Zion National Park Private Tour: Kolob Terrace Views

Three to four hours above the canyon, away from the crowds

A private half-day sightseeing tour of Zion National Park that takes you to Kolob Terrace, the higher, quieter section of the park where you see Zion from above instead of within it. Your guide covers the geology that shaped the canyon and the human history of the area's native people and pioneers. The tour is 100% private to your group, customizable for fitness level or interests, and includes pickup, a guide, bottled water and snacks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zion National Park and Kolob Terrace Tour

• Ride Zion National Park shuttle
• Explore Zion Canyon on your own
• Visit Kolob Terrace area
• Enjoy views from above Zion
• Learn geological and human history
• Optional visit to Grafton ghost town

The experience

Three to four hours gets you out of the main canyon and into Kolob Terrace, the lesser-known section of Zion that sits higher in elevation and stays cooler. This is where you trade the shuttle crowds for a view looking down on the park instead of up from inside it. Your guide walks you through the geological story of how Zion was formed and explains the human history (the native people who lived here and the pioneers who settled it), so the landscape reads as more than just rock and sky.

The tour is entirely private. Your group is the only one. That means the pace, the stops and the focus bend to what you actually want to see. If you're more interested in hiking or viewpoints, the guide adjusts. If you'd rather hear the story of Grafton, the ghost town just outside the park, you get that instead. The one that was filmed in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and is the most photographed in the West. The elevation and the quiet are what make both possible.

Pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport into the park. Bottled water and snacks come along. The tour works for all fitness levels because it's customizable. If someone in your group needs a slower pace or wants to skip the longer walks, the guide builds the day around that.

What’s included

• Pickup from your location.
• a live guide in English.
• bottled water.
• snacks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 38 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Please park in the rear of the parking lot.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by ZionCanyonBoneyard.indiemade.com

Is this one for you?Choose this to see Zion from above on Kolob Terrace: a less-visited section where a private guide adjusts the pace to your interests, unlike the shuttle-dependent main canyon.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Kolob Terrace and the main part of Zion National Park?

Kolob Terrace sits at higher elevation, stays cooler, and draws far fewer visitors than the main canyon. It gives you the chance to look down on Zion from above rather than experience it from the canyon floor, and the solitude means you're not navigating crowds at every stop.

Is there hiking involved in this tour?

The tour is customizable, so hiking is optional. Your guide can build the day around viewpoints and stops if you prefer not to hike, or emphasize trails and longer walks if that's what you want. You tell the guide what suits your group.

Will we visit Grafton ghost town?

Grafton is a possible stop, but it depends on how much time you spend on Kolob Terrace. If you choose more hiking or viewpoints, there may not be time for it. Your guide can give you directions so you can visit on your own later if you decide to.

What does the tour include?

The tour includes pickup from your location, a private guide, bottled water and snacks. Entry to Zion National Park is separate.

How private is this tour?

It's 100% private. Your group is the only one on the tour. The guide works only with you, and you can adjust the itinerary, pace and stops to match your interests or physical needs.