Gallery

Hike:
Angels Landing

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

BY SHUTTLE:

From the Springdale & Zion Canyon Visitor Center, continue another 1.4 miles on SR-9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Once inside the park, make your first right turn and travel roughly another 0.3 miles towards the National Park Visitor Center. Make your first right turn for regular parking or make your first left turn for RV and trailer parking. Walk over to the Zion National Park Shuttle stop in front of the Zion National Park Visitor Center (Stop 1). Ride the shuttle to the Grotto (Stop 6). Exit the shuttle and continue on to the Weeping Rock trailhead.

BY CAR IN THE WINTER:

From the south entrance of Zion National Park, continue another 1.5 miles to the Zion Canyon Scenic Route (sign on right side: Zion Lodge, Scenic Drive) turn left. From there, travel another 3.4 miles up the Scenic Drive until you get to the Grotto shuttle stop on your right-hand side. If you park in the Grotto parking lot, expect to cross the road to the Angels Landing trailhead. Crossing a small bridge, head right onto the trail. Parking can also be achieved on the left-hand side of the road in a small parking lot.

HIGHLIGHTS

Partially Paved
Before you reach Scout’s Lookout, there is a set of 21 steep zig-zags known as Walter’s Wiggles.
Scout’s Lookout offers beautiful vistas from above the canyon.
If you do decide to go all the way up Angels Landing, you will be rewarded with magnificent views in every direction you look.
Plenty of chains, guard rails, and carved steps are provided to help ease your mind of all the drop-offs on both sides of the canyon.
The last 0.7 miles of the trail is roughly only about 4 ½ to 5 feet wide.

BEST TIME TO HIKE

Spring, Summer and Fall. Winter can get dangerous due to rain, snow and ice collecting on the trail.
Portions can be closed in winter due to trail conditions.

PERMIT INFO

A permit is required to hike Angels Landing. The permit is for the “chains section” only; visitors can hike the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout (and beyond) without a permit. Requiring a permit to places like the Subway and Angels Landing helps make every person aware of potential risks and the necessary gear and skills required for undertaking that route. For a how-to check out the video below:

Angels Landing is one of the most visited destinations in Zion National Park. Parts of the half-mile section of the trail starting at Scout Lookout are less than three-feet wide and have chains to hold. The trail is too narrow people to go up and down at the same time, and hikers have reported waiting a long time for others to pass. Getting a permit makes you part of the solution to make the trail less congested and gives everyone a fair chance to visit.

SECRETS/TIPS

Go early! This is a very popular trail that can quickly become crowded.
On your way down, hike some of the West Rim Trail. The views from that trail are also very stunning and could be a great spot to take a picture of Angel’s Landing.
Bring lots of water and snacks. Most of the trail (especially the last part) can be very sun-exposed and hot.

SPECIAL OR RECOMMENDED GEAR

• Good walking/hiking shoes
• Hiking sticks as this trail is steep in many sections
• Hat and sunblock
• Hydration pack to help keep your hands free

OTHER

• Big steep drop-offs on both side of the trail.
• Be courteous and mindful of others. The last part of the trail is steep and very narrow. Up and down trail traffic occurs at the same time.
• Not for anyone scared of heights.
• Not recommended for small children.
• No dogs allowed.
• Water fill station located by The Grotto picnic tables, along with restrooms.
• Water fill stations do turn off during winter months (usually during end of November to February).

NEARBY TRAILS

Western Rim Trail