Most of the millions of annual visitors to Zion National Park spend the majority of their visit in Zion Canyon. This section of the park is located just a short walk, drive, or shuttle ride from the many popular Springdale resorts. It’s also home to most of Zion’s most popular trails and attractions, including the Zion Lodge, Angels Landing, The Narrows, and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
But what many first-time visitors to the park—and even some more experienced visitors—don’t know is that this section is one part of the much larger national park. Zion National Park covers almost 150,000 acres. Part of those acres is Zion Canyon. But another section is Kolob Canyons.
Kolob Canyons is more primitive than Zion’s Lower Canyon and is designated as Wilderness. This distinction, as well as the lower crowd levels, makes Kolob Canyons a great spot to enjoy a quiet, remote hike. But despite being less visited, Kolob Canyons offer views that rival those of Zion Canyon. It features towering Navajo sandstone peaks, canyon streams and waterfalls, finger canyons, and over 20 miles of beautiful hiking trails.
Getting to Kolob Canyons
One reason that this section of the park is often overlooked is that it isn’t accessible from within Zion Canyon unless you’re up for some 20 miles of challenging hiking. Instead, most visitors drive to Kolob Canyon from Springdale and their Zion hotels.
To get to Kolob Canyon, you’ll want to hop on Interstate 15. This section of the park is located at Exit 40. It’s about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, and 17 miles south of Cedar City. From Zion hotels like Flanigan’s Resort, the drive will take you around 45 minutes.
Where to Stay to Visit Kolob Canyon
Kolob Canyon’s smaller size and remote location mean that there aren’t as many Zion lodging options located close by as you’ll find in Springdale. But unless you’re planning to visit for only a day or two, a visit to Kolob Canyons is a great addition to a longer visit to Zion National Park.
For that reason, we recommend still staying in Zion hotels in Springdale, and driving to Kolob Canyons for a day or two during your stay. That way, you’ll still get to enjoy the many benefits and amenities of Springdale resorts, while still having just a short drive to explore this unique section of the park.
Things to Do in Kolob Canyons
While it might be home to some pristine wilderness and plenty of undeveloped land, there’s still a lot to do in Kolob Canyons.
Stop By the Visitor Center
This section of the park has its own visitor center. The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center is located at the entrance to Kolob Canyons. All visitors will need to stop here to pay the park’s entrance fee. If you’ve purchased an entrance pass for Zion Canyon in the past 7 days, you can use that pass to enter Kolob Canyons as well. You can also present a valid National Park Annual Pass.
At the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, you can chat with a park ranger about closures or trail conditions, grab a park map, pick up some souvenirs, and learn a little more about this section of the park.
Take a Cruise on Kolob Canyons Road
After stopping at the Visitor Center, take a cruise on Kolob Canyons Road to enjoy your first glimpse of this beautiful section of the park. The road is just five miles long, but it offers stunning views of Kolob Canyon’s crimson canyons. Along this road, you’ll also find a variety of scenic viewpoints and trailheads.
Unlike Zion’s Lower Canyon, Kolob Canyons does not have a shuttle system. This means that visitors can drive their personal vehicles and park in designated parking lots to access trailheads and overlooks.
During the winter months, the Kolob Canyons Road may close due to snow or ice.
Hit the Trails
One of the most popular things to do in Kolob Canyons is to go hiking. This section of the park is home to some 20 miles of hiking trails. This includes a mix of short, easy trails that are family-friendly, as well as more challenging trails.
One great trail to start with is Timber Creek Trail. This trail is located about two miles past the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. It’s just one-mile round-trip, and relatively flat. You’ll follow the ridgeline to a small peak, and enjoy incredible views of Timber Creek, the Pine Valley Mountains, and Kolob Terrace.
Taylor Creek Trail is one of the best hikes in all of Zion National Park, though it’s often overlooked because of its location in Kolob Canyons. The trail is five miles roundtrip and rated moderately difficult. On this trail, you’ll enjoy views of a landmark you won’t find in the Lower Canyon; a natural arch. Double Arch Alcove is a cave-like formation formed over thousands of years due to flash flooding. Also on this trail, you’ll pass two historic cabins, built in the early 1900s before the national park was formed.
Planning Your Visit to Kolob Canyons During Your Stay in Zion Hotels
If you’re planning a stay in Zion hotels like Flanigan’s Resort in 2023, a visit to Kolob Canyons is a must. This section of the park is perfect for visiting on a busy day in Zion’s Lower Canyon, or for anyone looking for a remote and beautiful hike.
Ready to start planning your next Southern Utah adventure? Now is a great time to lock in your Zion lodging ahead of the popular summer season. Book your stay at Flanigan’s Resort today!