About Watchman Campground
Number of accommodations: 184
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
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Potable Water
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River Access
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Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
184 Sites Available
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No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
184 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (598)
What Guests Are Saying
Watchman Campground offers an excellent experience with clean facilities, beautiful views, and convenient access to shuttles and trails leading to Zion National Park. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, quiet atmosphere, and the friendly, helpful staff. While some noted crowding in the park and minor issues with noise, the overall enjoyment of the location and amenities makes it a favored choice for visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Watchman Campground offers an excellent experience with clean facilities, beautiful views, and convenient access to shuttles and trails leading to Zion National Park. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, quiet atmosphere, and the friendly, helpful staff. While some noted crowding in the park and minor issues with noise, the overall enjoyment of the location and amenities makes it a favored choice for visitors.
Review Summary
Todd O
VerifiedJanuary 16, 2026 • Stayed at: B059, Loop: Loop B
Stayed in January. No complains. Was nice and quiet.
Ashley C
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2026 • Stayed at: B006, Loop: Loop B
Loved this site! Only downside was when it rained the site became flooded. The whole campground became one big puddle. I noticed some neighborong sites also flooded. Otherwise was a perfect spot!
Michelle P
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2026 • Stayed at: B056, Loop: Loop B
Loved our stay in Watchman. We arrived on Saturday, 1/3, and the crowds were gone as of 1/4. So peaceful and beautiful. We were able to drive the scenic route in our own vehicle, since the shuttles stopped running at end of day on 1/3. Go early ( 8/9 am) in off season and you may be one of only a few cars at each site.
Our campsite, B58, did not have fresh gravel like many other sites, so after a rain it was muddy. I expect they are working through the campground.
Jeff W
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2026 • Stayed at: A022, Loop: Loop A
Campsites nicely laid out with some privacy/barriers between. Restrooms adequately clean, but not sparkling. Staff friendly. One campsite occupants ran a generator for several hours 2 nights in a row with no enforcement of no generator policy; more oversight recommended as I don’t want to be the police.
Juan R
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2026 • Stayed at: C022, Loop: Loop C
Well organized. Efficient. Good access to Zion National Park. The facilities are in good order and in good condition. There is plenty of space in the off season. I imagine summer gets very crowded. The shuttle is great as it takes you in to town or into the park. A lot to do in the park. We did not have enough time and will have to come back. Great for camping here.
Steve L
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2026 • Stayed at: B050, Loop: Loop B
Nice views clean and lots of room . Large campsites
Brent S
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2026 • Stayed at: D006, Loop: Loop D
Had a great 2 nights at Watchman to start the new year.
Camp sites were 80% full but still pretty quiet and i slept well. Fire pits were nice to have.
briant v
VerifiedJanuary 13, 2026 • Stayed at: D029, Loop: Loop D
Was good
Virginia S
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2026 • Stayed at: F007, Loop: Loop F
The campground is in gorgeous Zion National Park. The Winter is mild (usually), and the campground hosts were friendly, attentive and helpful. Restrooms were clean. I just wish they didn't limit it to two weeks a year.
David S
VerifiedJanuary 12, 2026 • Stayed at: B036, Loop: Loop B
I know there is currently a big renovation being completed at the South Campground. Hopefully there are plans for the same at Watchman. It's showing it's age. Some of the simple maintenance isn't being done by the staff. The restrooms were not well kept, the dump station non-potable water was inoperative, leaves were everywhere creating a big fire hazard, and the fire ring in our spot obviously hadn't had the coals cleaned out in months as it was full to the brim. The campground ranger had the odacity to come lecture me about fire safety, yet they weren't doing their jobs in keeping the fire hazards at bay. For the fees we are charged, plus our tax dollars, for a national park this just isn't acceptable.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.1986 / -112.986
Elevation: 1196 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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). |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Generators are not allowed in the campground. |
| General |
No Shower or Laundry Facilities. These amenities are available in the town of Springdale. |
| General |
Hammocks: The use of hammocks and slacklines are prohibited. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
To contact Watchman campground: please email comments/questions/late arrival information to zion_watchman_campground@nps.gov or call 435-772-3837. |
| General |
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. |