The 12 Best Cities and Towns Near Zion National Park

These are the best cities and towns near Zion National Park that are perfect for any Utah road trip! Zion National Park is a stunning national park in southern Utah that should be on every bucket list. When you visit, I recommend staying near the park for at least two days, so you can experience everything it has to offer.

There are many cities and towns near Zion National Park that are perfect base camps for your adventures. Some towns are within minutes of the Zion National Park entrance, while others are further away but near other beautiful attractions. No matter where you decide to stay, you will not be disappointed because these cities and towns are incredibly scenic!

This guide has everything you need to know about the best cities and towns near Zion National Park that make perfect places to stay for your Utah trip!

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The Best Cities and Towns Near Zion National Park

Zion National Park

If you want to stay in Zion National Park for your stay, you can stay in its only lodge within the park. The Zion National Park Lodge is on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is only accessible by shuttles most of the year unless you stay at the lodge.

Staying at the Zion National Park Lodge is convenient because you are steps away from the best things to do in the park, including Angels Landing and The Narrows. The lodge has a variety of accommodations, including cabins, hotel rooms, and suites, so you can find something that works best for you!

Places to Stay in Zion National Park:

Springdale

Springdale is the best town near Zion National Park because it is the closest to the park entrance and has everything you need for your trip. The beautiful area has a variety of restaurants, shops, and accommodations. Because it is right outside of Zion National Park, it is incredibly scenic.

No matter where you stay, you will have stunning views of the canyons in the area. Because Springdale is the closest town near Zion National Park, many accommodations are expensive, but if you want to be close to the park, this is the best town!

Springdale also has a shuttle service that brings you to the park entrance and is perfect for when the parking lot near the Zion National Park shuttle is full.

Places to Stay in Springdale:

2-Day Zion National Park Itinerary

Virgin

Virgin is a quaint town near Zion National Park, with a population of fewer than 1,000 people. Although it is a small town, it does not lack accommodations and things to do! You will fall in love with this cute town, especially if you are looking for a more peaceful stay for your trip.

Virgin is only a 20-minute drive to the entrance of Zion National Park, so you are not far from many of the must-see sights. Virgin is also home to the iconic Subway Trail, so you have easy access to explore this beautiful hike! You can also enjoy other lesser-known trails and attractions near Zion National Park.

Places to Stay in Virgin:

Mt Carmel

Mt Carmel is a beautiful town near Zion National Park on the east side. Although many people stay on the west side of the park, the east side is a great place to stay near Zion National Park. Mt Carmel is near the east park entrance and has many beautiful, lesser-known trails nearby.

Although it does not have many facilities, it has delicious restaurants, fun shops, and grocery stores. The small, quaint town is incredibly scenic and will quickly steal your heart if you stay there!

Mt. Carmel is also close to the only open trail to Observation Point, East Mesa Trail. The trail to Observation Point near the Weeping Rock is closed due to trail damage, so the only way to access it is by hiking on the East Mesa Trail near Mt Carmel.

Places to Stay in Mt Carmel:

easy hikes in zion national park

La Verkin

La Verkin is a beautiful city near Zion National Park and is only a half-hour drive from the park entrance. La Verkin is the perfect base camp for your Utah trip if you want a quieter area with a city vibe. This small city is not only incredibly scenic, but it has many things to do outside of Zion National Park.

It is also close to Kolob Canyon, which is a lesser-visited area in the national park with a scenic drive and fun hiking trails. La Verkin is one of the best cities near Zion National Park for any Utah trip!

Places to Stay in La Verkin:

Hurricane

Hurricane is only minutes from La Verkin and is another one of the best cities near Zion National Park. Hurricane is a larger city with many things to do, including Sand Hollow State Park and Quail Creek State Park, and it is only a half-hour away from the Zion National Park entrance. The city also has everything you need for your trip, including accommodations, restaurants, and shops.

Places to Stay in Hurricane:

St. George

St. George is one of the best cities near Zion National Park and is the largest in the area. It is the perfect base camp if you visit Zion National Park and Arizona because of its proximity to both. It is also near the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Snow Canyon State Park, which are among the most beautiful places in Southern Utah.

St. George has everything you need for your trip, including shops, restaurants, and accommodations. If you want to stay in a larger city near Zion National Park, St. George is perfect for you!

Places to Stay in St. George:

unique places to stay near zion national park

Cedar City

Cedar City is another one of the largest cities near Zion National Park and a perfect place to stay if you are visiting southern Utah because it has everything you need. Cedar City is about an hour from the Zion National Park entrance and 20 minutes from the Kolob Canyons section of the national park. It is also minutes away from Cedar Breaks National Monument, which has stunning overlooks and fun hiking trails.

Places to Stay in Cedar City:

Kanab

Kanab is one of the best cities near Zion National Park, especially if you visit Arizona on your trip. Kanab is a small city located on the border of Utah and Arizona and has everything you need for your trip.

Kanab is about 30 minutes from Zion National Park, an hour from Horseshoe Bend, and 3.5 hours from the Grand Canyon. If you are not traveling to Arizona, Kanab is still a beautiful city near Zion National Park to stay in and has other things in the area, like the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Places to Stay in Kanab:

Duck Creek Village

Duck Creek Village is a small, quaint village near Zion National Park that will steal your heart because of how cute it is! Although it does not have a lot, it still has many accommodations and restaurants.

It is the perfect place to stay if you are traveling between Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park because it is right in the middle of both. Duck Creek Village is about an hour from each national park, so it is a great place to stay!

Places to Stay in Duck Creek Village:

If you are traveling through southern Utah, make sure to stay in one of these beautiful cities or towns near Zion National Park. They are the perfect base camps for adventures in the area and are near the must-see attractions. This guide has everything you need to know about the best cities and towns near Zion National Park that make perfect places to stay for your Utah trip!