging, until the end of November 2026 at the latest. The South Rim is a much longer drive of around 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes. If you’re driving a large RV, note that vehicles over 35 feet 9 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches wide or 11 feet 4 inches high have been banned from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway since June 2026.
Things to do in Springdale: Practical Tips for Your Trip
How Long to Visit in Springdale?
It depends on your plans. On a Utah national parks road trip, most people spend about two days in Zion and Springdale.
But you could easily spend a week here if you want to hike more of the park, explore the town and take day trips further afield.
Getting Around Springdale
The free Springdale shuttle runs through town every 10 to 15 minutes, with nine stops from Hotel DeNovo at the southern end to Zion Canyon Village by the park entrance. In 2026 it runs from 7 March to 28 November, plus a holiday service from 26 December to 2 January. Street parking in town costs $15 to $25 a day.
Best Time to Visit Springdale
For pleasant weather, visit in spring or autumn, roughly April to May and late September to early November. These are busy months, though, so for fewer crowds and lower hotel rates, try early March or November. See our guide to the best time to visit Zion for more.
Where Should I Stay in Springdale?
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites (Mid-Range)
In the middle of Springdale, under a mile from the park entrance, the Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites has an outdoor pool and hot tub, a fitness centre and a full breakfast included. Every room has a microwave and fridge, and it’s excellent value for the location.
Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale (Mid-Range, Where We Stayed)
This is where we stayed. Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale is keenly priced and the rooms are very spacious; some have a view of the Watchman. It isn’t luxurious and the breakfast is forgettable, but it’s good value about a mile from the park, with a shuttle stop right outside.
Cliffrose Springdale (Luxury)
On the banks of the Virgin River near the park entrance, Cliffrose Springdale, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has elegant rooms, landscaped gardens and a year-round riverside pool and waterfall hot tub with views of the cliffs. Some rooms look over the river, and the Five Petals Spa is just steps away.
For more options, see our full guide to where to stay in and near Zion, and our pick of the best restaurants in Springdale and Zion.
Recommended Tours in Springdale
- Springdale: Half-Day Canyoneering Experience
- From Springdale: Greater Zion Scenic Hiking Tour
- From Springdale: 4-hour Zion Canyon Scenic Hiking Tour
- From Springdale: Zion Sunset Biking/eBiking Tour
See our pick of the best Zion National Park tours for more ideas.
