One of the nation’s most visited and cherished national parks, Zion National Park has a powerful effect on those who visit.
Breathtaking in scale and majesty, Zion’s sandstone buttresses, pine-covered peaks, surreal red-rock formations and slot canyons form a 240-million-year timeline of geological history.
Diverse activities beckon adventurous travelers, ranging from hiking and biking to mountaineering and horseback riding, but even a scenic ride on Zion’s park service shuttle provides magical snapshots of the park’s humbling rock formations.
Zion’s accessibility — a two-hour-and-40-minute drive from Las Vegas — makes it a popular weekend destination, and for points travelers, it’s one of the easier national parks to visit.
The gateway for exploration is charming Springdale, Utah, steps from the park’s main entrance, which has maintained its quirky small-town vibe despite its soaring popularity.
Along the 4-mile stretch of Zion Park Boulevard that leads to the park gates, you’ll find hotels and lodges for every budget, splashy rental homes, self-catering bungalows and, farther afield, several glamping options which immerse travelers in the region’s more rugged, less visited sections of the park.
Here are TPG’s top places to stay near Zion National Park:
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Spacious, comfortable and highly functional, Marriott’s SpringHill Suites properties are usually the kind of hotels you are thrilled to see occasionally along your road trip itinerary rather than the type of place to go out of your way for. Not this one.
With a prime location in Springdale, just a 10-minute ride on the hotel’s shuttle to Zion National Park’s main gate 1 mile away, this outstanding property combines a breathtaking location with an array of amenities (including a terrific free breakfast) and a little more polish and charm than you’d normally expect from this brand.
Larger suites (450 square feet) are contemporary in style and equipped with two queen beds, a West Elm sofa bed and desk, and modern bathrooms. Road-tripping families will also appreciate the all-suite brand’s customary fridges, microwaves and coffee makers.
An inviting outdoor pool and hot tub are flanked by ancient rock formations and provide a perfect bookend to a long day of hiking. The outdoor fireplace is a wonderful place to convene at dusk and take in Zion’s celestial show.
There’s no restaurant on the property but a surfeit of casual and upscale eateries dot Springdale’s main drag, a short walk from the hotel.
Rates from $107 or 50,000 to 80,000 points per night. Note that rates can soar to over $500 during peak travel periods.
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For outdoorsy travelers keen to maximize their time at Zion National Park, there’s no better place than Zion National Park Lodge. While its main selling point is the phenomenal location — it’s the only non-camping option within the park’s boundaries — it’s also replete with historic charm and a certain esprit de corps, with travelers trading stories on wide lawns beneath 2,000-foot walls of red sandstone.
A paradigm of early 20th-century National Park Service architecture (or “parkitecture”), the lodge’s original 1920s design incorporated natural wood, local stone and rustic features intended to blend seamlessly with the landscape. After a fire in 1966, it was rebuilt in just 100 days (somewhat faithfully).
Each of the 40 historic cabins, 76 hotel rooms and six suites is clean and comfortable, with classic (some may say dated) furnishings. With different sizes and configurations, they appeal to families, couples and solo travelers.
At the Red Rock Grill, you can dine on regional specialties, such as Southwest quinoa salad ($11.95), pecan-crusted Utah trout ($20.85) and garlic-rubbed sirloin steak ($19.50). The seasonal Castle Dome Cafe also serves grab-and-go breakfast, lunch staples and beverages.
Stargazers will be in heaven. One of Zion’s greatest shows occurs when day-tripping travelers have departed. The star-studded skies here are truly extraordinary, and the lodge’s lighting protocols, including shielded lamps, help reduce light pollution.
Note that there is limited cellphone reception and Wi-Fi at the lodge.
Rates start at $247 per night, and advance reservations (at least six months out) are essential.
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Located 15 miles from Zion’s main entrance, Open Sky provides adventurous travelers with a back-to-nature camping experience without sacrificing creature comforts. It’s especially appealing for return visitors keen to explore less trafficked trails — remote trails lead into Zion National Park directly from the camp.
A quintessential glamping experience, swanky safari-style tents are tastefully appointed with crisp white linens, wood and chrome furnishings, woven rugs, tiled bathrooms with robes and organic toiletries, coffee makers, patios with fire pits and something that isn’t even a given in hotels these days: daily housekeeping.
Options for families include the Juniper Berry Luxury Camp, with one bedroom, a large living area, a bunk bed, a pullout sofa bed and an en suite bathroom with heated floors. The Star Seeker Superior Luxury Camp has a unique Sky Lounge feature (a glass ceiling with a telescope), as well as more space and luxe amenities, including a clawfoot tub, indoor and outdoor showers and a large private patio.
Black Sage restaurant sources local fish, meat and produce to create tasty Southwest-influenced cuisine that’s a far cry from your average camping staples (in price and quality). Start with a beet salad topped with goat cheese and pecans ($19), then go local with tasty Utah trout drizzled with ancho tomato reduction ($45). Dine in your room, on the patio or in the lobby — keeping with Open Sky’s ethos, the experience can be as private or social as you want it to be.
Rates start from $688 per night for the Juniper Berry and Star Seeker camps.
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Just half a mile from Zion National Park, and with all the restaurants and amenities of Springdale on its doorstep, this upscale Hilton Curio property is one of the area’s more amenity-rich, resort-style properties.
Surrounded by the soaring red rocks of Zion Canyon, on the edge of the Virgin River, there’s awe-inspiring scenery from every angle.
Handsome, cheery rooms and suites are painted in hues of beige and white and accented with vibrant pops of fuchsia and rich floral carpets that mimic the hotel’s lovely botanical garden.
Standard rooms start at 330 square feet and feature Serta Plush mattresses, bathrooms stocked with robes and slippers, blackout drapes and furnished balconies or patios with canyon, river, pool or garden views.
For families and couples who value space, light and a very nice bathroom, it’s worth splurging on a suite (from $513), which has a separate bedroom and living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, a full kitchen with a dining table, and a luxe bathroom with a walk-in shower and freestanding tub.
After hiking Zion’s trails all day, relax in one of two heated outdoor pools or hot tubs (open year-round). At the Five Petals Spa, you can soothe aching quads with a signature Zion Essentials Massage (90 minutes for $199) or slough off Zion’s red-rock dust with a Sea of Life facial (60 minutes for $139).
Dine with stunning red-rock views at the on-site restaurant, Anthera, which serves a broad menu of salads, burgers, quesadillas, ceviche and pasta dishes.
Rates start from $341 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
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With locations across the U.S., near the nation’s most beloved national parks, Under Canvas is one of the more established glamping brands and remains, in many ways, the standard bearer.
Channeling an “Out of Africa” aesthetic, the 60 luxe tents and suites come in different sizes and layouts, but all are kitted out with plush king-size beds, en suite bathrooms with hot showers and organic products, and in-tent wood-burning stoves. For families, the Angels Landing Suite has two bathrooms (it sleeps up to six people), while smaller deluxe tents and Stargazer tents are ideal for couples. All accommodations are pet-friendly, though few trails in Zion are.
The on-site restaurant serves wholesome, locally sourced cuisine. The menus change frequently, but you can expect signature dishes like roasted trout with white wine-braised greens and farro ($25) and cold-smoked salmon with lemon-herb ricotta ($15), as well as wholesome salads and elevated comfort food options, including a hearty burger ($17).
Expert guides or “experience coordinators” can arrange hot air balloon rides, horseback riding and complimentary on-site activities, including morning yoga, live music and children’s programming. For guests who like to mingle, spirited gatherings include nightly s’mores, happy hour socials and culinary campouts.
Deluxe Tents start from $399 per night. The Angels Landing Suite runs from $999 per night. Note that Open Sky Zion is open seasonally from March 9 to Nov. 6.
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One of Springdale’s most luxurious properties, LaFave is just 1 mile from the entrance to Zion National Park. For families looking for a home base with top-notch amenities and a user-friendly, streamlined rental process, this is hard to beat.
Each of the 18 luxury villas, suites and homes is a design lover’s dream and extremely spacious (the average size is 1,252 square feet). Kitchens are appointed with top-of-the-line appliances, quartz countertops and islands, and cabinets are even stocked with essential cooking supplies such as spices and oils, so there’s no need to rush out to the store.
Open-plan living rooms radiate an urban-cool aesthetic with high ceilings, hardwood floors, contemporary leather chairs and sofas, accent lighting, interior brick, and large flat-screen televisions. Luxe, spalike bathrooms have glass-walled showers, plush robes and bath products.
Flanked by colossal rock formations, there’s also a large swimming pool (candlelit at night) with sun loungers, a shady pergola, and tables and chairs for al fresco dining.
The Zion shuttle stops directly in front of the property, and some of Springdale’s best-loved restaurants are within walking distance.
One-bedroom suites start at $495 per night and go up to $895 for a luxury one-bedroom home.
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Located along the Virgin River a 15-to-20-minute drive from Springdale and the main entrance to Zion National Park, AutoCamp is perfect for nature lovers — and travelers partial to midcentury modern design icons.
Custom 31-foot Airstream suites feature a queen bed, a kitchenette, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a patio with a fire pit and shaded dining area. For families, premium Basecamp suites combine the Airstream suite with a deluxe canvas tent, which also comes with access to the luxurious bathrooms in the signature clubhouse.
If you prefer function over form, you might want to opt for one of the premium X suites, which are fresh, light-filled and spacious — separate bedrooms have a queen bed with a memory foam mattress. There’s also a full kitchen, a separate living area with a flat-screen TV and a sleeper sofa, and a stylish bathroom with a walk-in shower and Ursa Major organic bath products.
Healthy, local fare is served at The Kitchen and General Store, and basic cookware and utensils are provided for families and couples who prefer to light a fire and dine on their private patio beneath the stars.
Airstream suites start at $265 per night. Larger X suites start at $319.
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Less than 2 miles from Zion National Park’s south entrance, Driftwood Lodge is a welcoming property spread across 17 acres of gardens and farmland alongside the Virgin River.
Spacious rooms and suites have hardwood floors, dark wooden furnishings, leather chairs and subtle Southwestern vibes.
Families with kids and longer-stay guests ticking off Utah’s “Mighty Five” will appreciate homey touches, including refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and laundry facilities. Newer Canyon and River View accommodations also have upgraded bathrooms with separate tubs and walk-in showers.
What makes this property really shine, though, is its resort-style amenities. There’s an inviting swimming pool, access to a riverside beach area with umbrellas and chairs, and a superb on-site restaurant, King’s Landing Bistro, which is arguably the best in town.
Start the evening on the outdoor patio with a Springdale Spritz made from local Five Wives vodka, St-Germaine, blackberries and lavender syrup ($14), then graze on Spanish charred octopus ($24), king salmon with spaghetti squash and roasted mushrooms ($35) or the pork porterhouse with cauliflower puree, brussels sprouts and basil pesto ($31).
Rates start at $239 per night.
Related: How to plan your 1st national park visit
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In a secluded location a 30-minute drive from Springdale and Zion’s main entrance, Lazalu is a peaceful retreat for travelers looking to disconnect and spend time with family and friends while still enjoying Zion’s dramatic scenery. Located on the western fringes of Zion National Park, it’s just a 20-minute walk to hiking trails that lead directly into the park.
Owned and operated by PBS filmmaker and writer Robert Perkins (who lives on the property), Lazalu comprises two cozy rental homes (each sleeps up to eight people), decorated with rustic chic Southwestern accents: stone floors with colorful rugs, wood furnishings, artworks and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning canyon views. The property’s low light pollution ensures prime stargazing, and there’s a common area where you can gather and prepare meals, as well as a library with more than 2,000 books.
In addition to incredible hiking, nearby attractions include ancient caves with petroglyphs and a reservoir that’s great for cooling off in the hot summer months.
Just know that having a car is essential here, and the property is not pet-friendly.
Rates start at $700 per night, and a two-night minimum stay is required.
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Located less than 2 miles from Zion National Park’s main entrance and within walking distance of the Zion shuttle bus stop, this modern, functional collection of bungalows works especially well for travelers who value privacy, seclusion and efficiency over historic charm and convivial public spaces.
Accommodations are in either stand-alone, two-story duplex apartments or compact one-story bungalows, making them ideal for solo travelers or couples. The bungalows maximize space and light and have tasteful minimalist furnishings, including compact desks, white-tiled walk-in showers, and kitchenettes with a Keurig coffee machine, microwave and minifridge.
Larger duplex apartments have a master bedroom with a king-size bed and a second-floor loft space with another workspace, half-bathroom and queen sofa sleeper.
There is no pool or on-site restaurant, but grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, outfitters and bike rentals are all just a short walk away.
Bungalows start at $359 per night.
Related reading:
- A beginners guide to visiting Zion National Park: Everything you need to know, see and do
- TPG’s favorite national parks: A month-by-month guide
- 11 of the best national parks to visit in winter
- Visiting a national park this summer? Better plan ahead
- 6 tips for surviving a road trip with a large family
