South Campground — Zion National Park

Two minutes from the shuttle — first in line for Angels Landing

Location: Springdale, UT, UT

Price: From $35 per night

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (2840 reviews)

Elevation: 4016 feet

Season: Year-round

The closest campground to Zion Canyon’s iconic red rock walls. Walk to the shuttle stop in under two minutes, which means first access to Angels Landing and Narrows trailheads before the crowds. No hookups, but the setting is unmatched — sandstone cliffs glow orange at dusk from inside the campground.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, Dump Station, Paved Sites, Amphitheater

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/south-campground-zion to be notified when sites open up.

Best location in Zion — shuttle stop two minutes away means you’re first at Angels Landing and The Narrows before the crowds arrive. Sandstone cliffs glow orange at dusk from inside the campground itself.

The Canyon Overlook Trail (1.2 miles) at the east entrance tunnel — most visitors skip it because it’s not on the shuttle. One of the best views in Zion with a fraction of the foot traffic.

What is new at South Campground — Zion National Park: 2025: Timed entry permits now required for the main canyon road (April–October) — book via Recreation.gov separately from your campsite. Shuttle free with permit.

Wildlife alert: Ringtail cats frequent the campsites at night — store food and scented items in the bear boxes provided. Rattlesnakes possible on rocky trails.

Fire rules: Campfires allowed in designated fire rings only when not under fire restrictions. Restrictions common June–September. Check nps.gov/zion day-of.

Things to do near South Campground — Zion National Park: Angels Landing sunrise run. Narrows bottom-up hike. Canyon Overlook Trail at dusk. Emerald Pools on a weekday morning.

Insider tips for South Campground — Zion National Park: Watchman Campground 1 mile south has electric hookups for larger rigs Book Narrows water shoes from Zion Adventure Company in Springdale — much better than hiking boots The free town shuttle runs between Springdale shops and the park entrance

Skip South Campground — Zion National Park if: You need hookups (none available). You have a rig over 27ft. You want to camp without a reservation 6 months out.

Best time to visit South Campground — Zion National Park: Mar–May — Wildflowers, comfortable temps (60–80°F), fewer crowds. Spring runoff makes the Narrows powerful but manageable.. Sep–Nov — Best weather, fall color on the cottonwoods, and significantly fewer crowds than summer..

Common issues at South Campground — Zion National Park: Sells out in under 60 seconds at the 6-month mark. Set a Recreation.gov cancellation alert — people cancel constantly. Also check 2-week availability windows. Summer heat reaches 105°F in the canyon. Hike before 10am or after 4pm. Narrows is cooler — wade the river mid-day. 27ft rig limit strictly enforced. Watchman Campground (1 mile south) accepts rigs up to 40ft with electric hookups.

What campers say about South Campground — Zion National Park: "Woke up and the canyon walls were glowing orange. Nothing prepares you for it." — Google "First shuttle at 6am — we were at Angels Landing before anyone else. Life-changing hike." — Campendium "Summer heat is no joke. Narrows was the only comfortable place at noon." — The Dyrt

Is South Campground Zion open? No — South Campground in Zion National Park has been indefinitely closed since 2024 for infrastructure rehabilitation. As of 2026, there is no confirmed reopening date. Watchman Campground (0.5 miles away) is the only NPS campground in Zion Canyon and remains open year-round. Check nps.gov/zion for current South Campground status before planning your trip.

What is the alternative to South Campground Zion? With South Campground closed, your options inside the park are: Watchman Campground (176 sites, year-round, some electric hookups, reservable on Recreation.gov 6 months ahead) and Lava Point Campground (primitive, no water, first-come only, high elevation, not accessible to most vehicles). Outside the park, Zion Canyon Campground in Springdale (private, 0.5 miles from entrance) is the best alternative with full hookups and hot showers.

Nearby campgrounds: Watchman Campground (Springdale, UT), Lava Point Campground (Springdale, UT), Ponderosa Grove Campground (Kanab, UT), Red Cliffs Campground (St. George, UT).