Kolob Terrace

The Kolob Terrace section of the park is a high plateau roughly parallel to and west of Zion Canyon. From the town of Virgin, the road runs north through ranchland and up a narrow tongue of land, with drop-offs on either side, then widens into a high plateau. The Hurricane Cliffs rise from the gorge to the west, and the back side of Zion Canyon’s big walls are to the east.

The road passes in and out of the park and terminates at Kolob Reservoir, which is not in the park, but is a popular boating and fishing destination. This section of the park is much higher than Zion Canyon, so it’s a good place to explore when the canyon swelters in the summertime. It’s also much less crowded than the busy canyon.

Lava Point

The panorama from Lava Point (elev. 7,890 feet) takes in the Cedar Breaks [1] area to the north, the Pink Cliffs to the northeast, Zion Canyon Narrows [2] and tributaries to the east, the Sentinel and other monoliths of Zion Canyon to the southeast, and Mount Trumbull on the Arizona Strip to the south. Signs help identify features.

Lava Point, which sits atop a lava flow, is a good place to cool off in summer—temperatures are about 20°F cooler than in Zion Canyon. Aspen, ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and white fir grow here. A small, primitive campground near the point offers sites during warmer months; no water and no fee.

From Virgin, take the Kolob Terrace Road about 21 miles north to the Lava Point turnoff; the viewpoint is 1.8 miles farther on a well-marked spur road.

Kolob Reservoir

This high-country lake north of Lava Point has good fishing for rainbow trout. An unpaved boat ramp is at the south end near the dam. People sometimes camp along the shore, although there are no facilities. Most of the surrounding land is private.

To reach the reservoir, continue north 3.5 miles on Kolob Terrace Road from the Lava Point turn-off. The fair-weather road can also be followed past the reservoir to the Cedar City [3] area. Blue Springs Reservoir, near the turn-off for Lava Point, is closed to the public.