How to Hike Angels Landing: Everything You Need to Know
Is hiking the infamous Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park on your bucket list? You’ll need a special permit to do it, but there are several rules and regulations to know about obtaining a permit so you can cross this hike off your bucket list. Keep reading for all the details of the newly implemented Angels Landing permit lottery system for this famous and dangerous hike in Utah’s most famous national park.
Planning to hike Angel’s Landing is so exciting, and if you score a permit, you’ll want all the details to prepare for this rewarding challenge. While you read, you may find affiliate links I’ve included to products I support and use. There is no additional cost to you, but I’ll earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. I’m so grateful for support from readers like you!
Angels Landing: America’s Most Dangerous Hike
Often touted as one of America’s most dangerous hikes, Angels Landing is a 4.5-mile hike located in southwest Utah in Zion National Park. This world-famous hike was cut into solid rock in 1926 and has been welcoming fearless hikers ever since. If you’re interested in learning how to hike Angels Landing, you’re among this fearless group and if you can secure a permit, you’re in for a treat!
Like other travel destinations around the world, Angels Landing has gained popularity in recent years, thanks to social media. Now there are thousands more people every year attempting this thrilling hike. The trail rises from the valley floor up a number of switchbacks before reaching a beautiful overlook called Scouts Lookout.
From here, the trail continues up a section of chains along a series of narrow ledges with sheer dropoffs on both sides for about .5 miles. Once at the top, Angels Landing offers spectacular 360-degree views down into the valley and around Zion Canyon.
Getting to Angels Landing
Angels Landing is located in Zion National Park in southwest Utah. The little town of Springdale is the gateway to the park, and you’ll find many places to stay, eat and explore right on the edge of the park. If you need more information on getting to the park, where to stay and other activities, check out my full guide to visiting Zion National Park right here.
How to Hike Angels Landing: The Angels Landing Permit Lottery System
Since 2004, 14 people have fallen to their death along the chain section of Angels Landing. The recent uptick in popularity has created even more dangerous conditions along this popular hike. With chain on one side and a cliff on the other, there is often very little room (if any at all) for people to pass without letting go of the chains or standing dangerously close to the edge of steep and slippery rock.
These kinds of conditions are exactly what caused me to cut my last hike to Angels Landing in 2021 short, and you can see why permits are required to hike Angels Landing.
In 2022, a new pilot program began on April 1st. The pilot program will test if reservations help to reduce overcrowding and keep the trail safer for visitors. The first year of the program is the most important and will be monitored to see if future changes are required. The permit system also allows for easier maintenance and trash removal by NPS staff and will reduce reactive closures due to unexpected trail or chain damage.
Can You Go to Angels Landing Without a Permit?
Permits are required starting April 1, 2022, and throughout the entire year for anyone attempting Angels Landing. There will be no off-season unpermitted hiking allowed at Angels Landing going forward. You can still get up to Scout’s Lookout without a permit by hiking the West Rim Trail. This is probably one of the best hikes in the park if you are up for the extra mileage.
How to Get an Angels Landing Permit
Permits are issued seasonally via a lottery system, just like many other popular hikes in other national parks across the country. These lottery systems are open 1-3 months prior and one day before as well. Permits will be issued in three time slots where you can begin your climb from the Grotto. The available timeslots are:
- Before 9 am
- 9 am-12 pm
- After 12 pm
Applications are taken on recreation.gov and can be made for up to six people. There is a $6 non-refundable application fee. When making your application, you can select up to seven dates and add one person as an alternate permit holder.
Keep in mind, permits are non-transferable. This means you won’t be able to find a permit on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or similar for last-minute permits. If you see permits for sale. on these websites, it’s a scam and that ticket will not work for you to hike Angels Landing.
Important Dates for the Angels Landing Permit Lottery
Add these dates to your calendar and set a reminder for yourself so you don’t miss the application deadlines!
- January 1-20: For spring visitors (April through the end of May), applications for the lottery will need to be made in January
- April 1-20: Summer travelers will want to apply between April 1-20th to select lottery dates
- July 1-20: If you are planning on a fall visit, you will need to apply for the lottery between July 1-20th
- October 1-20: Winter hikers can male their applications between October 1-20th
If you’re planning a last-minute trip or happen to miss the lottery application window, there are several permits held for hikers that are available to book the day before via recreation.gov. These are highly competitive and your odds of securing a permit this way are much lower, but it’s worth a shot. The applications open at 12:01 am and end at 3:00 pm. Applicants are notified by email by 4:00 pm if they are successful.
Try to apply as early as possible for these permits the day prior, and have a backup plan if you cannot get one.
How to Get a Permit for Angels Landing
There are some people that may be disappointed or angry that the park service has implemented a permit system for this hike. However, if you get to hike Angels Landing now or in the future, you will likely quickly change your mind.
The first lucky winners of the permit lottery to hike this trail have raved about how safe they felt. They also mention how amazing it was to be at Angels Landing and along the chain system with almost no other hikers.
When I did this hike in 2021, I turned around just one chain section from the top because of the crowds. The thought of having to let go of the chains so that dozens of people could pass me as I made my way down the cliff was enough for me to not continue.
I’m glad a permit system is being tried out, even if it does make planning a little bit more difficult. Overtourism is a huge problem not just for Angels Landing, but for our safety as well. If you are planning to apply to hike Angels Landing, please leave a comment below!
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