How To Hike Angels Landing In Zion National Park
Nestled in the heart of Zion National Park, Angels Landing is one of the most iconic—and adrenaline-pumping—hikes in the United States. This 5.4-mile round-trip trail takes you through dramatic switchbacks, sheer drop-offs, and a narrow ridge with chains to help guide your climb. The reward? Breathtaking panoramic views of Zion Canyon that make every step worth it. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just seeking a challenge with epic scenery, Angels Landing is a true bucket-list adventure.
It used to be that anyone could hike up Angel’s Landing, a steep and narrow ridge that leads you up to “a place only angel’s could land”, per Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher in 1916. These days, you need a permit which you obtain via a lottery system. You can enter the lottery for a permit on the Recreation.gov website.
So, you got your permit, what now?
Getting There
If you’re flying into Utah, you could fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) and drive just under 5 hours to the park, or you could fly into St. George (SGU) and only drive an hour. If you’re driving from another state, well, Google Maps.
Where To Stay
Springdale, Utah
Springdale is located just outside of the park’s entrance. Here you’ll find camping, glamping, vacation home, and several hotel options. Note that staying in Springdale will cost more than the other towns further down the highway.
Virgin, Utah
Virgin is just down the road from Springdale, and here you’ll also find clamping, RV resorts, and hotels.
La Verkin, Utah
La Verkin is 30 minutes from Zion National Park and is where we stayed. It’s more of a “real” town than Springdale, and larger than Virgin. It’s also home to the Red Fort, which is home to some incredible Indian food that I feel like you wouldn’t really expect to find in this part of the country. We stayed at the Holiday Inn which was in a great location, modern, and clean.
Hurricane, Utah
Hurricane is 35 minutes to Zion National Park, so staying here vs La Verkin probably won’t make much of a difference. Babylon Arch Trailhead is nearby, among other outdoor points-of-interest, for some nice hiking outside of the park.
St. George, Utah
If you’re flying into the area, St. George is your landing zone. St. George is furthest out from the park, at an hour’s drive. It’s also the fifth largest city in Utah, so if you’re looking for alllll the amenities during your visit, this is the place to stay.
Park Entry and Parking
Enjoying Zion National Park does require a fee. A standard pass (day pass for 1 vehicle) is $35.00, a Zion-specific annual pass is $70.00, and for those walking or biking into the park it is $20.00. If you’ll be visiting multiple national parks in a 12-month period, it is worthwhile to purchase the America The Beautiful Pass for $80.00, in which you show the ranger your pass and ID upon entry.
Zion National Park has a shuttle system that brings visitors to various stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, as private vehicles cannot drive along this road from November to March. The shuttle system is free to use, and no tickets are needed- it is hop on hop off. There is limited parking at the Visitors Center within the park, so there is paid parking right outside of the park in Springdale, from which you can catch a shuttle into the park with.
*Private vehicles are permitted on the following roads within the park: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, the Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive.
The Grotto & West Rim Trail
Starting at the Visitors Center, you’ll take the shuttle bus to Stop 6, The Grotto. Here, you’ll cross the street to access the West Rim Trail which will take you up to Scout Lookout which is at the base of Angels Landing. The hike up the West Rim Trail is full of switchbacks, aptly named Walters Wiggles after the park’s first superintendent.
Scout Lookout is the end point for many, as there is a Ranger check-in in order to pass further along to Angels Landing. One of the emails you receive from recreation.gov will be your ‘ticket’, and the designated trip leader will need to provide a valid ID that matches the trip leader name on the reservation.
Angels Landing
Once you clear the ranger check-in, it’s time to go up! In my opinion, the best view of Angels Landing while on the hike is after you go up your first incline, and before you traverse over to the '“main” ridge to the summit of the hike.
On the West Rim Trail looking towards Angels Landing
Angels Landing
Hiking Angels Landing isn’t “hard” per se, it’s just kind of sketchy because it has some steep pitches on a narrow ridge. But, with the handrails in place, it can be a breeze. It is a bit of a one-lane hike, so there are times where you will need to wait for people to make their way across, up, or down, before it’s your turn. This is a reason that I think that lottery system was a good implementation for this hike- personally, it’s not something you would want to experience super crowded.
On your permit, you’ll receive a window that you need to check in at the ranger station by. But once you’re past that, you can take as much time as you need. There’s no rush, and it’s nice to spend some time at the summit (particularly if it’s a nice day out) to enjoy the views.
West Rim Trail
While you’re up there, you might as well continue on to the West Rim Trail too. Or, will you return another time to do the West Rim Trail and do Walter’s Wiggles again? 😛
The West Rim Trail is long, like 15 miles long, and you don’t have to do all of it. But if you hike a bit of it, you’ll get a really great view of Angels Landing.
Gear
It’s important to be prepared for this hike. Wear layers, have supportive hiking shoes, and be able to carry food and water.
Osprey | Tempest Velocity 20L, Tempest Velocity 30L
Rayban | Hexagonal sunglasses
Platypus | Platy Plus Bottle (I love these because they’re not heavy like a Hydroflask)