The Subway (Left Fork)

Overview

The Subway is one of the most sought-after hikes in Zion National Park, and one of the hardest to get onto the calendar for. The Left Fork of North Creek carves a genuinely tunnel-shaped slot canyon - smooth, curving walls that give the route its name - filled with sculpted pools, small waterfalls, and a quiet that is hard to find elsewhere in the park. A permit is required, and demand for it far exceeds the number available.

This page covers the bottom-up route from the Left Fork trailhead, a 9-mile round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It is rated strenuous - not because of any single obstacle, but because of the combined demands of distance, stream crossings, scrambling, and route-finding over a full day out.

Because of the permit system and the effort required to reach it, The Subway rewards hikers who plan well ahead and come prepared for a genuine backcountry outing, not a casual add-on to a Zion Canyon day.

Route Options: Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down

There are two ways into The Subway, and they are not interchangeable in difficulty. The bottom-up route, covered on this page, starts at the Left Fork trailhead and follows the creek upstream - it involves route-finding, wading, and scrambling over slick rock, but no ropes or rappelling. It is the option most hikers mean when they talk about doing The Subway as a day hike.

The top-down route enters the canyon from above and requires canyoneering skills and specialized gear to descend through technical sections before reaching the part of the canyon most people picture. It is a materially different undertaking from the bottom-up hike and should only be attempted by hikers with canyoneering experience and the right equipment.

The Permit System

A permit is required to hike The Subway, whether bottom-up or top-down, and it is one of the most competitive permits in the park - demand far exceeds availability. The process and application windows change, so check directly with the NPS for the current system rather than relying on secondhand information before you plan a trip around this hike.

What to Bring

• Water and a full day's food - with a typical time in the range of 7 to 9 hours, this is a serious commitment, not a short outing.
• Sturdy, grippy footwear you don't mind getting wet - the route involves stream crossings and wading through pools; sandals are not adequate for the scrambling involved.
• A map or offline navigation - the bottom-up route involves genuine route-finding along the creek corridor.
• A dry bag for essentials - phone, permit confirmation, and any electronics are worth protecting given the amount of water along the route.

Best Time to Go

Spring and fall generally bring the most manageable water levels and temperatures for a long day in and out of the creek. Summer brings monsoon season to Zion, and flash-flood risk in a slot canyon like this one is a serious concern during storm season - always check the forecast before you go. Winter can bring cold water and icy approach conditions at this elevation, which adds real risk to the stream crossings.

Safety

This is a strenuous, technical-adjacent hike through a slot canyon, and it deserves to be treated with real respect regardless of how many photos of it you've seen online.

• Flash floods - the single biggest hazard here; check the current flash-flood forecast before you enter the canyon and turn back at any sign of rising or discolored water.
• Route-finding - the bottom-up route is not always obvious; a map, GPS, or offline navigation helps avoid wasted time and energy.
• Slick rock and wading - wet sandstone and stream crossings make for slippery footing throughout; move deliberately, especially on scrambles.
• Full-day distance - 9 miles with scrambling and route-finding takes real energy; start early enough to be out well before dark.