Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is the part of Zion National Park most visitors never see, and that is its charm. It lies in the park's northwest corner, reached from Interstate 15 at exit 40, about 20 to 25 miles south of Cedar City and roughly 40 miles from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center; there is no road connecting it to Zion Canyon, so it feels like a separate park. From the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at the exit, the Kolob Canyons Road climbs about five miles into a series of parallel box canyons, the Finger Canyons of the Kolob, whose walls rise up to around 2,000 feet in deep reds and oranges, ending at the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint with a sweeping view across the canyons. The road is paved and short, and there are pullouts all along it. The two classic hikes are both excellent. Taylor Creek Trail follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek for 2.2 miles one way, crossing the creek many times and passing two historic homestead cabins before ending at Double Arch Alcove, a huge, stained recess in the canyon wall. Timber Creek Overlook Trail, at the end of the road, is a 1.1-mile round trip to a ridge-top viewpoint over the Kolob Terrace and, on clear days, distant peaks. For backpackers and very fit day hikers, the La Verkin Creek Trail leads about eight miles each way to Kolob Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world at 287 feet. The visitor center is open daily, with a bookstore, exhibits and a ranger desk, and the standard Zion entrance fee, valid for seven days, covers Kolob too.

The reason to come is solitude. Zion Canyon can feel like a busy outdoor city in season, while Kolob Canyons often has empty pullouts and quiet trails even on spring weekends. Its higher elevation means cooler temperatures in summer, and the canyon walls glow at sunset in a way that rivals anything in the main canyon. Most visitors come between March and November; an off-season visit gives the most solitude. The road, however, is higher than Zion Canyon and closes frequently in winter after snow, so check conditions before driving up. The separate Kolob Terrace Road, which climbs north from the town of Virgin to the Northgate Peaks and Lava Point areas, usually closes from fall to spring.

Making a day of it is easy. Stop at the visitor center for maps and conditions, drive slowly to the viewpoint with frequent stops, walk the Timber Creek Overlook in the late afternoon, and save Taylor Creek for the morning, when the canyon is cool and the light is soft on the walls. Waterproof shoes are useful, because the trail crosses the creek repeatedly. Bring water and snacks: the visitor center has no other services, and Cedar City, 20 minutes north, is the nearest town for groceries, gear and lodging.

Kolob Canyons fits naturally into a road trip. It is the first part of Zion you reach from Salt Lake City and the north, and it is an easy detour between Cedar City and St. George. Pair it with Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, or with the drive through the park to the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and the east side. Families will appreciate the short, varied hikes, and photographers will love the evening light. For travelers who want to see a different side of Zion without fighting the crowds, Kolob is the answer.