The full Angels Landing hike is 5.4 miles [8.7 km] round trip with 1,488 feet [454 m] of elevation gain. Most hikers take 4 hours, with 3–5 hours a realistic trail-time window. You need a permit past Scout Lookout.
How Long Is Angels Landing Hike?
The Angels Landing hike is 5.4 miles [8.7 km] round trip.
That mileage starts and ends at The Grotto, shuttle stop #6 in Zion Canyon. The route climbs the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout, then continues onto the chained ridge to the Angels Landing summit if you have a permit. The National Park Service lists the hike at 5.4 miles [8.7 km] round trip with 1,488 feet [454 m] of elevation gain on its Angels Landing permits and hiking page, as of November 2026.
Here’s the clean breakdown:
| Section | Distance | Permit? | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Grotto to Scout Lookout | 2.25 miles [3.6 km] one way | No | Paved and sandy trail, steep switchbacks, Walter’s Wiggles |
| Scout Lookout to Angels Landing | 0.5 mile [0.8 km] one way | Yes | Exposed ridge, chains, two-way traffic, big drop-offs |
| Full out-and-back | 5.4 miles [8.7 km] | Yes past Scout Lookout | Strenuous climb and a slow, careful summit section |
How Long Does It Take to Hike Angels Landing?
Most hikers take 4 hours to hike Angels Landing.
If you’re searching “how long does it take to hike Angels Landing,” plan on 3–5 hours on trail, plus shuttle time, bathroom time, and permit-check wiggle room. Fast, confident hikers may finish closer to 3 hours in dry conditions. Many hikers need 4–5 hours because the chain section moves slowly when the ridge is busy.
Do not build your day around a best-case pace. Angels Landing is not a trail where you want to rush. The last half mile [0.8 km] has narrow footing, exposed edges, and spots where one hiker at a time can pass safely. You may wait for uphill traffic, downhill traffic, nervous hikers, photo stops, or a ranger permit check.
A practical time budget looks like this:
- Shuttle from visitor center to The Grotto: build in extra time, especially during busy months.
- The Grotto to Scout Lookout: 1.5–2 hours for many hikers.
- Chains to summit and back to Scout Lookout: 1–2 hours, depending on crowding and comfort.
- Scout Lookout back to The Grotto: 1–1.5 hours, with knee-saving downhill breaks.
Do You Need a Permit to Hike Angels Landing?
Yes, you need a permit to hike past Scout Lookout to Angels Landing.
As of November 2026, Zion National Park requires a permit every day and at all times for the chained section from Scout Lookout to the Angels Landing summit. You do not need a permit to hike to Scout Lookout, and you do not need a permit to ride the park shuttle. Rangers may check your permit at The Grotto, Scout Lookout, or along the route, so download or print it before you start. Cell service in Zion Canyon can be weak.
The permit covers the part most people picture when they hear “Angels Landing”: the narrow sandstone fin with chains, steep steps, and open air on both sides. If you do not win a permit, Scout Lookout is still a strong hike. You get canyon views, the big climb, and the satisfaction of reaching the base of the ridge without stepping onto the exposed chain route.
How Do You Get Angels Landing Permits?
You get Angels Landing permits through Recreation.gov lotteries.
As of November 2026, permits are issued through a seasonal lottery and a day-before lottery on Recreation.gov’s Angels Landing permit page. The application fee is $6, and if you win, Recreation.gov charges $3 per person. You can list up to six people, including the applicant. These rules and fees can change, so check the official page before you apply.
- Pick your hike date. Choose a realistic day in Zion, not your arrival day if you’ll be tired from travel.
- Choose seasonal or day-before lottery. Seasonal lotteries are for hikers planning months ahead. Day-before lotteries are for last-minute shots.
- Rank your preferred dates and times. Put your best choices first. Your permit time is the time you should start at The Grotto.
- Apply once. Duplicate applications can be canceled, and fees are not refunded.
- Check your result. If you win, save the confirmation email. That email is your permit.
- Bring photo ID. Rangers may ask for both your permit and ID.
Morning permits are popular for good reason: cooler temperatures, better light, and more buffer before afternoon storms. Afternoon permits can work well in cooler seasons, but they demand a sharper eye on sunset and shuttle schedules.
Where Does the Angels Landing Hike Start?
The Angels Landing hike starts at The Grotto, shuttle stop #6.
From The Grotto, cross the road and footbridge, then turn onto the West Rim Trail. The route starts gently along the Virgin River before it climbs into the canyon wall. The trail then works up long switchbacks, cuts through Refrigerator Canyon, climbs Walter’s Wiggles, and reaches Scout Lookout.
For most of the year, you cannot drive a private vehicle to The Grotto because Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is served by the park shuttle. As of November 2026, the NPS Zion Canyon Shuttle System page says the shuttle is free to ride and does not require a ticket or reservation. Shuttle schedules change by season, so check the current schedule before your hike day.
Do not cut the timing too close. If your permit says 9 a.m., that does not mean “wake up at 9.” It means be ready to start at The Grotto during your assigned window.
How Hard Is Angels Landing?
Angels Landing is strenuous and exposed.
The mileage is not huge. The difficulty comes from the combination of elevation gain, heat, drop-offs, crowds, and the mental load of the chain section. If you are comfortable with steep trails but hate heights, this hike can feel harder than the numbers suggest.
The first part to Scout Lookout is a legit climb. Your calves will know. Walter’s Wiggles pack tight switchbacks into a short distance, and the sun can bounce hard off the canyon walls depending on season and time of day. Scout Lookout is the decision point. Eat a snack. Drink. Look at the ridge. If your gut says no, listen.
The chain section is not a casual add-on. You will use your hands. You will share narrow rock with hikers moving both directions. You may need to wait in awkward spots while someone passes. Dry rock, good shoes, and patience make a big difference.
What Should You Pack for Angels Landing?
Pack for heat, exposure, delays, and a slower day than you expect.
NPS recommends each person in Zion drink 1 gallon [4 liters] of water per day, and there is drinking water at The Grotto but not along the trail. For Angels Landing, carry enough that you are not rationing halfway up the climb.
- Water: enough for several hours of steep hiking in a dry canyon.
- Salty snacks and real food: bars, trail mix, jerky, tortillas, fruit, or whatever you can eat while tired.
- Grippy hiking shoes: slick soles are a bad match for sandstone and chains.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light layers.
- Headlamp: even if you plan to finish before dark.
- Permit and photo ID: printed or downloaded before you enter the canyon.
- Small first-aid kit: blister care, bandages, and any personal medical supplies.
- Waste bag: pack out trash and be ready for bathroom emergencies.
- Gloves in cold weather: metal chains can be painfully cold in winter.
When Should You Not Hike Angels Landing?
Do not hike Angels Landing in storms, ice, darkness, or if the exposure feels wrong.
This is a hike where turning around is not failure. It is good judgment. The NPS warns hikers not to ascend when storm clouds are in the area, when the ground is wet or icy, when it is dark or will be dark before finishing, or when a hiker has a fear of heights. Wet sandstone can get slick fast, and the chain section leaves little margin for sloppy footing.
Lightning is a hard stop. The CDC’s lightning safety guidance says no place outside is safe during a thunderstorm and to seek shelter if you hear thunder or see lightning. On Angels Landing, you are on high, exposed rock. Get off the ridge before weather builds, not after.
Skip the summit push if:
- Thunderheads are building over the canyon.
- The rock is wet, icy, or snowy.
- You feel shaky at Scout Lookout.
- Your group is moving slower than planned and daylight is running out.
- You forgot enough water or food.
- Someone in your group is dizzy, overheated, nauseated, or unusually confused.
When to See a Doctor
Get medical help right away for severe heat symptoms, fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or worsening symptoms.
Zion can be hot, dry, and unforgiving, especially when the climb reflects sun off pale sandstone. The CDC lists heat stroke warning signs such as confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, and hot skin; heat stroke is a medical emergency. Review the CDC’s heat-related illness guidance before hiking in warm weather.
Call 911 if a hiker collapses, becomes confused, has a seizure, has severe shortness of breath, or cannot keep moving safely. If cell service fails in Zion Canyon, contact a ranger, shuttle driver, or park volunteer as fast as you can. Do not try to drag a sick or injured person down the chain section without help.
Is Angels Landing Worth It Without the Chains?
Yes, hiking to Scout Lookout is still worth it.
Scout Lookout gives you a big Zion Canyon view, a tough climb, and a close look at the famous Angels Landing ridge without needing a permit. It is the right stopping point for many hikers. You can also continue along the West Rim Trail without entering the permitted chain section, which spreads out the crowds and keeps the views coming.
If your permit falls through, do not treat the day as ruined. Hike to Scout Lookout early, enjoy the canyon from a safer perch, then use the rest of the day for Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, or another Zion trail that fits the weather and your legs.
Related reading
- Angels Landing Permit Lottery Explained
- How Long Is the Appalachian Trail? Miles, States and Time
- How to Plan a Camping Trip
- Where Does the Appalachian Trail Start and End?
FAQ
How many miles is Angels Landing?
Angels Landing is 5.4 miles [8.7 km] round trip from The Grotto. The hike gains 1,488 feet [454 m] and includes the West Rim Trail, Scout Lookout, and the permitted chain section.
Can beginners hike Angels Landing?
Beginners can hike to Scout Lookout if they are fit, prepared, and comfortable with a steep climb. The chain section is not a good first exposed hike; if heights make you freeze, stop at Scout Lookout.
Can you hike Angels Landing without a permit?
You can hike to Scout Lookout without a permit. You cannot legally hike past Scout Lookout onto the Angels Landing chain section without a permit, as of November 2026.
What time should I start Angels Landing?
Start in the morning if your permit allows it. Morning starts usually bring cooler temperatures, better daylight buffer, and more time to deal with shuttle lines or slow traffic on the chains.
Are there bathrooms on Angels Landing?
Restrooms are available at The Grotto and Scout Lookout. There are no bathrooms on the chain section or at the summit, so go before you climb higher.
Is Angels Landing dangerous?
Angels Landing has real exposure and serious fall hazards. It is manageable for prepared hikers in dry, calm conditions, but it is the wrong place to rush, show off, or push through fear.