How to Hike Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park

Angels Landing in Zion is the most popular and recognized trail in the national park. Many visitors from all over the world are drawn to hike Angels Landing for the thrill of climbing across a narrow ridge to the summit. You will have to use chains to make your way along and to maintain your balance.

We have completed tons of hikes across the United States, and the Angels Landing hike is at the top of our list. If you have a hiking bucket list, put Angels Landing Zion on it. This is truly a hike for adventure seekers!

But before you head out on to hike Angels Landing, read more about what to expect on the trail, and the best tips to have an unforgettable experience.

Our Other Resources for Zion National Park:

• Best Hikes in Zion National Park
• Zion National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days
• Guide to Hiking the Narrows
• Zion to Bryce Canyon: 4 Day Utah National Park Itinerary

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Angels Landing Trail Statistics

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Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: 5.4 miles (round trip)
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Elevation Change: 1,488 feet
Shuttle Stop: #6 – The Grotto
Permit: Yes
When to Hike: The best time is spring and fall

Angels Landing Hike Permit

As of April 1, 2022, you will need to obtain a hiking permit for Angels Landing UT. This is a pilot program which is in response to the concerns of the overcrowding and congestion on the popular Zion hike. 

To get a permit to hike to Angels Landing, you will need to enter the lottery system. There is a seasonal lottery system and a day before you hike lottery. 

It will cost $6 to get into the lottery system. If you happen to be one of the lucky winners of Angels Landing Zion National Park permit, you will then have to pay $3 per person. 

To apply for a permit, sign in to your recreation.gov account. 

To find out more about how the lottery works, head to the Zion National Park website. 

Guide to Hiking Angels Landing Trail

Start by getting up early and arrive in the parking lot 30 minutes before the first shuttle of the day departs. The Zion Canyon Shuttle hours vary depending on the season. Check the website for up-to date information

If you arrive closer the first departure time of the shuttle, it is most likely that the shuttle line will already be filled with enough visitors to fill the first shuttle bus. 

We visited Zion National Park in July 2019 and did not have an issue getting on the first shuttle each day. However, every year Zion visitation numbers increase. The key is to line up early and wait for the first shuttle of the day. 

Getting to Angels Landing Trailhead

After getting on the shuttle, take it to stop #6 – The Grotto. 

The trailhead to Zion Angel Landing is across Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and over a footbridge to cross the Virgin River on the West Rim trail. 

West Rim Trail

Now that you are on the West Rim trail, take a look up to the right, you can already see the majestic summit of Zion Angels Landing. Soon you will be standing up there. 

The beginning of the hike to Angels Landing is along the West Rim trail. This portion of the hike is the easiest since you will be walking on a wide paved path. But don’t be fooled, it is a steady uphill climb from the start.

After about 2 miles, you will reach Refrigerator Canyon. Here is the time to catch your breath and enjoy the only shaded part of the Angels Landing trail. Trust us, you will want a break by now.

Walter’s Wiggles

Next up on the Angels Landing hike is Walter’s Wiggles, 21 tightly packed switchbacks. If your legs aren’t already burning, they will be now. 

But once you have finished this exhausting section, you have made it to Scout Lookout, the final stop before the famous climb to the summit of Zion Angels Landing.

Scout Lookout

Most likely, you will find a lot of people hanging around in this area, taking another break, or admiring the scenery. 

This is also a common area for hikers to turn around when they do not feel comfortable completing the journey to the summit of Zion Angel Landing.

Don’t forget, this is a dangerous hike and there is a potential risk of getting hurt. Some people also have fallen down the steep canyon walls and died tragically. This should not stop you from taking this incredibly stunning hike. Just know your limits and be careful.

The Climb to the Summit of Zion Angels Landing

The final 0.5-mile climb of Angels Landing at Zion is what we have all been waiting for. It is what brought us to hike Angels Landing. 

The section gets narrow quickly and only allows for one-way traffic. Expect to wait in some sections, to let fellow hikers pass.

As you cross the saddle, you may be thinking that this is not as difficult as people have said. But wait.

Up next, you will reach the Hogsback. 

This is when the challenge of Angels Landing at Zion begins. Here is where the trail is most exposed with steep drop-offs on either side. It is important to use the bolted chains to safely cross this section.

Not much further and you will be at the summit of Zion Angel Landing.

When you have finally made it, don’t forget to breathe again. Take in the gorgeous views of Zion Canyon and find your perfect picture spot to prove your success.

You completed the hike to Angels Landing in Zion National Park.

At the Summit

When eating our snack at the Zion Angel Landing summit, we were surprised to see so many chipmunks trying to steal food. These chipmunks are not afraid to be close to you and get into your backpack to find your food. Watch out for them and please do not feed them.

The Hike Back

After you have taken the time to enjoy the views and get a little rest, it is time to climb back down the Angels Landing Zion National Park.

On our way down Angels Landing at Zion, there were more hikers on the trail. This caused a lot of congestion, which meant we had to wait more often to let others climb up. This is one of the major reasons why starting your hike early is important.

Once you have made it back to Scout Lookout, it is an easy, but steep downhill.

Top Tip: Want more thrilling hiking experiences in Zion National Park? Check out our Guide to Hike the Narrows in Zion National Park.

What to Pack for the Hike

Comfortable Hiking Boots/Footwear – One of the worst things when heading out for a hike is not having comfortable hiking boots/footwear. We think it is best to use over-the-ankle hiking boots because they provide you with good support.

Sun Protection – Most of the Angels Landing trail, besides a small section of Refrigerator Canyon, is in the direct sun. Don’t forget to use sunscreen, a hat, and/or sunglasses to protect yourself from the grueling sun beating down on you.

Water – Just like any hike, make sure you bring lots of water with you. Also, keep in mind that it can get quite hot in Zion National Park. The hotter it is, the more liquids your body will need.

Snacks – The hike to Angels Landing can be pretty exhausting. By the time you reach the top, you may want to have a small snack with you to refuel for your hike back.

Trekking Poles (optional) – We did not find it necessary to use hiking poles to hike Angels Landing. You will only be able to use them until Scout Lookout. After that, you will need your hands to hold onto the bolted chains as you cross Hogsback.

How Long of a Hike is Angels Landing?

The hike to Angels Landing is a 5.4-mile round trip. It is a down and back hike, so it will take you just over 2.5 miles to get to the summit. Even though Angels Landing Zion is not a long hike, don’t be fooled by the intensity. It is a grueling uphill climb, that will test your physical and mental strength.

You should expect to hike Angels Landing for anywhere 3 to 5 hours. The time it takes you to hike the trail will depend on how 3 factors:

• How fast do you hike
• If the Angels Landing trail is crowded (the earlier you start, the less crowded it will be)
• How much time you will need for breaks

It took us about 3.5 hours to complete the hike to Angels Landing. We spent a decent amount of time at the summit admiring the view and taking pictures.

What is the Best Time to Hike Angels Landing?

You can hike Angels Landing all year long. But the overall best times to experience the Angels Landing hike are in the spring and fall. These seasons bring warm temperatures, which are ideal to go hiking.

Summer can also be a good time to go on a hike in Zion. However, it is important to keep in mind that it can be extremely hot, especially during the middle of the day. Start your hike early to avoid the hot temperature.

The hike to Angels Landing in the winter can present challenges due to snow and ice on the trail and is not recommended.

Top Tips For Angels Landing in Zion National Park

1. Go early!

Zion is a very popular national park, which gets packed early. To get a parking spot and to avoid the crowds on the trails, it is best to arrive early and be on the first shuttle of the day.

We arrived at 7:00 AM in August, and there was already a long line waiting for the shuttle. By the time we made it to the front of the line, we were on the 3rd shuttle into Zion Canyon. The majority of the people on the shuttle will be heading to hike Angels Landing or the Narrows.

Top Tip: Didn’t find parking in Zion National Park? Park your car in Springdale and use the FREE Springdale shuttle service to get to the park. The shuttle can pick you up at 9 stops outside the park in town and will drop you off at the pedestrian/bike entrance to Zion.

2. Hike more of the West Rim Trail

For the majority of the Angels Landing hike, you will find yourself on the West Rim Trail. Once you have reached Scout Lookout, you can continue on the West Rim Trail. Look out for the sign to point you in the right direction. You can take this trail as far as you want, but a great stop and turnaround point would be Cabin Springs. This viewpoint offers incredible canyon views.

If you have some energy left after hiking to the summit of Zion Angels Landing, you can even take the time to hike more of the West Rim Trail.

3. Don’t miscalculate the hike Angels Landing difficulty and know your limits

Reaching the summit of Angels Landing Zion requires you to walk across an extremely narrow ridge with steep drop-offs. Deaths have occurred on this hike!

If you have a fear of heights, the last section of the trail may not be for you. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot hike Angels Landing in Zion. Many hikers will hike up to Scout Lookout, check out what the next 0.5 mile looks like, and decide if they want to continue onto the summit. Even when you stop at Scout Lookout, you can get a remarkable view of Angels Landing and the valley.

4. Not recommended for younger children

Due to the narrow ridge, steep drop-offs, and the use of bolted chains to get to the summit of Angels Landing UT, we would not recommend doing the last section with younger children. This is a dangerous hike!

In our opinion, a child hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park needs to have a good amount of hiking experience. We saw many groups with younger children stop at Scout Lookout, while the rest of their group continued to the summit.

5. Look for wildlife

Are you interested in wildlife? Then watch out for the endangered California Condor. Since their population was down to 22 individuals in 1982, a breeding program was started to protect this species from extinction. When you are lucky, you will be able to spot one of the 70 California Condors soaring around Scout Lookout. If the bird should approach you, keep your distance, and don’t offer food.

Final Thoughts on the Hike to Angels Landing in Zion National Park

We could not wait to finally visit Zion National Park on our 9-week road trip through the United States to hike the famous Angels Landing Utah and did not get disappointed.

The first section of the Angels Landing trail up to Scott Lookout is a very strenuous, steadily uphill hike. We found it very exhausting but forgot about all the effort as soon as we reached Scout Lookout.

The second section of the trail, the climb up the summit, is the actual highlight of the Angels Landing hike and was so much fun. It is such a unique and thrilling hike, we can recommend it to everyone who loves challenging themselves mentally and physically.

Were you brave enough to hike Angels Landing? What was your favorite part of the trail?

Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!

Our Other Resources for Zion National Park:

• 11 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
• A Guide to Hike the Narrows in Zion National Park
• Zion National Park Itinerary: Spend 1-5 Days
• Plan a Trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon: 2 Utah National Parks
• How to Save Money with the America the Beautiful Pass

Other Resources for National Parks:

• ARCHES: 8 Incredible Trails to Hike Arches National Park
• BRYCE CANYON: Best Bryce Canyon Hikes for Your Bucket List
• CANYONLANDS: The Best of Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park
• CAPITOL REEF: Explore 10 Striking Capitol Reef Hikes in the Fruita District
• ROAD TRIP: Explore Utahs National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip
• HIKING: 15 Most Helpful Hiking Apps to Download
• HIKING: What You Should be Packing for a Hike: The Essentials + Extras
• HIKING: 100+ Best Gifts for Hikers to Buy
• NATIONAL PARK: A Complete National Park List by State + Downloadable Checklist and Map
• NATIONAL PARK: 34 Best West Coast National Park + Western U.S. Parks that Will Blow Your Mind
• QUOTES: 100+ Best Hiking Quotes to Inspire Your Future Adventures

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