Lottery9/10
Angels Landing
Required permit for the chain-assisted climb to Angels Landing—Zion's most famou...
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LotteryCanyoneeringHigh Demand
The Subway Permit
Technical canyoneering through a tube-shaped slot canyon—one of Zion's most spectacular and photogenic routes.
“Descend through a natural subway tunnel carved in stone—where the canyon walls curve overhead like a sculpture gallery.”
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The Subway Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelHigh8/10
Cost$5
Daily Quota80 permits
Max Group Size12 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeCanyoneering
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level8/10
LocationUT
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
9.5 miles
Elevation Gain
2,000 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
6-10 hours
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
5,000 - 6,600 ft
Highlights
- •Top-down: 9.5-mile point-to-point technical route with multiple rappels and cold-water swims
- •Bottom-up: 8-mile round-trip strenuous hike with river wading and boulder scrambling
- •Both routes involve extensive time in water—wetsuits recommended except in hot weather
- •The iconic Subway formation with curving walls and emerald pools
- •Remote canyon with no escape routes once committed
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June-September) offers the warmest water temperatures but also highest flash flood risk. Spring and fall are ideal with moderate temperatures. Winter is possible but requires full wetsuits.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Flash floods—do not enter if rain is in the forecast anywhere in the watershed
- !Cold water—hypothermia risk exists year-round
- !Technical skills required for top-down route—inexperienced canyoneers have died here
- !No escape routes once in the technical section
- !Slippery rock and deep pools create fall hazards
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
3
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April
Conditions
Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Pleasant temperatures
- +Fewer crowds than fall
- +Wildflowers
Challenges
- !Unpredictable weather
- !Some areas still muddy
- !Flash flood risk
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill4/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Top-down: Experienced canyoneers with rappelling skills. Bottom-up: Strong hikers comfortable with river travel and scrambling.
Recommended Experience
Top-down requires canyoneering experience and rope skills. Bottom-up requires hiking experience and comfort with river wading.
Not Recommended For
Top-down route is not for beginners. Both routes unsuitable for those uncomfortable in water.
About This Permit
The Subway is a famous slot canyon in the Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park, named for its tubular shape where the walls curve inward at both floor and ceiling. There are two ways to experience it: a technical top-down canyoneering route (9.5 miles) requiring rappelling skills, or a non-technical bottom-up hike (8 miles round-trip) that visits the formation without requiring technical skills.
Both routes require a Wilderness Permit obtained through the lottery system. Commercial guiding is prohibited—all groups must be self-reliant.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Subway is one of Zion's most iconic features—a tubular slot canyon where the walls curve inward at both the floor and ceiling, creating a tunnel-like space. It has appeared in countless photographs and represents the pinnacle of sandstone erosion art. The top-down route is considered one of the finest introductory canyoneering routes in the Southwest.
The Route
From Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, the top-down route descends Russell Gulch through slickrock terrain before dropping into the Left Fork of North Creek. The first rappels are short—30 feet at most—but commit you to the canyon.
The route follows the narrowing drainage, wading through pools that grow progressively deeper. Keyhole Falls requires either a rappel or a jump into deep water. Then the canyon walls begin to curve overhead, and you enter the Subway proper—the famous tubular section where the rock forms an almost complete tunnel.
The emerald pools here are jaw-dropping, and the North Pole—a massive log wedged vertically in the slot—marks the heart of the formation. Below, the Cascades offer one last obstacle before the canyon opens and you hike out to the Left Fork Trailhead.
The Feeling
The first rappel commits you to the canyon. As you descend, the walls close in and the light changes—filtered, ethereal, green with reflected water. Then the canyon opens into the Subway itself: a tube of rock where walls curve over your head and the emerald pools at your feet reflect a cathedral of stone. You're standing in a space that seems designed by an artist, not carved by water.
Trailhead Information
Wildcat Canyon Trailhead (Top-Down Start)
6,600 ft elevationStarting point for the technical top-down canyoneering route.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Small dirt pullout on Kolob Terrace Road. Limited spaces.
Getting There
From Virgin, drive north on Kolob Terrace Road approximately 15 miles. Road may be closed in winter.
Nearest Services
Virgin (15 miles) has a small store. Full services in Springdale (25 miles).
Left Fork Trailhead (Bottom-Up Start / Top-Down Exit)
5,000 ft elevationPrimary trailhead for the non-technical bottom-up route or exit point for top-down route.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Larger parking area with vault toilet. Requires shuttle or two-car setup for top-down route.
Getting There
From Virgin, drive north on Kolob Terrace Road approximately 8 miles.
Nearest Services
Virgin (8 miles) or Springdale (20 miles).
Rules & Regulations
- •Wilderness permit required year-round for all trips (top-down or bottom-up)
- •Maximum 80 people per day (combined both routes)
- •Group size limited to 12 people
- •Commercial guiding prohibited—groups must be self-reliant
- •Human waste must be packed out (WAG bags required)
- •No pets permitted
Gear Checklist
Required
- Technical canyoneering gear for top-down route (60-foot rope, harness, rappel device, helmet)
- Dry bags for electronics and spare clothes
- Sturdy footwear with good traction (canyon shoes or approach shoes)
- Water and food for full day
- Headlamp for emergency
Recommended
- Wetsuit or drysuit (water is cold year-round)
- Neoprene socks or booties
- Webbing and rapid links for anchor replacement (top-down)
- Waterproof camera or housing
- Spare dry clothes in dry bag
Key Landmarks
↑
2,000ft
Gain↓
2,000ft
Loss⛰️
6,600ft
High📏
9.5mi
Distance📐
0.6%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•8 landmarks
Landmarks (8)
Lottery Statistics
Competitive
estimated success rate
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Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
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🐻
Food Storage
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The Subway FAQ
How do I get a The Subway permit?
The Subway permits are obtained through a lottery system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit The Subway?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the The Subway permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a The Subway permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
The Subway's tubular section is sheltered from direct sunlight. Midday offers the best light penetration into the slot.
Best Light
Late morning to early afternoon provides the best light in the Subway section itself. Emerald pools photograph best with soft, reflected light.
Beat the Crowds
With only 80 permits per day split between top-down and bottom-up routes, the canyon is never crowded. Start early for the best light and fewest people.
Classic Shots
- 📍The curving Subway walls with emerald pool reflections
- 📍The North Pole log wedged in the slot
- 📍Looking up at the tubular ceiling of the Subway
- 📍The Cascades waterfall section
- 📍Rappelling into the canyon (top-down route)
Can't Get a The Subway Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
The Subway Bottom-Up (Non-Technical)
Easier AlternativeAn 8-mile round-trip route that visits the Subway formation without technical canyoneering. Same permit lottery but no rappelling required.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Same spectacular destination without the technical skills. Still strenuous with river wading and boulder scrambling.
Orderville Canyon
Similar ExperienceA beautiful slot canyon that enters The Narrows, requiring wading but no technical skills.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Easier permit access and no canyoneering experience required. Narrower and more intimate than The Subway.
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