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Angels Landing Permit
Zion National Park · Utah
Lottery open now — cancelled permits never return
Required permit for the chain-assisted climb to Angels Landing—Zion's most famous and dramatic summit.
Angels Landing lottery is open now
Applications are open now. Angels Landing runs a seasonal lottery plus a daily day-before lottery. We'll remind you before the deadline and when results post.
Applying with friends puts more entries in the same draw.
How lottery pools workPlan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
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Angels Landing Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelExtremely High9/10
SeasonYear-round
Cost$6 application + $3 per person if issued
Lottery OddsAbout 50% overall, 8-100% by date
Max Group Size6 people
Angels Landing Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via lottery.
- Angels Landing is one of the most competitive permits in the United States, rating 9/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The Angels Landing lottery typically opens Quarterly: Feb 13, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1 (8 a.m. MT) and closes Feb 25, Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20 (11:59 p.m. MT), with results announced Permits issued Feb 26, Apr 25, Jul 25, Oct 25 (2026).
- The Angels Landing route covers 5.4 miles with 1,488 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
Key Information
Key Dates
Lottery OpensQuarterly: Feb 13, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1 (8 a.m. MT)
Lottery ClosesFeb 25, Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20 (11:59 p.m. MT)
ResultsPermits issued Feb 26, Apr 25, Jul 25, Oct 25 (2026)
SeasonYear-round
Permit Details
TypeDay Use
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level9/10
LocationColorado Plateau, UT
Pro Tips
- •Enter the quarterly seasonal lottery for your season, then the day-before lottery daily
- •Mid-week dates away from holidays win most often
- •Scout Lookout doesn't require a permit
- •Start at first shuttle
- •Avoid if storms or ice
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
5.4 miles
Elevation Gain
1,488 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
About 4 hours
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
4,300 - 5,790 ft
Highlights
- •A 5.4-mile round-trip hike with 1,488 feet of elevation gain
- •Walter's Wiggles: 21 steep, carved switchbacks
- •The chains section: 0.5 miles of exposed ridge with sheer drops
- •4-5 hours round trip for most hikers
- •Significant crowds on the chains during peak season—expect to wait
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November offer ideal temperatures. Summer is hot but manageable with early starts. Winter has fewer crowds but icy conditions can close the chains section.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Extreme exposure—not suitable for those with fear of heights
- !Slippery when wet or icy—trail closes during winter storms
- !Lightning danger—descend immediately if storms approach
- !Crowding on chains can cause dangerous bottlenecks
- !Heat exhaustion in summer months
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,300 ft)
Today
☁️
88°
68°
Sun
☁️
85°
67°
31%
Mon
☀️
83°
64°
28%
Tue
☁️
83°
68°
Wed
🌧️
84°
65°
24%
Thu
☀️
83°
65°
Fri
☀️
87°
65°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a National Park Service account
Sign up at National Park Service if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
Apply during the lottery window
Submit your application between Quarterly: Feb 13, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1 (8 a.m. MT) and Feb 25, Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20 (11:59 p.m. MT). Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.
3
Wait for lottery results
Results are typically announced Permits issued Feb 26, Apr 25, Jul 25, Oct 25 (2026). Check your email and your National Park Service account.
4
Apply again next time
PermitSnag reminds you about the Angels Landing lottery dates we hold, so you can apply again. You can also enter as a pool with friends.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: March through May and September through NovemberShoulder: December through February
Conditions
Comfortable temperatures on exposed sandstone and the busiest stretch of the seasonal lottery. The first seasonal window of 2026 covers March 1 to May 31 and closes February 25.
Crowd Level
HighAdvantages
- +Sandstone stays cool enough to grip the chains comfortably
- +Full shuttle service from the Visitor Center to the Grotto
- +Water fill-up available at the Grotto before you start
Challenges
- !Memorial Day weekend is the single worst date NPS names — 8% in the day-before lottery on that Sunday
- !Spring storms bring the thunderstorm risk NPS tells hikers to descend for
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk5/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Hikers comfortable with significant exposure and heights. Must be able to maintain composure on narrow ledges with long drops.
Recommended Experience
Should have experience with exposed trails. No technical skills required, but comfort with heights is essential.
Not Recommended For
Those with fear of heights, vertigo, or difficulty with balance. Not appropriate for young children.
About This Permit
The Angels Landing permit covers one thing: the half-mile chain section above Scout Lookout that leads to the 5,790-foot summit. Everything below Scout Lookout stays open to anyone: the switchbacks out of the canyon, Refrigerator Canyon, Walter's Wiggles, and the lookout itself. Zion added the permit in April 2022 after crowding on the chains created dangerous bottlenecks on a ridge with 1,000-foot drops on both sides.
There are two ways to win one, and they are independent of each other. The seasonal lottery runs quarterly, one window per season, and it is easy to miss if you are waiting for a monthly opening that never comes. In 2026 the windows opened at 8 a.m. MT on February 13 for spring hikes (March 1 to May 31), April 1 for summer (June 1 to August 31), July 1 for fall (September 1 to November 30), and October 1 for winter (December 1 to February 28, 2027). They close at 11:59 p.m. MT on February 25, April 20, July 20, and October 20, with results the day after. The day-before lottery runs daily from 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time for next-day permits, results at 4 p.m., which means every day of a Zion trip is a fresh entry. Both live on Recreation.gov, both cost $6 to apply, one permit covers a group of up to 6, and winners pay a further $3 per person.
The odds are better than the reputation suggests. Reviewing the pilot program's first two years, NPS put the overall odds in both lotteries at about 50%. The date you pick decides the rest: the park reports a range from 8% in the day-before lottery on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday up to 100% on random mid-week days. NPS publishes no month-by-month numbers, so treat a mid-week date away from a holiday as your best play. There is no fixed daily quota either — NPS says daily allocations "range from a few hundred to 800 or more per day."
Winners cancel too. Because permits are date-specific and Zion trips get rescheduled, spots reopen on Recreation.gov between lotteries. NPS: "Canceled seasonal lottery permits will automatically roll into the day-before lottery." That is the third path in, and the one PermitSnag watches for you.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Angels Landing was named by Frederick Fisher in 1916, who proclaimed that 'only an angel could land' on the narrow summit. It has become Zion's signature hike and one of the most photographed destinations in the National Park system—a testament to the human desire to stand on the edge of the void.
The Route
The trail begins at The Grotto shuttle stop, crossing a bridge over the Virgin River before climbing into the canyon. The first section is a gentle warm-up through cottonwood groves.
Then comes Refrigerator Canyon—a narrow, shaded slot that provides cool relief and a preview of Zion's geology. At its end, you face Walter's Wiggles: 21 tight, steep switchbacks carved into the cliff by Zion's first superintendent in 1926.
Scout Lookout is the decision point. To the left, the permit-free West Rim Trail continues. Straight ahead, the chains section begins. The final half-mile follows a narrow ridge, chains bolted into sandstone providing the only handholds between you and oblivion. The exposure is intense, the views infinite.
The Feeling
The chains section is unlike anything else in hiking. One moment you're on solid rock, the next you're clutching a chain with your life, shuffling across a sandstone spine no wider than a sidewalk with vertical drops on both sides. Your heart pounds, your palms sweat inside your grip, but you can't stop—there's only forward or back. And then you reach the summit, and the entire Zion Canyon spreads below you like a relief map carved by gods.
Trailhead Information
The Grotto Trailhead
4,300 ft elevationPrimary access point via Shuttle Stop 6. The only authorized trailhead for Angels Landing.
Restrooms
Water on site
No Service
Before you rely on this water
A filling station at the trailhead, not a source on the route - there is no water on Angels Landing itself. Zion turns canyon water off in freezing weather and during maintenance, so fill in the canyon village if it matters. Check the park's current conditions page.
Parking
No private vehicle parking. Take the free Zion Canyon shuttle from the Visitor Center.
Getting There
Park at the Visitor Center parking lot or Springdale shuttle stops. Shuttles run every 7-10 minutes in peak season.
Nearest Services
Zion Lodge (1 mile by shuttle) has a restaurant and gift shop. Springdale has full services.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permit required to hike beyond Scout Lookout (the chains section)
- •Rangers may check permits at Scout Lookout or on the chains
- •Group size limited to 6 people per permit
- •No rock scrambling or off-trail travel
- •Dogs prohibited on trail
Gear Checklist
Required
- Sturdy hiking shoes with excellent traction
- Water (at least 2 liters)
- Valid permit with photo ID
Recommended
- Grippy gloves for the chains (especially in cold weather)
- Sunscreen and hat (little shade on upper trail)
- Snacks for energy
- Camera or phone with good grip/strap
Plan Your Trip
Lottery concierge
Your next shot at Angels Landing
Applications open October 1, 2026 and close October 20, 2026. Results are posted October 25, 2026.
Track this permit and your concierge takes those dates from here: an email when applications open, another before the deadline, and one when results post. You apply once and stop watching the calendar.
Better odds with a crew
Angels Landing is a lottery — solo odds run about 50%. Every friend who applies adds another entry. Five of you, each applying: about 97%.
One of you runs the pool (Pro or a $19 alert). Everyone else joins free.
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Angels Landing
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
1,488ft
Gain↓
1,488ft
Loss⛰️
5,790ft
High📏
2.7mi
Distance📐
10.4%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•6 landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Lottery Statistics
About 50% overall, 8-100% by date
estimated success rate
Get detailed lottery statistics and tips. Sign up to track this permit.
Boost Your Chances
Apply with a crew to multiply your combined odds, and let auto win-detection tell you the moment you win — you never have to check National Park Service. Win-detection reads the result email you forward us, so it takes a one-time setup in your inbox (about two minutes, and we walk you through it). Pool and auto win-detection are on Pro or a $19 permit alert.
Apply these for the best odds
- Avoid holidays and weekends. NPS puts Memorial Day Weekend Sunday at 8% in the Day-before Lottery, against 100% on random mid-week days.
- Enter the Seasonal Lottery for your season and keep the Day-before Lottery as a second chance. They run independently, so losing one costs you nothing in the other.
- Missed both lotteries? The day-before lottery opens every day at 12:01 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Mountain Time, so you can retry on each day of your trip.
Opens the official lottery — you submit your entry. We never automate or store your National Park Service login.
Full lottery odds & strategy →Angels Landing FAQ
Do you need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
Yes, but only for the last half mile. Since April 2022 the National Park Service has required a permit for the chain section above Scout Lookout. Everything below that (the West Rim Trail, Refrigerator Canyon, Walter's Wiggles, and Scout Lookout itself at mile 2.0) is open to anyone with a park entrance pass. Rangers check permits at Scout Lookout, so carry yours on your phone or printed.
How do you get an Angels Landing permit?
Two separate lotteries on Recreation.gov, and you can enter both. The seasonal lottery is quarterly, not monthly: for 2026 it opened at 8 a.m. MT on February 13 (spring hikes), April 1 (summer), July 1 (fall), and October 1 (winter, covering December 1 through February 28, 2027). Each window closes at 11:59 p.m. MT — February 25 for spring, and the 20th for the other three. Recreation.gov describes the timing as "seasonally (1-3 months prior) and day-before (1 day prior)." The day-before lottery runs every single day from 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time for next-day permits, with results issued at 4 p.m., so you get a fresh shot for each day you are in Zion.
What are the odds of winning the Angels Landing permit lottery?
About 50%, which makes it the friendliest big-name lottery in the park system. NPS reported on the pilot program's first two years that "the overall odds in both the Seasonal Lottery and the Day-before Lottery average to about 50%." Your date decides the rest. The same report puts the range at "8% in the Day-before Lottery on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday to 100% on random mid-week days throughout the year." NPS publishes no month-by-month breakdown, so pick a mid-week date away from a holiday and treat any per-month percentage you see quoted as somebody's estimate.
How much does an Angels Landing permit cost?
Two fees. NPS: "It costs $6 to apply for a seasonal permit. The fee covers an application for up to 6 people (including the person filling out the application). This fee is non-refundable." If you win, you are then charged "the $3 per-person permit fee." So a group of four pays $6 to apply and $12 more if the permit is issued. Both are on top of the Zion entrance fee, which every vehicle pays regardless of whether anyone in it is hiking Angels Landing. Cancel a seasonal-lottery permit at least two days out and NPS refunds the $3 per person, never the $6.
How many Angels Landing permits are issued per day?
There is no fixed daily quota — the number moves. NPS: "Zion has issued nearly 400,000 permits to hikers since the program began in 2022 (about 200,000 per year). Daily allocations of permits range from a few hundred to 800 or more per day." Recreation.gov adds that the total "can change throughout the year depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the duration of daylight, seasonal shuttle hours, parking capacity, and trail conditions," and that "[a]round half of any given day's permits are available in the Seasonal lottery," with the rest plus any cancellations going to the day-before lottery. One permit covers a group of up to 6 people, so a party of four only needs a single winning entry.
What happens if you don't win the Angels Landing permit lottery?
Enter the day-before lottery again the next morning. It resets daily, so a four-night Zion trip gives you four independent chances. Winners also cancel, and those permits go back into the pool. PermitSnag watches the Angels Landing permit around the clock and alerts you the moment one reopens. If nothing lands, Scout Lookout gets you about 90% of the elevation gain and most of the view without any permit at all.
When is the best time to use an Angels Landing permit?
March through May and September through November have the most comfortable temperatures on exposed sandstone. Summer brings real heat to the chains, so start on the first shuttle. Winter is quiet, but the park closes the chain section when the rock is icy, so check conditions before you commit to a winter date.
👥Community
Trail Conditions(1)
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Late light off the summit throws the canyon into relief toward Big Bend and the Virgin River. Early light hits the Great White Throne across the canyon.
Best Light
First shuttle of the day gives even light and the thinnest traffic on the chains. Watch the shuttle schedule at the other end — the last bus is a real deadline and NPS tells hikers to carry a headlamp in case they miss it.
Beat the Crowds
Take the first shuttle. NPS says the permit program deliberately spread start times through the day, so a mid-morning slot puts you in the thick of it. Winter is quieter than any hour of the day in spring.
Classic Shots
- 📍The knife-edge ridge looking back down the chains from the summit
- 📍Zion Canyon opening out below the 5,790-foot summit
- 📍Walter's Wiggles from above — 21 switchbacks carved into the cliff
- 📍The Great White Throne from Scout Lookout, no permit needed
- 📍California condors, which NPS says you may see near Angels Landing — from a distance, never approached
Can't Get a Angels Landing Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Scout Lookout
Easier AlternativeNPS puts it at about 2.25 miles from the Grotto with roughly 1,000 feet of climbing, and says outright that hikers do not need a permit to go there.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
You get Walter's Wiggles, the canyon views and the pit toilets. You miss the half mile of chains, which is the whole point of the permit.
West Rim Trail (overnight)
Similar ExperienceThe trail you are already on continues past Scout Lookout without a permit for day hiking, and overnight camping on the West Rim has its own wilderness permit. NPS calls the views overlooking Angels Landing a great option.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A wilderness permit instead of a lottery, and a real overnight instead of a four-hour hike. No chains and no exposure.
The Narrows Top-Down
Similar ExperienceZion's other signature permitted route, through the Virgin River instead of above it.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
A wilderness permit rather than a lottery, and a full day in cold water. Completely different hazard profile — flash flooding rather than exposure.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Angels Landing trip
Very HardIn Demand26 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
Canyonlands National Park
Book campsite
Very HardIn Demand3 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites
Canyonlands National Park
Book campsite
Very HardIn Demand57 sitesDevils Garden Campground
Arches National Park
Book campsite
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