Zion National Park covers nearly 150,000 acres. Most people will go the most popular area in Springdale, but there's a separate area known as Kolob Canyons which is located in a different area of the park about an hour's drive away. I spent a leisurely day here, which I thought was enough to enjoy the visitor center, the scenic drive, and hike Timber Creek Overlook as well as Taylor Creek Trail. The visitor center has the NPS ranger desk, a small gift shop with the usual NPS offerings, and information about the rocks. There's also washrooms here and water available. The drive was beautiful with many pull outs to enjoy the view. I drove up to Timber Creek Overlook which is at the end of the drive. It's about a 1.2 mi path, although it was evidentially super muddy in the past with super deep foot prints and people walking everywhere. It was ok. The Taylor Creek Trail was amazing. I've never hiked a trail with as many stream crossings, which made it fun. There's also two homestead cabins on the way, and the trail takes you through a narrow box canyon toward the Double Arch Alcove. The end of the hike was pretty chilly due to the shade and the water present. Brr. I think this is a great counterpart to the more famous area - it's definitely less visited and you get more solitude. read more

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Kolob Canyons as part of Zion National Park is an underrated gem much less visited than The Narrows in Zion. It's located about an hour north of the main park entrance, off the highway on the way to Cedar City. An admission fee is required to enter this area of the park. We arrived around 8:30am and there were only several cars in front of the visitor center. We checked in with our national park passes and started the 5-mile scenic drive up to the top of the mountain. There's are many pullouts along the road to take pictures and see the beautiful views. A circular parking lot is at the summit with vault restrooms and a nice view of the Kolob Canyons. The secret here is to hike the 0.5 mile trail with the trailhead at the parking lot. The hike has a little elevation, but a 76-year old in our party was able to hike all the way. The views at the end of the trail are phenomenal and worth the trip. We spent a lot of time here taking pictures and soaking up the sights. We could see far into the horizon, past the mountains into Arizona on a clear day. For me, visiting Kolob Canyons was my favorite and most memorable part of my Utah trip. The crowds here are nearly nonexistent, though parking at the top of the mountain can get full. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend adding Kolob Canyons to your itinerary! read more

Kolob Canyons - Kolob Canyons from the trail - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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Beautiful trails on this side of Zion. Nice easy access right off the 15 freeway. Not too crowded and pretty shady most of the way. There's lots to look at and climb. This could easily be an all day hike if you stop to explore the surroundings and climb the rocks around the trail. Very fun and beautiful! read more

Kolob Canyons - Lots of rocks to climb :) - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

This area, and specifically the Ashdown Gorge trail and the Kolb reservoir are great side trips away from the crowded Zion park. Even better is that it's cooler up in this area compared to the rest of Southern Utah (big plus during the hot summer months). Ashdown Gorge trail - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnuyR8k8FQfczHzm6 This is a less traveled trail but still epic in many ways. You will be getting wet on this one, how much depends on how much water is moving down the river. This isn't the best trail for people with mobility issues. There's a lot of walking on rocks and over the a river many times. It's also a nice trail in the summer as there's shade before/after high noon. The Kolob reservoir is a good side trip with the drive up there that makes for some great pictures. There is a camp host if you want to reserve an empty space for the day and swim. It's more of a kayak experience than a swimming one. *The best tips can be found at the Kolob Canyons gift shop. read more

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I would go when it's not hot! Very beautiful early am or late early evening (gorgeous pictures at this time) it's primarily a drive though. Lots of photo opportunities read more

It's the back side of Zion with a dead end at about 9000 feet, where there's parking so you can observe the five fingers but otherwise it's a canyon like a lot of other canyons read more

When visiting Zion National Park this is a must-see area on your trip. It is not in the main Park but up along hwy 15 in the back part of Zion. There is a 5 mile scenic loop and 3 main hiking trails at Timber Creek, Lee Pass, and Taylor Creek. The hiking is probably on the medium level scale, but the scenic drive allows numerous pull-outs and amazing photography. Stop at the visitor section and get a map! Also, it is very windy up there. You do not need a shuttle here, so you are free to roam, and this area us far less crowded than Zion's main scenic loop. Plan on doing both places during your stay. Beautiful country. read more

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Located not far from I15, this canyon probably doesn't get as much attention as Zion (but is part of Zion National Park). It is smaller than Zion, but it does have some very long trails for hiking. The drive up is very nice and has several spots to stop and hike from (or just take in the view). If you like hiking and have all day, this is a good place. read more

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A STUNNING and moderate hike that criss crosses and follows a stream for most of it. It was positively magical at one point during the hike when there was a light sprinkle to tame the heat and sun. The hardest part of the trail is the 150+ uneven steps to enter it (and then back up it at the end). Wear shoes you don't mind getting a bit wet. It was not super crowded - but we did see others - about 11am on a weekday in Sept. The parking lot was pretty full, but we managed to grab the last spot. read more

The west side of Zion National Park, your Zion admission gets you in here. Totally worth a half day or so. Ever so slightly cooler than Zion proper, but still hot and you need to prepare and be hydrated. First hike we did was easy, the Timber Creek overlook trail. Only 1 mile round trip, not difficult, didn't take long, and the overlook at the end is great. However, the highlight if you go here is the Taylor Creek trail. It is 5 miles round trip, you will cross the creek about 110 times round trip. It's super fun to do that, and there are 2 cabins on your way to the end. Saw peregrine falcons and other wildlife, and the end of the trail is spectacular. I'm not going to spoil what's there for you, go see it for yourself. This is a 5 star hike in an area away from the crowds of east Zion. You will not regret this hike, I promise. One of the highlights of my trip to Southern Utah! read more

Visiting Zion? Kolob Canyons is a must stop. At a minimum, take the 5-mile scenic road along Kolob Canyons Road to view the magestic crimson canyons and breathtaking scenic view points. Here are the trails: Timber Creek Overlook Trail at the end of the Kolob Canyons Road/Kolob Canyons Viewpoint. Distance: 1.0 miles (round trip). This was a great little hike and the view of the Kolob Canyons, the Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains at the end of the trail were incredible. We sat on large rock to soak in the canyons and breathe in the fresh crisp air. Taylor Creek Trail off of Kolob Canyons Road. Look for the small parking lot on the left side. Distance: 5.0 miles (round trip) La Verkin Creek Trail at the Lee Pass Trailhead on the Kolob Canyons Road. Distance: 14.0 miles (round trip) Happy trails to you!! read more

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This place is absolutely stunning! I'm always in awe of the landscape in Southern Utah, no matter how many times I visit. Kolob Canyons is located on the back side of Zion National Park. The views are absolutely beautiful, and it's MUCH less crowded than Zion, and free to access! We drove all the way up through the canyon, and stopped at the Timber Creek Overlook, which is a short hike (I believe 1 mile RT?) and has the most incredible view of the canyon. We went during the afternoon on a Saturday, and the parking lot was relatively full, but we still got the overlook to ourselves for a minute, and didn't pass a ton of people on the way up or back down. This is an easy hike and we passed several families - it's short and great for kids! Coming back down the canyon we stopped at the Taylor Creek Trail that was 5 miles RT and it was so lovely. It follows a creek the entire way, and was a very easy hike with stunning views all around. There were also several families on this trail as well. The only difficult part is right at the beginning, which has quite a few steps leading down to the trail. Coming back up it at the end definitely had me short of breath, but it was fairly short. Around 1-1.5 miles in there's a really cool cabin sitting off trail that you can peak into - we almost missed it on the way down, but it was really cool! Overall, this was a great trail that I will definitely do again. It was beautiful the entire way, was along the creek, was pretty shaded as well. I'm not sure what the water levels are like in the summer/fall because the creek was pretty low when we were there. If you're looking for amazing views without the crowds, this is a great place to go that's really close to Zion. read more

Beautiful scenic drive - we didn't hike here - we just enjoyed the drive and the pull outs. Less crowded than Zion canyon where the shuttles run but the hiking here is tougher than some offered in Zion canyon. $35 entrance fee for the five mile drive - we have a National Parks pass so we didn't pay. read more

Kolob Canyons - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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The Taylor Creek trail not to be missed, views of majestic cliffs, a creek, historic cabins, nice shade about half way in when the canyon narrows, and at the Double Arch Alcove there is a large amphitheater with lush vegetation growing in the dripping overhang. This is also the place to avoid crowds, on July 4th there were not that many visitors and we had the amphitheater to ourselves for a full 20 minutes making for a great lunch spot. When we went in July the creek was very low flow and we did not get our boots wet at all, probably due to the drought. The hike is not very shaded for the first half and is hot in the summer so bring lots of water. Hiking poles are also helpful when rock hopping over the creek. read more

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Scenic drive with lots of different places to stop, some with restrooms. If daring, there are some freaky side roads to try. Daughter loved seeing different animals from the area as well as different plants. Lots of places to take pictures. Next day went to Timberlook trail? Forgot the exact name. This is a more structured trail with park-made stairs and signs saying not to go off the path. Saw a lizard. Lots of vegetation. No cliffs to climb. Beautiful high views. read more

While at dinner near Zion, the restaurant owner suggested that we stop by Kolob Canyons on our way to Cedar City. We ended up taking his advice and I'm so glad we did. We arrived to Kolob Canyons just after sunset, so it was pretty empty. The scenic road was beautiful and absolutely stunning from every viewpoint. We couldn't decide where to pull over and enjoy the view. This was a very fun spontaneous stop on our trip. I definitely want to return and arrive before sunset to really enjoy the view. It was pretty cold once the sun went down, so I recommend bringing a jacket or blanket! read more

This was on the way back to St George after a day up the mountain, Cedar Breaks The facility was a bit small. Bathroom was an outdoor portal potty. The sight and some hiking trails were fun. read more

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On a Saturday morning in October, we drove here to look at part of Zion. The visitor center was closed. It is 5 mile drive with lots of stops to hike. Every stop has beautiful views. Although some people wasn't wearing their masks when hiking. read more

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Kolob Canyons Viewpoint and Timber Creek Overlook Trail Kolob Canyons Viewpoint at Zion National Park is where you'll be able to view the 2,000 foot tall walls of the Kolob Canyon from a mile away. These canyons are extremely colorful. From tan to red and even orange which is a color palette that is one of the reasons why we love Utah so much. Directly across from you, you'll be staring at Shuntavi Butte. You can park next to the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint as well as hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. We did both. This part of the park has less visitors. We were the only ones on the trail. It still had snow and some parts of the path were icy. It is a very easy trail to do and it is only 1 mile round-trip. read more

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Beautiful part of Zion National Park with stunning views and serene calm. We hiked to a lookout over the landscape and greeted people of all ages which was rad. Not a lot of shade here so make sure you bring a gallon of water per person per day and wear a hat and sunscreen! read more

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We hiked the Taylor Creek trail which was an easy 5 mile hike. The creek was pretty dry so our boots didn't get wet. The double arch alcove is pretty cool to see! I would recommend this hike if you're looking for something easy or if you're trying to squeeze in a quick hike. read more

Far less promoted, well-known, or visited than the "main" part of Zion National Park, this area is well worth exploring - without having to take a shuttle or deal with crowds. The entrance is very close to I-15 and is basically just a 5-mile scenic drive and back - with several places to take photos or to stop and hike. The most popular trail is at the end of the road. It's only a mile total to an overlook. Most other trails elsewhere are longer. If coming from Zion or Cedar Breaks there is also a scenic mostly unpaved road between Zion and Kolob Canyons with Kolob reservoir in the middle that allows access to trails and parts of the national park few tourists probably even know about, let alone visit. Worth doing if you have time and are a little adventurous. read more

Kolob Canyons - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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Even though this area of the Zion National Park is not as popular as the main area near Springdale, it is still as equally as gorgeous. Since services were limited we took the 5 mile scenic drive and admired the views from the various pullouts and trailheads. The road ends at the Timber Creek Overlook with beautiful views of the towering buttes and red cliffs. read more

Kolob Canyons - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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Absolutely beautiful! I highly recommend visiting this area! It's nice place to relax especially after having a tough year or even wanting to keep going on a good year. Good weather, lots of photography areas, hikes, places to check out. I wish i was able to post my videos to show y'all read more

Took my 5 year old daughter on this amazing and spectacular drive through a part of Zion National Park known as Kolob Canyons and it did not disappoint! Beautiful rock formations along the drive, lots of pull offs for photos and short and long hikes available. A great way to spend the day! read more

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This spot is amazing! Beautiful and less crowded. There's so much wild life around so travel with caution to avoid putting them in danger. We saw Elk, and deer. Depending on what time of the year you come but October was nice. Weather is good and not too hot or cold. The water reservoir is up there and makes for many great pictures. I'd recommend coming up here to get away from everything. Mother Nature is so awesome. read more

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Awesome scenic drive. We pulled our 5th wheel no problem. Beautiful scenery. Red rock views. Northernmost section of Zion Nat Park. Requires a pass to get in. Stop in visitor center. read more

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The astounding landscapes and canyons will totally catch your eyes , the scenery drive experience is beyond your imaginations. read more

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The less traveled area of Zion National Park, I would be surprised if someone who isn't familiar with the area would even know about kolob canyon. The best part about it, way less visitors and traffice through here than Zion's main entrance. This entrance is located off I-15, just North of St. George, right before Cedar City. There are only a few trails in Kolob Canyon, I've done Kolob Arch, which was a 14.5 mile RT hike that takes you to the second longest arch in the world (it used to be the first). This was a great hike, parts of it run along the La Verkin Creek and there is tons of wildlife and wildflowers. The scenic drive is a considerably shorter than the main park, but the scenery is well worth with. The brilliant red sandstone makes for a perfect Instagram pic, no filter required. It's worth a trip if you are seeking a hiking trails that are less traveled. read more

Kolob Canyons - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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Kolob Canyons are unique and less visited compared to Zion, with soaring peaks of Navajo sandstone, cascading waterfalls, canyon streams, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. It is the northwest section of Zion National Park of Utah. The entrance fee permit for Kolob is $25 per vehicle, good for 7 days and if you have America the Beautiful National Park passes, that will be honored as well. Kolob Canyons is accessed off Interstate 15 at exit 40 about 40 miles from the park's South entrance at Springdale. There is a visitor centre & gift shop at Kolob. There are several hikes ranging from easy to strenuous. I did the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek. The trailhead is located approximately two miles from the Visitors Center along the Kolob Canyons Road. No dogs allowed on any trails. The distance is about five miles round-trip and plan for about three hours. It is moderate in difficulty. The trail follows the middle fork of Taylor Creek past two old homestead cabins to the Double Arch Alcove. Quiet and peaceful place..just the way I like it! read more

We got a wonderful tip at our speaking engagement in Cedar City to make the stop here on our way back to Vegas. We are so grateful we did. Our journey didn't have time for sightseeing, so it was just by chance we pulled off here thinking we'd no see much in just the brief time we had. What a wonderful side trip this was. Just think of all the people speeding by this temple of grandeur not knowing what's just a couple of minutes away. The other Yelpers' pictures are wonderful but of course only suggest the incredible beauty of this very accessible place. read more

Kolob Canyons - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

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The Kolob Canyons were pretty amazing! My friends and I were staying in Cedar City so the drive in was very short. On our first night in town, we drove the five miles around the park, stopping to take pictures. The next day, we hiked to the Double Arch Alcove. It was about five miles and was moderate. Along the way, we saw many rock formations, animals, and historical sites. The hike passes a creek many times as you wind your way through the canyon. read more

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My favorite hike ever. I've done Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and other spots in Zion but nothing beats kolob canyon. We went on Taylor creek trail and hiked all the way to double arch. The hike took a while on the way there but was not strenuous if you exercise regularly. Double arch is magnificent, with an echo and beautiful greenery surrounding it. The hike back to the parking lot went much faster and the river was a nice way to cool off in the heat. The only problem is that parking is scarce at or near the trailhead so come early or you'll have to wait! read more

We often wanna go inside because you can see the "fingers" from the highway but always say we'll go inside later when we come back from our travel. But this time the fingers were covered with snow so we made a u turn and it was the best u turn we ever did!! The visitors area is very clean restroom is clean we have an annual pass to Zion so we we're happy that we didn't have to pay coz it's part of Zion but less traveled. The kolob canyon was a winter wonderland! The place is a 5 mile scenic drive we stopped at every turn outs and lookouts eventhough it was 30-20 degrees outside with the windchill and were not dressed for the weather!! We got beautiful pictures, we we're so happy that we turned around and went to the canyons. We'll definitely come back in Spring or fall to do the 12-15 mile hike to reach Kolob Arch!! read more

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The Taylor Creek trail is a great hike. We have been to Zion several times, but never to this side. It took us about 2.5 hours round trip. I work out regularly and would consider this trail moderate. For those who like to exercise this is a great trail as it is interval training. It is enjoyable but you do know you are doing your body good. Not a flat path but nothing too steep, just short bursts that require some effort. It has uneven terrain with loose stones, roots and sand. The flies are a bit annoying but not horrible. No bug bites. We did not get our feet wet, the creek was very shallow with stepping stones to get across. read more

First time here. First snow of the season. It was great. I would have loved to hike one of the trails but it was a little cold and I was not fully equipt. Can't wait to return when it is a little warmer. read more

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This place is a hidden gem! I have driven by on the interstate a dozen times and never saw it. It is hidden from view until you drive up into the canyon and around the corner. What an awesome place to visit. I didn't see any campgrounds but they're are some trails to hike and an awesome overlook. This is a must see place if you are in the area. read more

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Beautiful views at 10,300'. Good roads easily accessible. Very enjoyable. Staff was friendly & accommodating. read more

Kolob Canyons - Standing next to a view of the area you are looking at in Kolob Canyon with my two Great Danes. - Hiking Near Me - New Harmony, Utah

Kolob canyon are the hidden gems of Zion. Situated in the northwestern portion of the park, it has its own visitor center and entrance about an hours drive from the main areas of the park. It might be a bit of a hike but it's well worth it! The Lees pass trail to the Kolob arch is my favorite place in Zion. It's a 14 mile "strenuous" (although it's mostly just long, and only strenuous on the last mile of the hike back but completely achievable if you have the stamina to do a 14 mile hike) through the canyon following a creek then a river. The views as spectacular and the foot path is easy to follow. I only wish we were brave enough to camp outside Ina primitive area without a fire bc the campsites, especially #6 and 9 along the way we're amazing (right up on the river). The arch itself is nice but if you've been to The Arches then it's not too special but you go up here to get away from the crowds and enjoy all the beauty in this park! read more

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We visited this side of Zion in our second full day here. Sooo much nicer than the touristy Zion Canyon. We walked the Taylor Creek trail, crisscrossing over the water. Rushing water, cool breeze, junipers, the occasional mule deer. Beautiful. Also, very few hikers, which if you're a curmudgeon like me, is a plus. read more