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Camp Under Zion's Watchman

Hurricane, Utah

4.3/5
based on 13 reviews

Description

Added by Tiffany Nguyen

Distance: only ¼ mile from the South entrance and a short walk to the main visitor center. Stunning views of the Watchman and open year-round. Very well-kept bathrooms and cold drinking water at the campgrounds. Spacious camp sites so you never feel too close to the group next to you.

Watchman Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds at Zion National Park. With a prime location only a ¼ mile away from the South entrance and gorgeous scenery right outside of your tent, including the tall sandstone cliffs that surround it, it’s easy to see why this campground is everyone’s first choice. Watchman Campground is also open year-round so you can enjoy the park any time of year. The facilities are very well-kept and include bathrooms with running water, fresh drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and plenty of room for your car and tent. There are also group camp sites that can accommodate from 9 to 40 people.

One of my favorite parts about this campground is waking up to an incredible view of the Watchman cliffs glowing red and orange in the morning sun. The campground is also a short distance from the Watchman Trail and Canyon Junction Bridge, a highly photographed viewpoint with the Virgin River, which carves through the canyon and the Watchman looming in the distance. No matter which direction you look, you won’t be able to escape the spectacular views that surround you.

Make your reservation for this amazing campsite here.

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Features

Chillin
Camping
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Picnic Area

Reviews

Quick, easy hike for a great sunset!

It’s been years since I’ve been here, but I’m making it a priority this year to get back out there asap.

I reserved a group site for 6 nights and had the best time ever. There are so many hike in the area and the visitor center was within walking distance making it easy to pick up permits.

Great campground with amazing views. The kids enjoyed the wildlife right there in the campground. Lacking showers so come prepared!

Truly one of the most beautiful places in the world

The campground was super busy, with a lot of family seemingly vacationing for the week. However, we thoroughly enjoyed the chance to stay in the park and spend the evening in the shadow of The Watchman. If you're not looking for a quiet, secluded site, this is a great place to set camp.

I rolled up to this campground at 5:30AM after a long night of driving. It has some amenities: a toilet and drinking water. I wouldn't want to stay here again. Staking my tent was incredibly hard because the ground was hard as a rock. Second, there is very little cover from the sun and the heat in the summer will bake you. No where to hide. Third, the bathrooms haven't been renovated in a long time. Lastly, the sites are on top of each other and crowded to the max. It's more like a circus than anything else.

This campground is great! Superb amenities without sacrificing scenic views. If you're looking for solitude this may not be for you but this is definitely the spot to be in Zion.

You'll feel lucky to have a place to stay in the canyon, rather than driving or shuttling out to the nearby towns and campgrounds. Walking distance to the shuttle bus. Highly recommend getting reservations.

Zion is one of the most spectacular National Parks I've ever visited, but that can also make it one of the most crowded. It's pretty much impossible to stay at the Watchman Campground in the Summer, but in Fall/Winter the weather is perfect, the crowds are gone and there are plenty of open campsites. I camped at Watchman last Thanksgiving and it was perfect.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Pine Creek Bridge

Zion Canyon Scenic Dr

Canyoneering Pine Creek Canyon, Zion

Hike the East Temple Saddle Loop

Canyon Overlook Trail

Hike the Sand Bench Trail