Have you heard of Virgin, Utah? If you’re planning a visit to Zion National Park, you should definitely know about this cute little town in the Hurricane Valley. While it’s not quite at the doorstep of the park, it’s super close (only about 15 minutes away), so it makes a great base camp for exploring Zion and the surrounding area of southern Utah.

Plus, there’s plenty to do in Virgin itself, too – from playing in local parks to checking out an Old West ghost town.

Where is Virgin, Utah?

Virgin, Utah is a tiny desert town located just 15 minutes west of the Springdale entrance to Zion National Park. It’s near the towns of La Verkin and Hurricane.

Where to Stay in Virgin, Utah

Virgin is such a convenient place to stay when you’re visiting Zion National Park, and you’ll find lots of lodging options. Here’s what I recommend.

ZION WILDFLOWER RESORT

I love everything about Zion WIldflower Resort in Virgin! The resort features an ideal location, a perfect property layout, and your choice of accommodations from a glamping tent to a charming bungalow or even a cool covered wagon! Plus, they offer all sorts of activities and amenities, including a pool and hot tub, complimentary bikes, yard games, communal grills, and more.

Read all about my experience staying at Zion Wildflower Resort with my kiddos here!

***AUTOCAMP ZION

A couple other good places to stay in Virgin, Utah are:

AUTOCAMP ZION - AutoCamp Zion offers the ultimate glamping experience with 31-foot Airstreams, family-friendly Basecamps, and cozy cabins with TVs and kitchenettes. Enjoy amenities like a pool, Virgin River access, s’mores kits, mountain biking, and stargazing tours. Just 20 minutes from Zion, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation!
ZION UNDERCANVAS - Sleep under the stars in fully furnished tents with cozy beds, ensuite bathrooms, and upscale amenities, offering the ultimate outdoor lodging experience. Kids will love outdoor games, sand volleyball, and s’mores by the firepit. Just 25 minutes from Zion’s Springdale entrance, it’s an ideal family basecamp!
Read all about my experience staying at Zion Undercanvas with my kiddos here!
OPEN SKY - Experience 5-star glamping at Open Sky, where luxury meets adventure in safari tents with private patios, fire pits, ensuite bathrooms, and indoor/outdoor showers. Explore 5 miles of trails and take in stunning West Temple Mountain views—all just 30 minutes from Zion. The perfect blend of nature and luxury.
Read all about my experience staying at Open sky with my kiddos here!
ZION WHITE BISON RESORT – From teepees to covered wagons to cliff dwellings, the luxury glamping experience at Zion White Bison Resort is a fun option for anyone looking for a unique spot to stay.
ZION RIVER RESORT– A beautiful property with an RV campground as well as cabins to rent, Zion River Resort also has a swimming pool, a playground, and daily activities like a campfire with smores, movie night, outdoor games, and candy bar bingo.

GET MORE INFO ABOUT BOOKING A PHOTO SHOOT IN ZION. CLICK HERE!

Where to Eat in Virgin, Utah

Virgin has just a few restaurants right in town, but you can easily drive to Hurricane, La Verkin, or Springdale for more options. Here are the best places to eat in Virgin, Utah:

BALCONY ONE

Balcony One serves elevated southwestern cuisine in a charming adobe building with a great patio for al fresco dining with desert views – definitely my first choice for dinner in Virgin!

CACTUS ROOM

Embrace the western vibe at the Cactus Room, which is part of Buffalo Trails Trading Co. The experience is small town at its best, with the owner taking your order off the limited but tasty classic American menu.

And here are some my favorite restaurants right near Virgin, Utah:

River Rock Roasting Co (La Verkin) – The best coffee around and their cinnamon rolls are seriously to die for!
Farmstead Bakery (Hurricane) – A French bakery with incredible pastries, as well as sandwiches and salads for lunch.
The Pizza Wagon (Hurricane) – Hand-crafted gourmet pizza fired to perfection in their custom wood-burning brick oven. Arguably the very best pizza for the price on the planet!
Whiptail Grill (Springdale) – Fun twists on traditional Mexican food, like goat cheese chile rellenos (my absolute fave!) and spaghetti squash enchiladas.Tasty tacos and burritos and excellent burgers are on the menu, too.
Oscar’s (Springdale) – From black bean green chili breakfast burritos in the morning to shrimp tacos for dinner, a meal here is perfect to fill you up pre or post exploring in ZIon.

Things to Do in Virgin, Utah

While most people visiting Virgin, Utah are probably in town on a trip to see Zion National Park, you’ll find lots of more fun things to do in Virgin, too.

Splash Around at Sheeps Bridge Park

One of my favorite spots to beat the heat of the desert in summer is Sheeps Bridge Park. You can jump in the Virgin River, go tubing, catch frogs, and play in the sand. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even do some (very mild) cliff jumping and it's located right in Virgin!

Find out more about Sheeps Bridge Park in Virgin, Utah here!

Wander Through Grafton Ghost Town

If you are a history buff, you can’t miss this quaint little ghost town near Virgin, Utah. Grafton was originally established in 1859 by Mormon settlers, and though the Virgin River has swept away most of the original community, a few houses, a schoolhouse, and a graveyard still remain. You can walk the grounds and even go into some of the buildings, and a visit will make you feel like you stepped into an 1800's time portal! Grafton is a short 20 minute drive from Virgin.

Get more details about Grafton Ghost Town in this blog post!

Have Fun at Fort Zion

Fort Zion is a fun little roadside attraction for kids designed to look like an Old West style town and it's located right in Virgin. Here you can find the perfect souvenir in the funky gift shop, visit the petting zoo, and get ice cream. The Lemon ice cream is my absolute fave!

Enjoy the views at La Verkin Overlook

La Verkin Overlook is a beautiful spot just 10 minutes west of Virgin. It features a short hiking trail with stunning scenery as well as free dispersed camping with a view. Its convenient location and beautiful views make it worth a quick visit

Get more details about La Verkin Overlook in this blog post!

Take a drive up Kolob Terrace Road

Kolob Terrace Road is a 25-mile scenic gem that starts in Virgin and winds through stunning red canyons and desert landscapes and ends at Kolob Reservoir (note the in the winter the road closes about 10 miles up). Ideal for a rainy-day drive, it also offers incredible stargazing opportunities, thanks to its remote location, far from city lights.

My favorite place to stop along Kolob Terrace is Lambs Knoll. Lambs Knoll is a popular rock climbing and canyoneering location for local guide companies and is also an excellent hiking spot for families. There are also picnic tables and camping spots.

Get more details about Lambs Knoll in this blog post!

Hike the Red Reef Trail

Enjoy a hike in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area on the Red Reef Trail…a great little hike that I take just about everyone who comes to visit me on! With an awesome backdrop of towering red sandstone walls, you’ll also discover arches, petroglyphs, rock caves to crawl through, tree stumps that look like elephants, and pools for swimming in (if the stream is running) along this trail.

Play Around at Confluence Park

Located 10 minutes west of Virgin, this 344-acre park sits at the base of basaltic lava cliffs, and it’s an amazing place to spend some time, especially with the kiddos. You can take a walk on the Confluence Park Trail which runs right along the Virgin River past rock formations and historical buildings, and you’ll find lots of areas to play and swim along the river. Keep going to the end of the trail to find a fantastic area with a sandy beach, a great swimming hole, and a rope swing!

Soak at Zion Canyon Hot Springs

Ever since the Pah Tempe Hot Springs closed, this area of southern Utah has been, well, a desert when it comes to hot springs. But finally, in June 2025, the new Zion Canyon Hot Springs Resort will be opening so you can soak to your heart’s content. Zion Canyon Hot Springs is a desert oasis with mineral pools, a freshwater pool, and unique WorldSprings pools inspired by global hot springs. Relaxation awaits! Located just 10 minutes from Virgin!

Learn more about the brand new Zion Canyon Hot Springs Resort here!

Hope I’ve convinced you to add Virgin, Utah to your list of towns to stay in near Zion National Park!