Towns Near Zion for Hotels, Motels, Inns & Resorts
Numerous lodging options, from hotels to bed-and-breakfasts, are available in the park and nearby basecamps. From St. George to Springdale, from cabin to luxury hotel, there’s an accommodation for everyone. Choose the adventure and choose the basecamp.
Springdale: Closest Lodging to Zion's South Entrance
Springdale is the closest town to Zion's South Entrance, just 2.3 miles away, and most hotels here are within walking distance of a free shuttle stop into the park. Cable Mountain Lodge sits steps from the park entrance with canyon views, a spa and an outdoor pool. Flanigan's Resort & Spa is a local favorite for couples and families alike. For a reliable mid-range stay, SpringHill Suites by Marriott is located 1 mile from the South Entrance with an outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast. Budget-conscious travelers will find solid options in nearby La Verkin, a short drive down SR-9.
East Zion: Quieter Alternative to Zion Lodging
The east side of Zion is the park's quieter alternative, with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures due to higher elevations. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is perched at 6,500 feet. It is the closest full-service resort to Zion's East Entrance, offering guided adventures, family-friendly activities and nine lodging types, including cabins. It's also an ideal basecamp for combining Zion with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Staircase. For vacation rentals and smaller inns in the area, the East Zion region has a growing collection of independently owned properties.
St. George: City Living & Lodging Near Zion
St. George, the most populous city near Zion, offers modern comforts and a wide variety of lodging options. About 45 minutes from Zion's South Entrance, lodging varies from wellness resorts like Red Mountain Resort and The Inn at Entrada to reliable chains like Hampton Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. It's an ideal pick for travelers who want more amenities and lower rates than Springdale, with easy day-trip access to the park.
Kanab: Lodging Locale for Hitting Multiple Parks
About an hour from Zion's South Entrance and 30 minutes from the East Entrance, Kanab is an ideal basecamp for travelers hitting multiple parks. Kanab has something for every type of traveler, from hotels and motels to vacation rentals across budgets. Try Quail Park Lodge, a retro-chic mid-century option with a pool, vibrant decor and a relaxed atmosphere, or Best Friends Roadhouse, a top pick for travelers with pets. Chain options like Holiday Inn Express offer complimentary breakfast and indoor pools for families.
It's hard to beat the Zion views by day and the dark skies at night, whether tent camping, curling up in an RV, or choosing a glamping experience like Under Canvas Zion, shown here.
Photo: Tyson Rider
AutoCamp Zion pairs iconic, mid-century modern Airstreams and stylish cabins with resort-level amenities along the banks of the Virgin River.
Photo: Matt Kisiday
Camping, Glamping, Cabins & RVs near Zion
Adventure is everywhere at Zion National Park. The rugged desert landscape, slender canyons, scenic drives and diverse plant and wildlife are sure to satisfy hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, canyoneers and nature lovers. The park’s year-round camping options will keep adventurers as close to the action as possible.
Campsites
Zion has three campgrounds inside the park, all requiring reservations. Watchman Campground, open year-round and a quarter-mile from the South Entrance, is the most popular, with 203 sites including standard tent and RV options. South Campground sits near the Visitor Center and the first shuttle stop. For a more secluded experience, Lava Point Campground sits about an hour from the Main Canyon Entrance off Kolob Terrace Road.
RV Camping
Zion campgrounds and nearby state parks — including Snow Canyon, Quail Creek, Gunlock and Sand Hollow — offer sites for tents, RVs and trailers, all within reach of the park's dark sky views. Willow Wind RV Park near Springdale is a convenient full-hookup option close to the main entrance.
Cabins
Zion Lodge, the only lodging inside the park, offers 1920s-era cabins with gas fireplaces, private porches and full baths. Just outside the South Entrance in Springdale, Zion Canyon Cabins offers a cozy bed-and-breakfast-style stay with homemade breakfast and easy access to the park. On the east side, Zion Mountain Ranch near Mount Carmel Junction has preserved cabins with fireplaces, private patios and canyon views, while Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort in Orderville offers rustic cabin suites with private bedrooms, full bathrooms and front porches.
Glamping
Utah glamping has entered the chat, offering simple pleasures (heat, bedding and ready-to-go tents) to luxury amenities (soaking tubs, s'more kits and guided tours). Greater Zion, East Zion and Kanab are no exception, as they've earned a reputation as a glamping destination near Zion. Canvas safari tents, hot showers and gourmet dining options blend the outdoors with hotel-level comfort. Under Canvas Zion and AutoCamp Zion are two of the most popular upscale outdoor stays in the area.
Explore Nearby Basecamps
-
Springdale
As the gateway to Zion National Park and nestled along the North Fork of the Virgin River, Springdale is an ideal place to get outfitted for adventure in Zion and numerous other parks, monuments, and recreation areas of the western Colorado Plateau and the desert southwest.
-
East Zion
Welcome to the east side of Utah's Zion National Park. Visitors who stay on this side of the park enjoy what is often referred to as the quiet side of the park, and they also have much closer access to other destinations such as Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and even the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
-
St. George
St. George is perfect for family adventures, luxury spas, extensive shopping, championship golf and nearby outdoor recreation assets.
-
Cedar City
Cedar City, Utah offers plenty of great experiences thanks to nearby ski resorts, a national forest, great national parks and a superb arts scene.
-
Kanab
Kanab, Utah is classic American West, surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and vistas of sagebrush. Kanab's self-proclaimed title, "Little Hollywood," is fitting for its many abandoned film sets.
More Zion Trip Planning Resources
-
How to Visit Zion
Looking for the best way to see Zion? Read our Zion National Park guide for expert advice on planning your visit to one of the most visited parks in Utah.
-
Where to Escape Crowds Near Zion
Wondering when you can have more of Zion’s trailheads to yourself? Discover the best timing and destination to avoid the crowds for your next Zion trip.
-
Zion National Park Hikes
Visiting Zion National Park? Here are the best hikes in Zion for all hikers, from family-friendly trails to multi-day backpacking trips.
-
Traffic, Shuttles and Fees
The best way to get around Zion National Park is with the free shuttle from Springdale. Learn everything you need to know to plan your trip!
-
Things to Do in Zion National Park
No matter the season, there are many things to do in Zion for all levels of thrill-seekers and nature lovers: hiking, camping, canyoneering, scenic driving and more.
Zion Lodging FAQs
What is the closest hotel to Zion National Park?
Zion Lodge is the only hotel located inside the park itself, though it books up far in advance. Outside Zion, in Springdale, Cable Mountain Lodge and Cliffrose Springdale are among the closest hotels to Zion National Park’s South Entrance, both within walking distance of the free park shuttle.
Can you stay inside Zion National Park?
The only lodging option within the park's boundaries is Zion Lodge. It offers hotel rooms, suites and 1920s-era cabins. Reservations fill up quickly, especially in peak season, so book as early as possible or check back regularly for cancellations. Otherwise, in-park stay options include designated campgrounds.
How far is Springdale from Zion's entrance?
Springdale sits 2.3 miles from Zion's South Entrance, the closest basecamp to Zion. Most hotels in town are within walking distance of a free shuttle stop, which runs directly into the park.
Is it cheaper to stay in Kanab or Springdale?
Kanab generally offers lower nightly rates than Springdale, which commands a premium for its proximity to the park. The tradeoff is distance: Kanab is about an hour's drive from the South Entrance but only 30 minutes from the East Entrance.
What hotels are near Zion's East Entrance?
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort near Orderville is the closest full-service resort to the East Entrance. The towns of Orderville and Mount Carmel Junction along U.S. 89 also have smaller lodging options, while Kanab is approximately 30 minutes away with a broader selection of hotels.
