Watchman Campground
For visitors to Zion National Park, Watchman Campground is an ideal place to stay. Located near the park's south entrance, the campground is just a short walk from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the Zion Canyon Shuttle System and the adjacent town of Springdale. The canyon and most of the park's trails are only accessible by shuttle bus from approximately March through November each year. Season Dates: Watchman Campground is open year-round. Reservations are available 6 months in advance.
More like this: electric hookups in Utah · reservable in Utah · big rigs in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah · dark sky in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 92 |
| Standard, no hookups | 68 |
| Walk-in | 18 |
| Group tent areas | 6 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
184 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A002 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 44 | Paved | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||
| A003 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 51 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A004 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 49 | Paved | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||
| A005 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 44 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| A006 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 42 | Paved | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||
| A007 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 48 | Paved | 30 amp | No / – | Riverfront | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A008 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 46 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A009 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 49 | Paved | None | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A010 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 43 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A011 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 99 | Paved | 50 amp | No / – | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Zion Group Site fees are $50, $90 or $130 per night based on the campsite capacity. Check the minimum and maximum capacity for each group site. Each group sites minimum required occupants vary. |
| Dark sky | Inside Zion National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites A005, A026, A016HC, C014 and 5 more are listed accessible |
Toilets, drinking water and picnic tables are provided at this facility. Tent-only (F-Loop), non-electric sites (C & D Loop) do not permit vehicles 19 feet and over or in combined length. Group sites (E-Loop) are also tent-only and can accommodate between seven and 40 people. Standard electric sites in A & B loops may be used for either tent or RV camping. There are no full-hookup campsites. Electric sites are all 30 amp, with only a handful of sites that supply 50 amp; a dump station with potable water is available at the entrance to the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Beginning June 7, 2026, Zion National Park will enforce existing size and weight limits on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (ZMCH) from Canyon Junction to the East Entrance. Vehicles exceeding 35'-9" in length, 7'-10" in width, 11'-4" in height, or 50,000 lbs. will not be allowed to travel through the park on the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway.
| Nearest town | Springdale, Utah |
| Coordinates | 37.1986° N, 112.9864° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee
- If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time on the day of arrival you must contact campground staff at [email protected].
- Group campsite: Customers who cancel a group site reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedLake Piles Rx
26 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Zion Outdoor ↗ | 0.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Gander RV ↗ | 17.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Watchman Campground Zion National Park | Campground Analysis and Review | On Foot Explorat
Worth a stop
The town of Springdale has shopping, art galleries, restaurants, and a public library. Throughout the year, concerts, festivals, and parades are held in the town.
- 0.1 miZion Canyon Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 0.1 mi
- 0.5 miZion Nature Center ↗Visitor center
- 12.6 miOrderville Gulch Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Zion Wilderness.
- inZion Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 124,406 acres
- 3.3 miCanaan Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 44,447 acres
- 11.6 miDixie National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,711,285 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- South Entrance SignObject · Springdale · 0.3 mi
- Oak Creek Irrigation CanalStructure · Springdale · 0.4 mi
- South Campground AmphitheaterStructure · Springdale · 0.4 mi
Natural features
Zion is known for it's dynamic geologic history and Watchman Campground is no exception. Named for the rocky peak that rises above it, the campground is surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs that glow red and orange during sunrise and sunset. The Virgin River, a narrow but powerful river that carved out the canyon over time, runs adjacent to the campground. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Most of the campsites are in partial to full sun, however in the Group sites (E-Loop) and the Walk-To sites (F-Loop) visitors may receive some shade under pergulas that are constructed over the picnic tables. Visitors can also cool off in the cold river when temperatures peak during summer. The months of July and August in particular bring a higher concentration of ants in the campsites, which seem to come out especially after the monsoons, but are present all summer long.
Recreation
Hikers can access three trails directly from the facility: the Watchman Trail, a moderate trail that ascends the peak behind the campground; the Archeology Trail, which offers a light hike to an archeological site nearby; and the Pa'rus Trail, a paved walking and biking trail that runs alongside the river, and the only trail in the park that allows dogs. Although there are no rock climbing routes in the campground, many popular climbs are within a short shuttle bus ride into the main canyon. Use of OHVs and ATVs is prohibited in Zion National Park.
Guidebooks for Zion National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Watchman Campground?
Sites at Watchman Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Watchman Campground?
Zion Group Site fees are $50, $90 or $130 per night based on the campsite capacity. Check the minimum and maximum capacity for each group site. Each group sites minimum required occupants vary.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Watchman Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Watchman Campground?
Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Watchman Campground have?
190 sites, including 92 standard sites with power, 68 standard sites without power, 18 walk-in sites, and 6 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Watchman Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Watchman Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Watchman Campground?
Electric sites are all 30 amp, with only a handful of sites that supply 50 amp; a dump station with potable water is available at the entrance to the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Watchman Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Watchman Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Watchman Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Watchman Campground?
Sites A005, A026, A016HC, and C014 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 9 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Watchman Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Watchman Campground sits inside Zion National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International