South Campground (Ut)

Location

State Hwy 9
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Policies

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Max stay

14 nights

Pets

Allowed (per listing)

Campfires

Allowed (per listing)

About

South Campground sits just inside Zion's south entrance and offers a practical, close-in base for exploring the canyon: it has 119 campsites in all, with 105 designated for both RVs and tents and 14 tent-only sites, plus four group sites that can accommodate larger rigs and parties. The campground was built in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Virgin River runs alongside the loop, so many sites get sun through a moderately open cottonwood and riparian canopy; the trees turn a clear gold in autumn and the cold river is an easy place to cool off on hot summer afternoons. Facilities are straightforward and reliable flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, firepits, a dump station but there are no electrical or sewer hookups, and generators are allowed only during specified hours. South Campground is open seasonally from early March through the end of October; reservations are limited to a 14-day window (with the possibility of extending up to two days beyond that window), so plan close-in bookings accordingly for longer-range planning look to nearby Watchman Campground, which accepts reservations six months in advance. After entering the park, stop at the campground kiosk to check in with hosts and get directions to your site. The campground's location makes it convenient for both short outings and longer adventures: the visitor center, Springdale's services, and the Zion Canyon Shuttle are a short walk away, and most of the main canyon (and many popular climbing routes) are accessible by shuttle from roughly the end of February through the end of November. Three trails start at or near the campground the Watchman Trail (a moderate climb to a viewpoint), the Archaeology Trail (an easy interpretive walk), and the paved Pa'rus Trail, which follows the river, allows bikes and leashed dogs, and is the park's only dog-approved path. Expect some seasonal nuisances: tent caterpillars can be abundant in April and May, ants spike after summer monsoons (notably July and August), and yellowjackets increase in late summer; visitors may not apply insecticidal treatments. Important reservation policies: modifications or date changes carry a $10 service fee, cancellations two nights or more in advance incur a $10 fee, and same-day or day-before cancellations forfeit the first night's use fee in addition to the $10 charge; group-site cancellations made less than 14 days before arrival also forfeit the first night. If you need to cancel or modify after midnight on your arrival day, contact campground staff at zion_south_campground@nps.gov. Activities immediately available from the campground include camping, hiking, biking (on permitted trails), climbing (via shuttle access into the canyon), and wildlife viewing, with Springdale nearby for supplies, showers, food, and gear rental.