No one’s quite sure whether Kolob Arch is the second, fourth, or maybe sixth-longest arch in the world, but at 287 feet, it’s undoubtedly one of the most impressive. Situated in the northwestern backcountry of Zion National Park, to reach it requires a 7-mile, one-way pilgrimage through the park’s rugged red-rock wilderness—a worthwhile trek indeed.
Only three feet shorter—but more structurally sound—than Arches’ famous Landscape Arch, Kolob Arch has been on many a serious hiker’s bucket list for decades (even though hikers can’t touch it, they can simply get a fantastic view).
If you’re considering tackling the hike, know that it takes about 12 hours to complete the 14-mile trip—which requires a lot of water. Most hikers start at the Kolob Canyons Road parking lot at Lee Pass and descend into Timber Creek via La Verkin Creek Trail; others begin at the Hop Valley Trailhead.
Depending on your route, the elevation change will be roughly 1,000 feet (300 meters).
Remember your body’s needs—you’ll be hiking 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level.
Proficient climbers can descend Icebox Canyon, which requires five different rappels (and the necessary equipment).
There are two trailheads hikers can utilize to witness Kolob Arch: Hop Valley or La Verkin Creek—both are 7 miles (11 kilometers). The former is about 40 minutes from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center; the latter is closer to an hour, off Kolob Canyons Road. Both come with limited parking and are relatively straightforward in terms of navigation and trail-finding.
Most hikers will tackle Kolob Arch in spring or fall for milder weather (summer is hot and sunny; winter is cold and snowy). Apart from that, when you set out on your trek largely depends on your fitness level—slower hikers should start early in the morning to make the 14-mile (22-kilometer) trek a doable day trip.
At 75 feet (22 meters) wide, the Romans could have built the Kolob Arch—in other words, it’s incredibly wide and structurally very sound. Because of its dimensions, it lacks the delicacy of other arches, and it can seem a bit stout and less impressive by comparison. Of course, all those other delicate arches will fall sooner rather than later; Kolob will be here for generations.