Water CanyonHiking Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.20 mi
Trail Traffic
Light
Route Type
Out and Back
Highlights
Accessibility
Suitability
Recommended Use
Hiking
Directions
Head south to the town of Hildale. As you reach the town, take the third road off of Highway 389, named Utah Avenue, on your left. This road will eventually bend north to your right and turn into Canyon Street. Continue up Canyon Street as it turns to dirt. Then, make a right on Water Canyon Road, which is also dirt. From here you can continue on up this road until it deadends next to a pond on your left. This is your trailhead. There are restroom facilities here at the trailhead.
Description
Known by some as the little brother to the Subway, this hike offers incredible views and scenery that will leave you feeling like you’re inside of Zion National Park rather than just in its backyard. To say it equals or even resembles the Subway is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is incredible in its own right.
The hike starts as a sandy trail along the creek going up a wide canyon. As you progress up the trail, you will be climbing gradually higher and the canyon walls will quickly start to narrow in on you and tower above you. As you get closer to the end of the canyon, you can look up to the right and see a sandstone arch formed on the top edge of the canyon cliff.
At the end of the canyon, you will be welcomed by cool, shady trees and a beautiful little waterfall. The canyon walls in this section have a rounded shape to them in some spots and resemble the shape of the Subway, which is where the comparisons come from. This shady spot is the perfect place to have a snack or lunch before heading back down the canyon to your vehicle.
Pictures
