If you are heading to Zion National Park and want a private RV park with all of the natural beauty of a public park, Zion River Resort RV Park in Virgin, UT, just might be the one for you. Not only will you find stunning views of the red rock landscape, you also get full hookups at your well-maintained site. Plus great amenities and easy access to Zion!
Lauren from @afamwithavan is here to give us her full review of this park. This is part three of a three-part series with Lauren all about Zion National Park. Be sure to check out part one: Planning a Camping Trip to Zion National Park and part two: Watchman Campground.
Photo courtesy of Zion River Resort
Hear Lauren’s complete review by click play on the media player above or by searching for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
Zion River Resort Overview
Zion River Resort is located in the small town of Virgin, which is around 20 minutes west of Zion National Park’s south entrance. Virgin has stores and restaurants, making it a good home base for a visit to Zion and other nearby parks.
Getting to Zion is super easy, even without a car. There is a seasonal shuttle bus offered for around $7 per person that will take you right to the park. If you have a car, you can drive to the gateway town of Springdale, where you’ll find plenty of parking and shuttle stops for Zion’s service.
Photo courtesy of Zion River Resort
Campground Amenities
While Lauren loves Watchman Campground right in Zion, sometimes it is nice to stay someplace with full hookups and a pool. She loves that Zion River Resort gives her all of the beauty with these amenities, too. After a hot day of hiking in Zion, it’s really nice to hop in the cool pool or to relax in the jacuzzi.
Zion River Resort also offers:
- camp store
- group grilling area
- game room
- business center
- cafe (seasonal)
- communal camper kitchen
- dog area
- clean bathhouses and restrooms
- propane service
Photo courtesy of Zion River Resort
Campsites at Zion River Resort
The Virgin River runs right alongside the park. You can’t necessarily see it due to the protective berm, but you can hear it, which adds to the atmosphere at many of the campsites.
Zion River Resort has several different types of sites. The RV sites have full hookups, a shade tree, a fire ring, and a picnic table. There’s also cable and wifi access. You’ll find a variety of options:
- Pull-thru sites are 60-70 feet long with a concrete pad and a grassy area.
- Standard back-in sites range from 30-40 feet deep and have 30 amp electric. These are available with either a concrete pad and grass or gravel only. They are perfect for smaller RVs.
- There are three premium pull-thru sites, which are located on the end of the row so that you do not have a neighbor on your patio side, creating a sense of more space.
- Riverside back-in sites average 40-50 feet deep and have gravel pads.
- Tent sites are also located along the river and are well maintained. Lauren notes that tent sites at some parks are really lacking, but she says these are really nicely done.
Expect to pay $39-$78 per night, depending on the season and the type of site. You do pay an extra $5 per person over 4 people.
Photo courtesy of Zion River Resort
Final Thoughts on Zion
As we wrap up Zion National Park week, we asked Lauren how many days someone should spend in the park ideally. She recommends three full days, if you can spend them. If you can spend one day, she said it’s still absolutely worth it. Now, get to planning! We hope these resources help you plan a wonderful Zion adventure.
We REALLY appreciate Lauren sharing her expertise and adventures with us. Don’t forget to check out her awesome pictures on Instagram at @afamwithavan!
See you at the campground,
Stephanie + Jeremy
