Zion's quiet northwestern corner, where a five-mile paved road climbs 1,000 feet into a row of crimson finger canyons cut into 2,000-foot Navajo sandstone walls. It sees a fraction of Zion Canyon's crowds and hides Kolob Arch — one of the world's longest natural arches — up La Verkin Creek.
| Category | Point of Interest |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | New Harmony / Kanarraville (I-15 exit 40) |
| Top activities | Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive to Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile), Taylor Creek Trail to Double Arch Alcove (5 miles), La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch (14 miles) |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; fall adds golden cottonwoods and maples to the red walls, and late-afternoon light is famous here. The short road occasionally closes briefly for snow. |
| Entrance fee | Zion NP entrance fee: $35 per vehicle (7 days, covers all of Zion); America the Beautiful pass accepted |
| Permits | No permit for day hikes; Wilderness permit required for overnight La Verkin Creek trips. No timed entry at Kolob Canyons. |
Visitor tip: Arrive after 3 p.m. — the canyons face west, so the walls light up in the afternoon, and even in peak season you'll find parking at the viewpoint.
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