Peaks · Utah
Angels Landing, 5,790 feet
Zion's narrow fin of rock, with a last half mile on chains above steep drop-offs and a permit lottery to get there. Here's the hike, the lottery and the safety rules.
Angels Landing at a glance
- Elevation
- 5,790 feet at the top4
- Where
- Zion National Park, Utah, managed by the National Park Service1
- The hike
- 5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 feet of gain. The first 2.25 miles from the Grotto to Scout Lookout climb about 1,000 feet and need no Angels Landing permit. The last half mile, from Scout Lookout to the top, follows chains.1,3
- Permit
- Required for the chains section from Scout Lookout to the summit. Apply through a seasonal lottery, or a day-before lottery open from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Time, with results at 4 p.m.1,2
- Seasonal lotteries
- One for each season of hikes: March to May, June to August, September to November and December to February. In 2026 they opened February 13, April 1, July 1 and October 1.2
- Fees
- A $6 nonrefundable application fee, plus $3 per person if you get a permit. Up to six people per application.3
- Safety
- Past Scout Lookout the trail is less than three feet wide in places, with steep drop-offs and no guardrails at the top. It's extremely dangerous in storms, so check the forecast and turn back if the rock is wet or icy. There's no water on the trail, so carry 2 to 4 liters.2,3,4
The top
The top of Angels Landing has no guardrails, gnarled pinyon pines growing from cracks at the edge of the drop, and a 360 degree view of Zion Canyon, including the Great White Throne and the entrance to The Narrows. The Park Service and Utah tourism pages don't describe a summit sign, so the photo most people keep is on the chains or on top with the canyon behind them.
Getting the photo
- Find a wide, flat spot well back from the edge before you stop for the photo. There are no guardrails up top.
- Get your whole body in, head to boots, with the canyon walls behind you.
- Never stop on the chains in a crowd or in a storm for a photo. Take it where you have room and solid footing.
Angels Landing questions
Do you need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
Yes, for the chains section from Scout Lookout to the top. Permits come from a seasonal lottery or a day-before lottery on Recreation.gov. You can hike to Scout Lookout without one.
How much does an Angels Landing permit cost?
A $6 nonrefundable application fee, plus $3 per person if you win. You can list up to six people on one application.
How long is the Angels Landing hike?
5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 feet of gain, according to the National Park Service. The last half mile is the chains section.
My photo isn't from the very top. Can I still get a charm?
Yes. Any photo from the hike works. We cut it to your outline and never crop or reframe it.
Carry your Angels Landing climb
A lottery, the chains and a narrow fin of rock above Zion Canyon. You did it. However you got the shot, we cut it to your outline so you can clip that day to your pack and keep it there.
One email when charms are ready to order. Unsubscribe anytime.
Launching soon · $29 with free US shipping · Made right, or made again
Proud of someone who just made the top? Use the photo they sent you and give them their summit to carry. How gifting works
Sources
- National Park Service, Zion, Angels Landing hiking permits.
- National Park Service, Zion, 2026 Angels Landing permit lottery news release.
- Recreation.gov, Angels Landing: Fall permit lottery.
- Utah Office of Tourism, Angels Landing.
Lottery dates, fees and trail conditions change. Check with Zion National Park before you go. Facts checked October 2026.