Grand nature and comfort can surprisingly easily be combined at Zion National Park. There’s a rustic but convenient lodge within Zion National Park. You also find a wide range of amenity-rich hotels just across Virgin River in the gateway town of Springdale. Further from the action, the budget-friendly towns of La Verkin and Hurricane are additional options.
Where to stay by area
- Inside the park – Right on the shuttle route and beat-the-crowds trail access.
- Springdale – Town shuttles, dining and walking distance to the park entrance.
- La Verkin & Hurricane – Affordability and easy driving access to Zion.
Top hotel recommendations
- Best inside the park: Zion National Park Lodge
- Best walk-to-park access: Cable Mountain Lodge
- Best value in Springdale: Springdale Zion Inn
- Best budget pick: La Quinta La Verkin
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Zion National Park
There’s a location wise unmatched place to stay when visiting Zion: Zion National Park Lodge. This is the only place to stay inside the park, with trails just steps away (Emerald Pools Trailhead is across the street).
Here, you wake up and go to bed in the park, making your whole stay a park adventure.
Inside the main building, the casual Red Rock Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry hikers. But with Zion Canyon outside the large windows, it’s unavoidable that the view comes first and the food second.
Want something light to go? Adjacent to Red Rock Grill, the seasonal Castle Dome Cafe brews that well-needed coffee as well as supplies you with sandwiches and burgers.
These — Red Rock Grill and Castle Dome Cafe — are the only food establishments within Zion National Park.
But you don’t stay within Zion National Park for the amenities (for that, Springdale wins hands down). The drawcard of the rustic Zion National Park Lodge is, of course, the unique in-park location.
Stay in Zion National Park for: Best possible park access.
Springdale
A charming town positioned just outside the park, Springdale completes the outdoor experience with the best of civilization.
It starts with the location: Virgin River is all that separates Springdale from Zion National Park. Therefore, staying at a hotel here feels almost like staying within the park boundaries.
From the northern end of Springdale, it’s only a short walk to the park’s southern entrance, where Zion Canyon Visitor Center is situated. A top hotel, Cable Mountain Lodge is the closest of them all — how about just a few hundred feet from hotel door to park gate?
In comparison, accommodation elsewhere in Springdale might feel a little off. Still, most months of the year, the dutiful Springdale Line shuttle transports visitors from the town of Springdale up to Zion’s entrance, giving easy access to all the fun things to do in Zion National Park.
After active time in the park, refuel at one of the many top restaurants in Springdale. Flavorful southwestern fare, refreshing drinks and those red mountain views — Bit & Spur certainly knows what recharging is all about.
Yes, Springdale gives you the best of both worlds. Spend the days in nature, have plenty of dining options to choose from in the evening and sleep like a king in your comfy hotel bed at night.
Pick Springdale for: Park-access-and-amenity combo.
Best hotels in Springdale
Cable Mountain Lodge
At Cable Mountain Lodge, you’re only steps from Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Just cross the Virgin River bridge, and you’re there — this is the hotel closest to Zion National Park. Add to that a private picnic site by the splashing river and a reviving pool area, all against the backdrop of mighty red cliffs (the biggest one is called the Watchman).
Cliffrose Lodge
Springdale is a place where nature and civilization intersect, and Cliffrose Lodge shows that brilliantly. Dip your hot feet in the swimming pool, relax in the hot tub or just stroll the peaceful riverside grounds. The animal kingdom approves this hotel too; deer frequently show up to graze. Oh, and among all the places to stay near Zion National Park, only Cable Mountain Lodge sits closer the park.
Springdale Zion Inn
The hotels in northern Springdale are often more expensive due to their unique location so close to the park. But, although slightly less convenient, it’s easy to get to the park from Downtown Springdale as well. Downtown’s Springdale Zion Inn sits less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the stunning park — with Springdale Line stop number 6 right outside the hotel’s doors. Comfy and practical, this is a great value place to stay near Zion National Park.
La Verkin & Hurricane
The lodging within Zion and in Springdale tends to book up quickly. However, west of the park, the towns of La Verkin and Hurricane are great places to stay near Zion National Park on a budget.
From these towns, on opposite sides of Virgin River, it’s only a 20-mile (32 km) drive to the visitor center in Zion National Park. In roughly 30 minutes, you get from La Verkin or Hurricane to the famous trails in the park.
The location further west also means that you’re closer to St. George and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. So from La Verkin and Hurricane, you easily reach Red Cliffs too.
But despite the appealing location, hotels in La Verkin and Hurricane offer relatively inexpensive rates. That these cities are located slightly away from Zion National Park simply keeps the rates down.
Pick La Verkin/Hurricane for: Zion on a budget.
Best hotels in La Verkin & Hurricane
La Quinta La Verkin
For a comfortable stay on a budget, don’t miss out on La Verkin’s La Quinta, offering modern and spacious rooms. As the hotel is located within 30 minutes of the park, there’s nothing about its location to complain about.
Wingate Hurricane
The Wingate hotel in Hurricane lets you explore Zion in great fashion. With its comfy rooms some 30 minutes from the park, it’s one of the best places to stay without breaking the bank.
Zion National Park hotels by shuttle stop
Zion National Park has a shuttle system consisting of two lines: the Zion Canyon Line and Springdale Line. These make it easy to explore Zion while ensuring that the popular park remains peaceful.
Shuttles generally run daily from some time in March to late November, during the Christmas period and at select weekends in the off-season.
Can you drive in? If Zion’s shuttle system isn’t in operation, you are welcome to drive into Zion Canyon yourself. But when the shuttles run, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive isn’t accessible by private vehicle.
Zion Canyon Line
Inside Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Line takes you around. It has nine stops throughout Zion Canyon.
Zion National Park Lodge is stop number 5. Cable Mountain Lodge, adjacent to the park, is 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from stop number 1, the visitor center. From Cliffrose Lodge, make that 0.4 miles (0.6 km) instead.
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Zion Human History Museum
- Canyon Junction
- Court of the Patriarchs
- Zion National Park Lodge
- The Grotto
- Weeping Rock
- Big Bend
- Temple of Sinawava
Springdale Line
The Springdale Line, which also has 9 stops, connects the town of Springdale with Zion Canyon. At Zion Canyon Village, visitors exit the Springdale Line shuttle and enter the park by foot before continuing with the Zion Canyon Line, departing from Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Cliffrose Lodge has a stop, but keep in mind that it’s just an easy 0.4 mile (0.6 km) walk from this hotel to the visitor center.
- Zion Canyon Village
- Cliffrose Lodge
- Flanigan’s Inn
- Desert Pearl Inn, Canyon Ranch Motel
- Bumbleberry Inn
- Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn
- Driftwood Lodge, Quality Inn & Suites
- Silver Bear Enterprises
- Majestic View Lodge
You might wonder…
Zion National Park Lodge and the hotels in the gateway town Springdale, such as the lovely Cable Mountain Lodge, are the most convenient places to stay when visiting Zion National Park. However, you’ll find cheaper lodging away from the park in La Verkin and Hurricane.
Springdale is the town closest to Zion National Park. The small Utah city, with a wide range of hotels and amenities, sits right where the park adventure begins. From hotels in northern Springdale, it’s just a few hundred feet to the Zion entrance.
Zion National Park Lodge is the one and only option if you want to stay inside Zion National Park. However, the hotels in Springdale, some with the park within steps, offer more amenities, including restaurants and swimming pools.
Zion National Park Lodge is unique in the way that it’s the only place to stay inside Zion National Park. If you crave for the best amenities, don’t look past Cable Mountain Lodge. Framed by red sandstone cliffs, this hotel offers comfy suites, a pool and jacuzzi area and space for riverside picnics, all just 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
La Verkin and Hurricane (about 30 minutes from the park) are top places to stay near Zion on a budget. Hotels here are generally much cheaper than in the first-row Springdale.
It’s optimal to spend at least two or three full days in Zion. Allowing three full days gives you time to explore the park at your own pace, without having to hurry through the spectacular scenery.
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