Kolob Canyon Road Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

2.3
FIETS
5.2 mi
DISTANCE
1,240 ft
GAINED
4.2 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton, La Quinta, CA, USA; Stacy Topping, Tacoma, WA, USA.

INTRO

This is a hidden jewel - a stunning climb in Zion National Park through a colorful canyon with many amazing rock formations.  A "must do" if you are in the area!
This climb is all about the scenery.  The average grade is 4.1% (4.9% climb only).  44% of the climb is at 0-5% and 57% is at 5-10%.  The climb never exceeds 10%.  The steepest quarter-mile is 9%. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Two lane national park road that is in pristine condition. 

Traffic:  Minimal. 

Fee:  There is no fee to enter this part of Zion National Park. 

Parking:  At the Visitor Center at the start of the climb - MapStreet View
Provisions:  There is water at the Visitor Center at the start of the climb.

Weather:  The average high temperature in this area is 101 in July and 99 in August. 
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Be sure to ride Kolob Terrace Road which is an epic bike ride, as well as the climbs in Zion National Park (See PJAMM Zion National Park climb page).  See also this list of things to do in Zion NP,  and hikes to do in Zion NP. We did several and strongly feel Angels Landing is a "must do" hike. 

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.

We have stayed in Springdale just outside the main gate to the park when we have visited Zion NP.  

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Easy
4.5
Road
4.5
Traffic
5
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

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Jun 5, 2022
difficulty: Easy
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
Jun 5, 2022
scenery: 5
traffic: 5
road: 5
Best road surface conditions ever encountered on a ride, combined with very little vehicle traffic makes this a very safe climb. Did this climb on a May Saturday morning and encountered no other cyclists or any motorcycles, saw about 5 or 6 vehicles the entire time. The scenery is truly breathtaking. I compare it to Lookout Mountain, only if LOM was inside the Louvre. If this was in the 15 to 20 mile in length, it would have to be top 5 most epic in the US and undisputed most scenic. I love the idea of doing 4 or 5 intervals in one day and perhaps will get to do it this fall. Look forward to updating my review once I’m able to return. Truly recommend this ride to riders of all skill levels.
May 1, 2021
difficulty: Easy
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 4
May 1, 2021
scenery: 5
traffic: 4
road: 4
A short and mild climb, the attraction here is the scenery, red rock towers and walls of the much less visited northwest section of Zion NP. The road twists up the ridge, passing hiking trailheads and dead ends at a parking lot. Spend some time in the park if at all possible.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Kolob Canyon Road - cyclist riding past rock formation

Cycling Kolob Canyon Road

Ride 5 miles gaining 1,236’ at 4.1% average grade.

We stumbled upon this extraordinary bike ride while searching for rides in Zion National Park and we are SO glad we did.  Situated in the northwestern corner of Zion National Park (146,597 acres; est 1919 by Woodrow Wilson) this is our choice for the most scenic short bike ride (5 miles or less)  in the United States.  This is 5 miles over glass smooth roadway that is never without spectacular views.  This climb is only mildly difficult, but If you are ever anywhere in southern Utah with a bicycle, do this climb - you will not regret it.  

Bike climb Kolob Canyon Road - PJAMM's John Johnson and Tayler Hocket with bikes at Visitor Center

Start the climb at the Visitor Center.

Bike climb Kolob Canyon Road - bike on side of road, road with yellow line and rock formations

Amazing views begin in the first mile.

Tayler Hocket riding on Kolob Canyon Road

3 miles, 5,900’ elevation

Climbing Kolob Canyon Road by bike - Tayler Hockett and John Johnson with bikes and red rock formations in background

Near Paria Point at mile 3.3

Climbing Kolob Canyon Road by bike - Tayler Hockett and John Johnson with bikes and red rock formations in background

For the most part straight, with a couple exceptions.

Climbing Kolob Canyon Road by bike - bicycle, information signs and rock formations at viewpoint

Viewpoint at mile 4.5

Bicycle ride Kolob Canyon Road - cyclist riding to finish

Finish the climb 5.2 miles up the road at the Kolob Viewpoint.

Visit our Zion National Park page.

The National Park Service says of Kolob Canyon:

The Kolob Canyons section 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. A five-mile scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road allows visitors to view the crimson canyons and gain access to various trails and scenic viewpoints.

Here in the northwest corner of the park, narrow parallel box canyons are cut into the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, forming majestic peaks and 2,000 foot cliff walls. Whether you come to view the panoramic landscape from our scenic drive, hike into one of our majestic canyons, or begin a multi-day adventure into the Zion Wilderness, Kolob Canyons has something special for everyone to experience.   More

Cycling Kolob Canyon Road - PJAMM's Tayler Hockett and John Johnson at Kolob Canyon Viewpoint

Kolob Viewpoint

No shortage of photo-ops on this climb.

Thanks also to Team Stacy/Bruce for this one!

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