
Kolob Canyons is an underrated section of Zion National Park. It’s overlooked by most visitors to Zion, but it can be a rewarding area to visit if you have some time.
Naming Kolob Canyons
Kolob is a term used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members settled and are prevalent in Utah, to refer to a place close to God. Zion has religious terms all over the map, and surprisingly, most of them are not from the Church of Jesus Christ.
Getting There

Access Kolob Canyons by driving on I-15. It’s about 45 minutes away from Zion Canyon and 30 minutes from St. George, Utah.
- We can help you find the best route to Zion National Park.
- Cedar City has so much to do and is only 20 minutes away from the Kolob Canyons exit.
Freeway Exit
It actually has its own dedicated freeway exit! When you get off the freeway you’ll see the park sign and then…

Visitor Center

Kolob has a small visitor center located right by the entry sign.
Entry Fee
Though it is small and separate from the rest of the national park, it still requires an entry fee if you don’t already have a Zion pass or an America the Beautiful pass.
Kolob Canyons Road

There is only one road in Kolob Canyons. The scenic drive departs from the visitor center over the mountain pass, where the tall, red rock walls majestically appear. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to drive to the end of the road.
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Kolob Viewpoint

The road ends at the Kolob Viewpoint. Here you can park and view the multiple slot canyons. This viewpoint is a little frustrating because it’s far away and you see the canyons at an angle.

This viewpoint is also the trailhead for the Timber Creek Overlook trail, a short, mostly flat hike that is good for kids and families.
- Be prepared and learn Are Flash Floods Common in Zion National Park?
- Check out 3 Things to do in Zions with Kids.
Hikes in Kolob Canyons

There are two main hikes in Kolob Canyons:
Taylor Creek Trail
This 4.9-mile roundtrip hike is the most popular hike in Kolob. This gets you into one of the slot canyons and provides incredible views.
The parking lot is not very big and fills up often.

Timber Creek Overlook Trail
This 1.1-mile roundtrip hike starts at the Kolob Viewpoint. It’s flat and easy but does not get you into the canyon.
- Learn all you need to know about hiking in the desert.
- Explore Angels Landing and The Narrows: other great hikes in Zion that we love!
Is Kolob Canyons Worth It?

Yes, it is worth visiting due to the tall canyon walls and the nice hiking opportunities. Kolob receives a fraction of the visitors that the main part of Zion receives, which is all the more reason to visit!
- Discover more about why we think Kolob Canyons in Zion is Worth Visiting.
- Find out Is Zion Too Crowded? What Every Traveler Needs to Know.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Zion National Park is crowded!
Need a game plan to avoid the crowds? Check out our itinerary.
Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times.
But that’s not all! Our itinerary includes a free audio guide to listen to while driving with over 2-hours of stories about the park!
Resources
- Zion National Park Itinerary
- Zion National Park Trip Planner
- St. George Trip Planner
- How to get to Zion National Park
- Hiking in the Desert: 11 things to know before you go
- How to hike Angels Landing in Zion
- Riverside Walk & the Narrows in Zion National Park
- 14 Great Things To Do in Surprisingly Fun Cedar City, Utah
- Are Flash Floods Common in Zion National Park?
- Is Kolob Canyons in Zion Worth Visiting?
- Is Zion Too Crowded? What Every Traveler Needs to Know
- Zion National Park Website
- America the Beautiful Pass