Zion National Park is a beautiful year-round destination in Utah. This unique area, a hiker’s wet dream, stands out for its red sandstone cliffs and deep green canyon floors. But where to stay near Zion National Park for the best experience?
There’s a rustic but convenient lodge within Zion National Park. In addition, you find a wide range of great hotels near Zion National Park just across Virgin River in the gateway town Springdale.
Further from the park action, the budget-friendly La Verkin, Hurricane and St. George are other options for where to stay when visiting Zion.
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Where to stay overview
- Zion National Park – Within park
- Springdale – The adjacent town
- La Verkin – On a budget #1
- Hurricane – On a budget #2
- St. George – A bigger city
Zion National Park, UT – Stay with Zion on your doorstep
In the front row, Zion National Park Lodge is location wise an unmatched option for where to stay when visiting Zion. The lodge sits within the park with trails just steps away (Emerald Pools Trailhead is across the street).
Welcome to the only place to stay inside Zion National Park.
When staying at the exclusively positioned Zion lodge, you wake up and go to bed in the park. This way your whole Zion stay is a park adventure, compared to for visitors who need to get in and out of the park every day.
Inside the main lodge, the casual Red Rock Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry hikers. Here, 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 Café brews that well-needed coffee as well as supplies you with sandwiches and burgers.
These are the only food establishments within Zion National Park.
If you crave for more options, the hotels near Zion National Park in Springdale call your name. From a wide range of restaurants to other appreciated amenities such as pools, the Zion National Park hotels in Springdale cater to visitors who want the highest comfort level.
The drawcard of the rustic Zion National Park Lodge is, of course, the unique in-park location.
In short, Zion National Park Lodge offers the ultimate Zion access. Here, you stay within the national park with hiking trails just a stone’s throw away. But for a bigger selection of Zion hotels and amenities, consider the other options for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park.
Stay in Zion National Park for: Best possible park access.
Springdale, UT – Superb Zion lodging just outside the park
Springdale is another great option for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park. A charming town positioned just outside the park, Springdale provides Zion National Park hotels ticking every box.
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.
How about just a few hundred feet from door to gate?
From Zion hotels at 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 choice, Cable Mountain Lodge is the closest of them all.
In comparison, Zion accommodations further south in Springdale might feel a little off. However, most months of the year, the dutiful Springdale Line shuttle transports visitors from the town of Springdale up to Zion’s entrance.
That way, no matter where in Springdale you stay, you easily get from your hotel 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, Zion National Park hotels in Springdale give you the better 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.
To sum up, Springdale really rocks thanks to its combo of fantastic park access and excellent amenities. This option for where to stay near Zion National Park completes the outdoor experience with the best of civilization.
Pick Springdale for: Zion hotels with great park access and amenities.
Favorite location. Springdale is the alternative for where to stay near Zion National Park that gives you the best of both worlds. With superb location and comfort, it’s easy to see why Springdale is the most popular Zion lodging pick.
Recommended Zion hotels in Springdale
Cable Mountain Lodge – Closest Zion National Park lodging
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 – Animal kingdom-approved Zion hotel
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 Zion 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.
Holiday Inn Springdale – Bed down in Downtown Springdale
The Zion National Park hotels in northern Springdale are often more expensive due to their unique location so close to the park. But although not as convenient, it’s easy to get to the park from Downtown Springdale as well.
Downtown Springdale’s Holiday Inn Express sits less than 2 miles from the stunning park — with Springdale Line stop number 6 right outside the hotel’s doors. Comfy and practical, this is a great value option for where to stay near Zion National Park.
La Verkin, UT – Stay near Zion National Park on a budget #1
The Zion National Park lodging within the park and in Springdale tends to book up quickly. However, west of the park, La Verkin is the first of two great options for where to stay near Zion National Park on a budget.
From La Verkin it’s only 21 miles (34 km) to the visitor center in Zion National Park. In just under 30 minutes, you get from the hotels near Zion National Park in La Verkin 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 Zion lodging in La Verkin, you easily reach Red Cliffs too.
But despite the appealing location, Zion hotels in La Verkin offer relatively inexpensive rates. That the city is located slightly away from Zion National Park simply makes the rates cheaper.
To sum up, La Verkin is a great place to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. From the town’s budget-friendly Zion hotels, you effortlessly get to the spectacular park adventure.
Pick La Verkin for: Lodging near Zion National Park on a budget.
Budget location. La Verkin is an excellent option for where to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. The park is just 21 miles (34 km) away, but Zion National Park hotels and motels in La Verkin are much more budget friendly.
Recommended Zion hotels in La Verkin
La Quinta La Verkin – A modern and budget-friendly Zion hotel
For a comfortable Zion stay on a budget, don’t miss out on La Verkin’s La Quinta, offering modern and spacious rooms. As the hotel is located slightly away from Zion, but still less than 30 minutes from the park, there’s absolutely nothing about its location to complain about.
Hurricane, UT – Stay near Zion National Park on a budget #2
Hurricane is just like La Verkin an appealing option for where to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. The two towns with Zion National Park hotels are neighbors, and the only thing separating them is Virgin River.
Consequently it’s easy to reach Zion National Park from Hurricane as well. It’s 23 miles (37 km) and 30 minutes from Zion National Park lodging in Hurricane to the park.
With its position west of the park, Hurricane offers smooth access to the Red Cliffs area too. So if you plan to visit both Red Cliffs and Zion, it’s convenient to pick Hurricane.
A location away from the park also means that the Zion hotel rates tend to be lower. Therefore Hurricane is a popular option for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park on a budget.
To sum up, Hurricane is another great option for where to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. Much like La Verkin, it’s a convenient city with Zion National Park hotels just a short drive from the epic Utah park.
Pick Hurricane for: Hotels near Zion National Park on a budget.
Budget location. Hurricane and La Verkin are the best places to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. Just a short drive takes you from Zion National Park lodging in the small neighboring cities to the Utah park.
Recommended Zion hotels in Hurricane
Wingate Hurricane – Top Zion lodging on a budget
The Wingate hotel in Hurricane lets you explore Zion National Park in great fashion. With its comfy rooms and easy park access, hidden not more than 30 minutes from the celebrated Utah park, it’s one of the best places to stay around Zion National Park without breaking the bank.
St. George, UT – A bigger town with hotels near Zion National Park
St. George is the option for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park that is located furthest away from the park. From St. George to Zion, it’s 42 miles (68 km) and roughly an hour to drive.
So Zion National Park hotels closer to the park are much more convenient for exploring the park. The places to stay directly at Zion National Park clearly offer much better park access.
But St. George is a bigger city than the other options for where to stay near Zion National Park. With a bigger size comes more options for not only Zion lodging but also dining and entertainment.
St. George also has Red Cliffs National Conservation Area as its neighbor. So if you want easy access to both Red Cliffs and Zion on the same Utah trip, St. George could be the real winner.
Just like in La Verkin and Hurricane, it’s also often possible to find cheaper Zion lodging in St. George than in the park or its gateway town Springdale. So St. George is likewise an option for where to stay when visiting Zion on a budget.
All in all, St. George is the best place to stay near Zion National Park if you want a bigger budget-friendly city. But for better park access, look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park.
Pick St. George for: Hotels near Zion National Park in a bigger town.
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, you 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 have in mind that it’s just an easy 0.4 mile (0.6 km) walk from this Zion 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
Tips for your Zion stay
Hopefully you feel ready for a jaw-dropping Zion National Park stay now. But to make sure that you really have it all covered, take a look at these tips for staying in Zion National Park.
- Consider Angels Landing permit – In general, you don’t need a permit to hike Zion National Park. However, for Zion’s storied Angels Landing hike, it’s different. Because of Angels Landings popularity and its nature as a trail where the space is limited, everyone who hikes it needs an Angels Landing permit.
- Book rooms in advance – Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in America. With that comes a big demand for nicely located Zion National Park hotels. Therefore make sure to secure your Zion National Park lodging as soon as you can.
- Beat the heat – June, July and August are the busiest months in Zion National Park. During this period of the year, temperatures often exceed 100°F (38°C). Although you find appreciated shade throughout the Utah park, make sure to cover yourself up, bring lots, and lots, of water and avoid demanding hikes around midday.
- Know the shuttle – When Zion’s park shuttle operates, which is most of the year, the road through Zion Canyon is closed for private vehicles. Instead the Zion Canyon Line, a shuttle line having nine stops, takes you around the park. Its southernmost and first stop is Zion Canyon Visitor Center, while the northernmost and final stop is Temple of Sinawawa, where you jump off to hike the Riverside Walk and the Narrows. If you stay at Zion National Park Lodge or Cable Mountain Lodge, this is the only shuttle line you need to know about. However, for visitors staying further south in Springdale, the Springdale Line connects the town of Springdale with Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
- Tick off Bryce – Zion National Park is not the only national park in southern Utah. Just 86 miles (138 km) and 2 hours from Zion you find the hoodoo-filled Bryce Canyon National Park. There are great places to stay near Bryce Canyon too, but many visitors choose to day trip from Zion National Park.
Final words about where to stay near Zion
Zion National Park is filled with breathtaking beauty, and thanks to the best places to stay near Zion National Park — everyone can enjoy Zion’s unique landscape.
Stay at Zion National Park Lodge or Cable Mountain Lodge for the very best park access. However, anywhere in Springdale is certainly a good location for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park.
Where to stay near Zion National Park FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay near Zion National Park, Utah.
Zion National Park Lodge or the hotels in the gateway town Springdale, such as the lovely Cable Mountain Lodge, are the most convenient options for where to stay when visiting Zion National Park. However, you find cheaper Zion lodging away from the park in La Verkin, Hurricane and St. George.
Springdale is the town closest to Zion National Park. The small Utah city, with a wide range of Zion National Park hotels and amenities, sits right where the park adventure begins. From Zion hotels in northern Springdale, it’s just a few hundred feet to the Zion National Park entrance.
Most of the year, generally from March to November and during the Christmas period, the Springdale Line connects Springdale with Zion National Park Visitor Center. This shuttle has nine stops throughout Springdale, from Majestic View Lodge to Zion Canyon Village, where visitors jump off and walk into the national park.
Note that Zion Canyon Village is located at the northernmost Springdale hotels. So if you stay at Cable Mountain Lodge, or Cliffrose by Hilton, you effortlessly can walk into the park.
Zion National Park Lodge is the one and only option if you want to stay inside Zion National Park. However, Zion hotels in Springdale, some with the park within steps, offer more facilities. In other words, Zion National Park Lodge has the best park access, while nearby Springdale hotels provide more amenities, including restaurants and swimming pools.
Rest assured that both Zion National Park Lodge and Springdale hotels are great options for where to stay at Zion National Park.
Zion National Park Lodge is unique in the way that it’s the only place to stay inside Zion National Park. So if you really want that national park ambience 24/7, and it isn’t booked up for your travel dates yet, stay at Zion National Park Lodge.
Are you a traveler who rather want to enjoy the best amenities? Then don’t look past Cable Mountain Lodge. Framed by red sandstone cliffs, Cable Mountain Lodge offers comfy suites, a pool and jacuzzi area, space for riverside picnics and — maybe best of all — this unique hotel is hidden just 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
La Verkin and Hurricane are top options for where to stay near Zion National Park on a budget. Zion hotels in these two towns are generally much cheaper than in the first-row Springdale. Still it’s just about 30 minutes by car from La Verkin and Hurricane to the entrance of Zion National Park.
It’s optimal to stay at least two or three full days in Zion National Park. Staying three full days in Zion National Park gives you time to explore the park at your own pace, without having to hurry through the spectacular scenery.
Related: Also check our comprehensive list of the best things to do in the United States. Do you think Zion is there?
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