Utah / Washington County / Springdale / Zion National Park

Watchman Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations required. Reservations available up to 6 months in advance. Group sites operate March through November. Comfort station #4 is closed for seasonal maintenance. Fire restrictions are currently in effect throughout the park.

About

Watchman Campground is Zion National Park's primary campground, situated near the south entrance and just a quarter-mile from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. The campground is named for the distinctive rocky peak that towers above it, part of the dramatic sandstone landscape for which Zion is famous. The facility offers 176 sites across multiple loops, including 95 electric sites in Loops A and B, non-electric sites in Loops C and D, 18 walk-in tent sites in Loop F, and 6 group sites in Loop E that accommodate 7-40 people. The Virgin River runs adjacent to the campground, providing scenic beauty and opportunities to cool off during hot summer months. Cottonwood trees offer seasonal color, turning golden in fall, though most sites receive partial to full sun. The group and walk-in sites feature pergolas over picnic tables for shade. From March through November, the Zion Canyon Shuttle provides the primary access to the main canyon and most trails. Three trails are accessible directly from the campground: the moderate Watchman Trail ascending the peak above, the Archeology Trail leading to a nearby archeological site, and the paved Pa'rus Trail following the river—the only trail in the park allowing dogs. The town of Springdale borders the park entrance, offering restaurants, shops, and services within walking distance.

Directions

From I-15 south (Las Vegas/St. George): Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane, follow SR-9 east 12 miles through Springdale to the park's South Entrance. Turn right after the entrance station toward the Visitor Center; the campground entrance is just past it. From I-15 north (Salt Lake City): Take Exit 27 toward Toquerville, turn left on SR-9, and follow directions above. From US-89 (Bryce Canyon/Kanab): Turn onto SR-9, continue west 13 miles to the East Entrance, drive 12 miles through the park, then turn left at the Watchman Campground sign. Note: Vehicles over 50 feet or taller than 13 feet cannot use the East Entrance route; large vehicles require a $15 tunnel permit and escort.

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