Lava Point Lookout and Viewpoint

For a more isolated experience in Zion National Park, spending some time visiting or camping at Lava Point is a much different experience then inside the canyon. Lava Point was formed by flowing lava and towers above the rest of the park. The vantage point overlooks most of the park although much of the park are hidden in the deep canyons. There are massive extinct cinder domes, ridges and unique features across the horizon.

It is not clear when the first lookout was built, possibly in 1957.

In 1957, the lookout station burned down due to a lightning strike. It was quickly rebuilt with a small 10 by 10 ground cabin of local design.

In 1959, the boundaries of Zion National Park were expanded. This made possible the land needed for an access road to the Lava Point Fire Lookout.

In 1976, a six-month FBI investigation led to charges of theft of government property against David Lee Covell, 23, Las Vegas. He broke into the Lava Point Lookout on May 9 stealing a stove, binoculars and radio repeater unit and other items that were valued in excess of $2000.

In 1999, the structure was torn down or removed. Zion National Park fire management still used the lookout location for detecting fires after a storm.

Today, the lookout site is a popular observation point maintained by the National Park Service. The likely original source of water for the station is a natural spring near the Lava Point Campground.

Lava Point is in the northwest corner of the park about 22 miles from Virgin. It can be reached if you are on the Kolob Terrace Scenic Drive. The final 1.5 miles is a dirt section of road that can become impassable when wet.

Lava Point Lookout Site