Where to stay in Zion National Park

Best for: Calming home comforts (and breakfast burritos)

This much-loved boutique hotel is approximately six miles from the entrance to Zion but if you found yourself hanging out here a little bit more than you’d otherwise expect, we wouldn’t blame you. Surrounded by some lovely desert landscape, the white-walled building immediately looks inviting. Inside, you’ll find an array of local artisan creations decorating each room and there are plenty of outdoor seating spots from which to admire those canyon walls. But really, we’re just here for the breakfast burritos – the perfect way to kickstart a day’s hiking.

Best for: A slice of ranch life with all your friends (or family)

Camping or glamping can be a rather intimate affair but at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort you’ll discover tents big enough to accommodate up to six people – and they’ll provide travel cots if needed. Directly outside the yurt is a fire pit and picnic table, and you’ll also have access to a swimming pool, sports courts and other recreation areas. And when you’re ready to check out Zion itself, you’re pleasingly close to Cable Mountain.

Best for: Somewhere cute and cosy to rest your tired feet

The outside of the Under the Eaves Inn is pure storybook - apple green paint, pointy roofs and prettily shaped windows. The homely, quirky vibe continues inside with dark wood furniture, cooling cotton sheets and everything you need to feel snuggled up at night. Stay here and you’re less than a mile from the entrance to the park (which explains the pretty spectacular views from the inn). The Hikers Room in the basement of the Garden Cottage is perfect for a stay-over with one walking buddy (it has two singles, not a double bed).

Best for: Bed, breakfast and bucolic views

If you want to prioritize a tranquil atmosphere while still being in a convenient location, try this place. The Canyon Vista BnB is just that little bit further away from the most intense tourist spots of the park while also providing great access to Springdale town centre. There’s a hot tub and firepit, but we also love the idea of just kicking back in one of the chair swings and watching the world (not) go by for a while.

Best for: Girly glamping and sweet star-lit dreams

A trip to the canyon doesn’t have to mean you lose out on the finer things in life. This tent-for-two is perfect for a couple’s vacation where you want plenty of time to cuddle up together. Take a seat outside the tent and admire the blue, blue sky while planning the day’s Zion trip (it’s about half an hour’s drive to the park itself). Return in the evening for a dip in the heated pool and then cozy up in your cream-and-terracotta bedroom.

Best for: That authentic Utah farm feel

It rarely gets more wholesome than this: a lovely array of bungalows and cabins set within acres of greenery and a farmyard. You’re actually in the middle of not one, but three national parks here, with the east entrance to Zion 14.9 miles away. Along with hearty breakfasts that promise to keep you fully fueled for a day’s hiking, the onsite facilities include a swimming pool, hot tubs and BBQs. They’ll also arrange for you to go horseriding, canoeing and fishing. Nice.

Best for: A hotel with a homely feel

This friendly hotel is only 8.1 miles from Zion National Park, which makes it a great base for a holiday where you plan to spend most of the day out and about in the park. On returning home in the evening, you’ll appreciate the chance to take a dip in the pool or sit on one of the balconies overlooking the mountains. What’s nice about this place is that it’s a hotel (with 24 hour room service), but it also has a genuine home-from-home quality. If you’re here for a longer stay, consider booking one of the rooms with a fully-functioning kitchen, including full-size refrigerator and dishwasher.

Best for: Tents, cabins and wagons, plus all the fresh air you could ever want

This is the simple life done right. Take your pick from a gorgeous glamping experience, a rustic cabin or - for added historic vibes - a covered wagon. The Zion Wildflower camping site is 15 miles from Zion National Park and one mile from the Virgin river. Although it’s slightly off the beaten track, it has a wealth of facilities available on-site, including outdoor fireplaces, yoga classes and sun terraces. An added bonus is that you can bring your pets along too.

Best for: Spa treatments and me time in the mountains 

‘Go hard or go home’ is some people’s attitude when they arrive at Zion National Park. Which is all very well if you like blisters, minor muscle tears and sweat-drenched laundry. If you prefer to mix some relaxation into your stay, Flanigan’s Inn has an extensive range of spa treatments available, including hot stone massage, aromatherapy and facials. They also do pedicures if your tootsies are less than impressed by a day spent in hiking boots. Sign up for their pilates or yoga classes and leave feeling as weightless as a wispy desert cloud.

Best for: Wagons roll!

Get a taste for the wild, wild west while still maintaining your right to a flushing toilet. These very fun wagons are perfect for a family trip away (you can sleep up to six in here) or a group of friends (if you don’t mind being in quite close quarters). The wagon site is handily located in Virgin, meaning you’re a short 20 min drive from the south entrance to the park. You’ll also find a decent amount of restaurants nearby to dine at. If you want to keep bottles of water and a few snacks cold, there’s a refrigerator in each wagon, which is a useful touch. And you can also use the BBQ grill and gas fire pit directly outside your new wagon home.

Best for: 360degree views of nature

Zion Glamping Adventures keeps things simple: beautifully designed tents with that added bit of class situated in a breathtaking landscape. If you’re one for the boho aesthetic, you’ll fall a little bit in love with the taupe interiors of your accommodation, where everything is in naturally coordinating colors to rival the sandstone landscape outside. You are relatively far from Zion National Park itself (the south entrance is a good 40km from the campsite), but there are other more local attractions to also visit - not least the Water Canyon Trailhead, which is popular with kayakers and hikers.

Best for: Feeling like you’re truly part of the landscape

Another gorgeous glamping experience in the Zion area - yeah, if you like fancy tents, this area has got you covered - Under Canvas Zion really makes the most of the jaw-dropping scenery surrounding it. Book a stay in a yurt with panoramic views of the desert landscape and feel like you’re living your best chilled out life in nature (but without the icky bits like: dirt and bad toilets). The park itself has a huge number of on-site activities, such as helicopter tours, kayaking and yoga sessions. Great if you’re one of those enviably healthy, active types… and also if you just want to sip a mojito under the stars.

Best for: Amazingly convenient location (plus a bit of post-hike luxury)

This rustic charm hotel is located within the neighborhood of the Zion National Park South Entrance, making it quite possibly one of the most convenient hotels you could stay at if you’re planning on spending all your time within the park itself. Get hot and dusty hiking through the park during the day, then return here to appreciate the airy rooms, onsite swimming pool and hot tub. Don’t forget to also check out the spectacular Tanner Amphitheater nearby.

Best for: Cool, calm modernity within the most wild of landscapes

If you like to keep the wilderness outside of where you’re actually sleeping, the Fairfield Inn might answer to a few of your needs. The interiors of this hotel are pretty much classic contemporary hotel interiors - close the curtains and you could be anywhere from Chicago to Midtown NYC. But the point is: you’re not. Venture outside and you’re only a short drive from the Pah Tempe Hot Springs, the Sky Mountain Golf Course, and pretty much all the charms of the south side of the national park itself. Our favorite local landmark? The spooky-but-fascinating Grafton Ghost Town, which you could drive to in about 20mins.

Best for: When you value the convenience of a hotel over a more DIY experience

This convenient and contemporary hotel is located just three miles from Zion National Park. Here, you’ll find modern, airy rooms, an onsite gym, spacious dining areas and a lovely outdoor swimming pool. Ok, it’s not the most interesting place in the world to stay but it has everything you need to make a trip to Zion National Park a total success. Plus they make loads of waffles for the breakfast buffet. Win.