Angels Landing Hike Zion National Park Utah

The Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park in Utah was one of the best hikes we did during our trip across America.

While I loved many of the hikes we did while visiting numerous parks throughout the USA national park service, Zion National Park and hiking Angel’s Landing stands out as one of the most memorable from our USA road trip.

Unlike Canyonlands National Park and Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park was a National Park that I knew I wanted to visit before our three-month road trip across America.

I was pretty set on doing a hike called The Narrows. It’s where you basically wade through water as you go deeper and deeper into a narrow canyon. Despite the fact you get wet, it sounded pretty cool.

It turned out it was too cool. The insane amount of snow that America got that winter (which caused us to have to take many a detour) was just starting to melt. This made for a very high, fast-flowing river and even colder waters.

The Zion National Park Narrows hike was closed, quite sensibly, so we instead decided to do a hike called Angels Landing.

Zion National Park differs from a lot of America’s National Parks as you have to take a shuttle bus through the park. In other parks, this is either not available or only optional.

As we passed the stop for Angels Landing Utah, the pre-recorded tour guide informed us that “many people have died on this trail.”

So, we hiked it.

In all honesty, it is a little sketchy when you’re walking along with a piece of rock no wider than your foot while clinging onto a chain and trying to make room for people to pass in the other direction.

If you’re wondering “How dangerous is Angels Landing?” It isn’t so much the hike that I felt was dangerous, it was the number of people going up and down. Since 2022 there’s been an Angels Landing Permit procedure in place, so hopefully the trail isn’t quite as busy as it was when we hiked it back in 2017.

Despite the above, the hike is amazing and stands out as our favorite from our trip. Climbing Angels Landing will take your breath away in more ways than one.

If you’re looking for Zion hikes then be sure to check out this one! It’s truly one of the best Zion National Park day hikes you can do.

About the Angels Landing Hike Zion National Park

Angels Landing in Zion Park is one of the world’s most renowned hikes. It’s relatively short and is probably on most hikers’ bucket lists. It’s the most popular hike in Zion National Park, Utah, and, in my view, one of the best hikes in Zion.

As you hike, and from the top, you’ll get views of Zion Canyon’s 270 million-year-old rock layers. You need to be pretty fit to do the hike as it’s steep.

You also need to be good with heights and be able to put up with some steep switchbacks (21!)  known as Walter’s Wiggles.

At the end of Walter’s Wiggles, you come out to Scout Lookout. This last part is the scary, narrow part but if you’re up for some extreme hiking it’s also the most fun bit!

For the last 1.3km / 0.8 miles you’ll climb along a narrow path. Here, the Angels Landing Zion hike also features chains bolted into the rock to avoid falling.

Do not do this part if you don’t like heights.

Angels Landing hike statistics

Here are the statistics for hiking Angels Narrows via the West Rim trail.

• Where is Angels Landing? The trailhead for Angels Landing is accessed from The Grotto shuttle stop in Zion Canyon. On the shuttle bus, it’s stop #6 and you’ll need to cross the road towards the river.
• How difficult is Angels Landing?: Strenuous. The final part before Scout Lookout involves steep switchbacks and you’ll be on a pretty narrow cliff with steep drop-offs on the last past to the summit
• Angels Landing hike time: 8.7km/5.4 miles
• How long is the Angels Landing hike?: It takes around 4-5 hours to hike Angels Landing in Zion
• Angels Landing elevation change: 453 metres / 1,488 ft.
• How high is Angels Landing?: The summit is at 1,765ft / 538m

Zion National Park Angels Landing trail map

What to know about the Angels Landing, Zion hike

There are a few things you should know before hiking Angels Landing to make sure you have a safe, enjoyable hike.

• WATER: Make sure you carry plenty of water (about a gallon each). There’s a fountain near the trailhead where you can fill up your bottles but there’s nowhere else to get water on the trail.
• FUEL: Take snacks! It’s a strenuous hike so you’ll want to make sure you keep your energy levels up!
• START EARLY: Start hiking Angels Landing early as it gets very hot in Zion National Park later on in the day
• RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at the trailhead and then there’s a pit toilet at Scout Lookout.
• NO PETS: Angels Landing is not dog-friendly. Once you hike it you’ll quickly understand why. It’s busy enough as it is and crazy narrow! In fact, there are no dogs allowed on any Zion National Park trails.
• Angels Landing deaths: The National Parks Service says that since 2004, 8 people have died from falling off the cliffs on this trail. However, around 4.3 million people visit Zion National Park a year. If you’re careful there shouldn’t be any problems.

How to hike Angels Landing Trail

Here are some Angels Landing hike details for how to reach the summit of Angels Landing. Consider this your Zion National Park hiking guide for Angels Landing.

Angels Landing trail, Zion stages

Here is a breakdown of the Angels Landing trail with a bit more detail about what to expect on this incredible Zion National Park hiking trail.

The Grotto

Angels Landing starts off just across the road from the Grotto Picnic Area. This is where the shuttle will drop you off.

If you need more water or the toilet, go here as there’s not really anywhere to go once you’re started hiking.

From here, cross the bridge over the river and onto the West Rim Trail towards Angels Landing. Initially, the trail is paved and easy underfoot.

Refrigerator Canyon

After a relatively easy start, there are a few switchbacks as you arrive in Refrigerator Canyon. You’ll see why the canyon gets its name when you notice the coolness in here. Make the most of it!

Walter’s Wiggles

After the canyon, you’ll come out to Walter’s Wiggles. These Zion National Park switchbacks feature a series of 21 zig-zags which are both tight and steep.

Despite the fact it’s steep, just keep plodding along and you’ll get to the top eventually.

Scout Lookout

From Walter’s Wiggles, you’ll arrive at Scout Lookout and get your first proper view of the challenge ahead. The paved path is no longer and you’ll get a glimpse of the chains and narrow trail that are up next.

This is where some people stop if they’re not sure about continuing along the narrow part of the trail.

Honestly, I think the next part is the best part of the whole hike!

Angels Landing Spine / Angels Landing Chain Section

The last 0.5 miles of the trail follows a ridge where things are steep and great fun. This is the scariest part of Angels Landing.

It’s not so much the elevation that’ll tire you out, but the concentration and crawling (and probably nerves too!) that you’ll be doing. You’ll also find yourself having to stop a lot to let people pass in the other direction. Which is sometimes much appreciated as you can catch your breath.

There are a few areas where things get hairy (like when people are trying to squeeze past you on their way down when you go up or the other way around), so do make use of the chain.

Don’t be afraid to crawl over some of the rocks. Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing and take things at your own pace. Don’t feel pressure to speed up or continue on if you really don’t want to.

I personally loved the challenge of being on such a small path and so high up. But, having said that, I made sure not to look down until we were at the top where there was a bit more room for maneuver!

Angels Landing summit

And you’ve made it! Things open up a bit more when you reach the top and you can sit and take a breather, get those photos, and enjoy the incredible 360 views of Zion Canyon below from the top of Angels Landing!

How to get an Angel’s Landing Permit, Zion NP – Angels Lotto

If you want to hike Angel’s Landing in 2023, you’ll need a permit in advance.

There are two different ways to get a permit for Angels Landing.

Seasonal Lottery Permit for Angel’s Landing

You can apply for a permit before your trip to Angel’s Landing.

You can pick 7 days and times in the order of preference, or windows of days and times you want to do this hike.

Angel’s Landing permit costs $6 paid at application. This covers up to 6 people on your application form (including the person filling it out). The fee is non-refundable so if you don’t get a permit, you don’t get your money back.

If you get a permit you will be told by email. You will get charged $3 for each person you registered. If you cancel two days or more before the date of your permit, you’ll be refunded $3 per person.

You must log in to your recreation.gov account to get your permit.

If your seasonal Angels Landing lottery is unsuccessful you can apply for a seasonal lottery permit later in the season. You can also apply for a permit the day before your planned hike.

Angels Landing Day Before Lottery Permit

If you haven’t got a permit for Angel’s Landing hike, you can apply for one the day before your planned trip.

This is on a lottery basis and opens at 12.01 am every day, closing at 3 pm (MT). You must apply the day before you plan to hike Angel’s Landing.

If you were successful then you will be notified by email at 4 pm the day before your hike.

How much does an Angel’s Landing permit cost?

An Angel’s Landing permit costs $6 per application (which permits up to 6 people per lottery application) plus $3 per person which is automatically charged to your card if your lottery has been successful.

The $6 application fee is non-refundable.

If you applied through the seasonal lottery you can cancel your permit up to 2 days before your hike and receive a refund for the $3 hiker fee.

The day before permits are non-refundable.

When is the best time to hike Angels Landing, Utah?

The Angels Landing is good to hike for most of the year with the best times being spring and fall as it’s not too hot and there’s no snow. The same applies when it comes to the best time to hike in Zion for other hikes too.

While the Angels Landing trail is open in winter, I strongly advise against hiking this trail in winter. Snow and ice make this trail even more dangerous than it usually is.

If you are visiting Zion National Park in the summer, then bear in mind that it gets very hot in the afternoon and a lot of the trail is exposed.

Regardless of what time of year you hike Angels Landing, it’s best to start hiking early in the morning when it’s a bit cooler and usually less busy too. The same goes for any Zion trails.

The National Parks Service advises you never to hike when a thunderstorm is predicted as the peak of Angels Landing is likely to get struck by lightning.

How to get to Angels Landing Trailhead

The Angels Landing trailhead is accessed from “Stop #6 – The Grotto” shuttle stop in Zion National Park.

The shuttle system runs for most of the year. During that time the only place you can park in Zion is by the visitor center. These parking spots get full very early on in the day.

Alternatively, you can park in Springdale and get the shuttle bus into Zion and stop #6 – The Grotto, to start your Angels Landing hike.

Zion National Park Entrance Fees

The Zion National Park pass costs $35 per car, this lasts for 7 consecutive days.

If you’re entering by foot, bike, or by taking the Zion National Park shuttle bus then the entrance fee is $20 per person and under 15s are free.

If you’re visiting a few US National Parks over the course of a year then you’ll be better off buying the “America is Beautiful National Parks Pass” from REI for $80.

Get a USA National Parks Pass for just $80 and save a tonne of money if you’re planning on visiting multiple National Parks in a year, or visiting the same one more than once!

What to pack for your Angels Landing hike

Here are a few things you should pack for your Zion National Park Angels Landing hike that’ll make things more comfortable and safe.

• A day pack: You’ll definitely need a backpack for this Zion hike. When you get to the final part of the hike you’ll be relying on cables to help you stay on the trail. For that, you’ll need to be hands-free and not be holding water, a camera, or snacks. That’s what your day pack will be for!
• Water, and lots of it!: Whenever you’re hiking Angels Landing you’ll need to take plenty of water with you. You’ll want at least 2 liters per person. A hydration pack is useful to drink water on the go without having to take a water bottle out of your bag all the time but you can of course just use a standard water bottle too.
• Good hiking shoes: You’ll want something that’s made for hiking rather than fashion but it doesn’t matter whether they’re hiking boots or trail running shoes. That’s just down to preference.
• Appropriate layers: Make sure you’ve dressed appropriately according to the weather forecast but be aware it may rain unexpectedly, in which case you’ll want some lightweight waterproofs.
• Sun protection: This is especially needed in the summer but if you’re fair-skinned like me you’ll want it in autumn and spring too. My favorite (is it weird to have a favorite sun cream?!) is Sunbum and Sunbum lip balm SPF always sorts out my lips when they get dry. And don’t forget sunglasses!
• Snacks: The peak of Angels Landing makes the perfect place for a lunchtime picnic. We usually get some crisps and make up a sandwich before going on a hike like this. Some of my other favorite snacks when hiking are Cliff bars and trail mix.
• Camera: Make sure you pack a camera or at least your phone. The view up there is a good one!

FAQs about how to hike Angels Landing

Final thoughts on Angels Landing Zion National Park Utah

Now you should know everything you need to know about the Angel’s Landing hike. From how to get to the Angel’s Landing trailhead, where to park for Angel’s Landing, and an (almost) step-by-step guide of the trail, you’ll be fully prepared for this wild adventure in one of the United States’ best national parks.

If you’re traveling around the USA for a bit longer, then be sure to check out some of these travel guides such as the best hikes in Canyonlands, or these awesome hikes in Arches National Park.

Even closer to Zion is Bryce Canyon which was perhaps my favorite park. There are so many beautiful viewpoints and things to do in Bryce Canyon and I highly recommend visiting!

Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Hannah