2 campgrounds near St. George named among the best in the U.S.

A pair of campgrounds near Zion National Park have been recognized on a list of 50 favorite places to camp in the U.S. this summer.

Zion Utah Jelly Stone Park in Hurricane and Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp in Virgin made it onto the list from Hipcamp, an app for finding and booking campsites. Hipcamp analyzed data for more than 500,000 campsites across the country and selected locations in 30 states. They include both public and private lands, including primitive accommodations, RV parks and glamping sites.

“From historic parks to beloved hidden gems, the list includes sites with scenic views, convenient amenities, escapes from crowds and unique experiences for solo travelers, families and everyone in between,” the site said.

Why is Zion Utah Jelly Stone Park a top campsite?

Jellystone, part of the family-friendly campground chain, offers both easy access to Zion National Park and a variety of activities for the kids staying in its RV sites, cabins and glamping tents. On-site, there are splash pads, pools, mini golf, playgrounds and activities featuring Yogi Bear.

The campground strikes a nice balance — there’s lots for kids, but enough quiet corners for adults to relax too,” Hipcamp wrote. “Just don’t forget to make it out of the campground and over to Zion National Park only 45 minutes away.”

More: This Utah campground has some of the best views in the US, guide says. Here’s how to visit

Why is Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp a top campground?

Zion Wright Family Ranch, which was Hipcamp’s pick for Utah’s top campground in 2024, covers 1,200 acres with a view of Zion National Park’s red cliffs. The property is off-grid and the campsites spread out to give a feeling of solitude, although you can grab a glamping setup if that is your preference.

“There’s plenty of space to spread out and take it all in,” Hipcamp wrote. “Stargaze under dark desert skies, watch for wildlife, or wander the nearby trails.”

What campgrounds in neighboring states made the list?

Campgrounds in the Rockies and  Southwest took up several spots in the rankings.

• Village Camp, Flagstaff, Arizona
• A Spark in the Dark Campground, Ash Fork, Arizona
• Sunset View Campground, Navajo National Monument, Arizona
• Ruby Mountain Campground, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Colorado
• City of Rocks State Park Campground – City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho
• Santa Fe Treehouse Camp, Santa Fe, New Mexico

How did Hipcamp choose its favorite places to camp?

Hipcamp said the decisions were based on “camper reviews and ratings, regional trends, cultural shifts and editorial debate,” although it did not identify where it sourced the data from.

Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.