Kolob Arch

In the lesser traveled area of Zion National Park sits Kolob Arch, a sandstone arch high up on a cliff tucked back in the canyon.

To get to Kolob Arch take exit 40 on I-15 in Utah. You'll see a Zion National Park Visitor's Center. Here you can fill up on water, use the bathroom, and get a map to the arch.

From the visitor's center head up the only road in the canyon and follow it for a few miles until you reach the Lee's Pass trail head. The parking lot is a decent size but it's popular with Zion Traverse hikers and runners so parking can be limited here.

There's a pretty good map at the trail head and if you follow the La Verkin Creek trail you'll run in to a sign 6 miles in taking you up a side canyon and leading to Kolob Arch.

The hike is full of rolling hills, stream crossings, and sand so a good pair of hiking or running shoes is a must. The hike to Kolob Arch makes a great day hike but there's a few backcountry sites on the trail, permit required, that are just amazing and break the hike up. Permits can be obtained through the Zion Backcountry Office and should be asked for in advance or you may not get a spot.

Kolob Canyon gets extremely hot and very cold in the winter so be prepared for this. While it's a desert the trail head sits at 6,000 feet so the area gets cold and will receive some snow which makes for dramatic photos of white capped sandstone peaks.

Kolob Arch is a great hike that is definitely one of the underrated trails in Zion.