Where to Stay Near Zion National Park with Kids

Zion National Park is seriously a dream destination for a family trip. But figuring out where to stay can be tricky, since there is only one lodging option inside the park.

We made the best memories on our recent family trip to Zion, both exploring the park and at our vacation rental. This experience helped us understand how important location and kid-friendly activities can be when choosing where to stay in this area.

That’s why I put together this guide to help you choose the best place to stay near Zion National Park with kids.

I’ll share the closest towns to the park, our personal favorite family-friendly stay (we would book it again in a heartbeat!), plus a few other options to fit different budgets and family preferences.

Closest Towns to Zion National Park

Here are the main places families usually stay when visiting Zion:

• Springdale – The closest town, located right at the park entrance. You can walk to restaurants and catch the shuttle into Zion (no need to worry about parking). It’s super convenient but also the most expensive option.
• Hurricane & La Verkin – About 20–30 minutes away. This is where we stayed, and it made the perfect home base for exploring both Zion and the rest of southern Utah. You’ll find more space, vacation rentals with kitchens and pools, and better prices than Springdale.
• St. George – Around 45 minutes from Zion. A larger city with more hotels, restaurants, and family activities like parks and museums. Great if you want extra amenities or are flying into the area, but it does mean a longer drive to the park each day.

👉 My quick recommendation: If convenience is your top priority, stay in Springdale. If you want a budget-friendly family base, choose Hurricane.

➡️ See the exact family-friendly rental we booked here! ⬅️

Our Favorite Place to Stay Near Zion National Park with Kids

For our family trip, we stayed at Zion Village Resort in Hurricane, and it was the perfect home base for exploring southern Utah.

Not only was it just about 30 minutes from the entrance to Zion, but it was also an excellent location for nearby day trips.

These family-friendly day trips are just a short drive away:

• About 2 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park – perfect for a day trip to see the hoodoos.
• Around 1 hour to Kanab – where you can go sandboarding and sand sledding.
• Less than 3 hours to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon – a quieter, family-friendly way to experience the Grand Canyon.

What really made Zion Village Resort shine for us were the family-friendly amenities.

After long days of hiking and exploring, our kids had plenty to do at the vacation rental while we relaxed or prepped for the next day’s activities.

Some of the highlights included:

• A private hot tub right at our rental
• A community pool and lazy river
• A game room and basketball court
• An in-unit washer and dryer (a must with kids!)
• A small gym for squeezing in a quick workout

Our rental was spotless, had plenty of space, and easily fit our family of six. That was a big deal for us—when we looked at options in Springdale, most were just one or two bedrooms and didn’t comfortably fit a larger family.

Zion Village gave us room to spread out, cook meals, and truly relax between adventures.

For instance, the day we returned from a family hike in the Narrows (highly recommend!), our kids played board games provided by our host while we warmed up some chicken salad wraps and checked on our itinerary for the next day.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is definitely the vacation rental I recommend.

➡️ See the exact family-friendly rental we booked here! ⬅️

Other Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near Zion

If Zion Village Resort isn’t the right fit, there are plenty of other highly-rated places to stay near Zion National Park that work well for families. Here are a few great options to check out:

• Zion Lodge – The only lodge inside the park, perfect if you want to be as close as possible to the trails and shuttle system. A huge convenience factor for families.
• Zion Wildflower Resort – A fun glamping option with canvas tents, covered wagons, and tiny homes. Kids love the unique setup, and parents appreciate the comfort.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale – A solid hotel choice right near the park entrance with family suites, a pool, and free breakfast.
• Gooseberry Lodges – Cozy cabins just outside the park, great for families looking for a mix of comfort and affordability.
• Open Sky Zion – Luxury glamping with safari-style tents and upscale amenities. It’s a splurge, but an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale – Spacious suites, a pool with stunning views, and easy access to restaurants and shops in Springdale.

All of these options are highly rated, family-friendly, and located close enough to make getting into the park easy.

Tips for Choosing the Best Place to Stay

When you’re traveling with kids, the right accommodations can make all the difference. Here are a few things to keep in mind before booking your stay:

• Book early – Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., and lodging fills up quickly, especially in spring and fall. Reserve your spot as far in advance as you can.
• Consider shuttle access – If you stay in Springdale, you can hop right on the park shuttle and skip the parking hassle. This is a huge perk with little kids in tow.
• Think about space & amenities – Larger families may need extra bedrooms, a washer/dryer, or a pool to keep kids entertained. These features can make your trip much smoother.
• Kitchen or no kitchen? – A vacation rental with a kitchen lets you cook your own meals, save money, and eat more kid-friendly food (instead of relying on restaurants three times a day).
• Don’t overlook location trade-offs – While Springdale is the closest option, you’ll usually get more space and better prices if you stay a little farther out in Hurricane, La Verkin, or St. George.
• Look for kid-friendly amenities – Pools, hot tubs, game rooms, and laundry facilities can be lifesavers after long days of hiking.
• Plan for day trips – If you want to explore more of southern Utah, consider how far your rental is from spots like Bryce Canyon, Kanab, or even the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

➡️ Check Prices and Availability for Zion Village Resort ⬅️

My Top Pick

No matter where you choose to stay near Zion National Park, keeping your family’s needs in mind will make your trip so much smoother.

The convenience of Springdale is hard to beat, yet Hurricane and La Verkin are great options for families needing more space or wanting to stick to a budget.

For our family, Zion Village Resort in Hurricane checked all the boxes—plenty of space, kid-friendly amenities, and the perfect location for spending a few days in Zion National Park, as well as other Southern Utah day trips.

If you’re planning a family trip to Zion, it’s a spot we’d happily book again.

➡️ See the exact rental we stayed in here! ⬅️