Is Angels Landing permit only?

Hikers must have a permit when accessing any portion of Angels Landing. Visitors are able to hike the West Rim Trail from the trailhead at the Grotto to Scout Lookout without a permit. Permits to hike are issued by lottery in two ways: seasonally (1-3 months prior) and day-before (1 day prior).



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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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While fairly strenuous, Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes for anyone spending one day in Zion National Park. The trailhead is accessible by both car and shuttle, so it's easy enough to get there.

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Zion National Park Day Hikes If you want to visit Zion National Park and do some of the popular non-technical day hikes, you'll only need a permit if you want to hike Angels Landing. All other trails do not require permits.

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The Narrows: Bottom-Up Hike from Temple of Sinawava This is a unique and popular hiking route in Zion National Park, where approximately 60% of the journey is spent wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the river. Unlike the Top Down hike, this route does not require a permit and is a good alternative.

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Angels Landing is known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States. The summit is over a thousand feet off the valley floor and has no guard rails. People have hurt themselves, and even fallen to their deaths, so this is a trail to take seriously.

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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.

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Can I drive my private vehicle into Zion Canyon? A. From March through late November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the Shuttle System is not in operation.

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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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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.

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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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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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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.

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Although the hike to Angels Landing in Zion National Park is only five miles up and back, most hikers take four hours to make the round-trip. After all, you are climbing 1,488 feet in elevation, up steep switchbacks. The last half mile is along an exposed ridge where accidents or carelessness can prove fatal.

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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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Angels Landing has been recorded as one of the most dangerous public hikes in the United States. The top of the trail peaks off at a plateau, which is more than 1,000 feet high. But the most dangerous part of the hike involves a skinny land-bridge with a metal chain for guidance.

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To me, the scariest part about Angels Landing isn't the 1000 foot drop-offs on either side of the trail, but the fact that you have to share the trail with hundreds of other hikers. Otherwise, the trail is pretty well-protected along the way, and there are chains along the hike to help keep you stable.

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America's deadliest hike is Mount Ranier in Washington State. It has claimed over 400 deaths.

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Zion National Park is piloting a permit program to hike Angels Landing starting April 1, 2022. The program provides a fair process that will improve visitor experience and protect park resources along Angels Landing. Permits will be required at all times of the year and times of day.

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The Canyon Overlook Trail is an incredible alternative to the Angels Landing hike if you want to avoid the congestion and intense difficulty of Angels Landing! Views of lower Zion Canyon at the end of Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park.

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Best Hikes to Avoid The Crowds in Zion National Park
  • The Watchman Trail (kid-friendly) - panoramic views you don't have to share.
  • Pa'Rus Trail (kid & dog-friendly) - for sunset lovers & landscape photographers.
  • Canyon Overlook Trail (kid-friendly) - Angels Landing views without the congestion and chains.


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