As the third most-visited park in the United States, you can bet that Zion National Park places to stay get booked up! With Bryce Canyon nearby, we’re talking millions of people visiting national parks in Southern Utah every year.
Luckily, there are tons of accommodation options that cater to such high visitor numbers. Families looking to stay anywhere from the best hotels with cozy, modern rooms to rustic campgrounds will find the top options right here.
They’re so many great glamping options, we have another guide dedicated just to those!
This guide covers 15 of the best Zion National Park places to stay like hotels, lodges, inns, and campgrounds. It includes the best places inside and outside Zion Park within a 14-mile radius for families of all sizes.
Distance to the East Entrance or South Entrance is listed too. You’d be surprised at how far away some hotels with ‘Zion’ in their name are from the park! You’ll find everything you need to know right here to book the best stay for your family trip.
Table of Contents
Inside or Outside Zion National Park?
There are four Zion National Park places to stay inside the park. Zion National Park Lodge is the only lodge/hotel.
The other three are campgrounds: Watchman Campground, Lava Point Campground, and South Campground. South Campground is currently closed for rehabilitation work, but it will reopen.
Zion National Park Lodge is possibly the best hotel for families. Nothing compares to staying inside a park! But the lodge (and campgrounds) get booked super fast. You’ll have to be organized!
Unless you’re staying inside the park, no private vehicles are permitted in Zion during the peak season. There are shuttle services to the Zion’s south entrance from Springdale.
Best Zion National Park Places to Stay: Towns Nearby
The town of Springdale, UT is the closest town to Zion National Park’s main entrance to the south. It’s one of the best Zion National Park places to stay outside the park as parts of town are within walking distance of Zion’s entrance.
However, the average price of Springdale hotels can be higher than in some other towns. You may want to compromise on a great location for cheaper accommodation.
Some other options are Rockville (12 minutes), Virgin (23 minutes), La Verkin (30 minutes), and Kanab (40 minutes). The closest “big-city” options are St. George (60 minutes) and Cedar City (65 minutes).
I don’t recommend staying in Las Vegas as it’s a two-hour and 40-minute drive (and while there’s lots to see in Vegas, some of the sights aren’t what I’d consider the most family-friendly 😳)!
Mt. Carmel Junction is also a good option for a base to visit Bryce Canyon National Park or Cedar Breaks National Monument as well as Zion. It’s 60 minutes from Bryce and 17 minutes from Zion’s East Park Entrance.
Most of the Zion National Park places to stay on this list are in Springdale because to me, convenience is key.
Best Zion National Park Places to Stay: Lodges, Inns & Hotels
1. Zion National Park Lodge (my TOP pick)
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion Entrance: Inside the park!
- Accommodates: 5 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, air conditioning, and gift shop
Opening in 1924, Zion Lodge is the only one of the Zion hotels inside the national park. It’s located in the heart of Zion Canyon close to the main road and Virgin River. Red Rock Grill and Castle Dome Café are within walking distance too.
There’s a main hotel building offering spacious rooms with private balconies. The 28 historic cabins have a private porch and all the spaces have one or two double beds. All rooms have a flat-screen TV (not that you’ll need it in Zion) and modern amenities with homespun, country decor.
Zion Lodge is open year-round and there are special discounts for winter stays. This is the best place for stargazing and easy access to the trails. Note that the hotel building doesn’t have elevators, so it’s not ideal if you’re bringing a stroller.
When given the choice, I will ALWAYS pick lodging that’s inside a park. If your number one goal is to see the park, there’s nothing better than lodging within park boundaries.
2. Cable Mountain Lodge
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 0.2 mile
- Accommodates: 8 guests
- Families Love: Outdoor pool, modern hotel rooms, and free parking
As one of the closest Zion National Park places to stay outside the park, you cannot beat Cable Mountain Lodge for Canyon Views.
They offer a variety of comfortable rooms and spacious suites for families of all sizes and budgets. Some even come with a full kitchen! It’s the perfect place for families with babies, allergies, or picky eaters if dining out is a challenge. You could also enjoy a picnic under the shade of the cottonwood trees.
Cable Mountain Lodge has the best ratings and highest guest satisfaction in Zion. The 24-hour concierge at the front desk is a nice bonus.
3. Cliffrose Springdale by Hilton
- Rating: 4-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 0.4 mile
- Accommodates: 6 guests
- Families Love: Free parking and comfortable beds
Some families prefer the consistency of chain hotels over vacation rentals. Great news for you! Cliffrose Springdale blends Hilton’s luxurious amenities with the lodge vibe of other Zion accommodation options.
Choose from a garden, river, or canyon view room. Many suites have private porches and kitchens. If you don’t choose a kitchen suite, you can dine at the on-site restaurant or order room service.
The best part about staying at Cliffrose Springdale is that you’re close enough to walk to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center! There’s no need to rely on shuttle tram rides to the entrance.
4. Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 0.9 mile
- Accommodates: 4 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, free breakfast, and fitness center
Zion Canyon Inn has the same comfy guest rooms and amenities you’re already familiar with in Best Western’s hotels. Actually, this one’s better. It has views of Zion Canyon too.
Best Western Zion Canyon Inn boasts an outdoor pool and a microwave and fridge in every room. Don’t forget that all-important full breakfast where you try (and fail) to stop your kids eating 12 pancakes each.
5. Desert Pearl Inn
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 0.9 mile
- Accommodates: 6 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, outdoor pool, and friendly staff
Desert Pearl Inn is popular for romantic couples getaways as well as family adventures. And it’s one of the best Zion National Park places to stay, especially for families with older kids.
Every room has a kitchen and a private porch or balcony. It’s a completely smoke-free hotel with a pool, hot tub, and golf course onsite.
One of the big selling points is Desert Pearl Inn’s location. It’s a stop on the Springdale shuttle into Zion NP and a great place to walk to coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.
6. The Lodge at Zion Country
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 1 mile
- Accommodates: 4 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, pet-friendly, free breakfast, and outdoor pool
Formerly named La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, The Lodge at Zion Country is now a Marriott property. Thanks to its recent glow-up, it’s for sure one of the top Zion National Park places to stay and families will have the best time here!
The Lodge is a more upscale option for families that prefer creature comforts after a long day of exploring the red rocks. You won’t find stronger showers or softer sheets in Springdale.
There’s no on-site restaurant but it’s within walking distance of many great family-friendly restaurants like Camp Outpost and Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. You’ll find an eBike store right across the street if you’d prefer to sidestep the free shuttle bus to the national park and cycle instead.
7. SpringHill Suites
- Rating: 2-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 1.6 miles
- Accommodates: 5 guests
- Families Love: Seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub, free parking, pet-friendly, and free breakfast
Marriott’s SpringHill Suites is one of the top Zion National Park places to stay for families. This place usually gets booked fast due to its low prices, so act fast!
SpringHill Suites is exactly as described. You’ll only find large, comfortable rooms with kitchenettes and pull-out couches here. The decor is much more modern and minimalist than at other local hotels outside Zion NP.
8. Driftwood Lodge
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 1.9 miles
- Accommodates: 9 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, outdoor pool, and limited pet-friendly rooms
Driftwood Lodge isn’t one of the Zion National Park places to stay within walking distance, but it has a free shuttle stop. Its on-site restaurant King’s Landing Bistro, outdoor pool, and spacious rooms make it a hit with families visiting the national park.
Enjoy beautiful views across Virgin River and Jackson Mountain and plenty of suite options for large families.
9. Zion Mountain Ranch
- Rating: 3-star hotel
- Distance from Zion East Entrance: 4.3 miles
- Accommodates: 15 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, pet-friendly, and smoke-free
When you think of the Zion National Park area, you think of westerns, ranches, and cowboys. Staying at the Zion Mountain Ranch is the perfect place for your family to realize those dreams! It has its own buffalo herd, for goodness sake.
This lodging has dozens of full-service upscale cabins of various sizes with luxurious country-style decor. Zion Mountain Ranch is an ideal spot for family get-togethers since they have such large cabins.
It might not be as near to Zion as other options and there’s no pool, but you can try horseback riding on the ranch. The stargazing is also unbeatable in such a remote location!
10. Fairfield Inn & Suites Zion National Park
- Rating: 2-star hotel
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 13.4 miles
- Accommodates: 4 guests
- Families Love: Free parking, kids pool, and free breakfast
SpringHill Suites and The Lodge aren’t the only Marriott property in the Zion National Park area. If you have points, this could become an extremely budget-friendly family vacation. Fairfield Inn & Suites is a little further away in Virgin, but still a great place for families to stay.
Families of younger kids might prefer to stay here. There are two outdoor pools and one is just for kids and, of course, a free breakfast never gets old.
Fairfield Inn & Suites might not look like much from the outside. It doesn’t have the rustic darkwood exterior that other lodges have. But you can drive up to your room like at motels and the rooms are large and modern. The conveniences of this new build outweigh what it lacks in looks.
Best Zion National Park Places to Stay: Campgrounds
11. Watchman Campground
- Distance from Zion Entrance: Inside the park!
- Time of Year: Open year-round
- Dogs Allowed? Yes
- Facilities: Trash, dump station, drinking water, and flush toilets
Watchman Campground is one of the largest Zion National Park places to stay. It has 176 sites (95 with electrical hookups), each with a picnic table and firepit when permitted.
There’s a free shuttle system inside Zion National Park from March to November and a stop right at the campground.
The amphitheater is one of the best things about Watchman Campground. Every night, park rangers give a talk about the park’s history which your kids will love.
12. Lava Point Campground
- Distance from Zion Entrance: Inside the park!
- Time of Year: May to September
- Dogs Allowed? Yes
- Facilities: Pit toilets and Campfire Rings
This is a much, much smaller and more primitive campsite. Lava Point Campground probably wouldn’t suit most families with young kids (or most families in general!) but it’s worth including because it is inside the park.
There are only a handful of sites in Lava Point and none have electrical hookups. There is a picnic area, shade, and places to make campfires. That’s about it! It’s far from the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive for seasoned camping families who want to stay somewhere remote.
13. South Campground
- Distance from Zion Entrance: Inside the park!
- Time of Year: March to October (currently closed)
- Dogs Allowed? Yes
- Facilities: Trash, dump station, drinking water, and flush toilets
South Campground is closed until further notice. However, it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re not looking for Zion National Park places to stay until next year. It has always received great reviews that will be even better after the improvements.
It has 117 sites with no electrical hookups but there are campfire rings and picnic areas. South Campground is also super close to the Zion National Park Visitor Center! The Zion Human History Museum and Zion Canyon Brew Pub are also a short walk away.
14. Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
- Distance from Zion South Entrance: 0.7 mile
- Time of Year: March to Thanksgiving
- Dogs Allowed? Yes
- Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, laundry room, and playroom
This family-owned campground has been in operation since 1973. It’s a favorite among families looking for a full-service campsite (electric hookups, dumping stations, full bathrooms, the works!) close to the park.
You can literally see Watchman Campground across the Virgin River, so it is one of the closest Zion National Park places to stay. There’s also an on-site convenience store and guests love the helpful, friendly staff.
15. Zion Crest Campground & RV Park
- Distance from Zion East Entrance: 8.3 miles
- Time of Year: Open year-round
- Dogs Allowed? Yes
- Facilities: Seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub, and laundry facilities
You don’t have to travel far outside Zion National Park to find campgrounds with more amenities. Zion Crest Campground & RV Park has the basic facilities RV and tent camping families need plus more.
They boast endless on-site recreation like horseback riding, mini golf, and even a zipline. Because they’re located on Zion Ponderosa Ranch, you can access their on-site restaurant The Pinecone Grill.
This is a great option if you want to visit Bryce Canyon National Park too as it’s between the two parks.
Zion National Park Places to Stay: Where Is Best For Your Family?
There are tons of great Zion National Park places to stay for families because the businesses here know that families love Zion! You’ll find no shortage of cozy cabin-style lodges or spacious modern hotel rooms built with families in mind.
Most options have a pool where you and your kids can cool off after hiking the dusty red trails all day. Choose somewhere with kid-friendly restaurants and near the free shuttle. Almost all the lodges listed offer these services, so it’s easy to find somewhere that meets your needs!
Looking for more information about Zion NP, or family-friendly lodging options in/around more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- Best Hikes in Zion National Park, Utah (For Families)
- Glamping Zion National Park: 15 Best Family Options
- Zion National Park Wildlife: Ultimate Spotting Guide
- 12 Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone [for Families]
- Best Glamping in Smoky Mountains: 11 TOP for Families
- 8 BEST Yellowstone Glamping Options For Families
- Where To Stay in Shenandoah National Park [For Families]
- Bryce Canyon NP For Families: 27 BEST Things To Do
- Family Road Trip Essentials: 17 BEST Items To Pack
- 10 TOP Family Favorite Travel Games for Kids + Adults
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This is excellent information! I went to Zion about 12 years ago, and we stayed in Springdale, which was the perfect location. We went in February, so the prices weren’t too bad. I really enjoyed seeing all your photos as those views look so familiar–we even had some family photos taken with those pink striped mountains in the background. Beautiful! Visiting from Talking About it Tuesdays linkup.