We based ourselves in Springdale for our nights in Zion, and it’s the base we’d recommend to most visitors. The town sits right outside the South Entrance, the free shuttle stops outside many of the hotels, and you can walk into the park in the morning before the heat builds. This guide covers the best places to stay in and around the park, from the one lodge inside it to glamping outside Virgin and cheaper bases in St George, Cedar City and Kanab.
Where you stay shapes your days in Zion more than in most parks. From March to November private cars can’t drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so staying near the shuttle saves a lot of time. If you’re heading for Kolob Canyons or arriving from Bryce Canyon, a base further out can make more sense.
Best Places to Stay in Zion National Park: At a Glance
| Best for | Where to stay |
| Staying inside the park | Zion Lodge |
| Upscale, by the entrance | Cable Mountain Lodge |
| Good value in Springdale (where we stayed) | Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale |
| Suites with breakfast | SpringHill Suites Springdale |
| Glamping | AutoCamp Zion |
| Boutique stay in St George | Inn on the Cliff |
Where to Stay in and Near Zion National Park
Zion is one of the busiest national parks in the US, and the rooms closest to the canyon go first. There’s only one hotel inside the park, so most visitors stay in Springdale, the small town that wraps around the South Entrance. It has the widest choice, and its free shuttle links the hotels to the park’s pedestrian entrance.
Further out, Virgin and Rockville have newer glamping sites about 15 to 20 minutes from the entrance. St George, Hildale and Cedar City are cheaper but mean a longer drive each morning. If you’re coming from Bryce Canyon or heading on to the Grand Canyon, Kanab and the east side are worth a look.
Inside Zion National Park: Where to Stay In Zion National Park
Staying inside the park means waking up in Zion Canyon with the crowds still outside the gates. The choice is small: one lodge and three campgrounds, and all of them book up well ahead.
The park itself is the reason to be here. The best hikes in Zion start along the canyon floor, from the Narrows to Angels Landing, and the Watchman is a short walk from the visitor centre (the trail is closed for repairs at the time of writing). The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is a spectacular drive east through the tunnel towards Checkerboard Mesa.
Zion Lodge
Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside the park, set on the canyon floor along the Scenic Drive. It has 76 hotel rooms, six suites and 40 historic cabins, and it sits on the Zion Canyon shuttle line, so you can reach the trailheads without going back through the entrance. Since January 2025 it has been run by POWDR.
We only stopped here for lunch, and it was the busiest place in the canyon. It’s the one place to eat inside the park, so if you’re staying elsewhere, bring a packed lunch and just pick up a cold drink at the lodge. Rooms sell out early, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Watchman Campground
Watchman Campground is beside the South Entrance and open all year. Sites can be booked on Recreation.gov up to six months ahead. The A and B loops have electric hook-ups, and there’s a dump station at the entrance, but no full hook-ups.
South Campground and Lava Point
South Campground reopened in May 2026 after a two-year renovation. Its 117 sites run from early March to the end of October and open for booking just 14 days ahead. Lava Point, up the Kolob Terrace Road about an hour from Zion Canyon, has six primitive sites with no water, usually open from May to September. Our Zion camping guide covers all three.
Springdale: Best Lodging & Hotels Near Zion National Park
If you can’t get into Zion Lodge or a campground, Springdale is the next best thing, and for most people it’s simply the best base. The town stretches along the Virgin River and Zion Park Boulevard, with the park’s pedestrian entrance at Zion Canyon Village at its northern end.
The free Springdale Line shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes through the shuttle season, with nine stops along Zion Park Boulevard. Park at your hotel, ride to the entrance, then walk across to the Zion Canyon shuttle. For dinner, we really liked the food at the Spotted Dog, the restaurant at Flanigan’s.
Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale
This is where we stayed. Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale is keenly priced for Springdale, 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 this close to the park.
It has 90 rooms, a seasonal heated pool and free hot breakfast, and small pets are allowed for a fee. The Springdale shuttle stops outside, about a mile from the entrance.
Check Rates and Availability at Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale
Cable Mountain Lodge
Cable Mountain Lodge is about as close to the park as you can stay without being in it: a four-minute walk from the pedestrian entrance, with the Zion Canyon Village shuttle stop just across a footbridge. Its 50 suites and studios all have kitchens or kitchenettes, and there’s a pool and hot tub looking up at the canyon walls.
Check Rates and Availability at Cable Mountain Lodge
Cliffrose Springdale
Cliffrose Springdale, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, is an eight-minute walk from the entrance, set in landscaped gardens. It has 50 rooms, two pools and its own restaurant, Anthera. Pets aren’t allowed.
Check Rates and Availability at Cliffrose Springdale
Flanigan’s Resort & Spa
Flanigan’s is a short walk from the entrance, with a pool, the Deep Canyon Spa and the Spotted Dog restaurant on site. Stop 3 on the Springdale shuttle is right outside, so you don’t need the car once you’ve checked in.
Check Rates and Availability at Flanigan’s
Red Cliffs Lodge Zion
Formerly the Lodge at Zion Country, Red Cliffs Lodge Zion reopened in December 2024 after a full renovation as part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio. It has 132 rooms, a pool and hot tub, and the Scout Bar & Grill, less than a mile from the park.
Check Rates and Availability at Red Cliffs Lodge Zion
Desert Pearl Inn
About a mile from the entrance, the Desert Pearl Inn has 72 rooms with kitchenettes and a pool, and Stop 4 on the Springdale shuttle. It’s a good choice if you want to cook some of your own meals. Pets aren’t allowed.
SpringHill Suites Springdale
SpringHill Suites has 114 suites, a pool and hot tub, and free breakfast, about a mile from the entrance at shuttle Stop 6. It’s pet-friendly, and the extra space in the suites helps if you’re travelling as a family.
Check Rates and Availability at SpringHill Suites
Virgin: Glamping Near Zion
Virgin sits on Highway 9 about 15 minutes west of Springdale, and it’s where most of the area’s newer glamping sites have opened. You’ll drive in each day, but you get more space for the money.
AutoCamp Zion
Opened in 2023, AutoCamp Zion has 96 Airstream trailers and cabin suites, a heated pool and its own restaurant, about 14 miles from the entrance.
Check Rates and Availability at AutoCamp Zion
Under Canvas Zion
Under Canvas Zion is on the Kolob Terrace Road outside Virgin, about 20 miles from the main entrance. Its 66 safari tents have their own bathrooms, and there’s a café on site. It’s seasonal: in 2026 it opened on 12 March and closes on 28 November.
Zion Wildflower
At the bottom of the Kolob Terrace Road, Zion Wildflower is a glamping resort with a pool, hot tub and café.
Hildale: The Best Place to Stay For Zion National Park Adventures
Hildale sits on the Arizona border, a drive of around 50 minutes from Springdale. It’s a base for campers rather than hotel stays, with Water Canyon and the Canaan Mountain trails on the doorstep, and it works well if you’re combining Zion with a drive south into Arizona.
Zion Glamping Adventures
Zion Glamping Adventures has 21 bell tents with queen beds on Water Canyon Road, with shared showers and toilets and a campfire included. Pets aren’t allowed.
Zion View Camping
A small, budget-friendly site, Zion View Camping has just three units: an air-conditioned tent with a king bed, a tent with two queens and a covered-wagon trailer. There are shared hot showers, and pets are welcome.
St. George: Where to Stay Around Zion National Park
St George is southern Utah’s biggest city, 46 miles from the South Entrance, which is about an hour’s drive. Hotels are cheaper and there’s far more choice of restaurants, and Snow Canyon State Park and the Red Hills Desert Garden are both close by. It makes sense if you’re flying into St George or Las Vegas, or only visiting Zion for a day.
Inn on the Cliff
Inn on the Cliff is a 27-room boutique hotel on a ridge above the city, with balconies, a pool and free breakfast. Cliffside Restaurant is next door.
Check Rates and Availability at Inn on the Cliff
La Quinta by Wyndham St George
A reliable budget choice, La Quinta has 104 rooms, an outdoor pool and free breakfast. Dogs and cats are allowed for a nightly fee.
Cedar City: Best Zion National Park Accommodation
Cedar City is 59 miles from the South Entrance but only about 17 miles from the Kolob Canyons entrance, so it’s the best base if you want to explore Zion’s quieter northwest corner. Cedar Breaks National Monument is also within easy reach, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival runs here through the summer.
Big Yellow Inn
The Big Yellow Inn is a 12-room bed and breakfast in a grand old house, with a full breakfast included. There’s no front desk and pets aren’t allowed.
The Cairn Hotel
Formerly the Ramada, The Cairn Hotel is now part of Choice’s Ascend Collection. It has a seasonal pool, free breakfast, a lounge and a Mexican restaurant on site, and pets are allowed for a fee.
More Hotels Near Zion National Park
These are worth considering if Springdale is full or you’re combining Zion with other parks.
Hampton Inn Kanab
Kanab is about 30 minutes from Zion’s East Entrance, and a good base if you’re splitting your time between Zion and Bryce Canyon. The Hampton Inn Kanab has an indoor pool and grab-and-go breakfast, and pets are allowed for a fee.
Check Rates and Availability at Hampton Inn Kanab
LOGE St George
Formerly the Desert Garden Inn, LOGE St George has 101 rooms, an outdoor pool and free continental breakfast. It’s a straightforward, budget-friendly base about an hour from Zion.
Check Rates and Availability at LOGE St George
Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin
About 15 minutes from the South Entrance, Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin is a big, modern hotel with more than 190 rooms, a large pool plus a children’s pool, and free breakfast. It’s a good family option, though pets aren’t allowed.
Check Rates and Availability at Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin
Staybridge Suites St George
Staybridge Suites suits longer stays: every suite has a full kitchen, breakfast is free, and there’s an outdoor pool and hot tub. Pets are allowed for a fee.
Check Rates and Availability at Staybridge Suites
Hyatt Place Springdale
The former Holiday Inn Express in Springdale became Hyatt Place Springdale/Zion National Park in 2025. It’s about 1.6 miles from the entrance at shuttle Stop 6, with a seasonal heated pool, two hot tubs and free breakfast. Pets are allowed for a fee.
Check Rates and Availability at Hyatt Place Springdale
On the East Side: Zion Mountain Ranch and Zion Ponderosa
Near the East Entrance, Zion Mountain Ranch has private cabins and group lodges on a ranch with its own bison herd and horse riding. Close by, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort offers cabins, covered wagons and camping, with a pool and activities from zip lines to jeep tours. Both are convenient if you’re driving in from Bryce Canyon or Kanab.
Where to Stay in Zion National Park: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Area to Stay When Visiting Zion National Park?
Springdale, unless you can get a room at Zion Lodge. The town’s free shuttle links the hotels to the pedestrian entrance, so you can leave the car at your hotel all day.
Is it Worth it to Stay In Zion National Park?
Yes, if you can get in. Zion Lodge and the campgrounds put you in the canyon before the day visitors arrive. Watchman Campground opens six months ahead and South Campground just 14 days ahead, while the lodge books up early, so plan well in advance.
How Do You Get Around in Zion National Park?
By shuttle for most of the year. In 2026 the Zion Canyon shuttle runs from 7 March to 28 November and again from 26 December to 2 January, and the Scenic Drive is closed to private cars throughout. Outside those dates you can drive the canyon yourself. The free Springdale Line runs on the same dates.
Can I Drive an RV Through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel?
Not if it’s large. Since 7 June 2026, vehicles over 35 feet 9 inches long, 11 feet 4 inches tall or 7 feet 10 inches wide, or a towing combination over 50 feet, are banned from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway between the East Entrance and Canyon Junction. There’s no longer an escort option, so larger vehicles coming from Kanab or Bryce Canyon have to go round to the South Entrance.
Practical Tips to Consider Before Booking Your Zion Accommodation
Book early. Springdale fills up from spring to autumn, and Zion Lodge and Watchman Campground are often full the day bookings open.
Budget for park fees. The entrance fee is $35 per private vehicle for seven days, and since 2026 non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at Zion. An America the Beautiful pass covers this for the pass holder and their car.
Give yourself at least two full days. Our things to know before you visit Zion will help you plan the rest, and our Zion National Park hub has the current shuttle, permit and closure details.
Zion Accommodation Guide: Map
Places to Stay in Zion National Park: Read Next
If you’re planning a stay in and around Zion, you’ll also want to read:
