KOLOB CANYONS

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Kolob Canyons is currently closed from the South Fork Parking lot. We'll keep you posted as we hear information from the Park Service.

​If you want to leave Zion's well-trodden path, the Kolob Finger Canyons region is worth a visit. Featuring classic Zion rock formations and landscapes but lacking the crowds and hype, the Finger Canyons pay fine dividends to those willing to invest in a journey to see them. As a visitor to hugely popular Zion Canyon, you are inside the canyon, looking up and around; in Kolob Canyons, however, you are outside the canyons, looking into them from afar. Most hikes here take you into the deep, sculpted canyons, often along beautiful riparian areas along creeks and rivers. 

Located northwest of Zion Canyon and the Kolob Terrace, you must use Interstate 15 to access the Kolob Canyons district. While the 60-minute drive can be a bother, the rewards are wonderful upon arrival. Much higher in elevation than Zion Canyon (7000 ft. vs. 4000 ft.), Kolob Canyons is much cooler than most of the Park and boasts Zion's highest point, Horse Ranch Mountain (8,726 ft.). Greener, denser vegetation accompanies the elevation change, and visitors find juniper trees thick and abundant here. Higher elevations also bring more moisture to the area, and Kolob Canyon's two creeks, Taylor Creek and La Verkin, and their tributaries provide the setting for most of the trails here.

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Lee Pass to Hop Valley

​OVERVIEW

Excerpted from a crusty journal: “Hiking this trail in mid-July with a few friends, I never thought my eyes could know such wonder, marvel, and delirium. After seven hours, 14 miles, sandals with a broken strap, and not enough water, I could not wait for the sun to go down. On the brink of heat exhaustion, we arrived at the Hop Valley overlook and the day’s drudgery faded quickly as my eyes brightened at the oasis below. Smooth white sand nested at the base of 200-year-old Ponderosa pine trees, and faint traces of water pierced the terrain in the grassy distance. Unbelievable, absorbing, and mystical. Worth every step.”


LOGISTICS

Trailhead: As a one-way journey (recommended), this hike requires a shuttle. For those with two vehicles who want to self-shuttle, use either trailhead.

• Lee Pass Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 until you reach the town of LaVerkin. At the Chevron/Farmer’s Market intersection, turn right. Drive through Toquerville, to Interstate 15. Drive north on I-15 for13 miles to exit 40, the entrance to the Kolob Canyons, ZNP. Follow Kolob Canyons Road to the marked trailhead.

• Hop Valley Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 through Rockville and into Virgin(15 minutes). Just after the Zion River Resort, turn right on the Kolob Terrace road. Drive approx. 12 miles (19.9 km) north to the trailhead,on the left-hand side of the road, just past the Park Boundary. Park in the smallposted lot.

Mileage: 13.3 miles (21.4 km), one-way

Elevation Gain: 300 feet (91 meters), net gain

Approximate Hike Time: 8 to 10 hours, one-way
Difficulty: Moderate, with some long, sandy slogs

Crowds: Creekside, expect a few dozen of backpackers and day-hikers. Hop Valley is usually quieter, but sometimes hosts parties of pack animals.


WHEN TO GO

​Best Times of Day: This hike takes an entire day, or, preferably, two days. In the summer, a tenured desert hiker might leave the trailhead at 5 p.m., make a light camp halfway, and depart again early in morning to finish the trip.

Best Times of Year: Autumn and late spring are best for this sun-exposed trail. Winter hiking can be great on this trail when unimpeded by ice and snow; check conditions before you go.

Lee Pass to Kolob Arch

OVERVIEW

This creek-side walk leads the way to what is possibly the world’s largest natural arch. The trail follows Timber and La Verkin Creeks through a rolling riparian flood plain, surrounded by huge cottonwood trees and towering walls of red sandstone. Near the arch, the path breaks away from the creek bed and climbs a short distance to the base of the Arch, viewable through gaps in the pine boughs overhead. A great day hike or overnight backpacking trip.


LOGISTICS

Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 until you reach the town of LaVerkin. At the Chevron/Farmer’s Market intersection, turn right. Drive through Toquerville, to Interstate 15. Drive north on I-15 for 13 miles to exit 40, the entrance to the Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park. Follow Kolob Canyons Road to the marked trailhead at Lee Pass.

Mileage: 13.8 miles (22.2 km), round-trip

Elevation Gain: 375 feet (114 meters)

Approximate Hike Time: 6.5 - 9 hours, round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Crowds: Savvy backpackers head to Kolob Canyons for quiet camps and trails. You’ll find some of these folks along this trail, the only one in Kolob with designated campsites.


WHEN TO GO

​Best Times of Day:
• Leave early (5:30 - 7:30 a.m.) on summer mornings, or later when temperatures are more reasonable cool down.

Best Times of Year: 
• This is a fantastic hike any time of year. Autumn brings golden foliage along the length of the trail. When snow does not block the path, this hike is a perfect winter sojourn in solitude.

Taylor Creek

OVERVIEW

Taylor Creek is easily the most popular trail in the Kolob Canyons area, and for good reason. Taylor Creek follows a small creek into the shade of a towering canyon, passing an early pioneer site along the way. The hike features a great prize for your efforts at the end: Double Arch Alcove. Bring a picnic lunch and your camera, as you might want to spend some time there.


LOGISTICS

Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 until you reach the town of LaVerkin. At the Chevron/Farmer’s Market intersection, turn right. Drive through Toquerville, to Interstate 15. Drive north on I-15 for13 miles to exit 40, the entrance to the Kolob Canyons, ZNP. Follow Kolob Canyons Road to the marked trailhead.

Mileage: 6.1 miles (9.8 km), round-trip
Elevation: 480 feet (146 meters)

Approximate Hike Time: 3 - 4 hours

Difficulty: Casual to moderate

Crowds: The Middle Fork attracts a good number of hikers each day, but it is far from crowded. 


WHEN TO GO

Best Times of Day: This west-facing canyon receives lots of sun, so choose in accordance with the season.

Best Times of Year: The respective colors of spring and fall are particularly dazzling along Taylor Creek, while winter hikers often encounter deep snow.

Timber Creek Overlook

OVERVIEW

Timber Creek Overlook is a great way to stretch your legs after a long drive on I-15, or a fun way to sample the Kolob Canyon area of Zion. Find unique views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains along this trail. Visit the Overlook early in the morning to decide which finger canyon you want to explore during the rest of the day!


LOGISTICS

Trailhead: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 until you reach the town of LaVerkin. At the Chevron/Farmer’s Market intersection, turn right. Drive through Toquerville, to Interstate 15. Drive north on I-15 for13 miles to exit 40, the entrance to the Kolob Canyons, ZNP. Follow Kolob Canyons Road to the marked trailhead.

Mileage: 1 mile (1.6 km), round-trip

Elevation Gain: 69 feet (21 meters)

Approximate Hike Time: 45 minutes, round-trip
Difficulty: Casual

Crowds: Short and easily accessible, this is the most popular trail in this area of the Park.


WHEN TO GO

Best Times of Day: 
• Early morning and late afternoon hikes avoid the intense summer sun. Outside of summer, any time is good.

Best Times of Year:
• Every season offers an interesting and unique flavor here. The winter flavor can be knee-deep with snow!

Trans-Zion Trek 

OVERVIEW

This trek ranks with the most spectacular hikes in the world, showcasing the spectrum of Zion’s plant communities and dramatic geology. The trail takes you into deep canyons, along high ridgelines, across mountain creeks, through deep sand, and onto exposed rocky rims, bringing you to the many zones of this diverse desert oasis. Few attempt this strenuous hike, but those who do earn unforgettable memories and a certain feeling of accomplishment.


LOGISTICS

Trailhead: Most people begin this hike at Lee Pass to avoid an extremely steep hike up to Lava Point. As a one-way journey, this hike requires a shuttle, available from Zion Adventure Company. For those with two vehicles who want to self-shuttle, leave your vehicles at the following trailheads:

• East Entrance: From Springdale, drive into the Park and continue east along SR 9, straight, up numerous switchbacks, and through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Continue, twisting and turning around fins of rock, through another short tunnel and past the immense Checkerboard Mesa. Just before the East Entrance Station, turn left onto a narrow road and drive a short distance to a dirt parking lot and picnic area, which serves as your trailhead.

• Lee Pass: From Springdale, drive west on SR 9 until you reach the town of LaVerkin. At the Chevron/Farmer’s Market intersection, turn right. Drive through Toquerville, eventually reaching Interstate 15. Drive north on I-15 to exit 40 and the entrance to the Kolob Canyons, ZNP. Follow the Kolob Canyons road 3 or 4 miles to the well-marked trailhead at Lee Pass.

Mileage: 47.3 miles (76.1 km), one-way

Elevation Gain: The net elevation change is only 325 feet (99 meters)! Don’t let that number fool you, though... Over the length of this trail, you gain and lose over 6,000 feet of elevation.

Approximate Hike Time: The Park Service restricts camping along many of the trails, so you must plan each day carefully, according to campsite availability. Use the following itinerary as a rough suggestion, then tailor your final plan according to permit availability and the fitness of your party.

• Day 1: Lee Pass to Kolob Arch, 6.9 miles, mostly flat 
• Day 2: Kolob Arch to Lava Point OR Sawmill Spring, about 16 miles (gradual incline) 
• Day 3: Lava Point/Sawmill Spring to West Rim, about 8 miles (gradual decline) 
• Day 4: West Rim to Grotto to Echo Canyon, about 10 miles (sustained steep decline, followed by shorter steep incline) 
• Day 5: Echo Canyon to East Entrance, about 6.5 miles (steep climbing, followed by gradual decline)
Difficulty: Strenuous, with long sections of steep, sustained hiking. Recommended for experienced backpackers. Not recommended for those with knee problems.

Crowds: On this trek, you see everything Zion has to offer; this includes peaceful solitude and busy, crowded trails. For the most part, however, you'll have the trail to yourself.


WHEN TO GO

Best Times of Day:
• Early morning/late afternoon hiking is essential during summer months. Consider the “siesta” lifestyle: rise early to hike, eat and nap in the midday shade, then finish your hike late in the afternoon/evening.
• Fall hours are shorter, but temperatures typically allow hiking at any time of day. Plan for a wide range of temperatures.

Best Times of Year: 
• Early summer and autumn are easiest and perhaps mostly enjoyable, avoiding the trevails of other times of year (see below).
• Summer heat can be absolutely withering. Plan for a siesta approach (above) to a summer attempt and be sure to carry ample water (at least 4 liters/person/day).
• Winter snowpack can make this trip very challenging and dangerous, December through March, April, or even May. Winter attempts should only be made by prepared and knowledgable adventurers experienced with winter travel techniques in steep and icy conditions.