Angels Landing is one of those hikes that lives rent-free in people’s heads long before they ever do it. You hear about the chains; the exposure; the “don’t look down” moments. It’s perched high above Zion National Park and has built a reputation as one of the most thrilling hikes in the country. As a lifelong hiker, I was naturally curious.
But here’s a fun fact: When I finally hiked it, I didn’t pick a bluebird spring day or a shoulder-season fall window. I went in February. Cold, a little icy, and very not crowded — just the way I like it! But before you starting planning this hike, there’s one important thing to know. Unlike other iconic hikes like hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park, this one requires a permit.
Do You Need a Permit for Angels Landing?
Yes, you do. Angels Landing is one of a handful of day hikes in national parks that call for a permit. There’s no way around it.
The park service put this system in place to control crowds, which, if you’ve ever been to Zion in peak season, makes a lot of sense. This trail used to feel like a slow-moving line of people gripping the chains and waiting their turn. Now it’s at least a little more controlled.
Getting a permit involves a lottery, and you’ve got two chances. The first is the seasonal lottery, which opens a few months ahead of time. If you’re planning your trip in advance, this is the one to go for. You’ll pick a range of dates and a preferred time of day. Mornings are the most competitive for obvious reasons, so it helps to have some flexibility.
If you don’t get one that way, there’s also a day-before lottery. You apply the day before your hike and find out later that same day whether you got it. It’s a bit more last-minute and not something I’d fully rely on if this hike is a must-do, but it does give you another shot.
The good news is that you don’t need a permit for the entire hike. You can go all the way up to Scout Lookout without one, and that’s still a really solid hike with great views. The permit is only for the final stretch with the chains.
I hiked Angels Landing before the permit system existed, but after seeing how busy Zion gets, I understand why they added it. Even on a quiet winter day, it was easy to imagine how crowded that ridge could feel. It might make the hike a little harder to access, but it probably makes the experience better once you’re up there.
My Experience Hiking Angels Landing (In Winter)
We started around 10 in the morning, which sounds late until you remember it’s winter and the sun is in no rush — one of the many reasons to visit Zion in winter. It was cold but manageable, and honestly kind of nice not to be racing heat or crowds. We hike a lot and made good time, hitting the summit in about 75 minutes.
The trail had some hard-packed snow and ice in places, which wasn’t ideal. In particular, Walter’s Wiggles were the main event. A chunk of that section sits in the shade, so instead of your typical switchbacks, we got a series of slick, packed-down ice lanes. Think: less “hiking trail” and more “unintentional luge course.”
We were in Zion as part of a month-long road trip, so I didn’t have any microspikes. Note: not my best decision! Going up was fine, but coming down was a different story. I ended up squatting low and sort of sliding my way down sections of the Wiggles, trying to keep my center of gravity closer to the ground. It worked, but it wasn’t graceful and certainly not one of my finer moments!
For me, the biggest surprise was the chains section. This is the part that everyone talks about, but I didn’t think it was that bad. By the time we got there, the sun had mostly done its job. A lot of the snow and ice had melted away, but there was still plenty of hard-pack and ice in places. But honestly, it wasn’t stressful and didn’t feel sketchy or unsafe. Even though the trail was not completely dry, the chains were solid. There is plenty of exposure on Angels Landing, but it didn’t feel that terrifying.
Weather is a factor, though. We had a light breeze at the top, which was enough that I had to grab my hat a couple of times to save it from flying over the edge. But nothing made me nervous. That said, I wouldn’t want to be up there in strong winds. That’s when this hike could pivot from exciting to pretty darn questionable.
The biggest difference from peak season was the lack of people. We had the summit to ourselves for about ten minutes, which felt kind of surreal. I’ve been to Zion in June and over Thanksgiving, and “quiet” isn’t a word I would use to describe it — pretty much ever. Even with the permit system, I can only imagine how busy this trail gets in the warmer months.
How Hard Is Angels Landing, Really?
On paper, Angel’s Landing is about 5.4 miles round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Most of that climbing happens on Walter’s Wiggles, which may sound intimidating but is actually pretty well-designed. The switchbacks are smooth and consistent, so it doesn’t feel as punishing as trails with big, uneven steps. This is largely thanks to pavement. The wiggles were paved with concrete in 1985 to help prevent erosion on the steep slope. While it’s weird to come across a paved trail, it sure does make for smoother hiking.
Physically, it’s a solid hike but very doable. Mentally, that’s where things get more interesting.
The chains section is what people fixate on, and for good reason. It’s narrow in places, with real drop-offs. But the chains are secure, the rock is generally grippy, and if you take your time and stay aware of your footing, it’s not inherently dangerous. It’s more about how you feel with exposure than anything else.
For me, it didn’t feel harder than other exposed hikes I’ve done out in Colorado. But that’s coming from decades of experience. If you’re not used to heights, this is where you’ll FEEL it.
Is Angels Landing Worth It?
Short answer: heck yes!
There is a reason Angels Landing is one of the best hikes in Zion Natonal Park. There’s a payoff and it delivers. The final push gets your attention, the climb makes you work for it, and then you’re standing on this narrow ridge looking out over Zion’s cliffs and canyon walls, wondering why you ever doubted yourself
I’d do it again. No question.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If you’re uncomfortable with heights or deal with vertigo, the final section is going to feel like a lot. The good news is you can stop at Scout Lookout and still have an incredible hike. No chains required, no fear factor involved, and hey — no permit needed either.
I’d also think twice about bringing young kids past that point. There’s real exposure up there, and while it’s manageable, it’s not a place to be casual.
If you’re a beginner hiker, you can still do Angel’s Landing. Just give yourself more time and don’t feel rushed. This isn’t a race.
But if heights are a hard no for you, listen to that. Turn around when it makes sense. The views are still worth it.
Seen in: Hikes, National Parks, Zion National Park
