South Campground -  Zion National Park

The South Campground is one of my favorite frontcountry campgrounds to go camping in the entire National Park System! 

The reason for this is that the South Campground in Zion National Park is perfectly located for visitors wanting to explore the best of Zion! 

The campground is across the street from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Zion Canyon Shuttle system and is located right after entering the park's South Entrance.

South Campground -  Zion National Park

I also love that the campground has several waterfront sites located next to the Virgin River that are lined with Cottonwood trees that turn bright yellow in the fall. 

Not only are there trees along the river but the campground has a lot of shade which is important as the summers can be very hot. 

Deer is abundant in the campground and is common to see campers taking photos of them. 

You and your pet can also take a short walk after dinner along the Pa'Rus Trail that runs right behind the campground and between the river. 

You can also opt for a moderate trail to burn off some of dinner take the Watchman Trail and enjoy sunset with incredible views of lower Zion Canyon and Springdale. 

There are very few drawbacks to this campground but there can be traffic noise that comes from the main park road, especially for the sites closest to the road. 

During the non-peak season, the campground is first come first serve but with the increase in visitation to Zion NP you will want to arrive early for a spot! 

We have heard that people are lining up at 8 am in hopes of a site opening up.

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Zion National Park Entrance Fee  

You must first pay to enter Zion National Park. It does not matter if you have a campground reservation, you still have to pay the entrance fee to get into the park. Here is the cost to enter Zion:

Private Vehicle: $35

Motorcycle: $30
Snowmobile: $20

Per Person: $20

Planning a National Park vacation? The National Park System has an America the Beautiful/National Park Pass which covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites. The cost is $80 for the pass.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

South Campground Camping Fees

Campsite Cost: $20 per night for individual campsites and $50 for group sites

Payments accepted: Cash, Check 

Senior/Access Camping Fee: Interagency Lifetime Pass/IA Annual Senior Pass Discounts. Interagency Lifetime Passes (IA Senior, IA Access, Golden Age Senior, and Golden Age Access) may allow 50% off camping. The pass must be present upon check-in with a valid ID. The pass only allows a 50% discount on one site; group sites are not discounted.

South Campground Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes

Reservations are available up to 14 days before you arrive. 

Reservations that extend beyond the 14-day booking window cannot be altered.

For Reservations more than 14 days ahead of arrival, check the Watchman Campground which offers reservations up to six months in advance of arrival. 

Phone Number? 877-444-6777

Online? Recreation.Gov

Reservations are available up to 14 days before your arrival and may extend up to two days beyond this 14-day booking window. For example, if you want to make a reservation for March 14 to 16, you may book this reservation beginning on March 1. Reservations that extend beyond the 14-day booking window cannot be altered.

Campground Information

Season: South Campground is open from approximately March 1st to the Monday after Thanksgiving in November. 

Number of Sites: 117 campsites

Limited campsites are available in South Campground beginning June 1. This is so the National Park Service can begin work on its full rehabilitation.

Currently Campsites 1-75 are closed for Rehabilitation. 

Campsites 76-124 remain open when campground is schedguled to be open. 

 Map of Campground as of June 2023 

Latitude/Longitude: 

• Latitude:
• 37.2016667
• 37° 12' 6.0001" N
• Longitude:
• -112.9855556
• 112° 59' 8.0002" W

Elevation:  4000 Feet

Accessible Sites:  Yes, sites 114 and 115

South Campground has three flat sites, but no accessible facilities such as restrooms or trails.

Campers staying in South Campground can travel .3 miles to the Watchman Campground to utilize accessible restrooms if necessary. (from the NPS)

Pets Allowed:   Yes, Pets must be on a leash at all times no longer than six feet in length.

South Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: No

Is Wi-Fi available? No

Is Cellular Phone Service Available? No

Is the camp host available on-site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, You can buy firewood in town 

 Wood gathering is prohibited in the park

Amenities at each campsite:

Fire ring in the site? Yes

Picnic Table on the site? Yes

Bear Box/ Food Storage Locker available? No

Potable Water? Yes

RV Camping at the South Campground

RV Length: 

Shaded/tree sites can only accommodate vehicles with a maximum height of 12 feet 6 inches (3.84 meters).

Dump Station: A dump station with potable water is available at the entrance to the campground.

Generators: 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Hookups: There are no hookups in this campground.

RV travel between the South Campground and the East Entrance through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel

Zion National Park has vehicle size limits on the road between the East Entrance of the park and the campgrounds.

Vehicle Length Limit: Single or combined vehicles over 50 ft. long are prohibited from traveling through the park between the East Entrance and the campground; if your total length is greater than 50 ft., you must enter the park through the South Entrance near the town of Springdale.

Vehicle Height Limit: Vehicles taller than 13 ft. are prohibited from traveling through the park between the East Entrance and the campground.

Vehicle Width Limit: Vehicles 7'10' in width or 11'4' in height or larger require one-lane traffic control through the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel, located between the East Entrance and the campground; nearly all RVs, trailers, fifth-wheels, dual-wheel trucks, and campers require a tunnel escort; visitors requiring this service must purchase a $15 tunnel permit; a tunnel permit is valid for two trips through the tunnel for the same vehicle during a 7 day period; the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel is open for over-sized vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during peak season with reduced hours during non-peak season. Visit www.nps.gov/zion for Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel operation hours.

How to get to South Campground

From Las Vegas, St. George, or other points south on Interstate 15:

Travel north on Interstate 15 and take Exit 16, towards Hurricane. Follow State Route 9 east for 12 miles to La Verkin and turn right to continue on State Route 9 towards Zion National Park. After passing through Springdale, arrive at the South Entrance of Zion. Take the second right after the entrance station. Stop at the campground kiosk and speak with hosts to check in and for directions to your campsite. 

From Bryce Canyon National Park, Panguitch, or other points north on U.S. 89:

Travel south to State Route 9. Turn right and follow State Route 9 west for 13 miles to the East Entrance of Zion National Park. Continue straight for 12 miles, then turn left at the sign for South Campground. Stop at the campground kiosk and speak with hosts to check in and for directions to your campsite.

Campground Regulations

Sites will accommodate the following: 3 tents per site, 1 RV, or 2 tents with 1 RV (motor home/fifth-wheel/pop-up/trailer).

Tree Tents are not allowed in Watchman or South Campground.

The maximum number of people in a campsite: a maximum of six people and three tents

The number of cars per campsite: a maximum of two vehicles

Check-in Time: 3 pm

Checkout time: 11 am

Quiet Hours: 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Maximum Stay: 14-day maximum.

Pets: Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet.

South Campground  Map

 

Photos of the South Campground 

Zion National Park Resources 

Zion National Park Guide- Your complete guide to exploring Zion National Park 

Zion Hikes- The ultimate hiking guide to plan your trip to Zion! Get Trail information, photos, and trail descriptions directly from a park ranger who has spent countless hours hiking this incredible park! 

Zion Shuttle Guide- Learn when the shuttles are running and how to use them to plan your trip to Zion

Things To Do Zion National Park- List of things to do at Zion National Park including horseback riding, ranger programs, and exploring the town of Springdale! 

Zion Narrows planning guide- The ultimate guide to plan your hiking adventure to the Zion Narrows. Includes both day hikes and top-to-bottom overnight hikes. 

Emerald Pools Trail Guide- Plan your trip to one of Zion's most iconic trails! 

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

Zion Camping Resources

Zion National Park Camping Guide- Complete guide to camping in Zion National Park

Watchman Campground- Zion's main campground is located next to the visitor center and the park shuttle stop. The campground has 176 campsites, 95 electric hookups, and 7 group sites. 

For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando

Where to stay when visiting Zion

Zion Lodge - Spend the night in the heart of the Zion Canyon giving you the easiest access to some of Zion's most popular trails! This review includes amenities, photos, and video of what it is like to stay in the lodge. 

Zion Cabins- The cabins are located next to the Zion Lodge in the heart of the Zion Canyon. The review includes photos, video, and a list of amenities. 

The majority of lodging outside of the park is located in Springdale or Virgin Utah. 

Under Canvas Zion - Sleep under the stars in a glamping tent. 

Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton  - 4-star hotel. Take advantage of a roundtrip airport shuttle, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton. With a private beach, this hotel is the perfect place to soak up some sun.  In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites - Consider a stay at Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites and take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour health club. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a 24-hour business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion - Consider a stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion Park/Springdale and take advantage of free continental breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a 24-hour business center.

Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion - Take advantage of free breakfast, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour gym at Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center and a snack bar/deli.

Holiday Inn Express Springdale - look forward to a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and shopping on site at Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Zion National Park Area, an IHG Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion - free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion National Park. Active travelers can enjoy bicycling at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a fireplace in the lobby.

 

Additional State Parks and Tribal Parks Near Zion National Park

Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)- an incredible park with great trails and jaw-dropping scenery between Las Vegas and Zion! 

Upper Antelope Canyon- The slot canyon that every photographer on the planet desires to photograph! 

Monument Valley- The most iconic scenery of the American Southwest and the location of countless Western movies.

Valley of the Gods- This is a park where you can spend as little as a couple hours and complete the 17-mile scenic drive and truly get an appreciation of the area. 

Goosenecks State Park (Utah)- amazing views of the San Juan River twisting and turning causing epic goosenecks in the canyon 1,000 feet below.

Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)- is best known for its goblin-like geologic features that can be easily seen. 

 

National Parks near Zion National Park

Pipe Springs National Monument- learn about the Mormon War! 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area- Explore all the recreational opportunities along Lake Mead and around Hoover Dam 

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument - If you are flying into Las Vegas on your way to Zion this is an easy park to visit on the way. 

Bryce Canyon National Park- No matter if you see Bryce in the summer or snow, at sunrise or the middle of the day, its breathtaking scenery and hoodoos will leave you inspired and awestruck! 

Cedar Breaks National Monument-  Another gift from nature, the mini Bryce Canyon with sunsets that will dazzle your imagination! They have pretty epic fall colors too

Grand Canyon National Park-  nicknamed "The Big Ditch" is something you just have to see to believe! Its wonders are hard to put into words,  photographs can only capture a small portion of its epicness! It truly is one of the seven wonders of the natural world! 

Capitol Reef National Park- The least visited of the 5 National Parks in Utah is what I call one of the top hidden Gems in the National Park System! It has epic scenic drives, epic hikes, jaw-dropping scenery, and much more! 

Arches National Park- A hikers and photographers paradise! Arches is home to over 2000 natural sandstone arches, many of which will blow your mind! 

Canyonlands National Park- Canyonlands is broken down into 3 sections, each filled with the charm and rugged beauty of the American Southwest. It's easy to see some of the highlights but its real charm come to those who plan and prepare to go deep into the wilderness. 

Check out these other great Utah National Parks, Nevada National Parks, Idaho National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Colorado National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, and Arizona National Parks.