About Watchman Campground
Number of accommodations: 184
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
184 Sites Available
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Site Details
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184 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (671)
What Guests Are Saying
Watchman Campground offers a stunning setting with well-maintained facilities and convenient access to Zion National Park and nearby amenities. Campers appreciated the clean bathrooms, beautiful views, and wildlife sightings, including deer and falcons. While some noted noise issues and the lack of showers, the overall experience is highly recommended for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and prime location.
What Guests Are Saying
Watchman Campground offers a stunning setting with well-maintained facilities and convenient access to Zion National Park and nearby amenities. Campers appreciated the clean bathrooms, beautiful views, and wildlife sightings, including deer and falcons. While some noted noise issues and the lack of showers, the overall experience is highly recommended for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and prime location.
Review Summary
Micah N
VerifiedMarch 30, 2026 • Stayed at: F014, Loop: Loop F
Great site and helpful staff!
Thomas B
VerifiedMarch 30, 2026 • Stayed at: D036, Loop: Loop D
Clean bathrooms, clean parking spot, multiple restaurants within walking distance.
Allen T
VerifiedMarch 29, 2026 • Stayed at: B019, Loop: Loop B
Book early to stay in the same site but, if not, be patient and get notices as campsites will come available. Our Zion stay was in mid March. The park was not crowded, we never waited longer than 5 minutes to get on a bus, we were able to make last minute reservations for dinner at the lodge where the Elk and trout dinners were terrific.
Terese H
VerifiedMarch 29, 2026 • Stayed at: B012, Loop: Loop B
We only wish we could have reserved more than one night. Definitely needed more time here!
Anne W
VerifiedMarch 29, 2026 • Stayed at: B033, Loop: Loop B
Even though we pulled in after gate hours, we had no trouble finding and accessing our site. We enjoyed the dark skies atmosphere and proximity to the visitors center/shuttle. On the day of checkout, we pulled out early to get a spot in the oversized parking so that we could enjoy the park throughout the day without worrying about checkout time. Shuttles were convenient and plentiful. Only once did we have to wait for a second shuttle to arrive due to capacity, and that was at 5pm on our way down canyon.
Michelle P
VerifiedMarch 29, 2026 • Stayed at: C024, Loop: Loop C
If you are planning on going to Zion, stay at the campgrounds. They are close to the visitor center, so you can easily walk over to catch the shuttle buses. The campgrounds are a little loud around 6:00 when people are getting ready to go hike, and with the car alarms going off at the visitor center, but it gets quieter again around 7:00.
Robert W
VerifiedMarch 28, 2026 • Stayed at: B045, Loop: Loop B
Our stay was wonderful. We had the advantage of coming the first part Feb with few campers. We have a 43 ft class A, which had no problem getting around or into our site. Restrooms were clean, (all were not opened though due to time of year) Camphosts were great. We had several questions and were willing to spend their time assisting us. Would highly recommend Watchman but schedule for spri g and summer because it fills up quick.
Nicholas H
VerifiedMarch 28, 2026 • Stayed at: B010, Loop: Loop B
Excellent views! Flat sites!
Clean bathrooms. Great!
Tim C
VerifiedMarch 27, 2026 • Stayed at: D037, Loop: Loop D
It's right at the start of the park so beware if you're using the shuttles when returning at the end of your days activities, most shuttles are packed when you're trying to come back. Bring some shade as the location is fully exposed during the sunniest part of the day but, the views during sun rise and set are fantastic. It did get rather windy at night as well so be sure to keep things tidy.
Patricia K
VerifiedMarch 27, 2026 • Stayed at: B054, Loop: Loop B
We had gorgeous views in three directions. Unfortunately, through no fault of the National parks there is now another campground and other development and construction all along the river front sites like ours. In older video drive throughs it shows that the area was not developed. We always try to pick outside loop with nature behind us. If you want same experience don't pick these. There are still some of those sites lining the mountains but not many. You can walk to the watchman trail from the campsite and in the morning it was not crowded at all and the sun rising over the mountains was absolutely spectacular and the highlight our my trip this time.
Location Watchman Campground
Address:
S.R. 9
Springdale, UT, 84767
United States
From Las Vegas, St. George or other points south on Interstate 15: Travel north to Exit 16, towards Hurricane. Follow State Route 9 east for 12 miles (19 km) (to La Verkin and turn right to continue on State Route 9 towards Zion National Park. After passing through Springdale, arrive at South Entrance of Zion. Take the first right after the entrance station towards the Visitor Center. After passing the Visitor Center, you will enter Watchman Campground. Stop at campground kiosk for directions to your campsite.
From Salt Lake City, Interstate 70 or other points north on Interstate 15: Travel south to Exit 27, towards Toquerville. In 6.1 miles (15.5 km) turn left onto State Route 9 towards Zion National Park. After passing through Springdale, arrive at South Entrance. Take the first right after the entrance station towards the Visitor Center. After passing the Visitor Center, you will enter Watchman Campground. Stop at campground kiosk for directions to your campsite.
From Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Kanab or other points south on U.S. 89: Travel north to State Route 9. Turn left and follow State Route 9 west for 13 miles (33 km) to the East Entrance of Zion National Park. Continue straight for 12 miles (19 km), then turn left at the sign for Watchman Campground and Visitor Center. Stop at campground kiosk for directions to your campsite.
From Bryce Canyon National Park, Panguitch or other points north on U.S. 89: Travel south to State Route 9. Turn right and follow State Route 9 west for 13 miles (33 km) to the East Entrance of Zion National Park. Continue straight for 12 miles (19 km), then turn left at the sign for Watchman Campground and Visitor Center. Stop at campground kiosk for directions to your campsite.
Watchman Campground is accessible via State Route 9, which connects to Interstate 15 at Exit 16 to the south and to U.S. 89 to the north.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.1986 / -112.986
Elevation: 1196 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- Photo ID: The primary occupant listed on the camping reservation must present a photo ID upon check-in at Zion National Park campgrounds. The name of the primary occupant cannot be changed once a reservation is made. This rule is in place due to the competitive nature of the location and to prevent visitors from re-selling their site.
- Entrance fee: Zion National Park collects a separate park entrance. You may pay this fee upon arrival or purchase in advance. The park also honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes (also known as interagency passes, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.). Visit the park's Fees & Passes web page for details.
- Pass Discounts. Lifetime Passes (e.g., Senior, Access, Golden Age Senior and Golden Age Access) and Annual Senior passes may allow a 50% discount on camping. The pass must be present upon check-in with valid ID. The pass only allows a 50% discount on one site (group sites are not discounted).
- VEHICLE SIZE LIMITS. There are length, height and width limits for driving on Utah State Route 9 between the East Entrance and the campgrounds:• Length Limit: Single or combined vehicles over 50 ft. (15 m) long are prohibited from traveling through the park between the East Entrance and the campground. If your total length is greater than 50 ft., you must enter the park through the South Entrance near the town of Springdale.• Height Limit: Vehicles taller than 13 ft. (33 m) are prohibited from traveling through the park between the East Entrance and the campground.• Width Limit: Vehicles 7'10' (2.4 m) in width or 11'4' (3.4 m) in height or larger require one-lane traffic control through the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel, located between the east entrance and the campground. Nearly all RVs, trailers, fifth-wheels, dual-wheel trucks and campers require a tunnel escort. Visitors requiring this service must purchase a $15 tunnel permit at the entrance station, valid for two trips through the tunnel for the same vehicle during a 7-day period. The Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel is open for over-sized vehicles from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT year-round. Visit the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel web page operation hours.
- Generators are not allowed in the campground.
- No Shower or Laundry Facilities. These amenities are available in the town of Springdale.
- Hammocks: The use of hammocks and slacklines are prohibited.
- Campfires. Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings. If it is especially dry or windy, Zion may not allow campfires in the fire rings, either. The park will post any fire restrictions on the Current Conditions page. Campers are responsible for understanding current fire restrictions. Do not leave fires unattended. Extinguish them with water until they are cool to the touch. Wood gathering is prohibited in the park.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more. Gathering of firewood within Zion National Park is prohibited.
- To contact Watchman campground: please email comments/questions/late arrival information to zion_watchman_campground@nps.gov or call 435-772-3837.
- Food and garbage must be stored properly at all times. Food should be stored inside a vehicle or a lockable hard sided container. Garbage should be secured in the same way or be disposed of in the receptacles provided in the campground. Food is defined as food, drinks, toiletries, cosmetics, pet food and bowls, and any other scented items. Coolers, dirty stoves, grills, non-disposable tableware and cookware must be washed or stored in the same manner as food. Feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
