Timber Creek Overlook Trail is a short 1 mile ascent to an overlook in the Kolob Canyons Area of Zion. This hike begins at the end of the 5 miles scenic drive near the restrooms. Though it is a climb, it is neither steep, nor long, and even toddlers can manage this out-and-back trail. This is the shortest hike in this area of Zion National Park.
The trail starts up a small set of stairs to the right of the fence. There is a trail sign, so this trail is easy to find. The Timber Creek Overlook trail is easy to follow. When we went in the Spring, it was a bit muddy, and many hikers had left the trail and tramped down some of the flora. Please stay to the main trail to avoid damaging the plants in the area.
Timber Creek Overlook Trail climbs steadily, but easily through the thick brush. We saw several interesting birds including towhees, jays, and quail. There are signs advertising cougars and bears, but we didn’t see any mammals larger than a squirrel. The trail continues south and eventually comes to a peak with a broad overview of the mountains. This is a great place to turn around, but the trail continues down to a second lower peak, which is not much further.
Make sure to enjoy the view of the Kolob Canyons cliffs from the parking area, too. There is a viewpoint on the opposite side of the parking lot from the trail.
We love Zion National Park, and we enjoy spending a few hours in the Kolob Canyons area. Add the Timber Creek Overlook trail to your list of stops in this part of the park. For all of our other hike recommendations, head to this post: Family Friendly Zion Hikes.
