Zion National Park’s The Subway

The Subway in Zion National Park is one of my favorite hikes. If you haven’t been to Zion National Park, I suggest you plan a trip. When planning and looking up pictures, my guess is you’ll see some pictures of the amazing slot canyon called “The Subway.” The ironic part of this is that though extremely picturesque and well-known, a quick trip to Zion National Park won’t let you view this spectacular canyon, though you will see plenty of other amazing views. You can’t or shouldn’t show up and try to hike The Subway. “Why,” you ask? Though the Subway is a very popular hike, it takes some prep work. Here are some tips to help your trip be a success. In future posts I will give my advice on tips for a quick trip to Zion National Park.

Tips for hiking The Subway

1. You need a permit. For summer months this needs to be done 3 months in advance and then it is a lottery so again don’t just show up and plan on hiking the Subway. There are last-minute lottery drawings but no guarantees unless you put in for a permit early. The permit information can be accessed on the Zion National Park website https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/thesubway.htm. Remember that you also need to pick up the permit in the park the day prior to your scheduled hike. Again, planning is key!
2. Plan on a day-pack that can get wet. You will be swimming in several parts of this hike. You will want all of your food, snacks, clothing, and camera in water proof bags as well.
3. There are two rappels so plan accordingly with knowledge, harness, ropes and other essential equipment. Depending on your skill levels, these obstacles may be very easy to medium in difficulty.
4. Your feet will be wet for about half of the hike, so plan. You can definitely purchase or rent neoprene socks to help prevent blisters but I found good old tight-fitting running socks to do the trick. I also wore a pair of running shoes which were perfect and caused no blisters or rubbing. Some like water shoes or hiking shoes so practice before to see what works best for you.
5. Know the trail. At first there is a very well-defined trail but then it disappears onto rock and you need to know where to go. Get specific instructions from the national park so you make sure to drop down into the canyon correctly. I definitely suggest taking someone who has been before!
6. Plan on the hike taking the majority of one day. The hike is about 10 miles but a lot of it is slow going due to obstacles, water and rocky terrain. Access to the trail head is on the Kolob Terrace Road. The trail can be accessed top down or bottom up and back. Depending on what you choose you may need to plan on a drop off or a pick up vehicle as you start and end in different locations. To view the canyon to the fullest, I recommend the top down option.
7. Most important! Watch the weather which is available on the Zion National Park website as well as ask at the visitor station when picking up the permit. The hike is in a slot canyon and flash floods are a very real possibility. You can’t be too careful!

If so much is required to plan for this hike, why would you go? Well, it is amazing! The views are spectacular. The experience is indescribable. Nowhere else will you experience such glorious views, impressive slot canyons, adventurous obstacles with rappels and swimming (by the way it is cold water-take your breath away cold), beautiful water falls, and inspiring desert vistas all in one hike. Just remember, it’s your world, get out and enjoy it!