One of our family's all time favorite drives in Southern Utah is just outside of Virgin on the "scenic byway" up towards Kolob Reservoir. 

Whether it's summertime with the prolific wild flowers that peek in July or the amazing blaze of color on the fall foliage, we are never disappointed.

It's about a 45 minute drive from St. George to Kolob Reservoir but there are lots of hiking trails along the way and areas to pull off the road to take amazing pictures.

To get there from St. George, take the I-15 North to the Hurricane Exit, Hwy 9E/W State Street and UT-9E towards Zion to Pocketville Road in Virgin (26 miles). Take the scenic byway in Virgin, Utah north up Kolob Terrace Road all the way to Kolob Reservoir (24 miles) and you will see some of the most breathtaking views you've ever seen. This scenic byway is part of Zion National Park but outside of the gate so there's no entry fee or park pass required. The road is generally closed in the winter as it's not plowed so be sure to check before making that beautiful detour outside of Zion Park.

If you'd like to do some great trout fishing in Kolob Reservoir, just keep taking that road all the way to the top and you'll run into the reservoir. It's pretty and a peaceful setting for a picnic or you can enjoy the wildflowers in the summertime. We've caught some pretty nice sized rainbow trout and cutthroat trout in that reservoir! There are size limits for keeping your fish. For more info see Utah Fish and Game

We made a little video of our day up at cool temperature Kolob Mesa and Kolob Reservoir and nice catch and release trout. We highly recommend making a day of it to go and experience Kolob Mesa and Kolob Reservoir.