Places Near Zion

Hurricane, Utah

Say it "HUR-a-kun." Hurricane is where many of the people who build and staff Zion's hotels live - the practical town with the groceries, chain restaurants, and affordable motels that Springdale lacks.

Pale slickrock slopes and pines on the east side of Zion National Park

Why Go

Hurricane is the value and convenience option for a Zion trip. It has the grocery stores, the chain restaurants, and the affordable motels that Springdale does not. It is also the gateway to Sand Hollow Reservoir, one of the best warm-water reservoirs in southern Utah, and to the Kolob Canyons section of Zion.

What It Means for a Zion Trip

The trade-off is simple: you give up the walk-to-the-park convenience of Springdale in exchange for lower prices and more services. Springdale is small, and its own directory points to Hurricane, about 22 miles west, for a big grocery run or urgent care. See our Springdale directory for what the gateway town does have.

Where to Stay and Eat

Look for the motels and chain restaurants along the main routes through town; we have not yet reviewed specific Hurricane businesses, so check current listings. To weigh your options, read where to stay near Zion, and for dining ideas that work on the drive in and out, try best stops between St. George and Zion.

Getting There from Springdale

It is about 22 miles west of Springdale. That makes it workable as a base if you do not mind the drive, and a good place to stock up before heading into the park. Zion's hiking areas, including the Kolob Canyons district, are listed in our hike guides.

Kolob Canyons

Our hikes index describes Kolob Canyons as the remote northwest corner of the park, reached via a separate entrance off I-15 and known for dramatic finger canyons. The big outing there is La Verkin Creek to Kolob Arch. The photo on this page shows Zion's east side, not Hurricane.