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Can you hike Angels Landing without a permit early in the morning?

Everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit.



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Angels Landing is open all year, but in winter the trail is more likely to be covered in snow, ice, or rain, which spells danger on the slickrock ridge. The best time to go is March to October. Keep in mind that temperatures on summer afternoons get up into the 90s, sometimes topping 100 degrees.

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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.

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Angels Landing is a must-do in Zion National Park. Yet, permits are difficult to get, with only 43% of lottery applicants being successful in 2022.

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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.

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I now exclusively hike Angels Landing for sunrise because it's the only way to enjoy the trail without hoards of people. However, both before and after the implementation of the permit, the way down from Angels Landing has always been very crowded. Today, it's mostly people who do not have permits.

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Where to go. The Angels Landing trailhead begins at the area known as the Grotto. If you're riding the shuttle, get off at the Grotto shuttle stop. If you're driving yourself into the park during the shuttle's offseason, drive into the canyon and park when you reach the Grotto picnic area.

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You don't need any specialty gear in order to hike the Angels Landing Trail. However, there are a few things I would recommend bringing along: Hiking Shoes. You'll definitely want really good grip while hiking the Angels Landing Trail, so if possible, I recommend hiking shoes with traction over regular sneakers.

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Understand That the Trail Isn't for Beginners The aptly named Riverside Walk is another paved trail, and offers an easy stroll along the Virgin River, under hanging gardens and with stunning views of the red rock cliffs rising far above the canyon. But the trail to Angels Landing is far from a beginner-friendly hike.

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To hike Angels Landing, you have to: Be in good shape, as the hike is 5 miles (round-trip) and ascends many steep switchbacks over 1,500 feet. Tolerate heights, as the last (and most famous) section of the hike goes across a narrow stretch of rock with cliffs on both sides called the Hog's Back.

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While the hike to Angels Landing is challenging based only on elevation gain, what makes it dangerous is the final ascent to the summit. The last half-mile of the trail is a ridge only a few feet across with steep drop-offs on either side.

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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.

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The out and back hike is rated strenuous and has an elevation gain of 453 m (1,488 ft). Round trip, the Angels Landing hike is 8.7 km (5.4 mi) and takes about 4 hours to complete. There are two distinct parts to the Angels Landing hike- before and after Scout Lookout.

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Hiking Angels Landing without a permit is a violation of 36 CFR 1.6 (engaging in a permitted activity without a permit) and is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. Angels Landing permits are: Only available through online lotteries on Recreation.gov.

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A ranger may check your permit at the Grotto (Shuttle Stop 6), at Scout Lookout or along the trail. If you do not have your permit with you, we may not allow you to take your hike.

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ST. GEORGE, Utah — A permit is now required to hike Angels Landing at Zion National Park. Some of the first people to hike it Friday with the new system in place said it was less crowded and felt safer.

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