Zion National Park – Kolob Terrace, Lava Point and Kolob Reservoir

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Introduction:

What? :

Lava Point is the highest elevations in Zion Park.

From here you will haves an impressive panoramic view to the east (Zion Canyon area) and south side of the park.

This point is located on a high lava flow field, and it is a completely different mountain structure and color compared to the colorful Zion sandstone domes you can see in the distance below you.

 

The Kolob Reservoir is located at the end of the paved road, and it provides a great summer destination for outdoor activities.

 




 

 

Travel Time and Milage to Zion Visitor Center:

Salt Lake City, UT: 4 hours 23 minutes, 308 miles

Las Vegas, NV: 2 hours 39 minutes, 160 miles

St Gorge, UT: 1 hour, 42 miles

Bryce Canyon: 1 hour and 50 minutes, 82 miles

Kanab, UT: 1 hour, 41 miles

Page, AZ: 2 hours 20 minutes, 116 miles


 

 

 

Where? :

The Kolob Reservoir Road passes into Zion National Park and later get out, passing Lower Kolob Plateau that is large cattle grazing area. The road re-enters into the park boundaries and start to climb to the upper Kolob area.

Here the road exit the park area heading into high area with farmland and small summer community.

From Virgin it is a 21.9-mile drive until the road leading to the viewpoint, here you will see on your right a clear marked gravel road, just near Blue Springs Reservoir. Take this road and drive all the way to it end at the Lava Point observation, this will be 1.6-mile drive on a good gravel road.

On your way you will pass near the small National Park campground.

 

Kolob Reservoir is located at the end of the road 24.2 miles way from Virgin.

Link to Google Map 

 






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When? :

Zion National Park is open year-round.

This road climb to high elevation and will be close in winter month when it is covered with snow. The closure begins at Maloney Hill, one mile east (north) of the Hop Valley Trailhead.

The summer are hot and sunny, but this is relatively high elevation, so it is not as hot as in the valleys and deep canyons.

The best time to visit here is during late spring, after snow melt, or fall.

This will be also a good time with less visitors, although the main park section is busy year-round.

 

 

 

Due note 1:

This road pas through Zion Park area but there is no park entry kiosk or visitor center here. The Kolob Reservoir that is the end of the road is not in the park area.

 

Due note 2:

Pit toilets are located at the Hop Valley Trailhead, Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, and at the Lava Point Campground.

Not sure if there is a water filling location in this section of the park.

Minimal to no cellphone reception.

No gas station or any other service at this road.

 

Due note 3:

Primitive camping is available at Lava Point, the highest point in Zion National Park, 7,700 Feet Above Sea Level.

 

Due note 4:

Pets are not permitted on any trail.

 

Due note 5:

Wilderness Permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips, all through-hikes of The Narrows and its tributaries, all canyons requiring the use of descending gear or ropes, and all trips into Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway).

 

Due note 6:

This section of the park is much less visited than Zion Canyon but when I visit here the small parking was half full and I saw several other hiker groups on the trail, but it was not a crowded trail as any trail in the main park section.

 

 




 

My thoughts:

The view was nice bit not a lot more to do here so after a short visit I went to visit the reservoir up the main road.

This is a large reservoir and many where late summer camping along the shoreline, enjoying the view and lake activities like fishing, kayaking and swimming.

 

 


 

Lava Point

The gravel road that leads to Lava Point pass over a large ancient lava flow covered with pine forest.

Lava Point at 7,890-foot elevation is the highest point in Zion National Park and it provide impressive view to the east and south.

Far below you can see the “back side” of the huge domes of Zion Canyon and clearly see the path of the canyon.


 

 

West Rim Trail

Starting near Lava Point, the 14.5 miles West Rim Trail heads down from the high elevation into Zion Canyon. If you plan to spend the night on this trail you do need a wilderness permit.

You can see the first few miles of the trail from Lave Point viewing platform as it follow the ridges below.

 

 

Kolob Reservoir

The large high elevation reservoir (8,100 ft) is surrounded by large aspen groves.

I visit here during late fall, and they all turned yellow.




When arriving from the road the dam will be to your left but keeping right there is a dirt road that circling the reservoir all the way to it back side.

The lake is perfect place for swimming, fishing, boating and all sorts of summer fun activities.



At the lake there are many locations for boat lunching, and you can camp or have a day activity here.

The dirt roads covering this upper Kolob Plateau continue to remote higher elevation and can be fun to explore them with 4x4 car.

At winter all the road leading here and the lake area are covered with snow.

 

 

 

Additional Pictures:









Location: Zion National Park, Utah, USA

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