10 Nov Should You Hike Angels Landing?

The Narrows and Angels Landing are two of the most popular attractions in Zion National Park. People often plan to hike either one or both during their visit. Between the two, people consider the hike to Angels Landing more dangerous. The last half mile has chains to provide an extra layer of safety and stability. I definitely appreciated the extra support, for it is a steep mountain 1,500 feet in the air with a drop off only one or two feet away.

The big question is…should you hike Angels Landing? Unfortunately, I cannot give you a simple yes or no answer. You have to decide what is best for you. My goal is to give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision. If you want to sit out on this but are still looking for an adventure, consider canyoneering in Kanab Canyon. 

Contents:

1) Location of Angels Landing Hike

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) Quick Facts

4) The Best Time to Visit

5) Background

6) General Description of the Hike

7) The Chain Section

8) My Hiking Experience

9) My Recommendations for You

10) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Angels Landing Hike

• Angels Landing Trailhead
• Zion National Park

Angels Landing is located within Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. Furthermore, it is located at “The Grotto” shuttle stop. It is thus in close proximity to the Kayenta Trail as well as the Grotto Trail. 

Parking

There is a small parking lot located at The Grotto. However, I would first recommend you check that the road is open to cars and not only the shuttle at the time of your visit if you plan to drive. They sometimes close the road to private vehicles. Second, I would recommend you consider taking the shuttle instead of trying to find parking there yourself. Nothing is worse than arriving at your destination and not being able to find a parking spot. Since the trail takes a couple of hours to complete, you might be waiting a while for a spot. 

If you arrive at Zion National Park early in the morning, you might be able to snag a spot at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. However, this lot often fills up by 8:00am or 9:00am. Therefore, your best bet might be to just park in the town of Springdale and take a shuttle into the park. Shuttle stops are fairly common and run on a regular schedule, so it should not be too much of a hassle. 

You will then need to get on the Zion shuttle at the visitor center, which will take you to The Grotto shuttle stop. 

Lodging

There are a few lodging options within the town of Springdale, which is about the closest you can get to staying in the park without actually staying in the park. However, we stayed in the town of St. George during our last visit, which is a bit further from the park but has many more options (and often at a cheaper price). 

Lastly, you can camp inside Zion National Park. You can find information on their three campgrounds on their NPS page. My best piece of advice? Book as early as possible because the campground spots are limited yet in high demand. 

View along the trail to Angels Landing

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

• Opening hours: 24/7 (but consider trail conditions)
• Entrance fee for Zion: $35 for private vehicle
• Angels Landing lottery fee: $6 to apply for and $3 to receive a permit

A new development for the Angels Landing Trail is the lottery system, which costs a small fee. Keep reading below to find out more information. 

Opening Hours

Zion National Park is open all day, every day! It is also open on every holiday. However, the park can close the trail to Angels Landing at any time and for any reason. For example, they will close the trail if there is any trail damage or inclement weather.

Furthermore, even if the trail is open, you should not complete the hike in inclement weather. I am sure you know this already, but the chain section is already dangerous in and of itself. Adding on heavy rain or icy conditions makes it even more dangerous to complete.

Looking ahead to the chain section of Angels Landing

Entrance Fee

There is a $35 fee for private vehicles to enter Zion National Park. For fee information on different vehicle types and per person rates, visit NPS.gov. Moreover, look into the national park annual pass if you plan to visit multiple parks within one year. I bought an annual pass a while back, and it definitely came in handy when I visited the Great Smoky Mountains, Great Sand Dunes, and other national parks within the year. 

Lottery for Angels Landing Hike

The lottery system to hike Angels Landing went into effect in April of 2022 to help reduce congestion throughout the trail, especially the chain section. You can find detailed information on the permits webpage, but I will point out a few key facts. First, you need to apply for the lottery system months in advance of when you plan to hike the trail. Second, there is a $6 fee to apply for the lottery.

Third, they issue permits shortly after the lottery session closes. Fourth, you will be charged an additional $3 if you receive a permit. Fifth, if you do not receive a permit from the lottery, you can try again the day before you plan to hike. 

Looking over the edge at Angels Landing

3) Quick Facts – Angels Landing Hike

1. Angels Landing Trail is located within Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah.

2. As of April 2022, you must enter a lottery system to obtain a permit in order to hike Angels Landing. 

3. The round trip hike is 5.4 miles (~8.7 kilometers) with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet (~457 meters). 

4. The chain section of the trail is approximately one mile (~1.6 kilometers) long and has an elevation gain of 500 feet (~152 meters). 

5. You should carefully consider whether or not to complete the hike if you have a fear of heights.

4) The Best Time to Visit

• Best season: spring or autumn
• Best time of day: morning or early afternoon
• Estimated visit (aka hiking) time: 3 – 6 hours round trip

The best season to hike Angels Landing is in the spring or autumn due to the milder temperatures. Zion can experience incredibly hot days in the summer, which is not the ideal hiking weather. Additionally, the trail can become dangerous in winter if there are snowy or icy conditions. 

In relation to the time of day, you will most likely want to start the hike in the early morning or afternoon. If you start in the morning, you will enjoy cooler temperatures as well as less crowds on the trail. However, you can also start in the early afternoon and finish the trail before it gets dark outside. 

However, maybe you are considering a visit to Zion or Moab and have not yet made a final decision. Then check out this Zion vs. Moab article to help sway you one way or another!

Panoramic view from the top of Angels Landing

5) Background – Angels Landing Hike

• Named by a Methodist minister
• Formed through sedimentary layering

Angels Landing is a 1,488 feet (~454 meters) tall cliff, attracting visitors from all around the world who want to conquer the hike and enjoy the beautiful views at the top. 

For other popular hikes in the US, head to Glacier National Park to check off the Iceberg Lake Trail as well as the Avalanche Lake Trail.

Naming of the Trail

The name of Angels Landing is quite unique, and that is all thanks to a Methodist minister named Frederick Vining Fisher. He saw the cliff formation and said that he imagined only angels would land upon it. It thus appropriately took on the name of Angels Landing. 

Geology

The majority of the rocks in Zion are the result of sedimentary layering. I could list out all of the rock layers, but let me just say there are a lot. The layers were deposited in the area from 110 to 270 million years ago during the Jurassic period. After one layer was deposited, then another one would be deposited right on top of it. The underlying layer would thus be pushed down, and it eventually turned to rock. 

However, that is not the end of the story. Many years ago the area was actually at sea level. Nevertheless, forces deep inside the earth caused the Colorado Plateau to rise, thus exposing the layers upon layers of rock within the canyons. 

Head to the Skyline Arch at Arches National Park to see even more incredible rock formations.

Some of the rock formations in Zion

6) General Description of Angels Landing Hike 

• Estimated Time: 3 – 6 hours round trip 
• Distance: 5.4 miles (~8.7 kilometers) round trip 
• Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet (~457 meters)

Angels Landing is a difficult trail, mainly due to the chain section at the end. Be prepared for what you are getting yourself into before you start hiking. 

Love a strenuous hike? Check out this article on the 3 Most Difficult Hikes in Zion National Park or head to Acadia National Park to conquer the Beehive Trail.

To Angels Landing Trail

Exit the Zion shuttle at stop six, The Grotto. Cross the road and then follow the West Rim Trail. Eventually there are signs for a trailhead specific to Angels Landing.

Additionally, there are a limited number of parking spaces at The Grotto. Though be sure to check if the road is open to private cars and not just the shuttle if you plan to drive. Otherwise, ride the Zion shuttle. 

Beginning of the Angels Landing Hike

The beginning is fairly easy with only a slight incline. However, soon enough the trail changes to a steep incline. There is a fair amount of elevation gain in a short amount of time, which can make your legs and/or lungs burn. After about 30 minutes of hiking is the wonderful and refreshing “Refrigerator Canyon”. It is shaded from the sun, and I would say I felt a 15 degree difference from outside the canyon in the sun. It helps to prepare you for the next portion of the hike: switchbacks.

View from the switchbacks of Angels Landing

Switchbacks

There are 21 switchbacks on the trail known as “Walter’s Wiggles”. When I first saw them, I thought to myself: wow, what a great place to build an escalator. Okay, just kidding (somewhat – I did think that, but I am also glad I hiked it). They are short in length though fairly steep. My rule of thumb on switchbacks is to try not to look up. I like to focus on hiking and then be happily surprised when I reach the top.

Then you have almost made it! Well, you almost made it to Scout’s Lookout, which is not too far from Angels Landing. Walk a short distance from the top of the switchbacks to Scout’s Lookout. Stop for a moment to take in the views, snap some pictures, and decide whether or not to conquer the chain section. 

Looking down into the canyon below at Zion

Conquering the Chain Section

Here it is – the section that makes people turn around: the chain section. It is not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights. The walkway is incredibly narrow with a width of only a couple feet in some areas. The chains help hikers pull themselves up the mountain at the steepest parts as well as offer safety as a handrail. Prepare for 500 feet (~152 meters) of elevation gain and one hour or more of the chains.

At the top of Angels Landing, be cautious as there are no railings. The view is INCREDIBLE. It is a 360 degree view of Zion National Park. It takes a lot of physical and mental strength to reach the top. Sit down and relax, for you have earned it. 

Celebrating the fact I made it to the top of Angels Landing

7) The Chain Section – Angels Landing Hike

• Estimated hiking time: 1.5 – 4 hours round trip
• Distance: 1 mile (~1.6 kilometers) round trip 
• Elevation gain: 500 feet (~152 meters)

Depending on the time of day, it can take up to approximately four hours to hike both up and down the chain section. We hiked later in the afternoon, which is a less busy time compared to the early afternoon. We hiked for one hour and 30 minutes up the chains. There were multiple points at which we had to stop and wait for hikers to come down. Due to the fact the walkways are so narrow, it is generally one-way. On the way down, it was even less crowded. We only stopped a couple of times for hikers coming up to pass. We descended the chains in about 30 minutes. 

Distance

In terms of distance, the chain section is a half mile (~0.8 kilometers) each way, which does not sound very far. Although, remember that it will take longer to ascend this section compared to the previous half mile ascended. You will now be climbing over rocks, holding onto the handrail, and waiting for other hikers to pass. For those with a fear of heights, this might feel like the longest half mile of your life. 

Elevation

The elevation gain of the chain section is 500 feet (~152 meters). That is considerable given the total elevation gain of the hike is 1,500 feet. It requires hiking 1,000 to 1,500 feet in the air with steep drop offs only one to two feet away. I think there are some drop offs where you can look almost straight down to the ground. However, I would not know from experience. I was not looking over the edge but rather straight at the ground and rails right in front of me. 

The (very steep) chain section of Angels Landing

8) My Hiking Experience

• I almost turned around during the chain section
• In the end, the hike was worth it

Every person is different, and thus you should consider YOUR needs in your decision. If you decide to not hike Angels Landing, Zion still has a variety of other activities to offer. 

My Experience – Angels Landing Hike

If I am being completely honest, I almost turned around a couple of times during the chain section. I would not say I have a fear of heights. For example, I have previously gone skydiving and bungee jumping. However, I figured out on this hike that I do not like hiking up a mountain on a narrow walkway with 1,000+ foot drop offs on either side of me. The hike down was easy, and I even had fun scrambling down the chain section. On the other hand, the hike up the chain section had me nervous and wishing I could magically fly up the mountain.

What made this section even more difficult was that we had to wait for people coming down the chains at multiple points due to the fact it is only wide enough for one person to pass at a time. This meant I was bracing myself against whatever I could while waiting for people to pass. Sometimes this happened on incredibly narrow walkways.  

However, the view from Angels Landing was definitely worth the hike for me. Once we arrived at the top, I could feel the tension release from my body as I no longer had to grasp onto chains on a narrow walkway. I will say that the view from the top is quite beautiful and worth all the hype. 

Others’ Experience

For others we met during our hike, it was not worth it. We heard one couple behind us for a while. The man was saying things like “this is not safe” or “you have to be kidding”. We never saw them again and assumed they turned around. Additionally, we talked with a few people who were hiking by themselves. They started hiking with a group of people, but the rest of their group stopped at Scout’s Lookout. 

Gathering the courage to conquer the chains at Angels Landing

9) My Recommendations for You

• Make the best decision for YOU

All of that being said, I cannot tell you a simple yes or no answer on whether you should hike Angels Landing. I can instead only describe the hike and my experience. 

Words of Warning – Angels Landing Hike

Since 2000, 13 people have died while hiking Angels Landing. I do not say this to scare you off from the hike, but instead to clarify that it is dangerous. Based on some online research, the consensus seems to be this is the second most dangerous hike in the U.S. It is recommended to NOT bring any children on the hike. Older children should only conquer the hike if they have a lot of prior hiking and scrambling experience.

Watch the weather before ascending. If there is a chance of rain, strong winds, or any hazardous weather – do not begin the hike. Weather can change in practically an instant in Utah. One minute the sun is out and the next minute it is pouring rain. Hiking in such conditions can be dangerous on any trail, but especially on Angels Landing. 

Scout’s Lookout on the way to Angels Landing

My Recommendations 

I thus have two recommendations for those feeling anxious: (1) do not hike Angels Landing (2) hike to Scout’s Lookout and then decide whether or not to continue. I do not recommend fully committing to hiking Angels Landing if you are nervous or have a fear of heights. 

Recommendation One: Choose Another Hike

First, it might not be worth the time to hike Angels Landing if you plan to stop at Scout’s Lookout. For example, consider the Narrows or another hike that does not have steep drop offs. I suggest looking up views of Scout’s Lookout to decide whether or not you would be satisfied with stopping your hike there (just in case you do not continue on to Angels Landing).

Recommendation Two: Make Your Decision at Scout’s Lookout

The second option is to hike to Scout’s Lookout and then make the decision. You can stop at Scout’s Lookout and enjoy the views of the canyon from 1,000 feet high. On the other hand, you can continue through to the chain section. 

Some flowers adding to the view along the Angels Landing hike

When at Scout’s Lookout, you have the opportunity to look at the chain section. Also, feel free to ask people about their experiences. While every person is different, it can be helpful to hear of others’ experiences to guide your own. 

If you decide to hike the chain section, also remember it is possible to turn around at any time. While I do not recommend backing out prematurely and missing out on the rest of the hike, you should remember it is not a requirement to make it to the top. Your physical and mental health are more important. If you decide to hike the entire way up to Angels Landing…go for it! You got this!

Cheesin’ at Scout’s Lookout

10) Recommended Items to Bring for the Angels Landing Hike

1. Water bottle: Please please please be sure to bring enough water with you while hiking Angels Landing. Water is even more important if you are visiting in the summer, for the heat can make you become dehydrated real quick. I brought a few water bottles on the hike, including my Yeti water bottle.

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. At least half of the trail is completely exposed, so the sun will be shining straight down on you.

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy a hike if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Apparel

4. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will be incredibly helpful as you climb up the 1,500 feet (~457 meters) in elevation gain along this trail. Additionally, the traction provided by hiking shoes will be a blessing at the chain section. 

5. Hiking poles: While hiking poles cannot really be utilized on the chain section, you can definitely use them for the beginning of the trail and along the switchbacks. A little extra support can go a long way.

6. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the hiking trails. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes. However, I would not recommend hiking Angels Landing in snowy or icy conditions. 

Cheesin’ at the top of Angels Landing

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Check out the Kanarra Falls Hike: Hiking to Kanarra Falls Outside of Zion.

Consider a canyoneering adventure: Canyoneering in Kanab Canyon Outside of Zion.