Camping near Snow Canyon
Best Campgrounds Near Snow Canyon State Park (and the Best Base Camp)
The canyon's own campground is the closest, but it's small and books up. Here's an honest look at every option, and why Jellystone Park™ Zion makes a great family base for Snow Canyon and the rest of Greater Zion.
Which campground near Snow Canyon is right for you?
There's no single best campground near Snow Canyon State Park; there's the best one for your trip. A couple in a van who want sunrise on the slickrock need something different from a family of six in a 42-foot fifth wheel who also want Zion, Sand Hollow and a show at Tuacahn. Here's how the five main options compare.
| Option | Where & how far | Sites & hookups | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Canyon State Park campground | Inside the canyon, next to the visitor center. You're already there. | 38 units: standard sites, partial-hookup sites (water and 30-amp, or 30-amp only), hike-in tent sites, two group sites. No sewer hookups; dump station. | Waking up in the red rock; tents, vans and smaller rigs | Small and popular. Listed site lengths run about 23 to 41 ft, and sites 1–14 are narrow (slide-outs and awnings not guaranteed). No cabins. |
| Private RV parks in St. George & Ivins | In town, south of the park (Snow Canyon is about 8 miles north of St. George) | Varies by park | A short drive with town conveniences close by | Site sizes, hookups, pet rules and any age or stay limits differ from park to park; check each one directly. |
| Quail Creek State Park | Hurricane, on the Quail Creek reservoir. About 21 miles, roughly 34 minutes, to Snow Canyon's south entrance. | Sites with power (30/50 amp) and water, plus primitive sites | Anglers, boaters and a quieter reservoir night | No full-hookup sites listed; check the state's algae advisory before swimming. |
| Sand Hollow State Park | Hurricane, about 4 minutes past our gate on Sand Hollow Road | Full hookups at Westside; full and partial pull-throughs at Lakeview; OHV, primitive beach and cottage options | Reservoir beaches, paddling and Sand Mountain riding | A longer drive to Snow Canyon than staying in St. George; noon check-out is strictly enforced. |
| Jellystone Park™ Zion | 505 S Sand Hollow Rd, Hurricane. About 22 miles, roughly 35–40 minutes, to Snow Canyon. | Full hookups (water, sewer, 30/50 amp): pull-throughs up to 75 ft, back-ins up to 70. Five cabin and bunkhouse types. Designated tent sites. | Families, big rigs, winter stays and multi-day Greater Zion trips | Not inside the canyon. The Water Zone reopens March 13, 2027. |
Drive times use OpenStreetMap routing without traffic. Snow Canyon's day-use fee is paid to Utah State Parks and is separate from any stay outside the park.
Can you camp inside Snow Canyon State Park?
Yes, and if waking up beneath red and white Navajo sandstone is the whole point of your trip, nothing nearby beats it. The campground sits beside the visitor center, about two miles in from either entrance, and it's open every day of the year. It is also small, and Utah State Parks recommends reservations in peak seasons.
What's there
- 38 units in all, per the park.
- 13 standard sites for RVs, trailers or tents (up to 8 people, 1 vehicle), each with a fire pit or grill and a picnic table.
- 16 partial-hookup sites (RVs and trailers only): sites 1–14 have water and 30-amp electric; 15A, 15B, 17 and 18 have 30-amp electric only.
- Hike-in tent sites about 110 feet from parking, with tent pads (largest tent 9′ × 9′).
- Two group sites: Cottontail (up to 35 people) and Quail (up to 50, with 30-amp power).
- Showers, a dishwashing station, restrooms and a dump station. No sewer hookups at the sites.
Know before you book
- Fees: $40 a night for a non-hookup site, $45 with hookups, $20 for one extra vehicle, plus the $8 state parks reservation fee. Checked October 27, 2026
- Window: four months to two days ahead. Inside 48 hours it's walk-up only.
- Rig size: the reservation listings we could see showed maximum lengths of about 23 to 41 feet, and the park says sites 1–14 are narrow, so slide-outs and awnings aren't guaranteed.
- Rules: generators noon to 4 p.m. only; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; check-out 2 p.m.; 14-night maximum.
- Pets: allowed on a leash, and leashed dogs can hike every trail in the park.
Best for: tent campers, vans, smaller trailers, and anyone who wants the canyon at dawn and dusk without a drive. Look elsewhere if you need full hookups, 50-amp power, a site longer than about 40 feet, a cabin, or you couldn't get a reservation. Details: Snow Canyon camping · reservations · our camp-in-the-park comparison.
What about RV parks in St. George and Ivins?
Snow Canyon sits about eight miles north of St. George, and the city and neighboring Ivins have a number of private RV parks and resorts. They give you the shortest drive to the canyon outside the park itself, with groceries, restaurants and fuel close by.
They're also very different from one another, so we won't rank them here. Before you book any of them, check:
- Site length and type against your rig, including the tow vehicle, and whether it's pull-through or back-in.
- Hookups: full hookups, and 30 or 50 amp.
- Rules: pets, any age or minimum-stay requirements, and long-term limits.
- What the kids will do in the afternoon once the trails get hot.
If you want to explore St. George itself, it's about 15 miles, roughly 23 minutes, from our park in Hurricane.
Is Quail Creek State Park a good base for Snow Canyon?
It can be, especially if fishing or boating is part of the plan. Quail Creek is a red-rock reservoir state park in Hurricane, open year-round, about 21 miles (roughly 34 minutes) from Snow Canyon's south entrance. Its lake is stocked with rainbow trout and also holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and bullhead catfish.
- Sites: sites with power and water, plus primitive sites. The reservation system lists 30/50-amp power on its partial-hookup sites; no full-hookup sites are listed.
- Fees: $40 a night with power and water, $28 for a primitive site, $20 for an extra vehicle (two vehicles per site maximum). Checked October 27, 2026
- Times: check-in 3 p.m., check-out noon.
- Amenities: boat launch, beach access, showers, restrooms, a dump station and a fish-cleaning station.
- Before you swim: the park's page asks visitors to check the Utah DEQ Quail Creek water-quality page for algae advisories before entering the water.
Details: Quail Creek State Park · fees · reservations.
Should you camp at Sand Hollow State Park instead?
If blue water and red sand are as important to you as Snow Canyon's slickrock, Sand Hollow is a great pick, and it's our neighbor, about 4 minutes past our gate on Sand Hollow Road. It has several campgrounds, all booked through the Utah State Parks reservation system:
- Westside: 50 sites, all with full hookups (water, sewer, 30/50 amp). $50 a night.
- Lakeview: 30 pull-through sites for larger RVs, toy haulers and long trailers; 8 full and 22 partial hookups. $45–$50 a night.
- Sand Pit: built for OHV riders, with dry, partial-hookup and group sites near Sand Mountain.
- Primitive beach camping on the shoreline ($30, no hookups, propane fires only), four electric-only Beachside sites, and two Beachside Cottages ($200 a night, two-night minimum).
Fees as listed on the official fee page, checked October 27, 2026. Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out noon, strictly enforced. See our Sand Hollow camping comparison, the official camping page and fees.
The family base camp for Greater Zion
Why make Jellystone Park™ Zion your Snow Canyon base?
Snow Canyon is one great day, maybe two. Most Southern Utah trips include more: Zion, Sand Hollow, a show at Tuacahn, a St. George dinner. From our park in Hurricane, all of it is an easy drive, and you only unpack once.
-
RV Sites
- Pull-through to 75 ft
- Back-in to 70 ft
- Water, sewer, 30/50 amp
Full hookups on every site, with a picnic table, grill, fire ring and free broadband internet. Bring the big rig and the tow vehicle.
See rv sites › -
Glamping Cabins
- Five cabin & bunkhouse types
- Sleep 5 to 9
- Linens in Yogi Bear™ cabins
Yogi Bear™ and Cindy Bear™ glamping cabins with kitchens and fire pits, plus the budget-friendly Ranger Smith™ Bunkhouse.
See glamping cabins › -
Tent Sites
- Designated tent sites
- Fire pit & BBQ grill
- Hot showers nearby
Pitch on a designated sleeping-tent site near air-conditioned comfort stations with restrooms and clean, hot showers.
See tent sites ›
What you get that a canyon campsite can't offer
- Room for the big rig. Full hookups (water, sewer, 30/50 amp) on every RV site, pull-throughs up to 75 feet and back-ins up to 70, with free broadband internet. Waterfront 45-foot back-in sites wake up to views of the lake.
- Real beds. Five glamping cabin and bunkhouse types sleeping 5 to 9, with kitchens and linens in the Yogi Bear™ cabins.
- Warm water all winter. The heated lap pool and hot tub stay open for campers all winter. The Yogi Bear™ Water Zone (slides, lazy river and splash pad) and the floating obstacle course on the lake are seasonal and included for everyone on your reservation when open; the Water Zone's 2027 season runs March 13 to October 16, 2027.
- One base, the whole region. About 35–40 minutes to Snow Canyon, about 40 to Tuacahn, about 23 minutes to St. George, about 4 minutes to Sand Hollow, about 35 minutes to Zion's Kolob Canyons entrance and about 45 to the South Entrance in Springdale.
- Bring the dog. Up to two pets per RV site (pets aren't allowed in cabins or on tent sites), and leashed dogs can hike every Snow Canyon trail.
- Stay the season. Long-term stays of 45 days or more, and a Winter Utahn special of $699 a month with utilities included, October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. See long-term stays.
Make Jellystone Park™ Zion your Snow Canyon base camp.
RV sites listed from $49 a night and cabins from $89 a night on our site; booking fee not included, and prices include two guests. Snow Canyon day-use fees are paid to Utah State Parks and aren't part of your reservation.
How do you do Snow Canyon from Jellystone Park™ Zion?
Leave the rig on its site and take the tow vehicle or car. Head west on SR-9 to I-15, then Red Hills Parkway and Snow Canyon Parkway to the south entrance in Ivins: about 22 miles, roughly 35–40 minutes. Buy your day pass ahead ($20 per vehicle for non-residents, $15 for Utah residents, up to 8 people, when we checked) and download the trail map, because cell coverage in the canyon is limited.
Slot canyon, slickrock, swim
- Early: In through the south entrance. Walk Jenny's Canyon (0.5 mile, easy) to its short slot canyon.
- Mid-morning: Scramble the Petrified Dunes (1.2 miles, moderate), one of the few places in the park where climbing on the rock is allowed.
- Late morning: Shade break on Pioneer Names (0.5 mile, easy), then drive Snow Canyon Drive north at 25 mph and watch for tortoises.
- On the way out: Stop at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook on SR-18; your day pass covers it.
- Afternoon: Back to camp for lunch, the heated lap pool and hot tub, the jump pillow or the playground.
- Evening: Campfire at your site. On show nights, Tuacahn sits right next to Snow Canyon; see our Tuacahn guide for the current schedule.
Lava tubes and a volcano
- Morning: Hike the Butterfly trail (2 miles, moderate) to the Lava Flow trail and its two lava tubes. Bring a flashlight for each explorer; glow sticks aren't allowed.
- Late morning: If the crew still has legs, climb the Cinder Cone (difficult, about 500 feet up) off SR-18.
- Easy option: Bike or stroll the paved Whiptail trail (6 miles round trip) along the canyon floor.
- Next days: Sand Hollow about 4 minutes from camp, or Zion National Park.
Match the plan to the season
In summer, highs often top 105°F and the park advises avoiding activity from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., so hike at dawn and be back at camp by late morning. Spring and fall are the most comfortable and the busiest, with limited parking. On Saturday, November 14, 2026, Snow Canyon Drive and the Whiptail trail close from 8 a.m. to noon for the Snow Canyon Half Marathon and 10K. Full trail details and seasons are in our Snow Canyon guide.
How do you book a campsite near Snow Canyon?
- Mark the four-month date. Utah State Parks opens individual sites on a four-month rolling window (group sites 11 months). If you want the Snow Canyon campground in spring or fall, book the day your dates open.
- Know the state park fees. Every booking carries an $8 reservation fee. Cancel four or more days out and you pay an $8 cancellation fee too; inside four days you also lose one night's fee. Rules & FAQ
- No reservation? Snow Canyon is walk-up only inside 48 hours, and unreserved sites go first-come, first-served after 10 a.m. on the arrival day. Have a backup booked.
- Measure the whole rig. Compare your length with slide-outs and awnings to each site's listing, not just the campground's. State park stays are generally limited to 14 days in any 30-day period.
- Booking with us: reserve online through Book Now or call (435) 359-9970. RV check-in is from 1 p.m. (check-out by 11 a.m.); cabins and tent sites check in from 4 p.m. (check-out by 10 a.m.).
- Staying a month or the winter? See long-term stays and the snowbird page, then call the office for availability.
Questions about camping near Snow Canyon
Can you camp inside Snow Canyon State Park?
Yes. The park campground is open year-round, with standard sites, partial-hookup sites (water and 30-amp electric, or electric only), hike-in tent sites and two group sites. Backcountry camping is not allowed anywhere else in the park.
How far ahead can I book the Snow Canyon campground?
Individual sites can be reserved from four months to two days before arrival through the Utah State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica) or by phone at 1-800-322-3770. Inside 48 hours it is walk-up only, and unreserved sites go first-come, first-served after 10 a.m. on the arrival day.
How much does it cost to camp at Snow Canyon?
When we checked on October 27, 2026, the official fee page listed $40 a night for a non-hookup site, $45 for a hookup site and $20 for one extra vehicle. Utah State Parks adds an $8 reservation fee to every booking. Fees change, so confirm on the official pages.
Does Snow Canyon's campground have full hookups for big RVs?
No. Hookup sites have water and 30-amp electric (a few have electric only), with no sewer hookups, though there is a dump station. The reservation listings we could see showed maximum lengths of about 23 to 41 feet, and the park notes that sites 1 through 14 are narrow. If you need full hookups, 50-amp power or more length, look outside the park.
What is the best place to stay near Snow Canyon with kids?
If sleeping in the canyon is the whole point, book the state park campground early. If you want cabins with real beds, full-hookup sites up to 75 feet and a pool for the afternoon, Jellystone Park™ Zion in Hurricane is about 35 to 40 minutes away and puts Sand Hollow, St. George, Tuacahn and Zion within an easy drive too.
How far is Jellystone Park™ Zion from Snow Canyon State Park?
About 22 miles to the south entrance in Ivins and about 25 miles to the north entrance off SR-18, roughly 35 to 40 minutes either way via SR-9, I-15 and Snow Canyon Parkway (approximate, without traffic).
Are there RV parks near St. George, Utah, with full hookups?
Yes. St. George and Ivins have private RV parks, Sand Hollow State Park's Westside Campground has full hookups at every site, and Jellystone Park™ Zion in Hurricane has full hookups (water, sewer, 30/50 amp) on every RV site. Check each park's site lengths and rules for your rig.
Is camping near Snow Canyon good in winter?
Winter is cool and quiet, and the Snow Canyon campground stays open year-round. At Jellystone Park™ Zion the heated lap pool and hot tub stay open for campers all winter, and long-term winter sites are offered October through March. The Yogi Bear™ Water Zone reopens March 13, 2027.
Where do these facts come from?
- Snow Canyon State Park · camping · fees · campground reservations · current conditions
- Sand Hollow State Park · camping & lodging · fees · reservations
- Quail Creek State Park · fees · reservations · Utah DEQ water quality
- Utah State Parks rules & reservation FAQ
- Snow Canyon trail guide & map (Sept 2026, PDF)
Official pages checked October 27, 2026. Drive times are approximate (OpenStreetMap routing, no traffic). Jellystone Park™ Zion details come from our own RV sites, cabins, ways to stay and hours pages. This guide is published by Jellystone Park™ Zion and is not affiliated with Utah State Parks. More area guides: Snow Canyon State Park, Tuacahn, Sand Hollow State Park, Zion National Park.