Last rappel in the Subway

The two most difficult permits to obtain for Zion National Park are for the Subway (Left Fork of North Creek) and Mystery Canyon. The number of requests for permits greatly exceed the number available. As a result, a lottery system has been instituted.

Most reservations for the Subway and Mystery Canyon will be awarded by lottery. There may occasionally be a few reservable spaces remaining and those slots are filled through the calendar reservation system. 20 of the 80 Subway slots and 6 of the 12 Mystery Canyon slots are not given out through the lottery system. They are available when the backcountry desk opens the day before your trip as walk-in permits.

Lottery applications for the Subway and Mystery Canyon are limited to one request per individual per month. Lottery entrants will have the opportunity to request three prioritized trip dates.

Lottery results from 2006 showed that 70% of lottery applicants were awarded a reservation from one of the three date choices they requested and lottery success rates improved when holidays and weekend dates were avoided.

The lottery fee is $5.00 and is non-refundable.

Lottery applicants will be sent an e-mail to let them know whether or not they received a reservation.

The lottery does not run from November through March due to a low demand for permits.

Subway/Mystery Canyon Lottery and Reservations