Zion National Park · hiking · hard
Angels Landing
- Distance
- 8.70 km
- Elevation
- 488 m
- Duration
- 5.0 h
- Season
- Mar–Nov (permit req.)
Jake here. Angels Landing is the trail people picture when they picture Zion: a sandstone fin shoved up into the canyon, with a chained scramble along the spine to a viewpoint that drops off on both sides. It's also the trail that finally got a permit lottery in 2022, and that change matters more than any gear note I can give you.
The trail
You start on the canyon floor at the Grotto shuttle stop, cross the Virgin River, and walk a flat sandy approach under cottonwoods before the West Rim Trail starts climbing. The grade is steady and exposed — sun-baked pavement, little shade — until you hit Refrigerator Canyon, a cool slot that gives you maybe ten minutes of relief before Walter's Wiggles, a tight stack of 21 paved switchbacks that pull you up to Scout Lookout.
Scout Lookout is the decision point. Most people without a permit turn around here, and honestly the view is already strong. With a permit, you continue onto the spine: a 800-meter scramble up sandstone with chains bolted into the rock, sustained drop-offs on both sides, and traffic moving in both directions on a route that's frequently only one body wide. Total it's about 8.70 km out-and-back with 488 m of gain, and the NPS time of around 5 hours is realistic once you factor in queueing on the chains.
When to go
Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are the windows where the temperature on that exposed sandstone won't cook you. Summer afternoons regularly push past 38°C on the upper sections, and the rock holds heat. Worse, summer is monsoon season — afternoon thunderstorms are not optional on this route. Wet sandstone plus chains plus a thousand-foot drop is how people get killed. Turn around if storms are building.
Winter is quieter on the permit side but introduces ice and snow on the chained section; the park sometimes closes the upper route entirely. Check current conditions at the visitor center the morning of.
What to know before you go
- Permits: Required for everything above Scout Lookout. Two lotteries: a seasonal one (apply months ahead) and a day-before lottery. Apply on recreation.gov. Rangers check at the base of the chains.
- Shuttle: Most of the year you can't drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Park at the visitor center and take the shuttle to the Grotto (stop 6). Lines start before sunrise in peak season.
- Water: No reliable water on route. Bring more than you think — 3 liters per person is a sane minimum in shoulder season, more in summer.
- Exposure: The chained section is genuine Class 3 scrambling with fatal fall potential. If you're uneasy with heights, Scout Lookout is a legitimate finish, not a consolation.
- Crowds: Even with the lottery, expect to wait at chain pinch-points where uphill and downhill traffic has to negotiate.
What to bring
Sticky-soled trail runners or approach shoes — the sandstone is grippy when dry, and stiff hiking boots are overkill and clumsy on the chains. Gloves help on the chains in cold weather but aren't necessary otherwise. Sun shirt, brimmed hat, and real sunscreen; the upper canyon throws reflected light at you all day. A small pack with water, salty snacks, and a windbreaker for the summit, where it's noticeably cooler. Leave the trekking poles in the car or strap them down before the chains — you need both hands.
Variations
- Scout Lookout only (no permit): Roughly two-thirds of the distance and gain, none of the exposure. Still a real workout, and the view down into the canyon is excellent.
- West Rim Trail extension: From Scout Lookout, the West Rim Trail keeps climbing toward Lava Point. You can do it as a longer day hike or as a one-way overnight with a backcountry permit and a shuttle from Lava Point down — a much quieter way to see this corner of Zion.
- Observation Point (from Stave Spring/East Mesa): If you want the look-down-on-Angels-Landing view without the chains, this approach from the east side is longer in driving but shorter and far less exposed on foot.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
- You need a permit for anything above Scout Lookout — that's the chained spine section. Apply through recreation.gov via either the seasonal lottery (months ahead) or the day-before lottery, and rangers check permits at the base of the chains.
- Is Scout Lookout worth doing without a permit?
- Yes. You get about two-thirds of the distance and gain, Walter's Wiggles, Refrigerator Canyon, and a strong canyon view from the rim. We treat it as a legitimate hike, not a consolation prize, especially if heights aren't your thing.
- How long does Angels Landing actually take?
- The NPS estimate of around 5 hours for the full out-and-back is realistic once you factor in queueing at chain pinch-points where uphill and downhill traffic have to swap. Plan longer in peak season; faster only if you start at first shuttle and the chains are quiet.
- When is the best time of year to hike it?
- March–May and October–November are the sweet spots — the exposed sandstone isn't cooking and you're outside monsoon season. Summer afternoons push past 38°C on the upper sections and bring thunderstorms; winter can ice up the chains and the upper route is sometimes closed.
- Is Angels Landing too dangerous if I'm uneasy with heights?
- The chained section is sustained Class 3 scrambling with drop-offs on both sides and fatal fall potential — if exposure bothers you, you'll know within the first few minutes and it doesn't ease up. Turn around at Scout Lookout without guilt; that's what most non-permit hikers do anyway.
- What shoes should I wear on the chains?
- Sticky-soled trail runners or approach shoes. Dry Navajo sandstone is grippy, and stiff hiking boots feel clumsy when you're using your hands on the chains. Skip the trekking poles past Scout Lookout or stow them — you need both hands free.
- Is there a way to see Angels Landing from above without doing the chains?
- Yes — Observation Point via the East Mesa Trailhead (Stave Spring) approaches from the east rim and looks down on Angels Landing. It's a longer drive to the trailhead but a shorter, far less exposed hike, and no permit lottery.
