Zion Plateau Road to Kolob Terrace — Red Butte and Lava Point Backcountry Drive
Zion from above — no crowds, all payoff.
Most people who visit Zion National Park never leave the canyon floor. Kolob Terrace Road — accessible from the town of Virgin off UT-9 — is the escape route the crowds don’t know about. The paved road transitions to gravel and dirt as you gain elevation, climbing through slickrock benches and past the sweeping Tabernacle Dome before reaching Lava Point at 7,890 feet. From the primitive campground here you’re looking straight down into Zion Canyon from above — no guardrails, no crowds, just ponderosa pines and the full 270-degree canyon panorama. The spur to Red Butte and the connector tracks toward the Kolob Canyons backcountry require a high-clearance vehicle when the seasonal dirt sections are dry.
This is an easy-to-moderate route for a capable high-clearance truck or SUV in dry conditions. The upper plateau sections are impassable when wet or snow-covered — the road closes seasonally, typically October through late May depending on snowpack, so check conditions before you drive up. Water is not available at Lava Point — carry your own. Cell service disappears above Virgin and doesn’t come back. Permits are required for backcountry overnight camping in the national park; day driving the road is free with a park pass. For those willing to earn the elevation, this is Zion without the madness.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 22 mi / 35.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7890 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended for spur roads |
| Nearest town | Virgin, Utah |
| Land manager | Zion National Park — NPS |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
Stock high-clearance 4WD rigs like a Tacoma or 4Runner handle the main Kolob Terrace Road fine. The spur roads to dispersed campsites and viewpoints get rougher — low-clearance trucks and 2WD SUVs will get hung up on ruts and embedded rock. A lift helps on the spurs but isn't mandatory.
When does this route open each year and can it snow up there?
June through October is the reliable window. Lava Point sits at nearly 7,900 feet and gets snow well into spring and again in October — the road can be gated or impassable outside that window. Always check NPS road conditions before you leave Virgin.
Do I need a Zion National Park pass or a separate backcountry permit for this route?
You need a valid Zion entrance pass since this is NPS land. Dispersed camping at Lava Point requires a free backcountry permit obtained through the NPS reservation system — don't skip it, rangers do check. Day driving the road does not require a backcountry permit.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect from it?
The spur roads branching off toward dispersed camp spots and the final push to Lava Point are where it gets real — loose gravel, off-camber shelf sections, and embedded basalt chunks that will catch a low rocker panel. The main Kolob Terrace Road itself is straightforward but gains elevation fast, so watch your radiator temp on the climb out of the valley.
Is there water available on the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is no reliable water source on the plateau — bring everything you need from Virgin or Hurricane. Gas up in Hurricane before you head out; Virgin is a small town with no fuel. With 22 miles of trail plus the drive in and out, budget for at least 60–80 miles of total travel off-pavement.
Trail track
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