Kolob Canyons

The Kolob canyons are carved from the same great slab of Navajo Sandstone as the rest of Zion, ancient windblown dune sand turned to stone and then cut by water into deep, parallel gorges. Streams working back into the edge of the high plateau have sliced these narrow finger canyons, leaving tall walls of red and cream rock standing between them, glowing especially warm in the low light of morning and evening.

The scenic drive climbs from the entrance up along the base of these cliffs, opening one dramatic view after another as the canyons reveal themselves. It is a short road, but a spectacular one, and pullouts and short trails let you take in the towering walls, the layered rock, and the sweep of the canyon country falling away to the west.

Hidden deep in the Kolob backcountry is Kolob Arch, a great span of stone that ranks among the longest natural arches in the world, its exact measurement long debated because it is so hard to reach and measure. The hike to it is a long, rewarding backcountry trek down a canyon and along a creek, past red walls and cottonwoods, ending at a distant view of the immense arch set high in the cliffs.

Beyond that famous hike, the Kolob country holds longer trails that connect over the plateau toward Zion's main canyon, along with quiet overlooks and viewpoints. It is wilder and less developed than the main park, rewarding those who come prepared with solitude and grand scenery, the sense of having a corner of Zion nearly to themselves.

This red-rock country is the ancestral homeland of the Southern Paiute people, who lived among these canyons, springs, and plateaus for generations and whose descendants remain in the region today. The Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont peoples also lived in the wider region far earlier, leaving traces across the surrounding land.

The name Kolob comes from the Mormon settlers who reached this country in the 1800s. In their scripture, Kolob is described as the star or place nearest to the throne of God, and the pioneers gave the name to this soaring, cathedral-like landscape as a mark of reverence. It is a fitting name for a place of such towering, quiet grandeur.

The Kolob country holds the rich life of Zion's high red-rock world. Mule deer move through the canyon bottoms, desert bighorn sheep pick along the ledges, and wild turkeys and songbirds fill the woods, while golden eagles and peregrine falcons ride the cliffs. Cougars and other shy creatures range the backcountry, mostly unseen.

Because Kolob sits higher than Zion's main canyon, it is cooler through the year, a welcome relief in the heat of summer, and it can get real snow in winter that sometimes closes the scenic drive. Spring and fall are the finest seasons, mild and green or gold, and in every season the district offers the same great red-rock beauty as the rest of Zion, but with a peace that is increasingly hard to find in the famous main canyon.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Kolob Canyons is the quieter, northwestern district of Zion National Park, with its own entrance off Interstate 15 about forty minutes from the main Zion Canyon. It showcases dramatic crimson finger canyons and towering red cliffs in a stunning, compact area that sees only a fraction of the crowds of the main park. For visitors wanting Zion's spectacular scenery with far more solitude, Kolob Canyons is a hidden gem well worth the detour.

The easiest way to enjoy it is the five-mile Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, which climbs past the red finger canyons to a panoramic viewpoint. Hikers can take the Taylor Creek trail, which crosses a stream to the striking Double Arch Alcove, or tackle the long backcountry trek to Kolob Arch, one of the largest arches in the world. A small visitor center at the entrance helps you get oriented and check conditions.

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for hiking and driving the scenic road, while summer is hot and winter can bring occasional snow that briefly closes the road. The red cliffs are gorgeous in the warm light of morning and evening. Because it is far less crowded than the main canyon, Kolob is a great choice any time you want to escape Zion's busiest areas, though it is always wise to check current conditions.

Yes, Kolob Canyons is part of Zion National Park, so your Zion entrance pass covers it. As for safety, the trails are exposed with limited shade and water, so carry plenty of water and sun protection, wear sturdy shoes for the stream crossings on Taylor Creek, and watch the weather, since narrow canyon areas can flash flood during storms. Stay back from cliff edges at the overlooks, and start early on hot days.

Kolob Canyons sits right off Interstate 15 between the main Zion Canyon and Cedar City, making it an easy stop on a southern Utah road trip. Cedar City, with its services and the cool, high scenery of Cedar Breaks National Monument, is close by, and the main Zion Canyon is a scenic drive away. That location makes Kolob a convenient and rewarding addition to a broader tour of the region's parks.