Q. It has 21 campsites and can accommodate a few RVs. Kolob Reservoir holds water that is typically released downstream to help fill the Sand Hollow and Quail Creek reservoirs at the end of summer, Renstrom said. In addition to the great fishing, there is great primitive camping along the banks of the reservoir as well. Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park Photo: Diana LeVasseur. But dont count out winter the reservoir is especially stunning during cold-weather months, when snow blankets the surrounding slopes and aspen forests. This 9 miles (14.5 km) route isnt as technical as the top-down way but still requires route finding, scrambling over boulders, and swimming in cold water. Fantastic Drive, dotted with a few hiking trails. Kolob Canyons can offer a respite from the crowds in the better-known areas of the park. Approximately a one hour, 42 mile, drive west on Hwy-9 to La Verkin, then north on Hwy-17, to I-15, exit 40. The Kolob Canyon entrance is just off of Interstate 15, north of Zion Canyon. Its actually this side of Zion (west side) where you can hike the famous Subway. A family Member with AT&T never had service. See full list on wikihow.com step 1, pull all of the slats and bottom rail all the way up to the head rail with the cords or your hand (if cordless). Shower, TV, WiFi, and even a washing machine with a dryer. We had one group of 50-60 people (trespassing on private land). It was a bit trashy- seems like this would be a popular weekend hang out spot for locals. If you are looking for a more adventurous option when approaching Zion National Park from the north or driving to Cedar City from Zion, this is it. This area of the park is designated as a Wilderness, which means the Kolob Canyons are protected and preserved for their pristine and primitive nature. Their are no assigned camp sites so this is o Below 6,000 feet, the surface is typically snow free. The250-acreKolob Reservoirsitsabove 8,000 feet and is surrounded by aspens and evergreens. Lots of spots - we found one nestled in some trees. Next Group. This Kolob Terrace Road guide is everything you need if you want to escape the summer heat and Zions crowds. Please use a JavaScript enabled browser in order to access the full functionality of this site. Youve probably heard of Californias Pacific Coast Highway (PCH Highway One), Virginias Blue Ridge Parkway or the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Copyright - ZionNationalPark.net - OLWM LLC Is there camping for this size RV at Kolob or Blue Springs Reservoir? Finding a great campsite can be a challenge. With the towering Rocky The reservoir is unique in that it has never had any official sport fishing management plan, yet it has gained blue ribbon status. For more information, visit Zions Tiny Oasis. Interesting Drive - Worth The Effort - Review of Kolob Terrace Road We chose the Wildcat Canyon trailhead and hooked up with Northgate Peaks. Be prepared for a lot of tight turns on a steep grade . Yes. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Im tired of picking up other peoples garbage, one women said in the meeting, noting that trash receptacles for visitors were few and far away from some of the camping areas. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Zion National Park ST. GEORGE The age of free camping at Kolob Reservoir is coming to an end as the Washington County Water Conservancy District moves to implement a more regulated and fee-based camping system at the urging of area residents and property owners. Have you written a blog post about Kolob Reservoir Campground? Some of Zions most impressive rock formations like South Guardian Angel, North Guardian Angel (which looks like a giant sandstone pyramid), Pocket Mesa & more are scattered along the drive. The Kolob Canyons truly are a unique area of Zion National Park. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. If you click on one of those links and make a purchase, we'll earn a small commission, at no cost to you. Fly-fishers retrieve large leech pattern flies to hook up. . This is a wonderful alternative driving/hiking trip while you are staying in Springdale. Lava Point campground usually does not open until late May or June and the road into it can be muddy. BTW, the nearest car wash (and you will need one after this drive) is in Hurricane. It is the access road to many less crowded hikes but also worth a drive if you just want to enjoy the view Date of experience: November 2018 Ask Jeff B about Kolob Terrace Road Big cutthroat and rainbow trout are the catch. I think that the Kolob General Store is a seasonal location and is closed in the winter. Kolob community resident Doug Heideman, who helped organize the community in approaching the Washington County Water Conservancy District about issues related to the mass-visitation to the area, shows a spot on the map of Kolob Reservoir where problems with trespassing campers have arisen for property owners in the area, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2021 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News, Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved, Southern Utah water manager speaks on current water situation, gives thumbs down for California solution, Water manager: Recent storms help refill Southern Utah reservoirs, but they need to keep coming, Water district offers to pay Washington County residents to replace grass, save water, Utah passed 575 bills during legislative session with 'historic' levels of funding for state priorities, Some areas restricted as peregrine falcons descend upon Zion National Park, Utah Tech, SUU men earn No.11 and No.3 seeds heading into WAC basketball tournament, Washington County Water Conservancy District. Big Bear Lake mayor's warning to visitors: Do not come here during snow Mori Kessler serves as a Senior Reporter for St. George News, having previously contributed as a writer and Interim Editor in 2011-12, and an assistant editor from 2012 to mid-2014. Be aware you will not have cell service and you should turn around at the Kolob Resevoir. Your email address will not be published. Kolob Terrace Road is approximately 25 miles (40 km) long. The campground sites are spread around the reservoir just above the high-water line to insure easy access to the water. The road around . A. For example, you can take it as a long way to Northgate Peaks overlook or extend your Wildcat Canyon hike. You can see friggin' FOREVER from up there. ST. GEORGE Anyone planning a camping trip to Kolob Reservoir will now need to book a reservation for a site. Kolob Reservoir (Blue Ribbon) Description: Kolob Reservoir is a 250-acre impoundment of Kolob Creek in southwestern Utah. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Kolob Reservoir Road, also known as Kolob Terrace Road, is the least travelled of the main roads through Zion National Park, and provides an easy way to quickly reach the wilderness and escape the crowds that can affect the more well known areas. more. There have been other cases involving property owners having to chase away trespassers who set up camp on their land, which can sometimes be met with belligerent and even threatening responses. Like other water-based attractions across Washington County that received a flood of visitors during 2020, Kolob was no different. Because of the high elevation (8000 ft), the winter comes early to Kolob Terrace. It drops down to like the 40 or 50 every night. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Most backpackers take two days to complete this trail, stopping at the designated campsites on the route. It is part of the Zion National Park; hence, you will need a backpacking permit to stay here. I saw other reviews that mentioned driving the "loop" around the reservoir. You can stay in a free campsite or splash out on once-in-a-lifetime glamping under the stars. This park used to be an open free for all site until the county water dept began to manage it, assign campsites and charge money. We drove counterclockwise on the dusty, bumpy but very passable road about 3/4 of the way around the lake until we got to a point (at the second vault toilet) where the ro There is only wilderness camping available. However, part of new regulations being put in place by the water district may include a limit of the size of motor that will be allowed in the water. The views are magnificent! The water level was low so we were able to camp on what normally would be an island which also gave us plenty of room to maneuver. We were there on a Thursday and it was ok at mid day. Here are a few options: Lava Point Campground is a small (six campsites) campground without amenities except for toilets. Kolob Reservoir is an artificial lake at an elevation of 8160 ft (2500 m). Kolob Campground, Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Reservoir is a quiet location nestled between the main canyons ofZion National Park and the remoteKolob Finger Canyons Complex at Zion National Park. Zion Wildflower Resort has a few options to offer to its guests. Springdale The start of the road is probably 20 min from the main canyon. Large RV/Trailer parking limited to sites 1,2,4,9,16,18,19,20 If these are not available contact the camp host for other possible accommodations. As for the Kolob Terrace Road - its windy and scenic, and suitable for a small RV. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In order to maintain the wilderness character and natural conditions of the area, please be aware that affiliated groups exceeding 12 in number are only permitted to hike on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. Free BLM Camping off Kolob Terrace Road is available at Lambs Knoll Climbing Area. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. The initial ascent of the drive is a somewhat frightening stretch road; similar to the Angels Landing hike in that steep canyons cut down on either side of the road. All guests are required to stop at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center to show an Interagency Park Pass or pay the Zion National Park entrance fee. Beginning at an elevation of 3,600 feet, cactus, Indian paintbrush and cottonwood trees populate colorful lava rock & sandstone desert. The Kolob Canyons district of Zion National Park is located at Exit 40 on Interstate 15, 40 miles north of Zion Canyon and 17 miles south of Cedar City. The campground sites are spread around the reservoir just above the high-water line to insure easy access to the water. Construction at South Entrance near Springdale Of course, always be safe & have fun! Connector Trail is frequently overlooked, but it is a nice 2-hour hike through the pine forest. Explore this 23.6-mile point-to-point trail near Virgin, Utah. He enjoys photography and won an award for photojournalism from the Society of Professional Journalists for a 2018 photo of a bee inspector removing ferals bees from a Washington City home. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Very limited parking. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The 5,500-acre foot reservoir built in 1956 stores water for the residents of Washington County. Kolob Reservoir is a perfect place to setup camp, cast a line, kayak, you name it! Anglers are allowed a daily possession limit of two trout under 15 inches or more than 22 inches long (all trout between 15 and 22 inches must be released). Wild fires are also a worry due to the leftover ash and debris that can be swept into the water and render it unusable. Directions GPS Info. But be mindful of regulations though, the fishing restrictions are in place. We never saw another person until five hours into our trip. Gorgeous drive through the backside of Zion to reach campsite. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Check it out! Neatly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Zions main canyon, Under Canvas Zion offers their guests to spend a quiet night in a luxurious canvas-walled tent. There isnt much traffic on this route, but the bends and steep inclines will slow you down. The road driving to Kolob is also extremely steep going up the steep hills was extremely demanding on my truck. Kolob Terrace Road: Guide to the Quietest Part of Zion In addition to activities, you can spend a night here at a free campsite. Kolob Canyons - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service) This is a great spot to relax, read a book, picnic and fish. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Kolob Canyons Visitor Center: Hours of Operation This was a nice drive--quiet and not crowded at all! 1st things first we barely made it up there because we have a tiny engine but it did make it most of it was in 1st or 2nd gear. The Kolob Reservoir Campground surrounds the beautiful Kolob reservoir. The road to Kolob Terrace winds its way from the red dirt of the valley floor past sandstone bluffs that mark the western edge of Zion National Park in southern Utah. So far, the water district is considering designating between 40-45 official campsites. Hollywood in Zion If you've ever seen Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid with Paul Newman and Robert Redford you'll find yourself driving through a Hollywood Western movie set when driving the Kolob Terrace Road, especially driving through Cave Valley where . A permit is required. Only 95 at the end of this road. Phone: 435-772-3256. The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center is located just east of Exit 40. If you didnt bring a tent or need a little more comfort to fall asleep, glamping is the way to go. The second way is to take the whole length of the trail from Wildcat Canyon Trailhead to West Rim Trailhead. We drove counterclockwise on the dusty, bumpy but very passable road about 3/4 of the way around the lake until we got to a point (at the second vault toilet) where the road was largely rutted & sandy so we turned around for fear of getting stuck. Read More Afterwards, we drove up to Lava Point Overlook. Kolob Terrace Road, Zion National Park: Address, Phone Number, Kolob Terrace Road Reviews: 4.5/5. Whether you come to view the panoramic landscape from the scenic drive, hike into one of the majestic canyons, or begin a multi-day adventure into the Zion Wilderness, the Kolob Canyons of Zion has something special for everyone to experience. The drive up to 8000 feet is stunning and the Kolob Reservoir is a lovely mountain lake with campsites, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Thats one story, Heideman said. Hello heading out from Las Vegas on a motorcycle to Bryce Canyon, Zion national park, n kola terrace rd, wanna spend one night, can it be done n is Bryce Canyon worth it? Those are all absolutely incredible drives; definitely part of any list youll find of Americas most scenic drives. From here youll curve up the road to the last terrace; Kolob Mountain at 8,100 feet elevation. The humans used bug spray and we were mostly unharmed, but before we could spray the dog she was covered in bites - ended up having to stay in the car for the evening then straight to the tent. 1 Zion Park Blvd. Take a right at Blue Springs Reservoir to get to the West Rim trailhead Farther through the forest youll finally get to Kolob Reservoir surrounded by pine trees and aspen groves. While the district thinks its great people are using the lake, Renstrom said, the mass visitation has also created a health and safety issue.. Imagine that and you still havent experienced it. Even during the best of times, June through October, this stretch is best considered a backcountry road suited for high clearance vehicles. It features amazing day hike and backpacking opportunities, a five mile scenic drive with many scenic pullouts and a visitor center. Fish Utah -- Division of Wildlife Resources It is quiet and tranquil and allows to avoid the crowds of the main canyon and escape the summer heat. Winds were high while we were there (pretty much everywhere in Utah at that point). Kolob Reservoir just what the doctor ordered - Las Vegas Review-Journal Download an official Zion National Park map for basic road and attraction locations. Scenic Kolob drive to Resevoir- worth it! Check out our site and let us know if theres anything else we can do for you. A few miles after the reservoir, the road changes its name to Kolob Road and will take you to State Route 14, near Cedar City. More than 300 women meet monthly to tie flies, practice casting at the park, plan trips and more. 10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. Video: 5 Amazing Places to Camp for Free in the Western U.S. 5 National Park Sites Where You Can Boondock (or Find Boondocking Closeby), Best Campgrounds Near 4 of Baja Californias National Parks, How to Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Where to Camp, The Best RV Campgrounds for Stargazing Adventures, How to Visit Prescott National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, How to Visit Coconino National Forest by RV and Where to Camp, 5 Alternatives to Utahs Popular National Parks, 5 Mid-Atlantic State Parks Worthy of a Detour, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, display_name => ["Kolob Reservoir South Shore", "Kolob Reservoir Campground"], website => ["http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots/brwaterbody.php?id=76", "https://www.bookyoursite.com/kolob-campground/availability"], open_seasonally_text => ["", "May to September"], lead_photo_url_cache => ["https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207439/large/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1569631607", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207439/large/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633649960"], title_normalized => ["kolobreseoirsouthshore", "kolobreseoir"], sq_lead_photo_urls => [[], ["https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207439/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633649960", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/159104/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633823372", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207441/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633845311", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207442/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633845311", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207445/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1633845312", "https://campcdn.com/photos/2/7/27122/207444/sq/kolob-reservoir-south-shore.jpeg?v=1647360228"]]. It is a technical canyoneering route that needs ropes, harnesses, rappelling, route-finding skills, and swimming in cold water. The trip down was also extremely challenging thankfully my truck is equipped with an exhaust break which assisted in keeping speeds slow going down the mountain. Camping in Zion National Park is available at the Lava Point Campground east of the reservoir. On Kolob Mountain youll pass through Bear Valley and Blue Springs Reservoir. The upper ends of the road are unplowed in winter and often covered with snow. I would recommend (if you can) to make each one of those drives someday. Your browser does not support JavaScript! More fishing is available at Quail Creek Reservoir and Sand Hollow State Park located 14 miles from ZRR. How far is it from Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Kolob Canyons? The water district owns property around parts of Kolob Reservoir where people have been allowed to camp for free. See . Dixie National Forest straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River in . To further minimize encounters with other hikers and backpackers, an off-season visit is the best bet. Trailhead Location: Lee Pass Trailhead on the Kolob Canyons Road Distance (roundtrip): 14.0 miles / 22.5 km Elevation Change: 1,037 feet / 316 m Estimated Hiking Time: 8 hours roundtrip Description: The La Verkin Creek Trail to the Kolob Arch allows hikers outstanding opportunities for solitude in a primitive area of Zion Wilderness. "It's kind of always been open up there," Zach Renstrom, general manager of the county water district, told St. George News on Wednesday. Free camping at Kolob Reservoir to end as water district moves to fee Governments reach Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership I strongly recommend this drive especially on a hot summer day! Kolob Reservoir - Washington County Trails If the reservoir was full we probably would have been unable to camp here. You can stay at canvas glamping or luxury bungalows, depending on your preferred comfort level and budget. Hiking in Kolob Canyons allows visitors the opportunity for solitude and tranquility in a scenic desert setting. Why should I go to Kolob Canyons? Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. It features amazing day hike and backpacking opportunities, a five mile scenic drive with many scenic pullouts and a visitor center. All guests are required to stop at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center to show an Interagency Park Pass or pay the Zion National Park entrance fee.