Hiking Taylor Creek Trail in Zion’s Kolob Canyons

Taylor Creek Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes in Zion National Park. At 5 miles out-and-back, it’s slightly longer than the standard 3-mile day hike, but the mostly flat trail and rewarding scenery made this feel much shorter.

My first attempt to hike Taylor Creek was in May 2025. It had been raining, the ground was incredibly muddy and slippery, and the creek was running high. The clouds hanging over Kolob Canyons looked beautiful, but it meant I couldn’t hike the trail.

In April 2026, I came back with my wife, Cheryl, and our kids. This time we had sunshine, and we hiked all the way to Double Arch Alcove and back. We all loved it.

There were red cliffs towering above us, pine trees, fresh spring greenery, the sound of running water, and creek crossings that kept things interesting. Then we reached an enormous alcove where we sat on a rock and took it all in. I think this hike alone makes Kolob Canyons worth adding to your Zion itinerary.

Jump to: Trail details · Getting there and parking · Our hike · Planning tips · Our verdict

Taylor Creek Trail at a Glance

• Location: Kolob Canyons, a separate section of Zion National Park in southwestern Utah.
• Route: Follow the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek to Double Arch Alcove, then return the same way.
• Distance: About 5 miles round trip. The NPS detailed trail assessment measures 2.6 miles each way, so allow for a little variation in mileage.
  • Note: at the trailhead, there was a sign stating it was 5 miles roundtrip, and someone crossed it out and put 7 miles. I’m assuming this was an attempt to keep people off the trail, or just someone messing around. The official NPS website says it’s about 5 miles.
• Elevation gain: About 1,170 feet of total climbing round trip (about 800 feet uphill going out and 370 feet uphill coming back). This makes it sound a little more strenuous than it actually was – any elevation gain is gradual and I didn’t notice it that much.
• Time: Plan on roughly 3–4 hours. We started at 3:12 p.m. and got back to the parking lot around 6:11 p.m., just under three hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate, with uneven ground, steps, and repeated creek crossings.
• Our visit: April 2026, with Cheryl and our kids.

Getting There and Parking

Kolob Canyons has its own entrance at Exit 40 off Interstate 15. It is about an hour from Springdal/Zion Canyon, and 35 minutes from St George. Note that this is a different part of the park from where you catch the shuttle for hikes like the Narrows, and the two sections of the park do NOT connect via a road through the park – you need to drive on Highway 9 and I-15 to get there. (There are backcountry trails that connect Kolob Canyons to Zion for hard core hikers).

As soon as you exit the freeway, you need to stop at the visitor center to show your park pass or pay the entrance fee. Then it’s a 5-10 minute drive to get to the trailhead for the hike (it’s only 15 minutes to the very end of Kolob Canyons Road). The official Kolob Canyons visitor page explains access and links to current operating information.

There’s a bend in the road where the tall red rock walls suddenly appear. It’s a great scenic drive. There are several tall walls that form parallel canyons, sometimes called finger canyons. Taylor Creek takes you back into one of them.

Parking Lot Fills Up Early

There are far fewer people in Kolob than in Zion Canyon, but the Taylor Creek hike is popular and the parking lot isn’t huge, so it does fill up. The parking lot was full when we arrived.

There is NO overflow, roadside parking. Curbs, small shoulders, and park rules don’t allow you to park on the road by the lot.

I dropped my family off at the trailhead, drove down the road about a half a mile until I found a pullout, and parked there. Then I walked back up to meet them. When the hike was over, we all hiked on the road back down to the vehicle. In total, this gave me about a mile of bonus hiking.

Taylor Creek Hike Experience

The creek

One of my favorite things about this trail was having the creek running through the canyon. You hear the water as you walk, and the route crosses it again and again.

I didn’t count all the crossings, but there were several, and our family thought they were fun. The creek was low enough that we did not get our feet wet, but my understanding is that it’s quite common for it to be deep enough that you may get your feet wet. Consider wearing waterproof shoes.

Red Cliffs, Shade, and Greenery

Kolob is cooler than the main Zion Canyon area. The higher elevation coupled with the many trees on the trail made this a very pleasant hike in the spring, and I imagine it would still be great in summer.

There were tall red sandstone on both sides, beautiful pine trees, green plants near the creek, and the sun lighting up the leaves.

Historic Cabins

You also pass two old log cabins. These historic cabins were kind of fun finds.

These are remnants of homesteading before Kolob Canyons became part of Zion National Park. The cabins were built in 1929 and 1930 by professors who also had homes in Cedar City. They came here seasonally to graze sheep and goats along Taylor Creek.

Narrowing Canyon

The further up the trail you get, the closer and taller the canyon walls get. These walls can get up to 2,000 feet tall! This is EVERY bit as rewarding as the main Zion Canyon.

It is roughly two and a half miles to the alcove, but it honestly did not feel that long to us. Between the crossings, the cabins, the trees, and the cliffs, the walk went by quickly.

Double Arch Alcove

The trail ends at the massive Double Arch Alcove. The rock curves out overhead, the wall has streaks where water has run down it, and there are little hanging gardens on the damp portions of the wall.

The trail was so nice that I was actually surprised we had already gone 2.5 miles when we reached the alcove!

Although it’s called Double Arch Alcove, don’t expect free-standing arches – these are basically massive indents into the canyon wall, one above the other.

The alcove is cool. And after 2.5 miles, we were ready for a break. So we just hung out and enjoyed the echoey and secluded spot.

We turned around here and followed the same trail back to the trailhead.

What to Know Before You Go

• Weather. Rain can turn this into a muddy, slippery hike, as I learned on my first attempt. Snow and ice can also affect the trail and close Kolob Canyons Road. Check Zion’s current conditions before driving over.
• Shoes. The creek crossings are part of the route. Stepping stones that work one day may be underwater another day.
• Water. Fill up at the visitor center, as there is NO water at the trailhead!
• Restrooms are available at the trailhead.
• Clothing. We appreciated the cooler, shaded stretches, but there are open sections. Bring sun protection, snacks, and layers appropriate for the forecast.
• Time. Our hike took just under three hours, and the park lists average time as 3-4 hours. We probably tend to go faster than most people, in part because our kids push us. And we spent about 25 minutes at the alcove.
• Pets. Pets are not allowed on this trail.
• Reservations. Not required here.

For current rules, see the NPS Kolob Canyons hiking information.

Is Taylor Creek a Good Family Hike?

It was a great hike for our family. Cheryl, the kids, and I all enjoyed it, and the creek crossings and changing scenery kept it engaging.

I would recommend it to families who are comfortable walking about five miles on uneven ground and crossing a creek. For younger children or anyone unsure about the distance, remember that this is an out-and-back trail: you can turn around earlier, although you will miss the alcove and the most towering, scenic section of the canyon. Judge the crossings based on your group and the water level that day.

Final Thoughts

Taylor Creek was yet another hike that me love Zion even more.

Most of Kolob Canyons is designated as Wilderness, which basically means that it’s only for hiking. The scenic drive is beautiful but short, and there is less to fill a day here if you are not planning to get out on a trail.

We have loved the three hikes we have done in this part of the park, and Taylor Creek makes me want to explore deeper into these canyons.

If you enjoy hiking or want to get out of the busy Zion Canyon,make room for Taylor Creek in your Zion itinerary.

Keep planning: Read our Kolob Canyons overview and guide to Zion’s entrances. If you want help fitting this area into a bigger trip, our Zion itinerary and audio guide covers Kolob along with the main canyon and other nearby adventures.

About the Author

Meet Matt and Cheryl and learn more about We’re in the Rockies.