Is there free or dispersed camping near Zion National Park?

The Bureau of Land Management allows free dispersed camping on surrounding public land, including near Virgin and along Sheep Bridge Road. These locations lack basic services and have their own rules and limits. Alternatively, stays with Harvest Hosts offer a camping fee-free experience on private property.

Is Harvest Hosts worth it for a Zion trip?

Yes, Harvest Hosts is worth it for a Zion trip. Flexibility makes it easier for those with larger rigs to find overnight options along the I-15 and SR-9 corridors. With several locations to choose from and no camping fees for parking on private property, Harvest Hosts stays enrich your experience without the hassle. Utah has 0 Harvest Hosts locations.

Zion National Park RV Camping

Zion National Park lies in the southwest corner of Utah and was first settled by Mormons during the late 19th century. The park ranges from 4,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level and belongs to . Temperature extremes and even flash floods change conditions throughout the year in Zion, which is home to everything from foxes, mountain lions, and coyotes to ringtail, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and bats. . If you're RV camping in Zion National Park, the 2,000-foot cliffs of Kolob Canyon and Zion Canyon rank high among must-see attractions. Harvest Hosts has plenty of locations within an hour of the entrances where you can park your RV overnight at a working farm, brewery, or distillery.

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Zion National Park RV Camping Guide

When to Go

Open year-round, Zion National Park welcomes most of its visitors from early February through late November, typically on weekends. From May through September, seasonal high temperatures and longer operating hours draw over 500,000 people to Zion every month. If you prefer to enjoy RV camping in Zion National Park without the crowds and you don't mind a bit of snow, consider visiting in December and January. During the rest of the year, it's best to arrive as early as possible or after 3 p.m. Of the three primary entrances to the park, the South Entrance (accessible via Springdale) is the busiest. Traffic into the park also comes via the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to the East Entrance. Larger RVs must adhere to size and weight restrictions to travel through the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel. In addition to weighing 50,000 pounds or less, large vehicles must measure no more than 35 feet 9 inches long, 11 feet 4 inches high, and 7 feet 10 inches wide.

Know Before You Go

Although you don't need a timed-entry reservation to enter Zion National Park, you must still pay the park entrance fee and reserve a spot in the park's campgrounds.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive closes to vehicles during the shuttle season. The Zion Canyon Shuttle System is free to use and typically runs from mid-May through late October. The Zion Line takes visitors from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava, while the Springdale Line travels between Zion Canyon Village and Hotel de Novo.
Large RVs entering Zion National Park can either pay for parking in Springdale or park in the Zion Canyon Visitor Center's Large Vehicle Lot after paying the entrance fee. RV parking in Zion is free but first-come, first-served, so there's no guarantee you'll get a spot.
With over 90 miles of hiking trails to explore, countless adventures await at Zion National Park. As you experience the timeless beauty of this park, be prepared for lightning, rockfalls, cliffs, and flash floods.
Pets are allowed in campgrounds and on paved surfaces, including the Pa'rus Trail. Leashes cannot be longer than six feet, and you must pick up after your pet, regardless of where you are in the park.
Zion National Park has four distinct seasons, including warm days and cold nights in March and April, the sweltering summer monsoon from May through September, and falling temperatures in October and November. Most precipitation falls during December through February, often as snow.
include the Desert Sucker, Virgin River Spinedace, Flannelmouth Sucker, and Speckled Dace. Fishing enthusiasts can also catch Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout.

Nearby Attractions

In southwestern Utah near the Arizona border, the towns of Springdale, Rockville, Virgin, and La Verkin lie just outside of Zion National Park. Nearby attractions worth adding to your RV camping route include Quail Creek State Park, Gunlock Reservoir, and the Silver Reef Museum and Ghost Town. Keep in mind that the Silver Reef Museum is closed Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Check out the nearby Red Cliffs Desert Reserve for more spectacular views of the red sandstone characteristic of this geological area.

Where to Camp

Inside the park. Although Zion National Park has three main campgrounds, only two offer RV camping: Watchman and South Campgrounds. Maximum RV length is limited to 40 feet. Watchman Campground offers 92 sites with electric hookups, located in Loops A and B. South Campground allows restricted generator use but typically opens only from mid-March through late October. Watchman doesn't allow generator use, but it's open year-round.

Tips on reserving a campsite. Reservations for Watchman Campground sites open six months in advance and typically fill up quickly. You can book a spot in South Campground up to two weeks in advance, once it opens for the season.

Camping outside the park with Harvest Hosts. Zion National Park limits camping to 14 total days from March through November. It can be difficult to find consecutive days to camp in the park, especially if you want to stay more than a few days. Nearby Harvest Hosts locations allow you to stay close to the park and visit local breweries, working farms, distilleries, and attractions. With no camping fees, it's a no-brainer to add a few Harvest Hosts to your itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you sleep in your RV in Zion National Park?

You can sleep in your RV in Zion National Park if you're in a designated campground. All RV camping in Zion requires a reservation. Most RVers prefer Watchman Campground, specifically Loops A and B, because they offer electric hookups, potable water, and a dump station. South Campground is open seasonally but lacks hookups.

Where can I camp in an RV near Zion National Park?

RV camping near Zion National Park is limited. Harvest Hosts has many locations within an hour of the south entrance, including a family-friendly animal farm retreat and the Charming Raw Milk Dairy Farm. Additional hosts cluster around Springdale, Virgin, Hurricane, and the La Verkin corridor along SR-9, with more available near Cedar City and St. George off I-15.

Do you need a reservation to enter Zion National Park?

You don't need a timed entry reservation to enter Zion National Park. Simply pay the entrance fee and drive in. However, most campgrounds require a reservation as they typically book up well in advance. You also don't need a reservation or ticket to ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle.

Can you drive an RV through the Zion tunnel?

If your RV measures no more than 35 feet 9 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches wide, and 11 feet 4 inches tall, and weighs 50,000 pounds or less, you can drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway tunnel. RVs that exceed any of these size and weight restrictions cannot pass through the tunnel and must take an alternate route. Suggested detours include the Kolob Canyons Road (northwest side) or approaching from Springdale to the south via I-15 and SR-9 or SR-59/UT-389.