Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We enjoy van camping at Zion River Resort in Utah. It’s near the national park, and we’ve stayed here many times.
It’s a scenic escape by the Virgin River, perfect for a relaxing time. And even if you don’t like camping, they have cabins too.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some personal photos. You might want to check it out too.
Getting There
We’re usually traveling this way because we’re going to Zion. And we’ve traveled from both directions on the I-15 to this area.
We usually arrive in Hurricane Valley by late afternoon.
You’ll find that this area has many places to stay and camp. We were only 10 miles from the national park, which was nice.
Staying at Zion River Resort
The resort is open year-round, and we’ve stayed here both in the summer and in cooler weather. During the cooler weather, you’ll want to make a reservation well ahead of time.
Yes, it’ll get sold out. We’ve stayed when it was packed to the brim.
Fewer people come in the summer because of the extreme heat. Once we camped in a shaded spot, and the temperature was 100°!
Checking In
Upon checking in, you’ll find the lodge and convenience store. You can park your vehicle in the long parking spots when entering.
The last time we came, the staff told us that they’ve been completely booked out during the season. This was in the spring.
Oh, and we like the little mill where you can mine for gems. Yes, it actually works, but you’ll have to go inside and pay.
Resort Vibes
We always park our camper van in the same area. It’s near the pool and close to the bathrooms.
People will gather around the campfires well into the night. It’s a family-friendly place.
The smoke might linger, but I can still fall asleep. Sometimes smoke sets my allergies off.
People ride bicycles and walk around during the day. It’s a nice place with the red rock landscape in the background.
Cozy Amenities
The resort has decent amenities. They have a playground, laundromat, showers, and bathrooms.
Every time I stay here, I find people hanging out at the pool. Whether it’s cold or hot, they seem to have a good time laughing and talking until closing.
Sometimes I eat and work in the social hall, located near the pool. It has a sink, tables, couches, and chairs.
Also, they had a large TV with many games, books, and movies. You can make yourself comfy and cozy in this room!
Once I found another lady had set up camp there. She had a whole setup while eating pizza.
Perhaps she was a digital nomad, working on the road. Maybe she was a travel blogger, or doing RV or van life.
Friendly Travelers
Overall, we run into friendly people at the resort. One time, I was waiting in line to use the bathroom and talked to other travelers.
A man reading the Bible was waiting for his laundry. Others were tossing out ideas of where they could head next.
One man from Oregon told me all about his trips to Zion. Although they drive far, his family loves outdoor adventures in Utah.
Then, a lady asked if I could give her details on visiting Zion. She wanted to know when would be a good time to go.
She dreaded an early rise, but the early bird catches the worm!
This inspired me to write about our experience with the crowds and parking.
The Virgin River
At the resort, we had access to the Virgin River. It was a short walk from our camping spot.
I wore my cargo skirt, and it blended right in with the greenery!
When we checked in, the lady told us not to put our heads under water in the river. I found out that toxic bacteria could be present.
So, whenever you visit bodies of water in the area, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe. We didn’t see anyone going into the water.
A few people were hanging out by the river and taking pictures. It’s relaxing to listen to the water run through the rocks.
Nearby Cities
There are many places to eat and explore near the resort. Even if you don’t go to Zion, there’s Rockview and Springdale.
In the summer, it was too hot to cook, so we searched for a restaurant. You’ll find many in Springdale, about 10 miles away.
We stopped for burgers and fries at Jack’s Sports Grill. They had great service and free parking for customers.
If you continue down the road, you’ll find the entrance to Zion National Park.
Then we explored in the evening without all the crowds. We caught the sun dip below the beautiful red canyons.
Travel Notes
Sometimes, people have to wait for the bathrooms and showers here. I’ve had to wait in the morning and the evening.
But, I do find this at some RV parks and campgrounds. Sometimes there is a line for the facilities.
Our Sprinter van has a small bathroom and shower. We only tend to use it when we’re out in the middle of nowhere.
The resort had spacious bathrooms near the laundry facility. And the showers have 7-minute timers to conserve water.
Final Thoughts
Zion River Resort was a nice place to stay near the national park. We’ve stayed a few times and would come back.
I like that it’s located near so many places to explore in Utah. Otherwise, it’s a relaxing area to just get away and unwind.
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- On another trip, we stayed at Quail Creek State Park, a campground with nice lake views.
- You’ll want to check out my blog post on what we saw exploring Zion National Park.
- And if you want to know how the crowds were at Zion, I discuss them too.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: February 19, 2025
