Winter Camping in Zion National Park
Located in Southern Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most breathtaking and iconic national parks in the United States. If you enjoy camping with amazing landscape views, there are a few places for winter camping in Zion National Park.
Zion National Park in the winter is a surreal and quiet time to camp, with fewer crowds and a breathtaking chill in the air that brings with it a sense of peace and tranquility.
Known for its epic red cliffs and unique wildlife, the area takes on a different charm in winter. Use this Zion National Park travel guide for a list campgrounds, facilities available, and reservation information for winter camping in the park.
In case you can’t get a spot for camping in Zion National Park, we’ll list campgrounds and RV Parks near the park as well.
We are lucky to only live a few hours away from Zion National Park. We’ve had the opportunity to visit Zion many times during all seasons! The tips we share for planning a winter vacation to Zion are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years!
Use our Zion National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the winter! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Zion National Park
Take a visual tour through Zion National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Winter Camping at Zion National Park
There are three campgrounds at Zion National Park, but only is open in the winter: Watchman Campground.
Any time of year, camping at Zion is only permitted in the campground designated campsites. You cannot camp in pullouts or parking lots.
One good thing about winter camping at Zion is the less-restrictive time requirement. From March through mid-November, the park-wide camping limit is 14 nights. An additional 30 nights is permitted the rest of the year.
Watchman Campground
The Watchman Campground is next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. It’s about a quarter of a mile from the South Entrance of Zion in Springdale.
This is the only campground at Zion open year-round, but has reduced availability in the winter. All campsites at Watchman Campground require reservations, which may be made six months prior to your arrival date.
- Drive-up sites and allow a maximum of two vehicles.
- Only one RV or trailer is allowed.
- Any RV including motorhomes, cabover campers and camper vans, or any trailer including 5th wheels, pop-up campers, and cargo or boat trailers are vehicles and count toward the limit.
- Each campsite allows a maximum of six people and two tents; plan accordingly.
- Hammocks are allowed but are limited to the footprint of the campsite.
Watchman Campground has 176 total sites:
- Tent only: 69 sites
- RV only: 65 sites
- Groups: 7 sites
- Electric hookups: 95 sites
Watchman Campground Features:
- All sites here include a place for a tent or RV, a picnic table, and fire pit with attached grill.
- Flush toilets, dump station, cold running drinkable water, trash containers, and cell phone reception are available year-round.
- No showers, full-hookup campsites, electrical outlets, internet connectivity, laundry or store on site. (All services are available in Springdale, Utah, one half-mile away.)
- Pets at Zion National Park are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet only at Watchman Campground, on the park roads and along Pa’rus Trail.
- Food must be stored in a vehicle or a hard-sided lockable container. Deer like to hang out at this campground, but remember that feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited. Don’t leave trash unattended while camping at Zion, and dispose of trash in dumpsters.
- In nearby Springdale you’ll find pay showers, small markets, firewood, laundromats, a limited medical clinic, and restaurants. Access the town by car, foot, bicycle, or Springdale shuttle.
Regulations:
- Check out time is 11:00 a.m.
- Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Generators are not permitted at any time.
- Do not move picnic tables.
- Tents and vehicles must not be on vegetation.
- No fires are permitted when fire restrictions are in place.
Winter Camping Near Zion National Park
You’ll find campgrounds, camping sites, RV parks, and glamping options near Zion National Park. Winter is the offseason here so always check with the individual campgrounds or RV Parks to make sure they are open, and what services will be available.
Campgrounds Near Zion
Several area campgrounds are a short drive from the park, but always call in advance to make sure they are open in the winter.
If you plan to also visit Bryce Canyon National Park, you may want to find a central location to camp between the two parks:
- Camping Near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon
- BLM Camping Near Zion – south of Highway 9
- BLM Camping Near Zion – north of Highway 9
- Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau
- East Zion Tourism Council
- St. George Area Visitor Bureau
- BLM, St. George Field Office
- Kane County, Utah (including Kanab)
RV Parks Near Zion
There are quite a few RV parks near Zion National Park. Since winter is the off-season you’ll want to make sure they are open for the month you plan to camp.
RV Parks Close to Zion Canyon:
- Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
- Zion River Resort
- Willow Wind RV Park
- Zion View RV Park
- Sand Hollow RV Resort
RV Parks Near the Zion East Entrance:
RV Parks Near Mt. Carmel Junction to Bryce Canyon
- Thunderbird RV Park North
- Mt. Carmel Motel and RV
- Cliffside Cabins & RV Park
- Bauer’s Canyon Ranch RV Park
Glamping Near Zion
Many glamping locations near Zion will close during the winter months so be sure to call ahead to ask about the dates you’ll be visiting!
- Zion Under Canvas – glamping in luxury tents under the stars is one of the best ways to experience this park!
- Zion View Camping – big tent, clean water on site, shower and bathrooms, and a real bed! They also provide a charcoal grill and grill supplies.
- Zion Wildflower – you can choose to stay in a panoramic tent or a covered wagon!
- Zion Glamping Adventures – outside of your tent enjoy a private hangout area with picnic table, chairs, fire pit and a charcoal grill (complimentary coffee, marshmallows, hotdogs)!
Visiting Zion National Park in the Winter
Zion National Park and the Visitor Center are open all year long, every day of the year. Check the website for the most current Zion facilities hours.
Enjoy fun outdoor Zion National Park winter activities like scenic drives, hiking, biking, and photography. Some activities may be a bit more limited due to cold or snowy conditions!
Check current trail conditions before doing any winter hiking in Zion National Park. Trails can close due to storm damage, falling rocks, or any other unsafe conditions.
Winter Weather at Zion National Park
It’s important to be up-to-date with current Zion National Park weather and road conditions!
Because the temperatures really drop at Zion National Park in the winter, it’s the least busy season. For us, this makes winter the best time to visit to escape the crowds!
BUT the cold winter weather may not be for everyone.
- Zion National Park in December: Highs 48 | Lows 24 degrees F
- Zion National Park in January: Highs 50 | Lows 25 degrees F
- Zion National Park in February: Highs 50 | Lows 25 degrees F
During the winter it is especially important to dress in layers. We recommend:
If you plan to take any Zion National Park winter photos, you might also want to pack:
Does the Zion Shuttle Run in the Winter?
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles during the shuttle season. Typically, Zion National Park shuttles are running March through November, weekends in February, and the week between major holidays in December.
Visit the Zion National Park website to get the most updated shuttle information for the time you’ll be visiting.
With winter being less crowded one of the benefits is that you can drive your car through Zion Canyon (except for the holidays at Christmas/New Year’s and President’s weekend in February).
All four Zion National Park scenic drives are open in the winter, but when a storm rolls through, they may close if conditions are bad so always check the park service website for updated road conditions.
The upper part of the Kolob Terrace Road, including Lava Point, closes in the winter. Kolob Canyons regularly closes during inclement weather. Driving conditions can be very poor during a storm, but roads are usually plowed quickly after.
BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON
Zion National Park Itinerary
The links below provide detailed information for visiting Zion depending on the amount of time you have to spend at the park!
Click the graphic below to get your free Zion National Park planner that includes everything you should see, do and photograph at this stunning park based on the time you have to spend visiting!
