Of course, the more famous trails in the park are what many visitors are after. Angels Landing is still accessible in October, and permits may be less competitive. Autumn is also a great season to bike through Zion Canyon.
People Also Ask
Angels Landing Trail is open year-round. The best hiking is in the Spring and Fall. There is no shade of the trail so a summer hike can be really hot.
October is a wonderful time to spend outdoors enjoying Zion National Park. Daytime temperatures will likely drop into the pleasant zone, and you'll be there for the start of fall foliage season depending on the elevation.
Angels Landing is best hiked in the early morning or late afternoon. It is highly recommended to catch the first Zion Canyon Shuttle into the canyon. This trail is a hugely popular hike as hundreds of people hike this trail every day during the summer in Zion. Most hikers will start this hike between 8 am and 3 pm.
Everyone who wants to hike from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing along the half-mile section of trail with chains needs to have a permit. This applies to hikers at all times of day and all times of year. Get a permit by applying to a Seasonal Lottery or by applying for our Day-before Lottery.
Angels Landing Hike OverviewBest season: Early spring to middle autumn. Hiking permit required beginning April 1, 2022. Hazards: Cliff exposure; can be slippery and dangerous when wet. The Angels Landing hike is not recommended for young children.
And from March to November, Zion's Scenic Drive is only accessible via shuttle. If you visit the park during off season, when the shuttle isn't running, you may enter in your private vehicle. Biking Zion's Scenic Drive is always allowed.
Water flow permitting, the Narrows is open all year round. If you chose to hike the Narrows when it's cold (late fall, winter, or early spring), it's important to have the right gear to prevent hypothermia and other ill effects due to cold.
Angels Landing is also accessible in November but with increased caution. There is the possibility for ice and snow, however slight, that can make this hike go from “not for those afraid of heights” to “trying to climb a slippery wall of ice.” Always put safety above reaching the top.
With moderate elevation gain and a relatively limited mileage, the Angels Landing hike is in some ways beginner friendly. However, the Chains Section will be too intimidating for most beginners or anyone who struggles with vertigo or a fear of heights.
The National Park Service considers ascending the 4,800 feet and traveling the minimum 14.5 miles to Half Dome's summit, “one of the most challenging day hikes in any national park.” Measured by vertical ascent, hiking Half Dome is roughly three times as challenging as hiking Angels Landing, and even includes a 7-mile ...
So how many people have died on Angels Landing? As of 2023, at least 17 confirmed deaths have happened on the Angels Landing hike, and some sources put that figure closer to 20 deaths. Most of these were falls from steep cliffs.
Absolutely! While Angels Landing is a popular and iconic hike at Zion National Park, there are still plenty of other amazing sights to see in the park. We rarely hike Angels Landing when we visit, and yet we visit every year.
As with most national parks, Zion's busiest season is when the kids are off school and most people take their vacations. That means weekends much of the year and the most crowded time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Despite the hot temperatures — and 100-degree days are common — summer draws the biggest crowds.
While Spring and Summer provide good hiking conditions, Fall is by far the best time of year for hiking in Zion National Park. The park shuttle is still running, but less frequently, so start your day early to hit the best trails in Zion! Don't miss these awesome hikes in the Fall when crowds are fewer: The Narrows.
Most of the accidents have not occurred on the final 1.1-mile chain section from Scout Lookout to the top of Angels Landing as most of the accidents happened on both sides with people getting too close to the edge.
The truth is that Angels Landing is one of the most dangerous hikes in the country. People do fall off the edge of this very, very tall chunk of rock — there are no guardrails, after all.