Joe's Guide to Zion National Park Right Fork of North Creek


Canyon Elixir North Creek, Zion National Park, Utah Copyright © 2012

THE LEFT FORK OF NORTH CREEK: Overview of Various Routes The Left Fork of North Creek (aka "the Great West Canyon") is one of the most beautiful and most popular canyons in the backcountry of Zion.The most famous section of this canyon is known as "The Subway" -- an amazing half-mile stretch that resembles a tubular tunnel complete with tracks going down the middle.


Joe's Guide to Zion National Park Right Fork of North Creek

A Zion wilderness permit is required for all hikes through the Left Fork/Subway ("bottom up" and "top down"). This canyon has gained epic popularity and the National Park Service has an advanced lottery and last-minute lottery system in place to allocate permits to 80 people a day.


Joe's Guide to Zion National Park The Subway (TopDown) Route

The Subway, also known as the Left Fork of North Creek is one of Zion National Park's most popular and iconic hikes, and for good reason. It is one of the most beautiful and diverse slot canyons in Utah. The permit for the Subway in Zion is very hard to get. So when we got invited by Anh, we immediately jumped at the chance.


Joe's Guide to Zion National Park Right Fork of North Creek Day Hike

Located south of the famous Left Fork of North Creek (aka "the Subway"), the Right Fork is an even more remote and rugged canyon wash that makes for a long and strenuous day hike. Challenges include wilderness route finding, multiple stream crossings, bushwhacking, boulder hopping, and a few tricky scrambling obstacles near the end of the route.


Cascade on Left Fork of North Creek, Zion National Park • James Kaiser

Right Fork of North Creek (from the Top) - Canyoneering USA The Right Fork traverses Zion backcountry to access a delightful canyon with a few raps and swims. For many people, finding the correct route is the crux. Follow the route carefully. If you do not read and understand topographic maps, pick a different adventure.


Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway) photo (Zion National Park

Get Directions to Trailhead From St George, head north on I-15 for about 18 miles and take exit 27 to Toquerville. Turn right on UT-17 and follow it for 6 miles. Turn left onto UT-9 and follow it for approximately 6.3 miles. Turn left onto Kolob Terrace Rd and follow it 7.4 miles. Turn right into the parking lot for Left Fork Trailhead.


Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway) photo (Zion National Park

The Left Fork of North Creek is one of many small rivers that cut into the high plateaus in the backcountry of Zion National Park, forming deep canyons that are often wide and V-shaped lower down, but become quite narrow upstream, with sheer cliffs of Navajo sandstone that rise to heights of 1,500 feet.


A Trail Less Traveled Right Fork of North Creek in Zion National Park

Location: Zion National Park - Kolob Terrace - Left Fork of North Creek Distance: ~ 8 miles out and back Difficulty: M oderate - strenuous boulder-hopping, stream wading and walking on slippery/uneven surfaces. Permit: permit required for all Left Fork/Subway hikes. Zion Wilderness Permits for Left Fork Subway. Date Hiked: November 5, 2023.


Joe's Guide to Zion National Park Right Fork of North Creek Day Hike

Left Fork (Subway) Canyoneering Route. Hard • 4.7 (522) Zion National Park. Photos (2,947) Directions. Print/PDF map. Length 7.8 miElevation gain 626 ftRoute type Point to point. Proceed cautiously on this 7.8-mile point--point trail near Springdale, Utah. Generally considered a highly challenging route, it should only be attempted by.


Left Fork of North Creek, Zion National Park, Utah, USA Zion national

Wilderness Transportation Permit holders must arrange their own transportation to the Wildcat and/or Left Fork Trailhead to complete their route. Group Size Limits The maximum group size for The Left Fork (Subway) is 12 people. The maximum group size for Das Boot and Russell Gulch is 6 people.


Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway) Overview of Hiking Options (Joe's

The Subway. Hard • 4.8 (2818) Zion National Park. Photos (3,592) Directions. Print/PDF map. Length 7.0 miElevation gain 1,305 ftRoute type Out & back. Proceed cautiously on this 7.0-mile out-and-back trail near Virgin, Utah. Generally considered a highly challenging route, it should only be attempted by experienced adventurers.


Left Fork of North Creek Zion National Park, Utah. Photos by Ron

Zion National Park. Canyoneering. The famous "Subway" penetrates the spectacular canyon of the Left Fork of North Creek. Everyone interested in canyoneering eventually does the "Subway". If you have considered technical canyoneering, but have not yet taken the plunge this is a great first adventure with a semi-technical route.


The Left Fork of North Creek in Zion NP 🍂 Photo by Most

The Subway, also known as the Left Fork of North Creek, is one of Zion National Park's most popular and most technical slot canyons. It should not be attempted by those who are not experienced in canyoneering, route finding and desert travel unless with a guide. Named for its tube like walls, The Subway is a spectacular and diverse.


Joe's Guide to Zion National Park Right Fork of North Creek Day Hike

The Kolob Canyons district of Zion National Park is located at Exit 40 on Interstate 15, 40 miles north of Zion Canyon and 17 miles south of Cedar City. A five-mile scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road allows visitors to view the crimson canyons and gain access to various trails and scenic viewpoints.


Zion National Park Fine Art Landscape Images Dave Koch Photography

Left Fork Trailhead is 21.5 miles from Zion's main visitor center in Springdale. It will take you between 30-35 minutes to drive from Springdale to The Subway trailhead. From Springdale, head South and West on UT-9, before taking a right turn onto Kolob Terrace Road when you reach Zion Wildflower Resort near Virgin.


Zion National Park, Left Fork of North Creek, at the Subway Wall Art

Explore Zion Left Fork North Creek (Subway) Seasonal Lottery in Zion National Park, Utah with Recreation.gov. This page provides opportunities to obtain a reservation for the Left Fork of North Creek (Subway).