Skip to content
La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight permit area in Zion National Park - backcountry hiking destination
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.

Get alerts for your Kolob Arch Overnight nights

A Kolob Arch Overnight reservation is a sequence of nights, and each night books a camp.

Give us your trip window and we check every night of it across all camps on this permit, then tell you the moment nights open.

Cover the whole trip, plus any spare days you could shift onto. A wider window catches more openings.

The window above is how much time you have to work with. This is how many nights the trip itself takes. Leave it blank and we'll check every night in the window. We alert you when 2 or more nights in a row open.

Party

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Kolob Arch Overnight were gone within 10 minutes.

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 way

950 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

How to get a Kolob Arch Overnight permit

As of September 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. Cancelled 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

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

More on Kolob Arch Overnight: Live availability activityWhen Kolob Arch Overnight permits open upLa Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch Overnight permit itinerary

The 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

  1. 14 miles round trip to Kolob Arch and back
  2. 13 designated campsites along creek
  3. Perennial water in La Verkin Creek
  4. Less than 1,000 feet elevation change
  5. Solitude. Few other hikers.

How hard the 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 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

  1. Kolob Arch at sunset
  2. Hikers dwarfed by Shuntavi Butte
  3. La Verkin Creek with fall colors
  4. Gregory Butte from the trail
  5. Camp setup with red rock backdrop
  6. Arch framed by canyon walls

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

  1. 01Backcountry permit required
  2. 02Camping only at designated sites
  3. 03Maximum 12 people per group
  4. 04No fires in backcountry
  5. 05Human waste packed out (WAG bags)
  6. 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

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

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 about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.

Kolob Arch Overnight trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions(6)

Questions

No questions yet

Be the first to ask about Kolob Arch Overnight.

Trip Reports

Write Report

No trip reports yet

Be the first to share your experience at Kolob Arch Overnight.

Write the First Report

Alternatives to a 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.

Plan the full trip, not just the permit

Build your full itinerary start to finish

Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.

Plan a trip here

No permit needed to start

One tick helps us more than you’d think

Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Add PermitSnag in Google

Takes less than a minute.