Best Places to Stay in Zion National Park
If you’re trying to check another national park off your bucket list, look no further than Utah’s Zion National Park. Known across the world for the vibrant color palette provided by its pink Navajo sandstone cliffs and orange slot canyons, Zion National Park is one of the most majestic displays of nature in North America.
From hiking atop soaring cliffs to traversing narrow canyons, there is no shortage of activities in this unique national park. Zion provides an excellent escape for vacationers of all kinds.
Whether you want to dive head-first into adventure or take a break and breathe in the fresh air, Zion is the place to do it. Best of all, there are a plethora of lodging options to cater to Zion’s wide array of visitors.
Excited yet? We definitely are. Here are the best places to stay in Zion National Park.
Lodging
Just because you’re exploring the outdoors doesn’t mean you need to rough it. At Zion National Park, you can retire in comfort after a long day of outdoor adventure.
Zion and its surrounding areas host a variety of lodges, hotels, and resorts that offer the luxury of comfortable living amidst the rugged outdoors. No matter your price range, Zion has the perfect option for you.
Zion National Park Lodge
The Zion Lodge is the only lodge located within the park’s boundaries, making it the most convenient option for park-goers. Comprising of 40 private cabins and hotel suites, this Southwest-inspired hotel offers extraordinary views of Zion’s defining sandstone towers.
First built in 1925, this lodge is centrally located near Zion’s most sought-after attractions––the Virgin River, Angels Landing, and The Narrows. It also offers a variety of luxurious amenities in each room, such as air conditioning, television, and WiFi.
Visitors can enjoy the Red Rock Grill for a sit-down meal after a long day on the trails or take an adventure with horseback tours provided by the hotel.
Cable Mountain Lodge
Boasting some of the most attractive amenities on this list, Cable Mountain Lodge is an upscale option within walking distance of the park’s entrance. Surrounded by pink sandstone cliffs, this Springdale lodge has no shortage of views.
Because it is so close to Zion’s entrance, Cable Mountain Lodge offers the convenience of staying in Zion with the luxuries of being located in Springdale. In addition to several restaurants and grocery stores, you will also have access to boutique shops.
Even better, the Cable Mountain Lodge has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a private beach along the Virgin River.
Bumbleberry Inn
Serving as an excellent compromise between price and amenities, the Bumbleberry Inn is located in Springdale, just over one mile from the park’s entrance. While you can walk to Zion’s gate in only 30 minutes, there is also a shuttle to the park that stops right outside the Bumbleberry Inn’s lobby.
Each room sleeps up to four people and includes a private balcony, providing excellent views of the surrounding area. Plus, each guest gets free breakfast at the on-site Porter’s Smokehouse.
In addition to a pool, hot tub, and lawned area, there are also a variety of farm animals that live at the back of the property.
Zion Canyon Lodge
As one of the most affordable options you can find near Zion, the Zion Canyon Lodge offers value that cannot be beat. In addition to great prices, the Zion Canyon Lodge provides free continental breakfast, free WiFi, and central air conditioning. In addition to serving as a shuttle stop, the lodge is located just over one mile from Zion’s entrance.
If you like cooking for yourself, this hotel also offers family suites with kitchenettes. While this option does not provide a pool, it is pet-friendly and provides unbeatable value for travelers on a budget.
Camping
Visiting a national park is all about connecting with nature. No matter where you stay, the pure beauty of Zion will revitalize your soul.
That being said, camping in this national park offers an experience like no other. While sleeping under the stars and isolating yourself from the rest of the world, camping gives you the chance to experience the park in the most intimate way.
If you want to become a part of the park, Zion offers a variety of camping sites to help you get there.
South Campground
As Zion’s most popular campground, the South Campground is located just inside the park’s south entrance. This puts you just a quick drive away from Springdale, making it a convenient choice if you need to run into town for provisions.
Each of the campground’s 117 sites is well-spaced and filled with trees, providing shade coverage and privacy. While most of the campsites allow for one camper or two tents, group campsites are available for parties of up to 15.
Like anywhere in Zion, this campground is surrounded by stunning scenery, making for an excellent compromise between natural beauty and modern convenience.
Lava Point Campground
If the South Campground sounds too busy for you, look no further than the Lava Point Campground. Located on the Kolob Plateau—one of the park’s most beautiful but least visited areas—this remote campground allows its campers to experience the park free of the crowds.
Although the isolation of this campground provides many benefits, it does not provide running water. It also requires an hour and a half drive across rough roads to get there.
While this may seem like a drawback for some, Lava Point’s remote location and lack of modern amenities are a selling point for many adventure-seekers and outdoors-people who want to get as close to nature as they can.
This campground does not take reservations, meaning it's first-come, first-served. If you do not get a spot, consider checking out the Kolob Reservoir. Unorganized camping is allowed there along the shoreline for an even more back-to-basics experience.
Pro tip: This campground is at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet, so make sure to prepare for colder weather.
Zion Wildflower Resort
Are you looking for the experience of camping with the luxuries of a hotel? Enter: glamping.
For the adventurer who loves a bit of pampering, Zion Wildflower Resort provides one of the best glamping experiences in the state of Utah. Located just 15 minutes from Zion’s entrance, this glamping resort provides the best of both worlds with luxurious amenities and a remote, natural feel.
Guests are provided with a spacious canvas tent atop a handcrafted wooden deck. You can lounge in rocking chairs from the deck while looking out at the surrounding rust-orange tablelands or up at the nighttime mosaic of stars.
You will find a queen-sized bed, charging ports, complimentary WiFi, and heated blankets within each tent. A walk down a short path will lead you to an upscale bathhouse, complimentary bicycle rentals, and a communal fire pit.
Zion Wildflower Resort is truly one of nature’s most luxurious experiences.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The unique geological features and vast scale of Zion National Park will keep you occupied no matter how long you stay. Still, there are loads of other amazing sites just outside the park that are also worth your attention. A 40-minute drive from Zion’s east entrance, Coral Pink Sand Dunes cannot be missed.
Transporting you from Utah to the Sahara, this aptly-named state park is revered for its massive and fluorescent dunes. Here, you can sled down the dunes, hike through brilliantly textured slot canyons, and camp under the stars.
This is also a perfect location for large groups, as its group campsite can host up to 50 people.
Live It Up in Zion With HereHear
Whether you’re there for two days or two weeks, a visit to Zion National Park will transport you to another world. The stunning beauty of Zion’s unique geology can be found in few other places outside of your dreams.
From canyoneering through The Narrows to horseback riding through Kolob Canyon, visitors are guaranteed an experience they won’t soon forget.
Are you looking for something to elevate your trip to Zion? Download Autio and explore why Zion is revered among outdoor enthusiasts, mountaineers, and photographers the world over.
We give you content based on your interests with bite-sized stories about the natural world around you. Deepen your road trip experience with local legends, historical tales, and wisdom passed down through the generations.
Check out Autio today, so you don’t miss a thing.
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