Photo: NPSLava Point Campground
★4.7(31 reviews)
High DemandZion National Park · Washington County, Utah🌲Forest SettingDesert/Canyon
Photo: NPSBest For
Serious hikers, solitude seekers, and backcountry-minded campers who want a completely different Zion experience at elevation — away from canyon crowds, shuttle buses, and the south entrance scene entirely. Not for RVs over 19 feet or anyone who needs hookups or easy access.
6
Sites
No
Hookups
Vault
Toilets
Lava Point is the most underrated campground in Zion and, with only 6 sites at 7,890 feet elevation, also the hardest to conceptualize alongside the main canyon campgrounds — this is a fundamentally different trip. Located 25 miles up Kolob Terrace Road and roughly 1 hour 20 minutes from the South Entrance by car, it sits above the summer heat and canyon traffic, offering direct trailhead access to the West Rim Trail and Lava Point Overlook. Its 4.7 rating from 31 reviews reflects that the people who get here love it. Vehicle length is capped at 19 feet, effectively ruling out all but the smallest camper vans or truck campers. Seasonally open May through September (weather permitting), demand is Very High every day of the week despite the remoteness — in August, only 25% of its 156 reservations were last-minute, meaning three-quarters of campers planned ahead. June is relatively the easiest window at 44.1% last-minute across 145 reservations. Book this one the moment your window opens or monitor for cancellations, because there are literally only 6 sites and no fallback options nearby.
Content from Zion National Park park guide
September is peak planning season — 27.7% of reservations are booked 6+ months out, the highest share of any month — but it also delivers Zion's best combination of cooler temperatures and full trail access before winter closures. May and June sit close behind, each with 24–26% of reservations booked six months ahead. If you want a real last-minute window, January (62.9% last-minute, 1,071 total reservations) and December (55.6%, 1,884 reservations) are genuinely viable, though canyon access is more limited and Lava Point is closed.
Private vehicles are prohibited on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from approximately March through November, making the free park shuttle the only way to reach most trailheads during peak season. Watchman and South Campground are both within walking distance of the main shuttle hub, so a car is largely unnecessary once you're set up. Lava Point is a completely separate situation — 25 miles up Kolob Terrace Road with no shuttle access, requiring a roughly 1 hour 20 minute drive from the South Entrance each time you want to access the main canyon.
Total reservations in October 2023: 6
Address
Washington County, Utah
Coordinates
37.3839, -113.0328
Very high demand - sites typically fill up immediately when the booking window opens. Plan to book the moment reservations open.
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Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Dixie National Forest
Dixie National Forest
Dixie National Forest
Cedar City Field Office
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The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Nightly camping rates vary by site type at Watchman Campground, with electric hookup sites commanding a premium over standard non-electric sites; South Campground and Lava Point are non-electric throughout. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers the entrance fee for the pass holder's vehicle for the full year and pays for itself in three Zion visits, making it strongly worth purchasing if you camp multiple national parks. No additional permit is required to camp at the three main campgrounds beyond a standard reservation.
All three campgrounds enforce a 14-day maximum stay. Lava Point Campground is typically open May through September only, subject to weather and road conditions on Kolob Terrace Road — confirm status before making the drive. Cell service is limited in the canyon and effectively nonexistent at Lava Point, so download offline maps and your reservation confirmation before you arrive. The town of Springdale, immediately adjacent to the south entrance, is the nearest source for groceries, fuel, and gear — stock up before heading to Lava Point, as there are no services anywhere near that campground.