La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch

La Verkin Creek Trail starts at Lee Pass in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion, off I-15 and separate from Zion Canyon. The out-and-back to the Kolob Arch viewpoint runs 14 miles round-trip with roughly 1,037 feet of elevation gain and loss, and the Park Service rates it strenuous given the rocky, sandy, uneven tread and creek crossings.

What to Expect

From Lee Pass the trail drops through Timber Creek drainage into the cottonwood-shaded canyon carved by La Verkin Creek. Around the 7-mile mark, a short spur leads to a viewpoint for Kolob Arch, a span of red Navajo sandstone that ranks among the largest freestanding arches in the country. You view it from across the canyon rather than walking up to it.

• Trailhead: Lee Pass, on Kolob Canyons Road; no water or restrooms on site
• No permit needed for a day hike; overnight camping requires a wilderness permit and reserved site
• Dogs are not allowed on Kolob Canyons trails

Most hikers tackle it as a long day, starting early to beat the heat on the exposed lower stretches, or split it into an overnight at one of the designated campsites along the creek. The NPS lists the trail as accessible year-round, though snow can linger into early spring. Kolob Canyons Road itself can close temporarily in winter weather, so check conditions with the visitor center before a cold-season trip.