How many people get to hike Angels Landing?

More than 300,000 a year make the half-mile trek along a treacherous cliff. (Nikki Boliaux | The New York Times) Hikers cling to chains along the trail leading to Angels Landing in Zion National Park where the number of visitors has surged, Nov. 23, 2020.



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Zion issued nearly 200,000 permits to hikers in 2022. The Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program accommodated about 80% of the use NPS recorded in studies conducted in 2019 and 2021.

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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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But the trail to Angels Landing is far from a beginner-friendly hike. In fact, even those with some hiking experience will want to consider their abilities before attempting it. At 5.5 miles roundtrip and climbing nearly 1,500 feet in elevation, the trail is physically demanding.

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You must have a good level of physical fitness. Most of this climb comes before the narrow spine of Angels Landing. If you are very fatigued by the time you get to this point, it only makes the hike more dangerous. Once you are on the spine, it is a very strenuous, sometimes technically challenging climb to the top.

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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.

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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 ...

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Should I Hike Angels Landing With Children? In general, I think most 10 year olds are probably physically capable of doing this trail. The chains section is not significantly more strenuous than the rest of the hike, and the actual hike is fun.

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It is intimidating to look at, but you can hike up half way, just past Walter's Wiggles and enjoy a great view on a wide area. There is also a port-a-potty there. I'm a fit 53 year old and that climb alone had me huffing and puffing and my quads burning. After a sandwich, my friends and I climbed up to Angel's Landing.

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How hard is the Angels Landing hike? This hike is difficult! This hike ascends about 1,800 feet in 2.5 miles, and it's uphill that whole way. If you do this hike in the summer, add in the fact that it is very, VERY hot, which will slow you down (and can be very dangerous if you aren't accustomed to hiking in the heat).

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Again, this hike is dangerous and not a place to bring young kids. In our opinion, the youngest age we would recommend is 12 years old, and only if they have lots of hiking experience. Yes, I do know kids that have successfully hiked Angels Landing at a younger age, but they had heaps of prior experience.

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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 Hike Overview Hazards: Cliff exposure; can be slippery and dangerous when wet. The Angels Landing hike is not recommended for young children. Finding the trailhead: The trail begins at the Grotto Trailhead, 0.6 miles beyond Zion Lodge on Zion Canyon Road (accessed via the tram).

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Proceed cautiously on this 15.5-mile loop trail near Springdale, Utah. Generally considered a highly challenging route, it should only be attempted by experienced adventurers.

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Pack More Water Than You Expect to Use If there's one piece of gear that you absolutely can't hike Angels Landing Zion without, it's a water bottle—or several. As a general rule, hikers should plan to drink around one-half-liter of water for every hour of moderate hiking in moderate temperatures.

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You need a permit to hike Angels Landing Everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit. Learn why you need a permit and about Zion's Visitor Use Research and Planning. You do not need a permit for many other popular activities in Zion Canyon.

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The trail to Angels Landing is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long with an approximate 1,500 feet (460 m) elevation gain. The hike is rated as a class 3 difficulty based on the Yosemite Decimal System.

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