Best Hotels at Zion National Park: Top Picks in Springdale and Inside the Park
Where you stay near Zion National Park shapes the whole visit. The parking situation is a real headache, the shuttle system has two separate components that catch first-timers off guard, and the best hotels fill up nearly a year in advance. In this guide, we cover the best places to stay near Zion National Park, from our top pick right at the park entrance to loyalty and points-friendly chain options in Springdale, Utah – plus what to know about staying inside the park itself.
At a Glance: Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
| Options for Every Budget and Style | |
| Top Pick | Cable Mountain Lodge: walk across the pedestrian bridge directly into the park |
| Hilton Option | Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection: right next door to Cable Mountain Lodge |
| Points-Friendly | Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, Hyatt Place: all in Springdale near restaurants (shuttle to park) |
| In-Park Option | Zion National Park Lodge: book about a year in advance. Tent and RV camping available |
| Nearest Town | Springdale, UT, right at the park entrance |
| Shuttle | Free Springdale shuttle connects hotels to park entrance. In-park shuttle is separate to take you to the scenic points. |
| Book How Far Out | 11-13 months in advance for peak season or 6 months for certain accommodations. Cable Mountain Lodge and Zion Lodge both fill fast. |
How Far in Advance Should You Book Hotels Near Zion National Park?
Earlier than you think. We booked everything on this trip 11 months in advance, as soon as our flights were confirmed and dates were locked. Cable Mountain Lodge and Zion National Park Lodge both fill fast for peak season, and the best room types at both go first. If you have specific dates in mind, get on the calendar as soon as your plans are firm. Waiting until a few months out means settling for whatever is left.
Pro Tip: Check when your target property opens reservations for your dates and set a reminder. Many properties open 11 to 12 months out. This is especially important for stays in May through September.
Cable Mountain Lodge: Our Top Pick Near Zion National Park
⛰️ Location
Cable Mountain Lodge is the accommodation we’d recommend without hesitation and where we stayed for two nights at $425 per night. While it’s pricey, it’s directly across the street from the pedestrian bridge into Zion National Park, which means you walk across the bridge and board the in-park shuttle without touching the Springdale shuttle or the visitor center parking lot. There’s plenty of parking for guests compared to the adjacent park lots. On arrival we walked straight into the park for sunset photos. The next morning we crossed the bridge and were on the shuttle in no time.
🛌 Room
The room at Cable Mountain Lodge was a spacious one-bedroom condo with a full kitchen setup. The Wi-Fi was strong and reliable throughout, which was unusual on this trip through the American Southwest. We handled a full remote workday including Zoom calls without any issues.
👩💼 Reception
On checkout we left our bags with reception and spent a few more hours in the park before heading to the car, which was a practical option we appreciated given how hot it gets leaving luggage in a vehicle.
🍔 Amenities
On-site you have a market stocked with snacks, beer, sandwiches, and breakfast essentials. Guests get a discount on most items, though not on beer. The gift shop is worth a browse. The real draw after a full day in the canyon is Zion Canyon Brew Pub, right on the property, with an outdoor patio, live music, hearty salads, and good burgers. We ate there after our hiking day and were glad we didn’t have to go anywhere. There’s also a laundry room on site which made light packing easy and a gear rental facility for convenience.
❌ One Drawback
The one drawback is the pool, which is a small rectangle and not particularly impressive. Everything else on the property more than makes up for it. At $425 a night it’s a splurge, but the location and the condo-style space make the value easy to justify, especially compared to the in-park lodge at a similar price point without the same amenities.
Quick Verdict: Cable Mountain Lodge is the best base for a Zion visit if location and comfort are the priority. Book as early as possible.
Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton
Cliffrose is right next door to Cable Mountain Lodge and a strong alternative if availability or Hilton loyalty points make it the better booking. It’s a Hilton Curio Collection property, which means you earn and redeem Hilton Honors points here. The property looks appealing and shares much of the same location advantage as Cable Mountain Lodge. We didn’t stay, but if Cable Mountain isn’t available for your dates or the price works out better, Cliffrose is the next logical choice and worth pricing out directly.
Staying Inside Zion National Park: Zion National Park Lodge
Zion National Park Lodge is the only lodging option inside the park. (Though you can also camp with tents or RVs at several locations, which the best location being Watchman Campground. We walked through and it was very nice.)
Zion National Park Lodge is located along the canyon road near Stop 5 on the in-park shuttle. The setting is spectacular: you’re in the canyon, surrounded by the red walls, with direct access to the trails and narrated tram tours that depart from the lodge to Temple of Sinawava. For the right traveler, waking up inside the park is worth the booking effort.
For the same two nights in May we checked, the in-park lodge was running around $360 per night. Availability is extremely limited and it books up fast, often as soon as reservations open. Plan on booking about a year in advance if this is your preference.
We stayed at Cable Mountain Lodge instead and have no regrets. The pedestrian bridge access, the condo-style space, the on-site market and pub, and the reliable Wi-Fi made it feel like we had everything we needed without sacrificing any of the park experience.
Quick Verdict: For a visitor who wants a comfortable, well-equipped base rather than a more rustic in-park stay, Cable Mountain is the better call. But we’d go with Zion National Park Lodge in peak season, if possible, to avoid the park entrance lines.
Springdale Hotels: Points-Friendly Options Near Zion National Park
Springdale has properties from most major chains, which makes it easy to use Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt loyalty points for your stay. The Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, and Hyatt Place are all solid options close to the best restaurants in town, including Bit and Spur and King’s Landing Bistro. All are connected to the park via the free Springdale shuttle.
The tradeoff compared to Cable Mountain Lodge or Cliffrose is that you’re a shuttle ride away from the park entrance rather than a short walk. The Springdale shuttle runs reliably and the system works well, but it adds a step to every morning. For travelers who prioritize points redemptions or want a more affordable base, these properties are the right call.
Points Tip: Hyatt Place Springdale is a strong Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer option if you’re looking to stretch points on this trip. Check transfer ratios before booking direct.
Springdale Zion Inn
The Springdale Zion Inn is another solid option in town, within easy reach of the best restaurants and the Springdale shuttle stop. It’s a more affordable alternative to the larger chain properties and a reasonable choice if you’re keeping the accommodation budget tighter and spending elsewhere on the trip.
Start Your Accommodation Search Here!
Planning Your Zion Visit: FAQs
Do You Need a Car to Get Around Springdale?
Not necessarily. You can park your car when you get there and forget about it until you leave. Springdale has a free shuttle that runs between hotels in town and the park entrance, which eliminates the need to drive or find parking at the visitor center. The Springdale shuttle and the in-park shuttle are two separate systems. The Springdale shuttle gets you to the park entrance. From there you pay the park entrance fee or use your America the Beautiful pass and board the in-park shuttle, which runs the canyon loop with nine stops.
Pro Tip: Pa’rus Trail and Watchman Trail both start near the visitor center and can be walked directly from the entrance without the in-park shuttle at all. Check Google Maps for the shuttle stop nearest to any hotel you’re considering. It makes a real difference in how easy your mornings feel.
How Many Days Do You Need at Zion National Park?
One full day covers the canyon’s best scenery if you plan it well. Two nights is the ideal setup: arrive the first evening, spend a full day in the park, and use the second morning for anything you missed or want to revisit. For a detailed breakdown of how to structure your time, see our complete guide below.
One day in Zion National Park is enough to see the highlights, including the Riverwalk, Weeping Rock, and a stretch of the Narrows. The key is knowing which shuttle stops to prioritize and which trails work without the shuttle at all. Our full guide covers the exact itinerary, shuttle strategy, and what to skip.
How Far Is Bryce Canyon From Zion National Park?
Bryce Canyon is about two hours from Zion, making it a natural next stop on a Southwest road trip. A full day in Zion followed by an afternoon drive puts you at the Bryce rim just in time for sunset. The drive back through Zion on the way out adds one more lovely look at the canyon. Plan at least one night at Bryce Canyon Lodge for rim trail access and stunning views at sunset and sunrise the next day. We’ll be posting on that next!
What Is the Nearest Airport to Zion National Park?
Las Vegas (LAS) is the most common arrival point, about 2.5 hours from the park. St. George Regional (SGU) is only 45 minutes away and worth checking for fares. Salt Lake City (SLC) is about 4 hours and makes more sense if you’re combining Zion with Moab or Canyonlands on a broader Utah itinerary.
Las Vegas to Zion National Park: How to Get There
The drive from Las Vegas to Zion takes about 2.5 hours in a standard rental car on a straightforward route. Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is an excellent stop on the way. Head toward Mouse’s Tank Trail, drive to White Domes, and circle back before continuing to Springdale, UT.
Have You Stayed Near Zion National Park?
Have you stayed at Cable Mountain Lodge or somewhere else in Springdale? Let us know in the comments which property you’d recommend.
