The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

The Subway in Zion National Park is one of the most recognizable and sought-after permits in all of Utah's canyoneering world. The top-down technical descent is the preferred route — requiring a lottery permit from the Zion visitor center well in advance. Starting from the Wildcat Canyon trailhead, the approach delivers sweeping Zion canyon views before the descent into the Left Fork of North Creek.

The namesake Subway section is a basalt-lined, water-sculpted tube of pure magic — a short but extraordinary piece of geology that justifies the entire journey. Cold swims and small waterfalls lead to the tube. The bottom-up non-technical hike gives you the Subway experience without ropes but misses the technical upper canyon. For the full experience, go top-down. Bring a wetsuit, 3mm minimum. One of the best days in Zion National Park.