LotteryDay UseVery High Demand

Angels Landing Permit

Required permit for the chain-assisted climb to Angels Landing—Zion's most famous and dramatic summit.

“Ascend a knife-edge sandstone ridge with 1,000-foot drops on both sides to reach one of America's most exhilarating summits.”

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Demand

Extremely High

9/10

Method

Lottery

Season

Year-round

Cost

Daily Quota

400 permits

Lottery Opens

Seasonal: 1st of each month

Angels Landing Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodLottery

Demand LevelExtremely High9/10

SeasonYear-round

Cost$6

Daily Quota400 permits

Key Information

Key Dates

Lottery OpensSeasonal: 1st of each month

Lottery ClosesSeasonal: 15th of each month

SeasonYear-round

Permit Details

TypeDay Use

Booking MethodLottery

Demand Level9/10

LocationUT

Pro Tips

•Apply to both lotteries every month
•Winter has much better odds
•Scout Lookout doesn't require permit
•Start at first shuttle
•Avoid if storms or ice

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance

5.4 miles

Elevation Gain

1,488 ft

Route Type

Out & Back

Duration

4-5 hours

Difficulty

Strenuous

Elevation Range

4,300 - 5,790 ft

Highlights

•A 5.4-mile round-trip hike with 1,488 feet of elevation gain
•Walter's Wiggles: 21 steep, carved switchbacks
•The chains section: 0.5 miles of exposed ridge with sheer drops
•4-5 hours round trip for most hikers
•Significant crowds on the chains during peak season—expect to wait

Best Time to Visit

March-May and September-November offer ideal temperatures. Summer is hot but manageable with early starts. Winter has fewer crowds but icy conditions can close the chains section.

Hazards & Considerations

!Extreme exposure—not suitable for those with fear of heights
!Slippery when wet or icy—trail closes during winter storms
!Lightning danger—descend immediately if storms approach
!Crowding on chains can cause dangerous bottlenecks
!Heat exhaustion in summer months

How to Get This Permit

Create a Recreation.gov account

Apply during the lottery window

Submit your application between Seasonal: 1st of each month and Seasonal: 15th of each month. Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.

If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations

Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.

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Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Apply at Recreation.gov

When to Go

Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April

Conditions

Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

+Pleasant temperatures
+Fewer crowds than fall
+Wildflowers

Challenges

!Unpredictable weather
!Some areas still muddy
!Flash flood risk

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand3/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk5/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation1/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment3/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Hikers comfortable with significant exposure and heights. Must be able to maintain composure on narrow ledges with long drops.

Recommended Experience

Should have experience with exposed trails. No technical skills required, but comfort with heights is essential.

Not Recommended For

Those with fear of heights, vertigo, or difficulty with balance. Not appropriate for young children.

About This Permit

Angels Landing is a 5.4-mile round-trip hike featuring dramatic exposure and the famous chains section—a half-mile traverse along a narrow sandstone ridge with 1,000-foot drops on both sides. The trail gains nearly 1,500 feet through a series of switchbacks and carved steps before reaching the 5,790-foot summit.

Since April 2022, a permit is required to hike beyond Scout Lookout to the summit. Permits are distributed via lottery through Recreation.gov.

The Experience

Why It Matters

Angels Landing was named by Frederick Fisher in 1916, who proclaimed that 'only an angel could land' on the narrow summit. It has become Zion's signature hike and one of the most photographed destinations in the National Park system—a testament to the human desire to stand on the edge of the void.

The Route

The trail begins at The Grotto shuttle stop, crossing a bridge over the Virgin River before climbing into the canyon. The first section is a gentle warm-up through cottonwood groves.

Then comes Refrigerator Canyon—a narrow, shaded slot that provides cool relief and a preview of Zion's geology. At its end, you face Walter's Wiggles: 21 tight, steep switchbacks carved into the cliff by Zion's first superintendent in 1926.

Scout Lookout is the decision point. To the left, the permit-free West Rim Trail continues. Straight ahead, the chains section begins. The final half-mile follows a narrow ridge, chains bolted into sandstone providing the only handholds between you and oblivion. The exposure is intense, the views infinite.

The Feeling

The chains section is unlike anything else in hiking. One moment you're on solid rock, the next you're clutching a chain with your life, shuffling across a sandstone spine no wider than a sidewalk with vertical drops on both sides. Your heart pounds, your palms sweat inside your grip, but you can't stop—there's only forward or back. And then you reach the summit, and the entire Zion Canyon spreads below you like a relief map carved by gods.

Trailhead Information

The Grotto Trailhead

4,300 ft elevation

Primary

Primary access point via Shuttle Stop 6. The only authorized trailhead for Angels Landing.

Restrooms

Water Available

No Service

Parking

No private vehicle parking. Take the free Zion Canyon shuttle from the Visitor Center.

Getting There

Park at the Visitor Center parking lot or Springdale shuttle stops. Shuttles run every 7-10 minutes in peak season.

Nearest Services

Zion Lodge (1 mile by shuttle) has a restaurant and gift shop. Springdale has full services.

Rules & Regulations

•Permit required to hike beyond Scout Lookout (the chains section)
•Rangers may check permits at Scout Lookout or on the chains
•Group size limited to 6 people per permit
•No rock scrambling or off-trail travel
•Dogs prohibited on trail

Gear Checklist

Required

Sturdy hiking shoes with excellent traction
Water (at least 2 liters)
Valid permit with photo ID

Key Landmarks

↑

1,488ft

Gain

↓

1,488ft

Loss

⛰️

5,790ft

High

📏

2.7mi

Distance

📐

10.5%

Avg Grade

Click on a marker to view details•6 landmarks

Landmarks (6)

Lottery Statistics

Competitive

estimated success rate

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Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Angels Landing.

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🐻

Food Storage

Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.

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Angels Landing FAQ

How do I get a Angels Landing permit?

Angels Landing permits are obtained through a lottery system. The lottery typically opens Seasonal: 1st of each month. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit Angels Landing?

The season typically runs Year-round. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Angels Landing permit?

This permit has a demand score of 9/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a Angels Landing permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunset from the summit paints Big Bend and the Virgin River in golden light. Morning light illuminates the Great White Throne across the canyon.

Best Light

Early morning offers even light and fewer crowds for summit photography. Sunset provides dramatic shadows in the canyon.

Beat the Crowds

First shuttle of the day offers the best chance at uncrowded chains and summit. Winter months have significantly fewer people.

Classic Shots

📍Looking down the chains section from the summit
📍Zion Canyon panorama from the summit at sunset
📍Big Bend and the Virgin River from above
📍The Great White Throne at sunrise from Scout Lookout
📍Hiker silhouette on the chains with canyon backdrop

Can't Get a Angels Landing Permit?

Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.

Scout Lookout

Easier Alternative

Hike to Scout Lookout (2 miles one-way) for incredible canyon views without the chains or permit requirement.

No permit needed

Tradeoffs

Misses the summit and chains experience, but still offers the Walter's Wiggles climb and spectacular views.

Observation Point

Similar Experience

Higher viewpoint (6,521 ft) with views looking DOWN on Angels Landing. Currently accessible via East Mesa Trail (8 miles RT).

No permit needed

Tradeoffs

More elevation and distance, but no exposure and no permit required. Requires driving to the East Mesa trailhead.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Easier Alternative

A 1-mile round-trip trail near the tunnel offering canyon views without the crowds or difficulty.

No permit needed

Tradeoffs

Much shorter and easier. Good introduction to Zion's exposure but lacks the drama of Angels Landing.

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