5 miles one way

1 day

 $30 per vehicle + 

5$ per person for the lottery

GPS tracks to download

GPS trail to download

To have the luck to hike the trek to the Subway, you must register 3 months in advance, to a draw (on the website of Zion NP) as the entrance is limited to 80 people per days.

The hike is 10 miles round trip. The descent is quite easy even if you have to find your way between the rocks. The beginning of the trail is flat for about 0,6 mile. Then it goes down very steep. Once at the bottom of the canyon, it is up the river alternating between the trail and walking in water. It is 2:30 to get to the Subway. The return is more difficult and tiring, especially the ascent of the canyon which has a high elevation gain (about 426 feet over a 

distance of 0,37 mile). Do not miss the way back up to the parking lot. It is indicated by two 

signs : a footprint on one (see picture on left) and "Left Fork Trailhead" on the other. If you go too far, you will see yellow banner across the river, you will have to turn around.

Tip : start hiking early in the morning to enjoy cooler temperature. Do not hesitate to walk in the water as soon as possible to save time. 

Photo tips : to have a good light in the tunnel, you have to be there before the sun illuminates the walls and bottom of the canyon. For example, during our trip in June 2012, we had to be there between 7:30 and 8:00 am to have enough time to settle cameras. From 9:15 am,  too much light enters the canyon. By cons, for the pools we still can  take pictures until about 10:30 am. Things are a little different in September. In general, the light is better, no matter the time of day. However, the best time to take pictures is from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. A tripod is mandatory for long exposure and the use of neutral density filters is recommended.                                                

Access : from the city of Virgin, take Kolob Terrace Road to the parking "Left Fork Trailhead". 

1 mile one way

3 hours

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

What a refreshing walk in the heat of Zion : The Narrows. Acces is via the Riverside Walk, paved path of 2 miles roundtrip, along the Virgin River. This walk is very easy and accessible to all. The rest is in the water of the Narrows, a narrow canyon with dizzying walls, as far as you want (returned by the same way).

Shuttle stop : Temple of Sinawava. 

Tip : the stones are quite slippery, it is best to have a stick, but don't buy one because there are plenty at the beginning of the walk, let by previous hikers. Also provide neoprene booties to protect feet from cold. Before you start, remember to ask about the water level which can vary according the season. In 2010, we had some water to the buttocks.

2,7 miles one way

Half a day

$30 per vehicle

Walk classified as "strenuous" on the brochure of the park. And it's justified ! The walk itself is not very long (6 miles roundtrip), but the denivelation is important : 1500 feet. For those who have vertigo or those who fear getting hurt, it is better to stop at Scout Lookout which already offers a breathtaking view of the canyon. The part from Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing is on a narrow rocky path with a vacuum on one side and a chain to hold on the other side. We chose to stop at Scout Lookout to avoid any risk of injury at the beginning of travel. Especially since we had to go down to the Subway the day after.

Shuttle stop : The Grotto

Depending on wish

Depending on wish

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

Between the East entrance of the park and the tunnel, several parking permit access to viewpoints. From these parkings, you can venture into much less crowded areas than the rest of the park. These ballads are however not marked and do not appear on the map of the park. We particularly recommend these walks because the scenery is beautiful and very different of the "free shuttles" accessible part of the park.

2,1 miles one way - 1h15

3 hours

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

This is a wilderness hike not listed in Zion's guide. A hiking GPS is a useful aid because no path is traced and this place is very little frequented. Yet we see very beautiful landscapes. From the car park on Route 9, you must first go under the bridge and follow the wash. The walk is then in the sand and stones but it is not very long. At the N37°13'25.2" W112°53'49.7" GPS, turn left and climb the mountainside. It climbs quite steep. Then you have to continue south, sometimes steep, sometimes quiet, up to GPS N37°12'41.0" W112°53'51.5". You will then face Separation Peak, Nippletop Peak and Lonely Peak.

Access : The starting point of this hike is on Route 9 between the Mount Carmel Tunnel and the East Exit of Zion. Park on the roadside parking (GPS: N37°13'27.9" W112°53'36.1").

4 miles to Observation Point one way - 2h00

4 to 5 hours

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

The start of this long hike begins from the shuttle stop at Weeping Rock. It climbs all the time. The path passes through some of the narrows of Echo Canyon. Once arrived at the rim, it becomes flat to the final viewpoint. And here you have an impressive view of Zion including Angel's Landing. The climb to Observation Point is 4 miles with a vertical drop of 2150 feet.

On the descent, you can combine with Hidden Canyon. It rises a little more then it's quite fun with passages with chains because close to the void, steps, passages on tree trunks or under branches... There are some narrow passages but nothing more, then you arrive at an arch that is almost glued to the wall : Hidden Arch. A few meters away, a sign indicates the end of the trail. After it's a bit of climbing on big rocks.

The combined of these 2 hikes is about 9,3 miles round trip.

Shuttle stop : Weeping Rock 

0,5 mile one way

1 hour

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

Short hike of 1 mile round trip that leads to a nice viewpoint over Zion canyon. This hike is very busy.

Access : this is probably the most difficult part of this hike : find a place to park the car. You have to park at the car park at the eastern exit of the tunnel on route 9 that crosses the park.

2,5 miles one way

1 to 2 hours

$30 per vehicle

To join the Visitor Center the hike, of about 2,5 miles is fun because it's on the border of the Virgin River and it's very easy.

Shuttle stop : Canyon Junction. 

1,5 miles one way

1 to 2 hours

$30 per vehicle

This hike is about 3 miles long. Quite fun, because under the trees, so it's pretty cool ! Pools can be out of water during summer. Viewpoints of the canyon are superb. 

Shuttle stop : Zion Lodge. 

0,8 mile one way

1 hour

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

This short hike which leads to a few hoodoos is 1,6 miles round trip. 

Access : on the Kolob Terrace Road, park on the Hop Valley Trail parking lot. Then on foot, follow the Connector Trail East until you reach the road. Continue along the road for about 400 feet (parking available on a small parking lot at this level) and turn left on the trail that goes down. The suite is done on slickrock taking the direction of hoodoos.

2 miles one way

2 hours

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

Easy and pleasant hike under the pines, which leads to a beautiful view of peaks: Northgate Peak East and West and North Guardian Angel Peak. The round trip is 4 miles. This walk in the Kolob Terrace is much less crowded than the Zion Canyon.

Access : on the Kolob Terrace Road, park at the Wildcat Trailhead car park. Follow this trail for 0,9 mile and then turn right on the Northgate Peaks Trail for 1,1 mile.

0,2 mile one way

15 to 30 minutes

$30 per vehicle

This short walk is only 0.4 mile but is steep. It allows to see an alcove in the rocks.

Shuttle stop : Weeping Rock. 

3,1 miles one way

3 hours

$30 per vehicle

Access to Kolob Canyons is via a second entrance to Zion NP. This part of the park is much less touristy than the part accessible from Springdale. You can see Double Arch Alcove (Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail 6 miles roundtrip) and pretty viewpoints of the Kolob Canyons Road.

Access : exit 40 on Interstate 15.

5,3 miles one way - 2h00

4 to 5 hours

$30 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

The beginning of the hike is under the pines and it is relatively flat with some parts of sand, some small climbs. Once out of the undergrowth, there is no more shade. The path passes through bushes and has no interest. You arrive at a first viewpoint, then continuing along the bank about 0,3 mile, you go to a second viewpoint. The view is superb.

Access : after leaving Zion from the East on Highway 9, turn left (North) on North Fork Road for 5.2 miles and turn left onto Pine Angle Road/Twin Knolls Road for 0,7 mile. Then turn left on Pine Angle Road for 160 feet then right on Buck Road for 0.6 mile. Turn left on Beaver Road for 233 feet and right on West Pine Street for 0.5 mile. Park on the parking lot or on the roadside before the wash.

No hike

15 minutes

$30 per vehicle

It's just a viewpoint quiet spectacular and huge. Very different from the Zion we know beacause here the green is the main color.

Access : on Kolob Terrace Road, turn right on Lava Point Road to the parking.

• Kanarra Creek
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes
• Red Cliffs

We have tested :

• Springdale - Terrace Brook Lodge : classic hotel located right before the entrance of Zion NP, so quite expansive.
• Hurricane - Super 8 : hotel in the standard of Super 8, with pool and breakfast room. This is our base when we go to Subway.
• Zion NP - South Campground : campground inside Zion, along the river and shaded. But it does not have a shower (you have to go to Springdale).

• Springdale - Zion Park Motel : decent hotel with pool and picnic table. Very welcoming. $100 a night for a room of 4 people in 2013. 
• Zion NP - Lava Point Campground : campground inside Zion on the Kolob Terrace Road, very nice and quiet. Primitive campground that includes only dry toilets, no water. The pitches are equipped with tables and pit fire. It's free but beware there are only 6 pitches that operate on a "first come-first served" basis.

• Springdale - Zion Canyon Campground & RV Resort : very nice campground along the Virgin River but quite expansive (50$ the tent site in may 2018).