Landmark
Lee Pass Trailhead
MI 0 · 6,080 ft
Kolob Canyons entrance. Parking and restrooms.
Booked one camp per night, in order
La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight Permit
Zion National Park · Utah
Overnight camping on the La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch in Kolob Canyons. 13 designated campsites.
Get an alert when a night opens on your Kolob Arch Overnight dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Kolob Arch Overnight were gone within 45 minutes.
La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight reservation dates
- route distance, out and back
- 14mi
- elevation gain
- 950ft
- max group size
- 12people
Kolob Arch Overnight elevation profile
Lee Pass Trailhead to Hop Valley Junction, one way950 ft of descent · 2.4% average grade
Landmark
Lee Pass Trailhead
Kolob Canyons entrance. Parking and restrooms.
Mile 0 of 7.5
0 Lee Pass Trailhead7.5 Hop Valley Junction
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 6,080 ft
Kolob Arch Overnight landmarks
Map of the La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight, Lee Pass Trailhead to Hop Valley Junction
9 of 9 places in this section
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Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
950 ft of descent · 2.4% average grade
How to get a La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight permit
As of October 2026, Kolob Arch Overnight in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Kolob Arch Overnight rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Canceled Kolob Arch Overnight permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Kolob Arch Overnight route covers 14 miles with 950 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- UT
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Kolob Arch Overnight: Live availability activityWhen Kolob Arch Overnight permits open upLa Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight permit itinerary
Guides: Kolob Arch Overnight permit guideHop Valley Overnight permit guideTrans-Zion permit guide
The La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight hike
- Distance
- 14 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 950 ft
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Duration
- 1-2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation Range
- 5,050 - 6,080 ft
Camp beneath one of the world's largest freestanding arches in Zion's remote Kolob Canyons, where crowds are a rumor and red rock towers fill the sky.
About this permit
La Verkin Creek Trail provides access to Kolob Arch (287-foot span) and some of Zion's most remote backcountry. The 14-mile out-and-back route passes through red rock canyon country with 13 designated campsites along La Verkin Creek.
This area sees a fraction of main canyon visitors. Permits are easier to obtain and solitude is nearly guaranteed.
The route
From Lee Pass (the only access point), the trail drops 800 feet through pinyon-juniper forest before reaching Timber Creek. The route follows this drainage through Shuntavi Butte and Gregory Butte, massive red rock formations that dwarf anything in the main canyon.
At mile 4, the trail reaches La Verkin Creek, a perennial stream that flows year-round. Campsites are scattered along the next 3 miles, with the Kolob Arch viewpoint at mile 7. The spur trail to the arch adds 1 mile round trip.
Many hikers make this a lollipop loop by returning via the Hop Valley connector (adds 4 miles).
Why it matters
Kolob Arch spans 287 feet, making it one of the largest natural arches on Earth. Yet most Zion visitors never see it. The La Verkin Creek Trail accesses this remote section of the park, where the famous crowds disappear and the canyon feels like a secret. The 13 designated campsites along the creek offer a wilderness experience that the main canyon simply cannot match.
The feeling
The first glimpse of Kolob Arch stops you cold. You've hiked 7 miles through quiet canyon country, and suddenly this impossible span of red rock appears, suspended between two cliffs like a bridge to nowhere. Camp here and you'll have it to yourself at sunset. Watch the arch glow red, then orange, then purple as the light fades. No shuttles. No crowds. Just the sound of La Verkin Creek and a sky filling with stars.
Kolob Arch Overnight hike highlights
- 14 miles round trip to Kolob Arch and back
- 13 designated campsites along creek
- Perennial water in La Verkin Creek
- Less than 1,000 feet elevation change
- Solitude. Few other hikers.
How hard the La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required3/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Backpackers seeking solitude and world-class scenery without technical terrain. Good introduction to Zion backcountry.
Recommended experience: Basic backpacking experience. No technical skills required.
Not recommended for: Those expecting the crowds and developed facilities of the main canyon. This is wilderness.
When to hike La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight
Best time to visit
March-May and September-November. Summer is hot but hikeable with early starts. Winter access depends on road conditions.
Kolob Arch Overnight photography guide
Golden Hour
Kolob Arch faces west and glows orange-red in evening light. Arrive at the viewpoint by 5pm in summer for best color.
Best Light
Afternoon and evening provide the warmest light on the arch. Morning light illuminates the eastern canyon walls.
Beat the Crowds
Kolob Canyons receives 3% of Zion's visitors. Weekday trips offer complete solitude. Sites 8-13 are more remote.
Classic Shots
- Kolob Arch at sunset
- Hikers dwarfed by Shuntavi Butte
- La Verkin Creek with fall colors
- Gregory Butte from the trail
- Camp setup with red rock backdrop
- Arch framed by canyon walls
La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Water filter (creek is primary source)
- Bear canister or provided food storage
- WAG bags for waste
- Sun protection
- Rain gear (thunderstorms common in summer)
Recommended gear
- Camp shoes for creek crossings
- Binoculars for arch viewing
- Camera with telephoto for arch detail
- Trekking poles for rocky terrain
- Layers for temperature swings
Rules & regulations
- 01Backcountry permit required
- 02Camping only at designated sites
- 03Maximum 12 people per group
- 04No fires in backcountry
- 05Human waste packed out (WAG bags)
- 06Food storage in animal-proof containers
Hazards & considerations
- Flash floods in creek drainage during storms
- Poison ivy along creek (stay on trail)
- Mountain lion habitat (travel in groups)
- Hot in summer. Limited shade on initial descent.
- Creek crossings can be slippery
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Kolob Arch Overnight.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Kolob Arch Overnight · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Kolob Arch Overnight FAQ
How do I get a Kolob Arch Overnight permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Kolob Arch Overnight cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Kolob Arch Overnight permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Kolob Arch Overnight?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Kolob Arch Overnight permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Kolob Arch Overnight permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(1)
Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Hop Valley Loop
Connect La Verkin Creek to Hop Valley for a 20-mile loop. Requires Hop Valley permit as well.
Tradeoffs
Longer route with sandy sections in Hop Valley. More variety but more challenging.
- Easier AlternativeNo permit needed
Kolob Arch Day Hike
Same trail as a 14-mile day hike. Long but doable for fit hikers.
Tradeoffs
No permit needed but a long day. Miss the sunset experience at the arch.
Where to stay near Kolob Arch Overnight
- Lava Point CampgroundZion National Park
- Pyramid Ridge CampgroundCedar City Field Office
- Pine Valley Recreation AreaDixie National Forest
- All Utah campgrounds
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