Guide To The Four Hiking Trails In Zion’s Quiet Kolob Canyons Area

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Photo of a dirt packed path next to a creek cutting through a red rock valley on a sunny day in Zion's Kolob Canyons region

It’s true, there really is a quieter region of Zion: Kolob Canyons is home to three mapped hikes ranging from easy to hard, and one hidden hiking trail leading into a picturesque box canyon. We spent a fantastic day hiking the peaceful trails in Kolob Canyons and highly recommend you consider adding this secluded and often forgotten about area to your itinerary.

In this guide we walk you through the four hikes you can do on Zion’s tranquil Kolob Canyons region, based on our experiences.

Our Experience

Photo of Kristen Morgan from Where Are Those Morgans in pink fleece holding camera walking across small stones over a creek on a trail in Kolob Canyons Zion
Here’s Kristen crossing a creek along the Middle Fork

We’d just spent three, let’s use the word “vibrant”, days in Las Vegas. Then when it was time to get back into nature, we explored the amazing Valley of Fire State Park before staying at a budget hotel in Hurricane so we could wake up early and get straight into Kolob Canyons the next morning. We hiked three of the four trails in the canyon (the fourth was too long and we didn’t have time).

We missed Kolob Canyons the first time we visited Zion because we prioritized the most iconic hikes in the park’s main canyon. But second time around we wanted to get off the beaten path and see what else Zion had going on. Our expectations were pretty low, but the hikes turned out to be awesome. No crowds, great views and fun trails. What more could we ask for? Read more about us.

What You Need To Know

Photo of a hiker in grey t-shirt sat on red rocks looking out at a wide open view over red rock mountains and deep valleys filled with trees under a blue sky in Zion's Kolob Canyon region
Here’s Mark soaking up awesome elevated views over Zion from the easiest hike in the region

Okay, let’s dive right in. Here are the most important things you need to know about hiking in Kolob Canyons:

  • Entry costs $35/vehicle just like the main canyon
  • Your America the Beautiful Pass works for free entry
  • You don’t need any special permits to hike the trails
  • This region has its own small visitor center
  • We recommend talking to the rangers for trail updates
  • There are 4 trails you can hike in this region
  • One easy, two moderate and one hard (all covered below)
  • None are accessible for wheelchairs or strollers
  • Dogs are not allowed on any trails in Kolob Canyons
  • There’s no food at all in this area so take packed lunches
  • Make sure you carry lots of water and electrolyte drinks
  • Kolob Canyons is 38 miles from Springdale (45m drive)

If you’ve been to Zion’s main canyon before, we know what you’re thinking: but how can anywhere in the park be quiet? We hear you. The main canyon is easily one of the most densely populated national park areas we’ve seen. It’s wild.

But Kolob Terrace (where you can day hike The Subway) and Kolob Canyons are polar opposites. You can actually get parked at trailheads, you won’t see hundreds of people on trails and you might even be able to relax. Bold claim, we know!

Kolob Canyons Trails Map

Map showing the hiking trails in Kolob Canyons Zion created by Where Are Those Morgans
We created this route map to help you visualize the region’s hikes

Map key:

  • Blue – E Kolob Canyon Road
  • Orange – The four trails

As you can see in the map we created above, Kolob Canyons is a pretty easy place to hike because there’s just one road leading to four trailheads. The road dead-ends at the fourth trailhead, which is also the highest point in the region.

If you look at any map online, you’ll find Timber Creek Trail (easy), Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail (moderate) and La Verkin Creek Trail (hard). But that’s only three trails. What about the fourth?

Well, there’s a hidden trail that follows South Fork of Taylor Creek and leads into a box canyon. It’s unmaintained but easily doable, and we’d rate it as moderately challenging. The NPS doesn’t even list the fourth hike and you won’t find it on Google Maps either.

Okay, let’s get into each of the four hikes (in order of difficulty from easy to hard).

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1. Timber Creek Overlook Trail

Hiker sat on red rocks looking out at far reaching views over Kolob Canyons in Zion from Timber Creek Overlook with trees covering the valley below next to towering red rock mountains
Here’s Kristen enjoying the awesome views from Timber Creek Overlook
  • Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
  • Type: Out and back
  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Time: 30 minutes-1 hour
  • Elevation Gain: 100 ft
  • Trailhead: Map location

Timber Creek Overlook Trail was by far the easiest hike we did in Kolob Canyons. It was a gently undulating dirt-packed path with barely any elevation change, but there were some steps and rocky sections to navigate. The short trail followed a ridge line until ending at a rocky viewpoint with magnificent views.

The trailhead is located at the very end of E Kolob Canyon Road and there’s plenty of parking spots. We think the views here are among the best in the park, especially for such a low-effort hike. Families with really young kids, the less mobile, beginner hikers and photographers shouldn’t miss this one.

2. Middle Fork Of Taylor Creek Trail

Photo of a hiker in pink fleece with arm in the air stood on pink sand with a massive alcove natural formation inside a red rock cliff in Utah
This is Kristen at Double Arch Alcove at the end of Middle Fork
  • Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
  • Type: Out and back
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time: 2-3 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 450 ft
  • Trailhead: Map location

Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail was a fun and varied hike with multiple creek crossings, great scenery and a surprisingly immense climax at Double Arch Alcove. We thought it was a good workout, but we never felt too out of breath or challenged despite the 450 ft elevation change. The trail was mostly in shadow, so there was a bit of ice covering the creek at the end of November.

Ultimately, we’d say this will be the majority of visitors to Kolob Canyons favorite hike because it has a good blend between distance and difficulty. Also, the creek crossings, two log cabins and massive natural formation at the end keep things interesting. If we were visiting with early teenage kids, this is the hike we’d prioritize for sure. Park in the very first lot on E Kolob Canyon Rd for the trailhead.

3. South Fork Of Taylor Creek Trail

Photo of a hiker in blue coat climbing up a red sandstone wall at the end of South Fork Trail in Kolob Canyons Zion
Here’s Mark climbing up Namaste Wall at the end of South Fork
  • Distance: ~4 miles roundtrip
  • Type: Out and back
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time: 2-3 hours
  • Elevation Gain: ~ 500 ft
  • Trailhead: Map location

South Fork of Taylor Creek was awesome. We only knew it existed because a ranger in the visitor center told us about it, and we’re so glad he did. After parking in the second lot on E Kolob Canyon Rd, we crossed the road on a tight U-bend and found a trail. This led up steep banks before flattening out into a box canyon, but it was mostly unmaintained and we didn’t see a single other hiker the whole time.

The end of the hike was our favorite part because the giant canyon walls converged, the sandy trail was a vibrant pink color and Mark even got to do a bit of climbing on Namaste Wall. We recommend this trail mostly for adventurous hikers, families with older kids and anyone looking to really get off the beaten path. It’s more challenging than Middle Fork, but it’s also more exciting.

4. La Verkin Creek Trail

Photo of a trailhead sign on red rocks near desert vegetation under a blue sky
We took this photo at Lee Pass Trailhead where the hike into La Verkin Creek begins
  • Distance: 14 miles roundtrip
  • Type: Out and back
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Time: Allow for 8 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 1,050 ft
  • Trailhead: Map location

La Verkin Creek Trail is a strenuous 14-mile roundtrip hike, making it by far the most challenging trail in Kolob Canyons. It’s the only hike we didn’t do ourselves (because we didn’t have time to lose a whole day), but we’ll definitely do it next time. It begins at Lee Pass Trailhead, drops into the canyon below and eventually leads to a massive red rock formation called Kolob Arch.

It’s a long old hike! And although the elevation change doesn’t sound too bad considering it’s over 14 miles, a lot of the gain is near the end when you climb back up to the trailhead. If you’re feeling even more adventurous you can continue hiking into Beartrap Canyon, Willis Canyon or Hop Valley to escape into the backcountry. That’s when you really don’t see any other hikers.

Best Time To Hike In Kolob Canyon

Photo of a log cabin in a light forest with fall foliage colors in Utah
Yellow leaves were just about clinging on when we visited at the very end of November

We think late fall is a great time to visit Zion in general for a good balance between crowds, costs and hiking temperatures. But Kolob Canyons is much quieter than the main canyon throughout the year, so it’s not as important to plan around crowds.

With that said, the parking lots and trails will undoubtably be busier during peak visiting months from April-October. So we do think you’ll have a more enjoyable experience if you visit Kolob Canyons in the off season between November-March. It was the last day in November when we hiked in the area and we barely saw any others all day, which was perfect.

One thing to consider is flash flooding in spring and during southern Utah’s monsoon season in late summer. This could affect hiking both forks of Taylor Creek. Stay on top of live conditions in the park so you know if flooding will be an issue.

READ: What it’s like to visit Zion in winter

The Morgan Conclusion

Photo of a walker in blue coat and backpack on a dirt path next to stones and shallow banks in a red rock landscape
This was Mark hiking a part of South Fork

What we like: This region is so much quieter than the main canyon, and that’s something that shouldn’t be underestimated. We were surprised at the striking views from Timber Creek Overlook and we really enjoyed hiking into box canyons following both forks of the creek.

What we don’t like: The trails aren’t as adventurous or thrilling as those in the main canyon. Also, there’s nowhere to eat so packed lunches are the only option. We’d have liked to do La Verkin Creek, but it was far too long and would have meant skipping all the other trails.

Is Kolob Canyons worth it? Yes, Kolob Canyons is a fantastic place to hike in Zion to escape the crowds. It’s got an easy trail leading to awesome views, two moderately difficult trails with creek crossings leading into box canyons, and a long hard hike for those with more time. We think it’s perfect for families or couples who want a quieter place to enjoy Zion’s famous red rock formations.

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We hope our guide to hiking in Kolob Canyons helps with planning your visit to Zion!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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2 thoughts on “Guide To The Four Hiking Trails In Zion’s Quiet Kolob Canyons Area”

  1. Hi. I’m looking for thoughts on which of 2 hikes to take for first day in Zion area (staying in La Verkin), either the Northgate Peaks Hike or the ‘hidden’ trail you describe on your 4-hike description. My husband is a reluctant hiker so nothing too strenuous. 3 hours is probably our limit. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi Christy, glad to hear you will be visiting Zion later this year. We think the best solution for your circumstances is to hike the very easy and short Timber Creek Overlook Trail in Kolob Canyon and also hike Northgate Peaks in Kolob Terrace. Both are easy trails and it means you get to see both of Zion’s quieter areas outside the main canyon. The other easy – moderate trails in Kolob Canyon are fun but they don’t lead to viewpoints and will take a good few hours. You can then spend your second and third day in the main Zion canyon. Don’t miss Zion Canyon Overlook, another easy trail leading to a wonderful overlook. Have a great time!

      Reply

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