Ultimate Guide to Timber Creek Overlook in Zion National Park
As of July 2026, Timber Creek Overlook is no longer an approved wedding location. Zion National Park updated their guidance to specify the Kolob Viewpoint, located in the Timber Creek Overlook trail parking lot, as the approved wedding location. Check out our updated guide for Kolob Viewpoint
You can see the updated guidance HERE
Located 45 miles from the bustle and shuttles of Zion's main canyon, Timber Creek Overlook offers an incredible view of the Kolob Canyons making it an excellent choice for portraits. This location is ideal for couples who are looking for a sweeping vista and don't mind a little hike to get there. It's less ideal for couples who want quick access to the rest of Zion or have accessibility concerns. If you're considering this location for your Zion portraits or you just want information about this hike, read on for the ultimate guide to Timber Creek Overlook!
Table of Contents
About Timber Creek Overlook
The Kolob Canyons District, which gets its name from a place described in the Book of Mormon, connects to the main Zion Canyon via the backcountry Zion Traverse hike between Lee Pass and the West Rim Trail. The Timber Creek Overlook trail traverses a rocky ridge to a viewpoint showing off the peaks of the Kolob Canyons, the Pine Valley Mountains, and the Kolob Terrace. It overlooks the beginning of the Zion Traverse. The hike is 1.2 miles round trip with about 120ft of elevation gain over mostly firm soil that turns muddy when went. The viewpoint is a mixture of firm soil and sloped, uneven hard rock surfaces.
Where is Timber Creek Located?
The Timber Creek Overlook trail is located at the end of the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive. The Kolob Canyons District of Zion National Park is not accessible by car from the main entrance of the Park in Springdale. Instead, you'll need to head west to I-15 and then head north, where you'll get off the freeway at the entrance of the district. The drive is about 45 miles and takes about 1 hour from the Zion Canyon Visitor's Center in Springdale.
What Amenities are at Timber Creek Overlook?
The paved parking lot at the trailhead has bathrooms as well as a collection of picnic tables that are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Water isn't available at the trailhead but can be found at the Kolob Canyons Visitor's Center before beginning the 5.4 mile Scenic Drive. Once you leave the trailhead, you will be in a primitive area with no access to amenities until you return to the trailhead.
How busy is Timber Creek Overlook?
On average, the Kolob Canyons District sees only 10% of the total visitors who come to Zion National Park. However, keep in mind the Kolob Canyons District is much smaller, so even though there are fewer people, there are also fewer places for them to go. Timber Creek is the shortest and most accessible hike in the district, so the parking lot is often full during peak hiking times of the day (mid-morning to early afternoon). So you can expect to see fewer people than other places in Zion, but you should still expect to see other people around.
Planning photos at Timber Creek Overlook
Timber Creek Overlook is an excellent location for portraits in Zion National Park. The Kolob Canyons offer an amazing vista with the vibrant red and orange sandstone cliffs Zion is famous for but from a far less popular perspective.
The Best Times of Day for Portraits at Timber Creek Overlook
Like other parts of the Park, the absolute best time of day for photos at Timber Creek Overlook is right around either sunrise or sunset. During sunrise, the sun comes up from behind the canyons, often causing light streaks through the canyons and providing dreamy backlighting. During sunset, the red sandstone peaks light up and glow with deeper saturation as the sun dips below the Pine Valley Mountains. In our personal opinion, the best light at Timber Creek is at sunrise.
What is the Best Time of Year for portraits at Timber Creek Overlook
The Kolob Canyons District is at a higher elevation than much of the rest of Zion National Park. Technically the Park considers the district open year round, but frequently closes the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive for inclement weather. As we get into the spring months, the snow melts and turns the normally firm soil into a sticky mud. For these reasons, we recommend planning weddings at Timber Creek Overlook between late spring, after the mud has thoroughly dried, and late fall, before the first snow of the season. Typically that season runs between late April - mid-November.
Kolob Canyons Elopement
Timber Creek Overlook trailhead shares a parking lot with the Kolob Viewpoint wedding ceremony location, making the two an ideal pair for someone who wants to get married in Zion.
Looking for a photographer to take some epic portraits? Are you wanting to get married in Zion but you're not sure where to start? Reach out to us, we'd love to help!
