How to Get an Angels Landing Permit
Planning ahead? See the 2026 Angels Landing lottery dates →
Forget the horror stories about permit lotteries - 47% of applicants won in 2024, and August entries succeeded 87% of the time. Here's how the two lotteries work and how to stack the odds even further in your favor.
Check Availability47%
2024 Lottery Odds
400/day
Permits Issued
$6
Permit Cost
Year-round
Season
5.4 mi
Round Trip
This Lottery Is Actually Winnable
Compare Angels Landing to Half Dome (~15% odds) or the Enchantments Core Zone (~2%), and 47% starts to look like great news. NPS's own two-year report on the pilot permit program found success rates as high as 87% in August. Winter weekdays are close to a sure thing; the only permits that go fast are holiday weekends and peak-summer Saturdays.
Two Ways to Get a Permit
Seasonal Lottery
Plan ahead • Monthly
Opens the 1st of each month, closes the 15th
Covers hike dates roughly two months out
47% success rate overall in 2024, 87% in August
Day-Before Lottery
Last-minute option • Daily
Runs every day, 12:01 am - 3:00 pm Mountain Time
Enter it fresh every day of your trip
August ran about 64% - still strong odds
Get Angels Landing Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
4 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Target Late Summer
August has been the strongest month in both lotteries - 87% seasonal, 64% day-before. Build your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
Avoid Holidays and Weekends
Success ranges from about 10% on peak holiday days to near 100% on quiet weekdays. A Tuesday in a shoulder month is close to guaranteed.
Enter Both Lotteries
Missed the seasonal lottery, or it's less than two months out? The day-before lottery is a completely independent shot at the same trail.
Retry Every Day of Your Trip
The day-before lottery runs daily. A 4-night Zion trip means four separate chances - your odds compound fast.
Didn't Win? You Still Have Options
Day-Before Lottery
Apply again every day of your trip - it's a fresh shot each time.
Cancellation Alerts
PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and alerts you instantly.
Hike to Scout Lookout
No permit needed. About 90% of the elevation gain, just can't summit.
Pro Tips for Summit Day
Catch the first shuttle
Arriving early avoids the worst chain-section crowding and the midday heat on exposed rock.
Bring gloves
The steel chains get hot in summer and rough on bare hands - grippy work gloves help a lot.
Skip it in storms or ice
Wet or icy sandstone on the chain section is genuinely dangerous. Check conditions before you go.
Have your permit ready
Rangers check permits at Scout Lookout - keep it accessible on your phone or printed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning the Angels Landing lottery?
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Angels Landing is the friendliest big-name lottery in the park system - about 47% of applicants won a permit in 2024. August has been the strongest month, with seasonal-lottery entries succeeding at 87% and the day-before lottery running around 64%. Odds are worst on holiday weekends and best on quiet weekdays.
How do I apply for the Angels Landing lottery?
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There are two lotteries. The seasonal lottery opens on the 1st of each month and closes on the 15th, covering hike dates about two months out. The day-before lottery runs every day from 12:01 am to 3:00 pm Mountain Time for next-day permits - you can enter it every day of your trip if you miss the seasonal lottery.
Do you need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
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Yes. Since 2022, a permit is required for the final chain section above Scout Lookout. You can hike to Scout Lookout - about 90% of the elevation gain - without any permit. Only the last 0.5 miles along the chains require one, and rangers check permits at Scout Lookout.
What happens if I don't win the Angels Landing lottery?
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Apply again in the day-before lottery, which runs daily and gives you a fresh shot for each day of your trip. You can also hike to Scout Lookout without a permit, or use PermitSnag to get instant alerts if a permit becomes available through a cancellation.
How hard is the Angels Landing hike?
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Strenuous but short - 5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 feet of elevation gain, typically taking 4-5 hours. The final half-mile along steel chains has severe drop-offs on both sides. It's not technical climbing, but exposure and crowding make it feel harder than the mileage suggests.
Don't Miss Your Angels Landing Permit
Even with 47% odds, plans change and permits get cancelled. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
