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Contact: David Eaker, 435-772-7811
All trails in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park have been reopened for visitor use. Kolob Canyons is the northern section of the park and is located just off I-15 approximately 15 miles south of Cedar City, UT. Trails in this section of the park were closed for visitor safety on Wednesday evening, August 31 due to threats from an approaching wildfire. The decision to close the trails was made to ensure the safety of hikers that may be using or planning to use the trails. Trails that were closed but have now reopened for visitor use include the LaVerkin Creek Trail, Hop Valley Trail and the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. The threat from the 206 acre Toquerville Falls Fire has been greatly reduced by firefighters. Hikers using trails in the Kolob Canyons area should be aware of the fire's presence and be alert to any significant changes in weather or smoke conditions. Backpackers spending the night in the backcountry should be especially aware of the fire and check with park rangers in the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center prior to beginning their trip for current fire conditions. Park rangers will make all possible efforts to contact hikers and backpackers in the area if the fire has an unexpected change in activity and poses any threats to them. Visitors to the Kolob Canyons area may see occasional smoke from the fire through the Labor Day Weekend as firefighters continue control efforts. They have made good progress on the fire over the last few days and if all goes as planned, expect full containment by late this evening. At present, the fire is not burning on Zion National Park lands, but on adjacent public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. For more information on the Toquerville Falls Fire go to the Utah Fire Information webpage at
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Last updated: February 24, 2015