Where To Stay in Zion National Park → Best Hotels In and Around the Park

West America’s biggest treasure and a piece of heaven for anyone who loves hiking, climbing, and other exciting activities, Zion National Park is a unique place that you have to see at least once!

Zion National Park is now a natural wonder filled with endangered species of birds and stunning cliffs. The Zion Canyon, one of the biggest attractions in the park, was carved millions of years ago by the Virgin River! Wow, this place is not only a beautiful oasis, but it also has a rich history!

Now let’s see where to stay in Zion National Park! There are 3 entrances to the park, one on the East, one near the Kolob Canyons, and the main one in the south. Most people use this entrance as it is the most convenient because it’s close to all the main towns with accommodations and the park’s biggest attractions.

I always recommend staying in towns near national parks because you’ll find a wide range of hotel options with high-end facilities, whereas if you stay inside the park there are only a few basic campsites and one group of lodges that are pretty much always booked out.

However, in this post, you’ll find options to stay near the park and inside the park, so you can choose whatever fits you best. Don’t forget that National Parks are tricky for finding accommodations, so I highly recommend booking yours in advance!

Let’s go! The Virgin River is calling us!

If you are in a hurry

If you want to book your accommodations where to stay in Zion National Park now, then quickly browse this list with the best hotels all located around the Zion National Park main entrance:

Here’s a map of all the areas for where to stay in Zion National Park that I will be talking about in this post:

1. Springdale – near the main entrance of Zion National Park

This lovely town boasts some amazing cliffs & mountain views and is located 1 mile (2 km) away from the South park entrance (the main one). Although the town is quite small, you’ll always see people around, but most of them are tourists who come to visit Zion National Park.

Springdale is the perfect base from where you can start exploring Zion National Park. Firstly, you have easy access to the park’s main entrance so you don’t have to drive around to get here. Secondly, Springdale has a wide range of hotels, but you’ll have to book them ASAP, as everyone will want to stay super close to the park’s best entrance!

But the town is more than just a pit-stop! Yes, it will be the perfect place to rest and eat at some great restaurants, and Springdale also has a few activities that will keep you busy until you’re off into the wilderness! While you’re planning your adventure, if you enjoy visiting national parks as much as I do, I highly recommend going to Yosemite too, it’s an amazing place!

Although you can drive your own car inside the park, if you don’t have one you can always take the bus. The Springdale shuttle has 9 stops throughout the town and it takes the visitors to the pedestrian entrance of Zion National Park, and from there the park shuttle will take you to different areas of the park.

Other accommodation options in Springdale

Things to do in Springdale

• Admire the art at DeZion Gallery
• Eat a hot meal after visiting Zion National Park at Spotted Dog Café
• Explore the town and learn about its history from the locals
• Check the incredible views at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
• Have a beer at Zion Canyon Brew Pub after a day of exploring in Zion National Park
• Take the kids to play in the Springdale Town Park
• Buy some souvenirs from the Zion National Park Visitor Center gift shop

2. St George – where to stay in Zion National Park for families

Located 40 miles (60 km) away from Zion National Park, this beautiful town is a bit further away from the park but fear not, if you rent a car you’ll get there in an hour or take the shuttle if you’re looking for a cheaper option. If you’re traveling with the family, I think you’ll find Saint George the perfect location.

That’s because there are tons of activities and attractions suited for both adults and little ones. The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is the star of the show, and if the kids aren’t so impressed by it you can always take them to St. George Children’s Museum.

Don’t think that you’ll only find all the good scenery in the park, St George also has some stunning natural sights and hiking trails that you can explore in great places like Pioneer Park and around the St George Narrows cliffs.

St George is a super big city, compared with the other towns located near Zion National Park, and that can only mean a wider range of accommodations and hotels plus tons of places to eat and shop before you head to Zion!

Other accommodation options in St George

Things to do in St George

• Have fun with the kids at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
• Explore the Snow Canyon State Park in St George before you visit Zion
• Cooldown during the hot summer months at Town Square Park
• Enjoy the cool activities at St. George Children’s Museum
• Check all the cool plants at the Red Hills Desert Garden
• Tale the kids to the Thunder Junction All Abilities Park
• Spend some time in the outdoors in Pioneer Park and around the St George Narrows cliffs

3. Hurricane – best place near Zion National Park for nature lovers

Located 20 miles southwest of Zion National Park, Hurricane is a great location for anyone who loves to spend most of their time outdoors. The town is surrounded by beautiful natural spots so you’ll have plenty of things to see before you go visiting Zion National Park.

FUN FACT: The name of the town dates back to the early 1860s when a whirlwind blew off the top of a vehicle led by Erastus Snow, a leader of Mormon Church. Snow claimed “that was a hurricane” and decided to name the place Hurricane Hill. So don’t worry you won’t get hit by any hurricanes here!

There’s only a 30-minute drive to the park and don’t worry if you don’t have a car, you can always rent one to take you to the Zion Visitor Center, park it there, and use the shuttle to explore the park. That way you can also explore Hurricane easily and spend time exploring the Sand Hollow State Park, where you can try some cool activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. That will get you in good shape for your main visit to Zion National Park!

You’ll find accommodation and lodging here for all budgets, from mid-range hotels to more luxurious ones, Hurricane has spots for every type of traveler! And if you love spending time outdoors so much why not take a detour before you visit Zion and head to the Grand Canyon, there are tons of cool lodging there too!

Other accommodation options in Hurricane

Things to do in Hurricane

• Explore the stunning Sand Hollow State Park
• Go fishing in the Quail Creek State Park before you head to Zion
• Have fun jumping from the cliffs in Sand Hollow Reservoir
• Rent a UTV from the Southern Utah Adventure Center and start your adventure
• Go on hikes around the Mollies Nipple area
• Visit the Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum
• Take the kids to play in the Dixie Springs Park

4. Cedar City – where to stay near Zion National Park for budget travelers

Located 60 miles (90 km) north of Zion National Park, this town is perfect for travelers looking for affordable accommodation near the park.

There’s only a 1-hour drive to Zion National Park so although you’ll be a little further away from it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the perk of seeing other cool attractions and doing more hikes before you get to Zion. And if you want you can leave the car when you get to Zion Visitor Center and use the shuttle to explore the park.

Although you’ll mostly want to spend your time in places like the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area where you can hike and walk around for hours, you should check out the center of Cedar City. There are a few cool museums here like the Southern Utah Museum of Art and the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum to learn more about the town’s history.

If you’re looking for places to stay near Zion National Park on a budget then Cedar City is perfect for you, there’s a wide range of affordable hotels here, plus you’ll be fairly close to the park.

Other accommodation options in Cedar City

Things to do in Cedar City

• Visit the Southern Utah Museum of Art
• Get tipsy on wine at the IG Winery & Tasting Room after a day in Zion
• Spend a fun day at the Cedar City Aquatic Center
• Take the kids to Park Discovery and have a picnic
• Go hiking around the Iron Hills before visiting Zion National Park
• Catch a sunset near the Lake at the Hills
• Learn new things about the town’s history at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum

BONUS: Best accommodations inside Zion National Park

Finding places to stay inside a National Park can be tricky and you need to book many months in advance. The accommodations are mostly campsites and lodges, so you won’t find a wide range of hotels with high-end facilities as you would in most nearby towns, that’s why I think it’s better to find a place to stay outside of the park.

However many of you will still want to experience staying in a tent or at a cool lodge inside the Zion National Park premises, that’s why I decided to give you some cool options of accommodations in the Park.

Let’s see what we’ve got!

1. Zion Lodge Accommodation (US$220 – US$290)
A popular option for people who are visiting Zion National Park and want to stay inside the park premises is the accommodation at Zion Lodge. This historic lodge offers different types of places to stay in Zion, such as cabins, hotel rooms, suites, accessible rooms and it’s the only option to stay in the park besides the camping sites. You can drive your car to get to the lodge or take the shuttle. Each place is a bit different although they all offer the same comfort and decor. The Zion Lodge guests also have access to a cafe and dining place.

2. South Zion Campground (US$20 – US$50)
What can be better than waking up to the sound of the birds singing and fresh air? This campground is located near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the South entrance of the park. You can drive your car to the camp or take the shuttle that will leave you at the Visitor Center.

You’ll have to make reservations to secure a spot for where to stay in Zion National Park, in this campground that is open from March until October. There are places for tents, RVs and you’ll have access to a picnic table and a fire ring, which are perfect for those late-night talks with your friends!

3. Watchman Zion Campground (US$10 – US$50)
Enjoy your stay in Zion and book your spot in the Watchman Campground, which requires reservations all year round. Located within walking distance from the South park entrance and near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the campground offers spots for RVs and tents. To get to the campsite you can take the shuttle up to the Visitor Center or drive your car to the campsite.

Frequently asked questions about Zion National Park

Conclusion

What a fun place to visit! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Zion National Park, and which hotel or lodging to pick!

If it’s hard to decide because let’s face it, everything looks amazing, here are my top 2 favorites both located in Springdale near the South entrance to Zion National Park

But all the hotels in this post are great which only means that they will sell out super quickly so make sure you book in advance especially if you want to stay closer to Zion National Park!

Enjoy the stunning views of Red Rock Cliffs, all the hiking and climbing in Zion! You might need another holiday after this one since you’ll be doing so many things! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about Zion National Park, the lodging there, or about the service. I’ll make sure to answer them all!

Have a safe trip,

Victoria