kolob canyons

I took an opportunity to run up the hill into the Kolob Canyon area of Zion National Park, hoping for an opportunity to take pictures of the red rock covered with snow. I was very fortunate in my choice of day. Early on a Friday morning in March 2015 there happened to be no other person in that part of the park. I had the place to myself. I could stop along the roadway wherever I liked to shoot pictures at my leisure. This really is a spectacular place and its majesty was only amplified by the sharp contrast between the whiteness of the snow and redness of the rock. As I said, it was kind of a dream. I've been up that scenic drive during every season of the year and it never fails to inspire me. I love the way the canyons kind of jump out at you as you come up the road. They suddenly appear and it really is a breathtaking view. This was a very peaceful and personally lucky mini adventure. I hope to have additional opportunities to see the canyon when the lighting is a little better. The picture taking was a little difficult in the morning with the sun coming up over the cliffs to the east. It is much better lighting to come in the afternoon with the sun to the west. I loved this visit and will definitely go again.

In February, very few tourists - easy access and many pull offs. Great weather. Hiking is plentiful as well. Without hiking these canyons can be experienced in half a day or less. Beauty abounds.

Kolob Canyon is a must see as it's just a really beautiful area tucked away minutes from I-15 in Utah. The scenic road in is only around six miles one way, but has some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. There are lots of turnouts to stop and take in the gorgeous red canyons or take photos. There are several trailheads for hikers to explore this well kept secret and the end of the road provides a grand view of the whole area. Everyone goes to the southern end of Zion and we haven't been there yet, but this little area is just beautiful and so easy to get to. The visitor's center has a great selection of books and maps and the staff there are very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. If you have the time, stop and see this gorgeous area!

Just a little slice of paradise; a couple of great hiking trails with awesome views. The late afternoon sunlight on the canyon walls is truly spectacular.

The Kolob Canyons must be the best kept secret of Zion. I used to think it was the view next to the Lava Point Camp grounds but this drive wins hands down. It is a 10 mile (to and from the same) scenic drive with several trailheads. One will not allow groups of 12 or more due to the impact of large groups on trails. The Timber Creek Overlook Trail was a nice hike but some of my family gets altitude sickness even at lower altitudes like this one at 6600 ft. The views were amazing, especially as the afternoon sun hit the red rocks. I thought we'd only be there for an hour or two. We stayed for over five.

We'd been to Zion several times in the past but didn't visit Kolob those times, we missed out there for sure.We did the creek trail which was a bit icy and cold but with our boot grippers and plenty of layers we were fine.It's a pretty long walk from the trail head parking following the stream bed upstream, crossing and re-crossing the stream as you climb through amazing scenery.Starting around 10 am the light as the sun shone and reflected of the red rocks was amazing.It's a pretty strenuous hike and you'll need plenty of time for it, I think it took us approx. 5 hours for the round trip.On the weekday we did it we didn't see anyone else the whole hike.Other easier and quicker walks in the canyon also get you so some great areas for taking photo's and getting in amongst things.Definitely don't miss this canyon out on your trip to Zion area.

We hiked at Zion first then went to kolob canyons. The canyons were much less crowded and offered a great wilderness hiking experience. Not so "commercialized" as Zion although we liked Zion. Highly recommend!

With only 4 days to explore Zion & Bryce Canyon we debated for a while if we wanted to drive all the way out to the Kolob Canyons section of Zion from our lodge in Springdale. We were sure glad we made the choice to spend a day at Kolob. The canyons here were beautiful and very different from Zion Valley. Also due to the higher elevation we got to see the red rocks with a dusting of snow, which made them even more stunning. It's also nice to come out here to get away from the crowds of Zion proper. The drive from Springdale to Kolob was pretty scenic too, skirting the edge of the Colorado Plateau viewing lava flows, hanging valleys, and red rock mesas. Kolob Canyons shouldn't be missed.

Zion has been my favorite National Park since my husband first introduced it to me 30 years ago after a move from Philly. Our trip that year included a visit to Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion. All were amazing, but Zion was my favorite back then and this trip 30 years later only reinforces that choice. The diversity in the park is just amazing; red rock cliffs, desert rocks, and bamboo along the Virgin River - BAMBOO in the dry Southwest! We went into Zion Central twice, did the easy paved hike along the river (don't think is was paved 30 years ago) where most of the tourists go. But if you are adventurous, the hike can take you into the river for spectacular views. (Water is cold this time of year and you definitely need appropriate gear. If you don't know what that means, go see one of the local outfitters. Seriously, even in the summer, the Virgin River is cold, cold, cold.) But this trip, we also went into the lesser visited parts of Zion for the first time; the Kolob Terrace and Kolob Canyon. Visits to both have only reinforced my love of Zion National Park. The drive up to Kolob Terrace and the reservoir can be a bit scary in places for those of us with a fear of heights, (go figure why I like to hike) but so well worth it; awesome views (love the hoodoos) with several trails including the Submarine (permit needed) and many easier trails, one of which we did. We hiked the Northgate Peaks Trail, very easy, no elevation change, very kid friendly, and a little boring at times, but well worth it at the end of the trail; great views! We also visited The Kolob Canyons section of Zion for the first time and hiked the 5 mile Tailor Creek route. It was awesome, but had a bit of packed snow and there was ice on the creek, which can make this moderate rated trail a bit tricky in fall and winter. We made it safely across all 57 stream crossings one way, making it a total of 114 stream crossings on the round trip. One reviewer called this kid friendly, but I think a lot of supervision might be necessary at this time of year with. The Double Arch Alcove at the end was beautiful and we are so happy we hiked it.30 years later, this is still my favorite national park!

Several years ago we did Zion, but didn't make it up to the Kolob Canyons. Recently we did the Kolob part of Zion and are glad we did. It is absolutely beautiful. What others have written is correct: the area is not nearly as busy with tourists as the main part of Zion, and what you see is worth the drive. Don't know I would have been content if I had not brought along a camera. We were staying in St. George so afterward we looped north and west to drive back on route 18. I recommend this to others, since it takes you past the Mountain Meadows Massacre site. That is sobering, considering what happened there. Along the way you will see lava remains from long ago volcanic explosions.

It was well-worth the 1-hour drive from Springdale to this northern part of the National Park. The drive past the Kolob Visitor's Centeris spectacular with plenty of pull-outs/view points to take photos. The trail at the end of the road is an easy one and gives you a different eye-level view of the imposing walls of the Kolob features.

Get away from the tourists, and hike to the Kolob Canyons. The hiking here is great, away from the crowds. The majestic vistas are worth the trip. A wide variety of trails for all hikers. Enjoy!

This section of Zion National Park is about an hour's drive from the main canyon but well worth the visit. It has great views and great color.

This was a 5 mile scenic drive. Very nice, enjoyable, not crowded. The scenes were unbelievable. The red color of the canyons due to the iron oxide & the violet tinge in the rocks were beautiful. Takes only about an hour at the most . A sight that one will not forget.

Spectacular scenery and as good as Zion and should not be missed. The scenery is different to Zion but equally spectacular. It is only 20 miles from Cedar City and half an hour from Zion. A Must see.