NPS Photo BackgroundAngels Landing is one of the most popular destinations in Zion National Park. Many who go there want to experience untamed adventure and get a classic photograph. Its now famous name descends from Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher who, on his first visit to Zion Canyon in 1916 allegedly quipped only an angel could land there. The hike is strenuous, and your safety is your responsibility. We have some tips to help reduce the risks you take and ensure you have an enjoyable hike. Angels Landing Pilot Permit ProgramEveryone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit. The pilot permit program reflects lessons learned when we metered the number of hikers on the trail in 2019 and 2021 and by distributing tickets to use the park shuttle system in response to COVID-19 in 2020. 
Image credit: NPS Navigating near Angels LandingRangers may ask to see permits at any point along the trail at any time of day or night. The start time for your hike is at the Grotto. If you have a permit, do not forget to print or download your permit confirmation email before you start the hike. You may need to show this and identification to a ranger on the trail. If you need a larger version of this map, you can download it from the Angels Landing photo album. This page has all the information you need to apply for a permit and plan your hike. If you have other questions about the scope of the program or how we researched it, read more about what you need to know. Getting and managing your permitYou can apply for a permit in advance. You can pick seven ranked days and times or windows of days and times you want to hike.
When to applyYou can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike. This lottery opens every day at 12:01 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (MT). How to time your applicationApply on the day before you want to hike between 12:01 a.m. and 3 p.m. MT. Learning the lottery outcomeWhen permits are awarded, after 4 p.m. the day you apply: If you are selected in the day-before lottery, recreation.gov will send you two emails. One will be your permit reservation confirmation, and the other will be a receipt for the $3 per-person permit fee. If you are not selected, you will be notified, and can consider applying again for a future lottery. After you get your permitYou will get an email from recreation.gov confirming that you got a permit. This confirmation email serves as your permit. Print or download a copy of the confirmation email and bring it with you on your hike. Mobile phone service is unreliable at the permit checkpoint so be sure to print or download before you arrive. Cancellation PolicyDay-before LotteryYou cannot change your permit. All fees are non-refundable. Seasonal LotteryIf you get a permit using the seasonal lottery, you can cancel the permit until two days before the permit reservation date for a full refund of the $3 per person fee. The $6 application fee is not refundable. Canceled seasonal lottery permits will automatically roll into the day-before lottery. Change PolicyDay-before LotteryYou cannot change your permit. All fees are non-refundable. Seasonal LotteryYou can reduce the group size on your permit until two days before the permit reservation date. If you reduce the number of people on your permit, you will get a refund for the $3 per person fee for each person you take off of the permit. The $6 application fee is not refundable. Example: If you have a permit to hike on a Friday, June 24, you can cancel it or reduce the number of people on it until 11:59 p.m. MT on the Wednesday, June 22. If you reduce the number of people on your permit or cancel it, recreation.gov will refund the $3 per person fee for each person who is removed or canceled. You cannot:
Permits are not transferable.
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Learn how to apply for a permit on recreation.gov to hike at Angels Landing in Zion National Park. 
NPS Photo After you get a permitPrepare for your hike! Along this 5.4 mile round-trip hike, you will gain 1,488 feet in elevation. Most hikers take around 4 hours to complete the hike, but some take longer. Check the seasonal shuttle schedule before you leave to make sure you do not miss the last shuttle. Before your hike Plan ahead and prepare to climb Angels Landing!
You need to print or download the confirmation email from recreation.gov that says you got a permit (this serves as your permit) before you get to the trailhead. A ranger may check your permit at the Grotto (Shuttle Stop 6), at Scout Lookout or along the trail. If you do not have your permit with you, we may not allow you to take your hike.
Bring broken-in boots with good ankle support and good traction. Some of the most common injuries Angels Landing hikers suffer are blisters and ankle injuries; good footwear is the best way to prevent these problems.
Even if you have a permit, it may not be advisable for you to hike if the weather is bad when you are in Zion.
It is dangerous to be at Angels Landing during rain or thunder storms. Check the weather forecast before your hike, and try to plan to avoid bad weather. Thunder storms can happen any time, but they happen more often in the afternoon. If you are on the trail and see storm clouds coming, stop. Do not keep climbing. If possible, leave the area and begin your descent. Use caution at all times if you are on the part of the trail with chains.
For most of the year, you can only get to the start of the trail by riding a shuttle bus. The park shuttle route begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Park your vehicle at the visitor center or in Springdale and use the shuttles to enter Zion Canyon. Most hikers start from Shuttle Stop 6, the Grotto.
During the few weeks in the winter and spring when the shuttle is not running, you will drive yourself to the trailhead. Please park on the pavement. If parking is full, you will need to park farther away and walk back to the trail. At the trailhead Most hikers choose to start from Shuttle Stop 6, the Grotto. The time printed on your permit is when you need to be at the Grotto. Leave time to get to the Grotto before the start time printed on your permit.
A ranger may check your permit at any time.
One of the easiest ways to ensure a safe, enjoyable hike is to be sure to have plenty of water. Weather conditions and personal preference affect the amount of water you need, but we suggest every person in Zion drink 1 gallon (4 liters) per day. Angels Landing usually takes at least a half day to hike.
You can fill your water bottles at the Grotto shuttle stop, but you will not find drinkable water anywhere else on the trail. Please fill your water bottles at the start of the hike.
We suggest that you go to the bathroom before you start the hike. You can use a flush toilets at the Visitor Center before you get on the park shuttle or at the Grotto shuttle stop.
If you have to go after you are on the trail, you need to put solid human waste and toilet paper in a plastic bag and carry it back with you. Bring a bag and toilet paper with you in case you need it later. If you leave human waste on the trail, we may give you a citation, and you may have to pay a fine.
It is important to leave this place the way you found it. This way, future generations will be able to enjoy the park unimpaired. Never leave anything behind and try to be considerate of others. Specifically:
On the trailThe hike along the West Rim Trail to Angels Landing is strenuous. Your safety on the trail is your responsibility, and we want to share some tips so that you reduce the risks and have an enjoyable hike.
One of the easiest ways to ensure a safe, enjoyable hike is to be sure to have plenty of water. Weather conditions and personal preference affect the amount of water you need, but we suggest every person in Zion drink 1 gallon (4 liters) per day. Angels Landing usually takes at least a half day to hike.
You do not need a permit to go to Scout Lookout. You do need a permit to go past Scout Lookout on to the part of the trail with Chains.
Even if you have a permit, it may not be advisable for you to hike if the weather is bad when you are in Zion.
Rockfall hazards occur throughout the park and are especially high near any cliff face. If you witness a rockfall, quickly move away from the cliff. You need to have a permit to hike the Angels Landing chains. The most famous--or infamous--part of the hike is the ascent up the chains. The single metal chain offers hikers something to hold during the last half mile of trail along a knife-edge ridge. Since 1930, the majority of deadly accidents have taken place on this section of trail. Do not leave the path. It is easy to get hurt if you are irresponsible.
Keep wildlife wild: respect them from a distance. Squirrels, ravens, chipmunks, and other animals live along the trail; never feed them or allow them to get your food. Do not leave your pack unattended (e.g., at the base of the chains or while you take a nap). Pack it in, pack it outThere are no trash cans on the trail. While hiking in Zion, be sure to pack out all trash. Don't Roll RocksIn Zion, you will commonly be above other people and wildlife. Do not throw anything over the edge of the trail. Angels Landing is a nesting area for many birds and rock climbers are often below. A falling rock could injure or kill. Logistics and other informationEmergenciesEven if you plan well and bring the right equipment, you might still have problems. If you need help, try to call 911. If you have cell and/or data service, a call will connect you with the Zion Dispatch Office. More Information
If you do not receive a permitYou can hike about 2.25 mi (3.62 km) from the Grotto (Shuttle Stop #6) to Scout Lookout on the West Rim Trail without a permit. Hiking to Scout Lookout is strenuous and requires you to climb 1000 ft (305 m). Hikers at Scout Lookout get scenic views of Zion Canyon. The half mile route with chains to Angels Landing starts at Scout Lookout. You need a permit to go from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. There are many other trails in Zion Canyon. Learn more about hiking in Zion. Angels Landing Pilot Program News
Two Years of Angels Landing PermitsZion National Park is marking two years of success reducing crowding and congestion on Angels Landing. 
One Year of Angels Landing PermitsZion looks back on a successful year of issuing permits for hikers to visit Angels Landing. 
Learn about the free shuttle service in Zion Canyon and the neighboring town of Springdale.
Maps, shuttle schedules, hiking, and camping information. Check here for materials translated into languages other than English.
An album with materials you can print to share QR codes, tips, and updates with people planning trips to Zion
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Last updated: July 21, 2026