Northgate Peaks Trail

Overview

Kolob Terrace is Zion's high plateau district - a stretch of Kolob Terrace Road climbing out of the town of Virgin, well away from the crowds of Zion Canyon and the Zion Canyon shuttle system. Northgate Peaks Trail is one of the district's more approachable outings: a 4.2-mile round trip that stays mostly level as it winds through ponderosa pine forest to a viewpoint over the Northgate Peaks and the Guardian Angels.

Unlike most of the marquee hikes in Zion Canyon, this trail does not climb a canyon wall or follow a river. It moves through open forest at elevation, with only about 100 feet of total gain over more than four miles, which makes the distance itself the main factor in how long the hike takes rather than any strenuous climbing.

The reward is a wide view out over Zion's high backcountry, framed by the Northgate Peaks and the Guardian Angels - a different kind of Zion scenery than the towering canyon walls most visitors picture, and one that rewards hikers willing to make the drive up onto the plateau.

Trail Route

The trail leaves the trailhead lot off Kolob Terrace Road and heads into ponderosa pine forest along a gentle, mostly level grade. There is no dramatic climb here - the trail's character comes from the forest setting and the steady walk, not from switchbacks or exposure.

Near its end the trail splits toward a viewpoint that opens onto the Northgate Peaks and the Guardian Angels, with Zion's high backcountry spreading out beyond them. It is an out-and-back route, so the return trip retraces the same path through the forest back to the trailhead.

What to Bring

• Water - at over four miles round trip there is meaningful distance to cover, and there is no reliable water source along the way.
• Layers - Kolob Terrace sits at a higher elevation than Zion Canyon, so mornings and evenings can be noticeably cooler than down in the main canyon.
• Sturdy footwear - the forest trail surface is natural and can be uneven or rocky in places.
• Sun protection - the forest offers some shade, but the trail also crosses open stretches, and the viewpoint itself is fully exposed.

Best Time to Go

Spring through fall are the most reliable seasons, since Kolob Terrace Road's elevation makes it more weather-dependent than the trails inside Zion Canyon. Morning starts are comfortable for most of the year and help you beat any midday heat in the warmer months. Because the district sees far fewer visitors than Zion Canyon, there is less urgency to arrive at first light purely for crowd reasons - the main planning consideration here is road and weather conditions rather than parking pressure.

Safety

• Distance over difficulty - the trail is not steep, but 4.2 miles is enough to catch out hikers who underestimate a "flat" trail; pace and hydrate accordingly.
• Viewpoint exposure - the end of the trail opens onto a viewpoint with drop-offs; keep kids and pets close there.
• Limited cell coverage - Kolob Terrace is more remote than Zion Canyon, with fewer other hikers around; let someone know your plan before heading up.
• Weather changes - the higher elevation of the plateau means conditions can shift faster and be cooler than what you experienced driving up from Springdale.