the historic period begins in the late 18th century with the exploration of southern utah by padres silvestre vélez de escalante and francisco atanasio domínguez. the padres passed near what is now the kolob canyons visitor center on october 13, 1776, becoming the first people of european descent known to visit the area. in 1825, trapper and trader jedediah smith explored some of the downstream areas while under contract with the american fur company.