Lava Point Overlook in zion-national-park-itinerary/”>zion-national-park/”>Zion National Park offers a stunning panoramic view of the park’s unique landscape. Situated at an elevation of 7,890 feet, the overlook provides visitors with a vista of the surrounding canyons, mesas, and rock formations.
It is a popular spot for hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Zion. The overlook is accessible via a scenic drive and offers a peaceful and serene setting for taking in the vistas of the park.
Lava Point is the best spot in Zion National Park to watch a sunset. Located in the Kolob Terrace section of the park, this lesser-visited destination is worth a stop.
Escape the crowds here with a very different kind of beauty than the red rock canyons. This overlook does not require any sort of a hike and is situated next to our favorite campground in Zion National Park, Lava Point Campground.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Lava Point is sunset when beautiful golden, orange, and red light bathes the distant rock formations in glory. Here, you can check the sunrise and sunset times in Zion National Park.
Lava Point Road and Overlook are closed during winter and will re-open when the snow melts. Always check park conditions before you go.
Things to Note at Lava Point
Here are a few things to know before visiting the overlook
- The parking lot for the trailhead is small. Parking in the surrounding area is extremely limited.
- The Kolob Canyons Zion entrance is 45 minutes/40 miles from the South Entrance at Zion.
Map of Lava Point
There is no hike required. You park, walk 50 feet, and you are standing at one of the most expansive viewpoints in all of Zion National Park. From 7,890 feet you can see the Kolob Fingers, the West Temple, the Towers of the Virgin, and on a clear day, the Kaibab Plateau near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
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Getting There
Lava Point is at the end of Kolob Terrace Road, which you pick up in the small town of Virgin on Highway 9, about 14 miles west of Springdale. The drive from Virgin to Lava Point is roughly 21 miles and takes about 45 minutes. The road is paved but narrow with no guardrails in spots. It climbs from 3,500 feet at Virgin to nearly 7,900 feet at Lava Point.
There is no entrance fee station on Kolob Terrace Road, but you still need a valid park pass. The parking area at Lava Point is small, maybe 10 spots. I have never seen it full, but that is partly because so few people know about this place.
What to Expect
The landscape up here is completely different from Zion Canyon. Instead of red rock walls, you are surrounded by ponderosa pine and aspen forests. The air is cooler, thinner, and quieter. It feels more like a mountain forest in Montana than the desert canyon most people associate with Zion.
Lava Point Campground is right next to the overlook. It is primitive, with no water and no reservations. Six sites, first come first served. It is my favorite campground in the park because you are sleeping at almost 8,000 feet with a sunset view that would cost hundreds of dollars a night anywhere else. The campground is free.
What Most People Get Wrong
Almost nobody comes here, and that is the biggest mistake visitors make in Zion. While millions of people crowd the Zion Canyon shuttle, Lava Point sits empty most days. It is one of the best viewpoints in the park and it requires zero physical effort to reach.
The other mistake is coming at the wrong time. Sunset is when this place comes alive. The light sweeps across the canyons and the formations change color minute by minute. If you come at noon, the view is flat and washed out. Come at 7pm in June and it will take your breath away.
Seasonal Access
Lava Point Road typically opens in late May or early June and closes with the first significant snowfall, usually in November. The exact dates vary year to year. Always check current conditions before making the drive. There is nothing worse than driving 45 minutes up a mountain road to find a locked gate.
Photography Tips
Sunset, sunset, sunset. I cannot say it enough. The overlook faces south and west, which means the last light of the day hits every major formation in front of you. A 24-70mm lens covers most compositions. Bring a tripod for the last 20 minutes when the light gets low and warm.
If you catch a thunderstorm building over the canyon below you, stay safe but keep shooting. Watching lightning illuminate Zion Canyon from above is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nearby Destinations
The West Rim Trail connects Lava Point to the Zion Canyon floor via a strenuous 14-mile one-way hike. Many backpackers start at Lava Point and hike down to the Grotto in Zion Canyon. Kolob Canyons is another less-visited section of the park, accessible from I-15. The main Zion Canyon is about an hour south via Highway 9 through Springdale.
