Zion National Park spans over 146,000 acres of pure magnificence. You’ve received the teetering climb up Angel’s Landing, the Narrows and its novelty hike via the river, and so many viewpoints that you simply’ll wrestle to determine which to go to first. The hikes simply astound you in Zion National Park. But with a lot to do, it’s no marvel we at all times get questions on the place to keep in Zion National Park and what the very best Zion National Park lodging is. After numerous visits to this park (Which is certainly one of our favorites within the USA), we put collectively this deep dive into the world to assist you to determine.
Best Places to Stay in Zion National Park
You have a number of totally different choices for locating locations to keep in Zion National Park. There are restricted decisions for those who’d like to keep contained in the park itself (assume one lodge and plenty of campgrounds), or you’ll be able to keep in one of many close by cities, only a brief drive or stroll to the park entrances. These cities have way more selection by way of resorts, and also you’ll simply want to drive into the park every morning to get pleasure from its well-liked trails. Zion National Park lodging is fairly diverse.
In this information, we’ll weigh every thing up for you to select the very best Zion National Park lodging on your journey. Whether you need a sizzling tub, health middle, or personal deck overlooking wonderful views, we’ve received you coated. Here’s the place to keep in Zion National Park.
1. Zion National Park Lodging (Inside The Park)
So, let’s begin with the obvious possibility first. For many, staying within the park itself is smart for those who’re visiting Zion National Park. Waking up overlooking red-tinged sandstone views simply sounds magical, doesn’t it?
Staying contained in the park is feasible, however you should be organized or very versatile. There’s just one lodge possibility with the park – Zion Lodge. We’ll talk about this lodge extra in a second. Still, you could perceive that if you need a lodge expertise inside Zion National Park, test availability and e-book prematurely. Obviously, with only one lodge possibility, rooms go quick, particularly in peak months like summer season.
Otherwise, there are various campgrounds to select from, so pack your tent or begin up your campervan: South, Watchman, and Lava Point Campground are all nice choices. And tenting inside Zion National Park is nice enjoyable.
Luxury: Zion National Park Lodge
Zion National Park Lodge is the one lodge really set inside Zion National Park. The historic lodge dates again to 1924 and affords rustic cabins with a ridiculously handy location. While it may not be probably the most extravagant luxurious lodging selection, it undoubtedly qualifies as probably the most luxurious place to keep in Zion National Park, provided that it’s the one place you’ll be able to bag an precise lodge room. There’s additionally a quiet, imposing magnificence to the property, with a darkish wood exterior lit up in opposition to its sandstone cliff backdrop.
Zion National Park Lodge is open year-round and has incredible views. It’s simply the most effective resorts within the area, and its wonderful location units it aside. There’s an on-site restaurant, free parking, and comforts like free Wi-Fi and TVs in every cabin, room, or suite. If you need consolation inside Zion National Park, you’ll have to test availability at Zion National Park Lodge, which gives easy accessibility to the park’s points of interest.
Mid Range: Under Canvas Zion
Okay, we’ll be fully trustworthy: Under Canvas, Zion technically straddles the Zion National Park border on its north-western Kolob Terrace area. However, because the solely different choices contained in the park are campgrounds, we determined to spotlight one of many few potential glamping websites. You’ll be proper on the Zion border and get a extra distant expertise with the consolation of deluxe glamping tents.
Guests can get pleasure from a fireplace pit, horseback driving excursions, sizzling air ballooning, and on-site yoga classes. The tents function big beds; some have stargazer components, with clear sections to admire the night time sky. Under Canvas Zion may be a quite cheeky addition to the ‘inside Zion’ part, however the promise of attractive glamping websites on the nationwide park border needs to be a powerful sufficient promoting level for you. Definitely test availability for its glamping tents.
Budget Hotel: South Campground
South Campground is the place to keep in Zion National Park in case you are a hardy camper and blissful to ‘rough it’ to stick to a price range. It is additional into the park than its neighbor, Watchman Campground. The campground is primary however has water entry, showers, a laundry room, and bathrooms. There’s even a playground for households.
You can convey a tent or an RV. It is a straightforward stroll into Springdale for city facilities or a stroll to the shuttle for Zion’s foremost trails and points of interest. You are actually minutes away from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Pa’rus Trail. You also can stroll to the Zion Human History Museum in as little as 20 minutes. Considering you’re tenting inside Zion National Park, you continue to have easy accessibility to extra formal points of interest and city facilities. It’s a pleasant stability that makes South Campground price contemplating for those who’re touring to Zion on a price range.
Pros Of Staying inside Zion National Park
It is a wonderful location to entry all the paths, which provides you a head begin if you need to entry trails early within the morning to beat the crowds.
You don’t have as a lot driving time as you need to use the free shuttles and stroll across the park. Many points of interest are simply minutes away from the lodging in Zion National Park.
You get attractive views galore and expertise Zion when most individuals go house.
Cons Of Staying inside Zion National Park
You do miss out on facilities like eating places, with restricted decisions for eating contained in the park. If you need a restaurant meal, you’ll have to head to Springdale, simply outdoors the south Zion National Park Entrance or keep at Zion Lodge so you’ll be able to dine on the on website restaurant.
There is little range by way of lodge choices and pricing. If you take a look at resorts outdoors Zion National Park, you’ll discover higher worth for cash.
You’ll solely see Zion quite than get to discover different areas as effectively.
2. Springdale
Springdale is the trusty second-in-command for staying close to Zion National Park; most guests select this as their base. If you missed the boat and located Zion National Park Lodge to be booked out or simply fancy extra lodge choices, Springdale is your greatest shout. The city is actually steps away from the south entrance of Zion National Park, that means you can nonetheless stroll to any of its foremost points of interest for those who actually needed to – simply with the added bonus of extra lodge decisions and higher facilities. Springdale is a good location if you need proximity to Zion’s points of interest however a extra city expertise than you get from in-park lodging. It is the place you’ll be able to keep in Zion National Park for utter comfort.
Zion’s south entrance is served by a compulsory Zion Canyon Shuttle for a lot of the 12 months. This shuttle runs via Springdale itself, that means you don’t even want to spend additional driving time. When staying in Springdale, you’ll be a brief stroll out of your nearest pick-up level.
Aside from being actually handy, Springdale can be a beautiful city. The small handful of homes, eating places, and resorts sit in opposition to a backdrop of sandstone cliffs, and the Virgin River snakes via the city. Thanks to the surroundings, it appears like you’re already within the park, and also you gained’t miss out on any of that ‘wow factor’.
Luxury: Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection
Cliffrose Springdale is a fantastic 4-star lodge on the riverfront in central Springdale. Upscale and immensely subtle, we drastically admire how Cliffrose Springdale balances fashionable and conventional design. Its beautiful structure makes use of wooden and sandstone to seamlessly mix into the setting whereas showcasing massive, fashionable home windows for plentiful pure lighting. Inside, every room affords a non-public deck or balcony with plush bedding and modern decor.
However, the true cause we added this luxurious lodge to this information is its sizzling tub, hearth pits, and seasonal outside pool. It has an actual outside ambiance the place visitors can loosen up with totally different actions after a busy day in Zion National Park. Imagine soaking in a sizzling tub at your lodging after an extended day in Zion.
Furthermore, Cliffrose Springdale is a chosen cease on the Springdale shuttle to the park, so reaching the primary Zion trails is simple.
Mid Range: Red Rock Inn Cottages
Red Rock Inn Cottages has comfy rooms and an unpretentious vibe. Guests get homely rooms with flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and coffee-making machines. Each room has views of Zion Canyon or the property’s serene backyard areas. And for those who do need to improve your expertise, you’ll be able to splurge on a particular room with a non-public sizzling tub. Red Rock Inn Cottages are the proper Zion National Park lodging for anybody wanting a snug keep.
Guests get a complimentary breakfast and parking. In abstract, Red Rock Inn Cottages is only a lovely property to use as a base, placing a number of effort into its inside design and making it visually interesting. This lodging is the place you’ll be able to keep in Zion National Park to chill in a sizzling tub and embrace homely comforts. Check availability prematurely as it is a well-liked lodging selection and is open year-round.
Budget: Zion Canyon Cabins
Zion Canyon Cabins are cute log cabins located centrally in Springdale. These cabins are perfect for nature lovers or those that like a extra rustic aesthetic. Even higher, they’re a few of the most budget-friendly lodging in Springdale—which, bear in mind, tends to hike lodging costs up given its unimaginable location and entry to Zion National Park.
Zion Canyon Cabins have a seasonal outside pool and communal hearth pits. The communal hearth pits are nice for assembly new individuals, and there’s an out of doors grill and BBQ space for cooking. It may appear a bit dear, but it surely’s price reiterating that Springdale lodging costs are larger than in different areas. There’s only a premium price ticket due to its handy location. Still, comparably, Zion Canyon Cabins are the best choice for snagging probably the most aggressive value.
Pros Of Staying in Springdale
You can simply catch the shuttle, drive, or stroll into Zion National Park. Springdale is de facto handy, and it’s situated subsequent to Zion’s south entrance.
Springdale has many facilities, together with many lodge choices and eating places, so you’ll be able to price range higher with extra decisions.
Springdale is well known for its magnificence and is a genuinely fairly little city and place to keep. You’ll get pleasure from a backdrop of sandstone cliffs and the close by Virgin River; you don’t miss out on pure magnificence by staying in Springdale.
Cons Of Staying in Springdale
Springdale is the best choice amongst these wanting to keep outdoors Zion National Park, so it will get busy. Remember to test availability and e-book prematurely. Also, be ready for crowds in peak seasons.
Springdale wants extra points of interest (if we’re being choosy). It is gorgeous, however in any other case, it’s a launchpad to see Zion National Park quite than a vacationer vacation spot in its personal proper.
Prices may be barely hiked up for vacationers as a result of Springdale is such a ‘through-town’.
3. Mt Carmel Junction
Cast your eyes to the opposite facet of Zion National Park; Mt. Carmel Junction is a brief 15-minute drive from the jap Zion National Park Entrance. Unlike staying in Springdale, you’ll want to drive your means into the park. It isn’t shut sufficient to be inside strolling distance, however you’ll be driving to Zion National Park on the Mt. Carmel Highway Scenic Drive. The ‘commute’ into the nationwide park is among the most scenic drives within the area, and it’s nonetheless fairly easy accessibility.
Mt. Carmel Junction is tiny and a extremely candy place to keep. If you need someplace barely much less well-liked (learn: busy) than Springdale, that is the place to keep in Zion National Park. It has a number of eating places, reward outlets, and an all-necessary gasoline station. Accommodation is proscribed, however you could have many resorts and RV parks to select from. If you need to really feel a bit within the sticks, Mt. Carmel Junction is right. It has respectable facilities however is far much less touristy.
Mt. Carmel Junction can be an excellent place to discover locations aside from Zion National Park. You’re only a brief drive from the Belly of the Dragon Trail, which begins by strolling via an enormous tunnel and Elkhart Cliffs Slot Canyon. You are only a 20-minute drive from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, too. It’s an excellent location to get extra out of your journey and detour from the usual vacationer path. The close by mountaineering trails are a lot quieter than the most important trails in Zion, so it’s a pleasant stability on your itinerary.
Luxury: Zion Mountain Ranch
Zion Mountain Ranch is probably the most luxurious lodging possibility in Mt. Carmel Junction. The historic ranch has a mix of wood cottages and splendid suites—all adorned in luxurious, conventional outdated Western type. And even higher, there’s a herd of bison on an on-site reserve, which is wonderful for animal lovers and people wanting to spot wildlife when visiting Zion.
There’s parking and an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and night meals. Zion Mountain Ranch is secluded and an excellent place to embrace the extra rural, genuine ambiance of Mt. Carmel Junction. Definitely test availability for its beautiful suites.
Mid Range: Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge
Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge is a bit more fashionable, providing incredible mid-range lodging in central Mt. Carmel Junction. Guests get entry to queen and king rooms, with the choice to improve to suites. The room decor is gentle and boutique-style, offering a peaceable house to retreat to after all of your sightseeing and mountaineering in Zion National Park. There are complimentary toiletries in every, in addition to in-room leisure.
You can discover a big outside pool on-site, 24-hour reception, and laundry amenities. The latter is a pleasant contact, contemplating you’ll get so mucky in Zion National Park. Of course, there’s free WiFi and parking, and total, it’s a moderately priced and comfy expertise in Mt. Carmel Junction.
Budget: Mt. Carmel Motel & RV Park
Located simply north of Mt. Carmel Junction’s middle is Mt. Carmel Motel & RV Park, the area’s greatest budget-friendly lodging. Mt. Carmel Motel & RV Park is undoubtedly probably the most competitively priced place to keep within the space, with primary however comfy rooms and a useful location to head into Zion National Park. The motel is modest and down-to-earth however in a tasteful means.
The motel has solely six rooms, so you’re assured a extra lowkey ambiance. Each room has a mini fridge, microwave, and low machines. Of course, that is nice for conserving your consuming payments low, and you’ll improve to a cabin possibility that options its personal personal kitchen for a self-catered keep, too. If you need a price range keep within the Mt. Carmel space, this motel is for you.
Pros Of Staying in Mt. Carmel Junction
Mt. Carmel Junction affords a extra genuine and fewer touristy expertise. It is extra relaxed than different locations like Springdale.
You have a great deal of totally different locations to sightsee close by, together with slot canyons and trails that take you thru tunnels. All of those trails are a lot quieter than these in Zion National Park, providing you with extra stability on your itinerary.
The driving route to Zion National Park takes you on a scenic freeway and solely takes quarter-hour.
Cons Of Staying in Mt. Carmel Junction
You aren’t inside strolling distance of the park, so that you should be blissful driving.
There are restricted facilities in Mt. Carmel Junction, so it isn’t suited to anybody wanting many bars and eating places.
Similarly, you’re restricted by way of lodge choices. You ought to e-book lodging prematurely to keep away from it promoting out.
4. Hurricane
Hurricane is the furthest possibility when researching the place to keep in Zion National Park, roughly half-hour from Zion’s south entrance. So, why trouble with the drive? Well, Hurricane is the closest metropolis to the nationwide park, that means tons of facilities on your go to and plenty of leisure. If you’re extra of a metropolis lover, Hurricane is probably the most entertaining place to keep close to Zion National Park.
Hurricane has the Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum and Pioneer Corner Museum for vacationers. You also can go to Quail Creek State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. It’s an excellent base to discover many alternative points of interest round Utah. It additionally has extra residential points of interest, like a cinema, golf programs, splash pad, espresso outlets, and plenty of parks. It’s the place to keep in Zion National Park if you need a busier metropolis expertise whereas away from Zion’s mountaineering trails. You have every thing you want in your doorstep.
Hurricane is our prime suggestion for anybody who needs countless leisure decisions and plenty of lodge choices. If you e-book a keep in Hurricane, you’ll have a way more packed itinerary.
Luxury: The Dwellings
The Dwellings is boutique lodging simply north of Hurricane’s middle. It’s out of the hustle and bustle and affords tastefully adorned deluxe studios, full with personal terraces. If you need a luxurious base in Hurricane, The Dwellings is a superb selection. Each studio contains a kitchenette and sizzling drinking-making amenities. Guests have a self-contained dwelling house, with bedrooms and adjoining seating areas, plus ample entry to outside house.
Spending lengthy days in Zion, it’s good to know you could have someplace peaceable to retreat to and rejuvenate. For additional peace of thoughts, there’s parking on-site and household rooms for individuals who’d like them. The lodge was solely in-built 2020, so the decor is fashionable and tasteful too.
Mid Range: Wingate by Wyndham Hurricane
Wingate by Wyndham Hurricane is situated within the coronary heart of Hurricane and is the place to keep if you need a mid-range property within the coronary heart of town’s motion. As a sequence lodge, this property is extra like a conventional lodge expertise, with a grand foyer and visitor room structure. The 3-star lodge has a 24-hour reception desk and a spacious automotive park. It is a good base in Hurricane and ticks all the mandatory packing containers for a really affordable value.
Each room has an ensuite with complimentary toiletries, and also you get a fridge that is useful for storing grocery-bought meals and saving cash on consuming out. Wingate by Wyndham Hurricane has an onsite outside swimming pool, health middle, and enterprise middle. Overall, it’s a welcoming and dependable base when staying in Hurricane.
Budget: Hurricane Hideaway Lodging
Hurricane Hideaway Lodging has lodge rooms which might be about as central as you may get in Hurricane. You’ll have doorstep entry to town’s leisure and facilities like eating places, excellent for getting probably the most out of your expertise. It is only some minutes on foot from the Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum and a tasty Peruvian restaurant, Peruvian Flavors. You are a block away from Hurricane’s shop-lined Route 9. For a budget-friendly charge, nice location, and comfy rooms, you’ll be able to’t prime this lodge.
Each room comes with espresso machines, minifridges, and microwaves. Anyone obsessed with price range journey is aware of the magic of this magic mixture. You’ll give you the chance to squirrel away leftover meals safely and benefit from grocery purchasing. You additionally get a non-public lavatory, WiFi, TV, and entry to communal outside seating. It is a good deal if you need to expertise Zion National Park on a budget.
Pros Of Staying in Hurricane
You get a metropolis ambiance with many extra actions and leisure. This is right for staying entertained within the evenings once you doubtless aren’t spending time in Zion National Park anyway.
Hurricane has many extra lodge choices, so you’ll find higher offers and charges.
There’s rather a lot to discover close by, together with museums within the metropolis middle and state parks round its outskirts.
You are solely a 30-minute drive from the nationwide park, which remains to be very handy.
Cons Of Staying in Hurricane
You aren’t inside strolling distance of the nationwide park, and the drive isn’t attractive, like Mt. Carmel Junction’s scenic freeway. You’ll want to be blissful driving at the least an hour return every day.
Hurricane is a metropolis quite than a scenic city, so you’re going to get a special surroundings and views than you’d staying in Springdale.
Hurricane is busy. Get prepared for crowds.
FAQ’s About The Best Areas to Stay in Zion
You now know precisely the place to keep in Zion National Park. Are you selecting to keep close to the quiet jap entrance? Or lovely Springdale or the citified Hurricane? Choosing a location is as essential as deciding in your lodging. Though, in fact, weighing up between a sizzling tub or pool is fairly thrilling.
Before you go, although, let’s take a look at a few of the mostly requested FAQs. Here’s some quickfire info that would assist you to slender down your decisions.
Where do individuals keep when visiting Zion National Park?
Most individuals keep in Springdale, because it’s the closest city outdoors the nationwide park and has probably the most lodge and facilities choices.
Is it higher to keep inside or outdoors Zion National Park?
It is determined by what you get pleasure from doing. Overall, we’d advocate staying simply outdoors of Zion National Park. You gained’t discover a lot of a distinction for those who keep in Springdale.
Is it higher to keep in Zion or Bryce Canyon?
Both supply related lodging decisions, with one central lodge in every park and a cluster of resorts close to the park entrances. However, Bryce Canyon is mostly a bit quieter, as Zion National Park is the most well-liked of the 2.
How many days do you want in Zion National Park?
You want at the least three days in Zion National Park. We recommend greater than three days if you need to hike a number of vital trails (assume the Narrows and Angels Landing). You’ll want some downtime in between, and also you don’t need to tire your self out on main trails solely to miss the shorter routes and experiences.
Where not to keep in Zion National Park
When staying in and round Zion National Park, we advocate staying inside a 30-minute drive. You need to maximize your time within the park, and by staying additional away, you’ll lose a substantial chunk of your day to driving. This is worse on your vitality ranges and itinerary and means different individuals are extra doubtless to beat you to these valuable few automotive parking spots. Make your life simpler by staying shut to the park and its entrances. Similarly, whereas trip leases and Airbnbs are nice, having a extra formal lodging website is nice for added luxuries on the finish of an extended day.
These are a number of of the locations close to Zion National Park that we’d recommend avoiding:
1. Hildale
Hildale is a city bordered by Colorado City on the Arizona border. It has some fairly attractive glamping websites and a historical past intently interlinked with Warren Jeff’s cult—which is attention-grabbing for anybody considering darker US historical past.
However, extra appropriate choices exist for these wanting to keep close to Zion. We advocate avoiding this spot because it takes over an hour to attain the nationwide park by automotive. Travel time will take up a substantial portion of your day and tire you out earlier than you even arrive.
If you’re on the lookout for glamping, try Under Canvas Zion as an alternative. It’s situated within the Kolob Terrace area, only a 35-minute drive from the park.
2. St. George
St. George is the primary port of name once you enter Utah from Nevada, and for those who’re driving from Las Vegas, you’ll go straight via this southwestern metropolis. It’s a cool place, with petroglyphs, dinosaur stays, and doorstep entry to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. An wonderful place to cease on a highway journey? Absolutely. But we wouldn’t advocate staying right here if you need to go to Zion National Park.
St. George is just a bit bit too removed from the park entrance, taking round an hour a technique by automotive. You’ll most likely drive via Hurricane, too, which implies you typically catch metropolis visitors at peak hours.
Instead, keep in Hurricane itself for half your each day journey time after which take a day journey to St. George to see all it has to supply on non-Zion day.
3. Kanab
Kanab is tough to rule out as a result of it’s a quirky border city. However, it’s a bit too far to justify selecting it for lodging when visiting Zion National Park. It takes roughly an hour to attain the park from Kanab.
We will say, although, to keep in Mt. Carmel Junction after which make a day journey to Kanab. Kanab has Little Hollywood Land and dozens of close by trails, together with Moqui Cave Natural History Museum and a few slot canyons.
Why we love Zion National Park
To be trustworthy, who doesn’t love Zion National Park? The park is overflowing with character and attractiveness. You can admire the sandstone canyon walks and slender ridges or stroll via rivers. It’s the form of nationwide park that challenges preconceptions. It’s no marvel it’s thought-about one of many greatest nationwide parks within the USA.
Zion National Park is a straightforward ardour level for us as we love our mountaineering trails and US nationwide parks. There’s a lot to see. Check out a few of the points of interest round Zion National Park, too; don’t simply pigeonhole your self into strolling the most important trails. Visit the lesser-visited slot canyons and state parks dotted round its edge.
Its surrounding space is simply a part of Zion National Park’s magnificence and attract; deciding the place to keep in Zion National Park is a good choice. Whether you choose a spot close to a Zion National Park entrance, keep contained in the park itself, or choose a extra distant base—just like the thrilling metropolis of Hurricane—we hope you could have an exquisite time.