looking for camping /boondocking sites at Zion NP and route frm cent Ca.

[wally12]

Leaving from Santa Maria Ca next week for Zion NP.  Pulling a 30' 5 er with gas powered Dodge. Planning on taking 15 around Vegas ( really not interested in stopping in Vegas ) to Zion. Would like some recommendations on overnight locations for the trip and then on potential camping sites or boondocking sites at or close to Zion. Plan on spending at least one week at Zion and then heading east to take in more of Utah. Thanks for the help

Wally

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

I can highly recommend the Watchman Campground just inside the Zion main entrance.

With a 30' rig I would recommend staying in loop "B" at Watchman. Sites at Watchman are electric only but water and dump are available.

Within walking distance of the visitor center where you get the shuttle buses.

Reservations can be make here.

 

[Marsha/CA]

Don's suggestions of Watchman CAmpground is a good one.  That is an exceptional campground. 

Regarding boondocking on the way to Zion, you can stay at Sam's casino west of Las Vegas; or at Mesquite, NV east of Las Vegas at an open boondocking area right next to the casino.  Depending on when you go, if it's hot, there is a campground in Mesquite that used to be $19.00 a night with full hookups so that you can run the A/C.  Sometimes, when we boondock in the heat, it's cheaper to get a campground than to run the fuel needed for the generator to run the A/Cs.

 

[Wendy]

I'm also a fan of Watchman campground in Zion. I believe it's $18/night for electric, half that if you have a senior or disabled America the Beautiful card.

In the little piece of Arizona you drive through on I-15, along the Virgin River, there is a BLM campground at the same exit as the closed down rest stop.

There are a couple of state parks between I-15 and Zion.

If you're a fan of the Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid movie, try a short trip out to Grafton, the ghost town where part of the movie was filmed (Paul Newman riding the bicycle to Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head).

Going east from Zion, you'll either need to go through the tunnel ($15 fee) or backtrack to Hurricane, then south and east along the Utah/Arizona border.

Enjoy the trip.
Wendy

 

[Utclmjmpr]

The camp ground in the Virgin River gorge ( Cedar Pocket)is now also closed.>>>Dan ( Also Watchman is now first come- first served)

 

[Wendy]

You can make reservations for Watchman at reserveamerica.com or just show up. Probably won't get an electric site for more than one night if you just show up.

I know the rest stop has been closed forever but they closed the BLM campground at Cedar Pocket, too? Bummer. It still shows up on BLM's website but they're notorious for slow website updates.

Wendy

 

[Utclmjmpr]

Being that we are only 52 mi. away from Watchman campgrounds, we go often, last time was thanksgiving week end. They no longer have anyone onsite to administer reservations, back to being there first and putting your money and site# in a metal box. Each evening a camp host will check your site for complience. your Golden Age pass will get you in the main gate free and then procede to watchman to pay and camp.>>>Dan

 

[Wendy]

Watchman is always FCFS in the off-season which is what it would have been in November. But in the busy season, they're on reservations. You can go onto reserveamerica.com right now and make reservations at Watchman from now until the end of September.

Wendy

 

[Utclmjmpr]

That explains it, we dont go dureing the season, its a zoo.>>>D

 

[wally12]

Thanks for the help.  Have checked the sites in the park and they look very full.  Are there opportunities to boondock close to the park ??

 

[Wendy]

Except during Spring Break and in the middle of summer, there are usually plenty of non-hookup sites on a first-come basis.

Wendy

 

[Britmick]

I think he's looking for FREE camping..............................................
A ways between La Verkin & the National Park entrance, & just outside the NP area is a red gravel road to the left, it is OK to camp there, & you will see the most spectacular sunsets ever that light the surrounding rocks into an orange glow, & you get to spend the extra $18 in your pocket on breakfast in Rockville before entering the park,(which is also free when you'll be there!)