Pitch a tent or park an RV among the high-elevation ponderosa pines at this East Zion campground, which grants full access to the amenities of Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.
Zion Crest Campground sits on a forested, high-elevation plateau bordering the eastern boundary of Zion National Park, offering a cooler, quieter alternative to the crowded campgrounds down in the canyon. Located on Twin Knolls Road near Orderville, Utah, this 6,500-foot-elevation retreat is part of the sprawling, family-owned Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, which has welcomed travelers to the region since 1962. The high-altitude setting, shaded by a dense canopy of ponderosa pines, Utah junipers, and two-needle pinyon pines, provides a natural respite where summer temperatures typically run 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the scorching valley floor. Far from the constant hum of highway traffic and national park shuttle buses, the campground offers a serene basecamp where the wind through the pine needles and the chatter of pinyon jays provide the primary soundtrack.
The campground features a thoughtful layout designed to accommodate different styles of outdoor travel, consisting of 51 standard individual campsites, 10 spacious group sites, and pull-through RV spaces equipped with full hookups. In 2017, the property underwent a major infrastructure upgrade with the construction of a modern, dedicated shower house that features clean restrooms, hot showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities, all of which are meticulously maintained. Each individual campsite is outfitted with a heavy-duty picnic table and a steel fire ring with an integrated grill, allowing guests to cook over open flames under exceptionally dark, star-filled night skies. For those who prefer a solid roof over their heads, the campground also offers glamping setups and cozy cabins that blend rustic outdoor living with comfortable, modern beds.
A major benefit of staying at Zion Crest Campground is the unrestricted access it provides to the extensive recreation and dining facilities of the main Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Campers can take advantage of a two-tiered resort swimming pool, water slides, outdoor hot tubs, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball, miniature golf, and a climbing wall. For meals, guests can skip the campfire cooking and head to Ray's Restaurant, an on-property dining venue serving hearty country breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, or enjoy seasonal patio dining at the Pinecone Grill. The campground's location on the quiet east side of the park also places travelers within a short drive of the East Mesa Trailhead, the most direct and level route to the iconic Observation Point overlook, as well as Jolley Gulch, Cable Mountain, and the slot canyons of Orderville.
Staying at Zion Crest grants you full, complimentary access to the adjacent Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort amenities, including the two-tiered swimming pool and hot tubs: perfect for soaking trail-worn muscles. For a spectacular, crowd-free view of Zion Canyon, skip the shuttle lines and hike to Observation Point via the nearby East Mesa Trailhead, which starts just minutes from the campground.
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