Kolob Creek Canyon (3CIV)

Location: Zion National Park
Rating: Intermediate 3C IV
Length: 9-12 hours
Longest Rappel: 165ft (50m)
Start: West Rim Trailhead
End: MIA or Temple of Sinawava
Permits: Required
Wet Suit: Yes (Required!)
Shuttle: Yes unless you finish on MIA trail and do a loop

** Permits can be obtained from Zion National park through an online lottery system. The lottery is 2 days, 7 days or 3 months in advance. Mystery and Subway are the only canyons with a lottery 3 months in advance. Click here for site lottery.

Overview: Kolob Creek can be done in a beautiful 2 day or very long 1 day trip through the Zion Narrows. Determine water flow by calling 435-673-3617. The technical difficulties are few but it’s the long exposure to cold water is what makes this canyon difficult. Several potholes will be found. Make sure you find the next anchor before pulling your rope.

Approach:

From Virgin, Utah drive North on Kolob Reservoir Road toward Lava Point. Exit Lava point and follow signs to West Rim trailhead. Park at West Rim trailhead and backtrack along the road to a big turn. Kolob Creek lies north of the Lava Point road. Boundary Canyon is another drainage that runs down to Kolob Creek, but you will entirely miss the canyon to the north if you take Boundary. From the big turn follow the road north straight across the meadow. Continue in a northern direction to the Kolob Creek drainage.