Safe route from Grand Canyon to Zion?

[badkat]

We had to replace our Dometic Frig and that took TWO weeks at Camping World. Many mishaps. We are right at 50' long. Would love the scenery but still not decided. Leaving GC in about 3 more days..great stay!

[tulip09]

My husband and I drove our 23 foot silver dream to the Zion – Mount Carmel tunnel last week. And it was awesome!

[MsRivet]

Great information! We'll be making the trip out west later in the year from Florida. What about a campground to stay at while visiting Zion NP? Recommendations?

[Phoenix]

South Campground - Zion National Park
Utah Highway 9, Springdale, UT

Located 1/2 mile from South Entrance to Zion NP. 127 campsites, no hook-ups, dump station available. Generator hours: 8-10 AM and 6-8 PM. Campsites = $16.00/night; 50% discount with Senior Pass. Sites with trees have RV height restriction of 13 feet.

Note: South Campground is first-come, first-serve; but it fills fast (usually before 9 AM) in peak months.

Website: South Campground - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Good reviews: South Campground (NPS Campground) :: Zion National Park, Utah :: RV Park Reviews

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Watchman Campground - Zion National Park
Highway 89, Springdale, UT 84737

Reservations (strongly recommended; may be made 6 months in advance): 877-444-6777
Online: Federal recreation, camping and tour reservation information - Recreation.gov

Note: Same day reservations are NOT accepted. However, single nights may be available, if there are reservation "no shows".

* Tent-only, 19-foot sites = $16/night

* RV sites with no hookups = $16/night

* RV sites with electric only = $18/night

* RV sites with electric and riverside access = $20/night

50% discount with Senior Pass.

Dump station available. Generators are not permitted. Sites with trees have RV height restriction of 13 feet.

Website: Watchman Campground - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Reviews: Watchman Campground (Zion National Park, UT) - Campground Reviews - TripAdvisor

[Len n Jeanne]

I'd recommend the Watchman campground-- with a reservation if you plan to be there during the high season, which is April through October. The electrical hook-up is a bonus. We seldom run our AC, but made an exception in Zion one September-- it was so unrelievedly hot. The South Campground has mature shade trees, but people start lining up at the entrance to it to bag sites very early in the morning.

The tunnel is no problem for any but the really big rigs, but there is a fee (including for our sixteener) and they allow only one-way traffic through it most of the time. It is regulated by rangers at either end of the tunnel.

[MsRivet]

Again ... great information! I'm glad I found this thread. The information everyone posted on driving to/in Zion & accommodations will be very helpful come October. I also just checked information in the MOUNTAIN DIRECTORY WEST for mountain pass information as well. This is one area on our six week South West trip that had me worried ... the 'unknown'. We should be set to go now! Fingers crossed we can still pull this off.

Also badkat ... let me know how your travels went thru this area ... road conditions & where you stayed. As we have a similar set-up.

THANKS everyone!
Alice

[bike2443]

We traveled on hwy 12 three years ago pulling our 27ft A/S and it was a big surprise when we got to the Escalante staircase area. Very scary road. Check out youtube videos on hwy 12 the scariest road in America. We made it okay but it's a 16 percent grade no shoulders huge drop offs both side.

[badkat]

Oh my..guess you had great views. We check ahead..cannot do that but wish we could.

[badkat]

We decided to go to Lake Mead. Great boondocking..no tunnel for us. Only half a foot from the max. Lake Mead was great boondocking. If you want that info let me know. Also have great tips for getting into Zion but might not need them in Oct. The ranger bus tour was fabulous!

[bike2443]

Neither my wife are I could enjoy the view. You can't take your eyes off the road.

[TG Twinkie]

We drove the entire route on HWY 12. Shot hundreds of photos, even pulled over and shot more pics.
I use to drive a road similar to HWY 12 everyday to get to work. Did it for 22 years.
Guess that have me a bit of an advantage.

[Markj55]

I think that highway 12 is one of the best, as in beautiful, drives in the country. A must drive if your in that area of Utah.


Mark,
"on the road again"

[Len n Jeanne]

The road takes you right over the slickrock, and the scenery is spectacular. Does anyone know if the Shooting Star RV park is open? It was dedicated to Airstreams, then was closed for a while.

[Markj55]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

The road takes you right over the slickrock, and the scenery is spectacular. Does anyone know if the Shooting Star RV park is open? It was dedicated to Airstreams, then was closed for a while.

I don't know, but they had a website w/phone #. We stopped in there a couple years ago before our AS and the owner showed us around and couldn't have been nicer or more passionate about Airstreams. What a shame if he had to close down!


Mark,
"on the road again"

[spenfolder]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

The road takes you right over the slickrock, and the scenery is spectacular. Does anyone know if the Shooting Star RV park is open? It was dedicated to Airstreams, then was closed for a while.

They are open with new owners.

Airstream Park Drive-In || Escalante Utah Hotel || Shooting Star

I'm going down for a stay over Labor Day Weekend.

Stan
Salt Lake City

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

The road takes you right over the slickrock, and the scenery is spectacular. Does anyone know if the Shooting Star RV park is open? It was dedicated to Airstreams, then was closed for a while.

We pulled in there to stay a night during April a couple of years ago. It was empty. The idea is to rent you one of their Airstreams. If you want to stay in your own, that area was 1/4 mile away and quite primitive. We skipped it. I think they're closed now.

[kingfisher24]

same experience fall 2011

[Len n Jeanne]

We stayed in their CG a few years ago. It was a bit rough but they had full hook-ups and we appreciated having it mostly to ourselves. The really fun part was the old-fashioned drive-in. There were several 1960s-style convertibles that you got to sit in while you watched an old movie, price included in the CG fee. Then there was a concession stand if you wanted to purchase typical movie food. We saw an old Hitchcock movie there.

Then it's fairly close to some pleasant hiking along the Escalante River.

[pbearsailor]

I went through the tunnel this morning with the regular traffic and no extra fee with my old narrow trailer. I had earlier measured it at 90" and the Ranger got 91" so we were under the 94" limit.

I enjoyed it more than did.

It's a fantastic road as is highway 12 going into Bryce. Shouldn't be missed in this part of the world.

Cheers,
Steve

[Len n Jeanne]

We'll be doing the Zion tunnel en route to Bryce next week. No worries on our dimensions, though. Sadly, Bambi is still in the shop after a nasty accident in August, so we're consoling ourselves with overnights at the two national park lodges, visits with friends & family, & a B & B. Len wants to climb Angel's Landing at Zion for his 75th birthday. I won't go up there due to steep drop-offs on two sides of a very narrow trail, but this will be his 3rd hike to the top.

Jeanne