Zion National Park Camping: All You Need To Know

Above, The Watchman, where the campground gets its name. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I've camped in Utah's Zion National Park was in August 1969. My family tent camped in the park's Watchman Campground. Since then, we've either stayed at a private campground or motel.

It was at the Watchman Campground where we first heard the news of the Sharon Tate murders in L.A. on the radio.  

I was 15 at the time and spent my days in Zion floating down the Virgin River on an air mattress. These were the days before everyone else discovered Zion and crowded the place.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on everything one needs to know about camping in Zion National Park.

They begin with:

There's a reason why Zion National Park was protected back in 1919 — the expanse of land in southwest Utah is both beautiful and historic. The massive red, orange, and pink sandstone cliffs shoot vertically out of the ground, forming scenic canyons once walked by native people. Today, those same paths remain, giving park visitors a glimpse into what the landscape might've looked like long ago.

Perhaps most impressive are the park's slot canyons — narrow pathways surrounded by sheer rock walls — and the surprisingly lush Emerald Pools, which are fed by waterfalls. In short, it's not the sort of place you can experience in a single day, and it would be a shame to leave the park's beauty for a hotel room. If you're up for sleeping under the stars — and let me tell you, there will be stars — here's everything you need to know about camping in Zion National Park.

To read more, go here.