Overview

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. 

Facilities

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.

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.

Notice: The months of April and May bring an unusual infestation of Tent Caterpillars, which fall from trees onto tents, tables, and unsuspecting campers and can make it quite uncomfortable to sit outside. 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. Insecticidal treatment by visitors is not permitted.

Recreation

Nearby Attractions

Contact Info

Important Notices

• 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.

Notifications and Alerts

• Fire restrictions at Zion National Park are now in effect. Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fires of any kind in the park in general and specifically campfires and charcoal fires with campgrounds and picnic areas is prohibited. Cook stoves fueled by petroleum or liquid propane gas fuels are allowed. Please refrain from transporting wood or charcoal to the campground since it may not be used and should not be left behind. Thank you for your attention to this.

• Starting June 7, 2026, Zion National Park will enforce vehicle size and weight limits on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (ZMCH) from Canyon Junction to the East Entrance. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm .

Available Activities

• Visitor Center - Visitor Center
• Hiking - Hiking
• Camping - Camping
• Biking - Biking
• Evening Programs - Evening Programs
• Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
• Photography - Photography
• Star Gazing - Star Gazing
• Swimming Site - Swimming Site

Directions

<p>Beginning <strong>June 7, 2026</strong>, 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. All large vehicles exceeding any of the outlined dimensions will be required to enter and exit through the South Entrance of Zion National Park in Springdale, UT in order to access Watchman Campground. Please follow the link below for more information. </p><p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm" rel="nofollow">Large Vehicles - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)</a></p>

Cancellation Policy

<ul> <li>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</li> <li>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 zion_watchman_campground@nps.gov.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul>

Contact Information

Phone: 435-772-3837

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip