Most people who visit Zion never see Kolob Canyons. They pour into the main canyon, ride the shuttle, hike Angels Landing, and drive home thinking they saw the park. They saw a fifth of it. Kolob Canyons is the northwest corner of Zion, a separate entrance off Interstate 15 with its own visitor center, its own scenic drive, and red rock that rivals anything in the main canyon, minus the crowds. We have filmed across Zion for years, and this is the section we send people to when they tell us they want the scenery without the shuttle lines.
Where Kolob Canyons Is and How to Get There
The Kolob Canyons entrance sits at Exit 40 off Interstate 15, about 40 miles north of the main Zion Canyon entrance in Springdale. From St. George, Utah, it is roughly a 40-minute drive north. From Cedar City, it is about 20 minutes south. There is no road connecting Kolob Canyons directly to the main canyon inside the park, so plan it as its own trip or as a stop on your way through.
Pull off at Exit 40 and you reach the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center within a few hundred yards. From there the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive climbs about 5 miles into the heart of the finger canyons. This is the part most visitors do not realize: you drive your own vehicle the entire way. There is no shuttle here. The mandatory Zion Canyon shuttle that runs in the main canyon during peak season has nothing to do with Kolob Canyons.
Know Before You Go
- Entrance: Exit 40 off I-15, separate from the main Springdale entrance.
- Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid seven days and good for all Zion entrances. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers it too.
- Shuttle: None. You drive the 5-mile scenic drive yourself, year round.
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours for the drive and overlooks; half a day if you hike Taylor Creek.
- Visitor center: Small, with restrooms, water, and ranger info. Hours are shorter than the main canyon, so check ahead in winter.
- Best time of day: Late afternoon, when the low sun lights the cliffs deep red.
Driving the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive
The scenic drive is the easiest way to experience Kolob Canyons, and for many visitors it is enough. The road climbs steadily and gains elevation as it winds toward the finger canyons, a row of narrow parallel gorges cut into the Navajo sandstone. Pullouts along the way let you stop and take in the cliffs without holding up traffic.
Love Zion? It's one of 117 threatened public lands destinations we're tracking. Get the free briefing.
The road ends at the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint and the Timber Creek Overlook Trailhead. From the parking area, a short half-mile round-trip trail climbs to Timber Creek Overlook, which gives you a wide look across the finger canyons and, on clear days, all the way to the Pine Valley Mountains. It is the highest-payoff short walk in this section and a good leg-stretcher before you turn around.
Hiking Taylor Creek
If you want a real hike, the Taylor Creek Trail is the one to do. It runs about 5 miles round trip with around 450 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The trail crosses Taylor Creek dozens of times, so expect wet feet in spring or after rain. It passes two preserved homestead cabins from the 1930s before ending at Double Arch Alcove, a soaring stained amphitheater of rock at the canyon’s end. Plan on 3 to 4 hours. The trailhead is signed off the scenic drive.
The other major route here, the La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch (one of the largest freestanding arches in the world), is a serious 14-mile round-trip day or an overnight backpacking trip. It requires a wilderness permit. As of January 2026, wilderness permits and lotteries are handled through Recreation.gov, with day-use permits at $6 and overnight permits at $20 per booking. Most visitors will not need a permit for the scenic drive or Taylor Creek.
Kolob Canyons in Winter
Kolob Canyons sits higher than the main canyon, roughly 5,000 to 6,000 feet, so it sees real snow. A dusting of white on the red cliffs is one of the best reasons to come in winter, and the crowds all but vanish. The trade-off is that the scenic drive can close temporarily after storms, and Taylor Creek crossings get cold and icy. Check road status with the visitor center before you commit, carry traction for your boots, and do not count on water or full services in the off-season.
Honest Caveats
- There is no food, gas, or lodging at Kolob Canyons. Fuel up and pack food in Cedar City, St. George, or Springdale.
- You cannot drive from here to the main canyon inside the park. The two sections are connected only by the interstate.
- Cell service is spotty. Download directions before you go.
- The visitor center keeps limited hours in winter and can close in bad weather, so do not rely on it for last-minute permits.
Plan the Rest of Your Zion Trip
Kolob Canyons pairs well with a full Zion itinerary. For the main canyon, see our guides to the best things to do in Zion and the park’s hikes and trails. If you are timing your trip, read our breakdown of the best time to visit Zion. For the full picture, start at the Zion National Park hub.
