Angels Landing Gear Checklist
Angels Landing is a half-day hike of about 5.4 miles round trip, and the last half mile is a narrow sandstone ridge with a single chain to hold. The gear that matters is small: shoes that grip slickrock, a slim pack that keeps both hands free, gloves when the chains are cold, and all your water from the Grotto. The hikers we read regret heavy packs and the wrong footwear far more than anything they left at home.
What shapes your gear on Angels Landing
- Water
- The only drinkable water is the fill station at the Grotto shuttle stop. The park suggests about a gallon (4 liters) per person per day, and this hike usually takes at least half a day.
- Terrain
- Switchbacks to Scout Lookout, then a knife-edge ridge for the last half mile with one metal chain. The park says most chain accidents happen when the rock is wet.
- Season
- The chains get very cold in winter, and ice or packed snow can sit on the upper trail. Thunderstorms are more common in the afternoon, and the park says to turn back when storm clouds build.
From Zion National Park (NPS) and 24 Hours Layover
- Toilets
- The park asks you to use the flush toilets at the Visitor Center or the Grotto before you start, and to carry out solid waste and toilet paper in a bag if you need to go on the trail.
What the agency requires on Angels Landing
Your permit confirmation, printed or downloaded, and ID
A permit is required past Scout Lookout. The Recreation.gov confirmation email is the permit, rangers may ask for it and for identification anywhere on the trail, and phone service at the checkpoint is unreliable, so save it before you arrive.
A bag for human waste
The park says that if you need to go once you are on the trail, solid waste and toilet paper go in a plastic bag that you carry back out. Bring the bag and paper with you.
What hikers carry on Angels Landing
Hiking shoes or boots with sticky tread
Most of the route is smooth slickrock, and worn sneakers slip on it. The park names blisters and ankle injuries among the most common problems and says good footwear is the best prevention.
From UponArriving and Zion National Park (NPS)
Snug gloves
Hikers say the chains are rough on bare hands and that gloves add grip on the pull up and control on the way down. In cold months the chains get icy cold, so full gloves matter. In warm months people choose fingerless ones with a grippy palm.
Gloves also save your knuckles on the sections where you scrape past rock.
From TravelAwaits, UponArriving and Zion National Park (NPS)
A slim backpack or hydration pack
The ridge has narrow passages where you pass other hikers. A tube lets you drink without letting go of the chain, and a narrow pack does not snag on the rock.
From UponArriving and TravelAwaits
All your water, filled at the Grotto
There is no drinkable water on the trail. Hikers carry more in summer and at midday, and the park suggests about a gallon a day.
From Zion National Park (NPS), UponArriving and TravelAwaits
Layers, a warm hat and a wind layer
The switchbacks are hot work, then the exposed ridge can be windy and cold at the top. Winter hikers mention a puffy jacket and a beanie.
From 24 Hours Layover and UponArriving
Hat and sunscreen
There is little shade on the upper trail, and hikers recommend sun protection in every season.
From TravelAwaits
Headlamp, food and a park map
The park asks hikers to carry a light with fresh batteries, some food and a map in case the hike runs later than planned.
Traction devices in winter
Winter trip reports find packed snow and ice on the trail and say microspikes or crampons are the thing to bring when it is frozen.
From 24 Hours Layover and TravelFeed
6 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Angels Landing
A heavy pack
One photographer carried about 35 pounds of camera gear up the chains, found it pulled him off balance on the climb, and barely used any of it because stopping to unpack felt unsafe.
From TravelFeed
A waist pack with bottles on the sides
One hiker's waist pack kept getting stuck in the narrow rock corridors near the top, and the side bottles would not stay put.
From TravelAwaits
Trekking poles on the chain section
Hikers find poles of some use on the switchbacks to Scout Lookout but say they get in the way once you need both hands on the chain. The exception is ice or snow.
From UponArriving
Loose bottles and hats
The park says water bottles falling out of side pockets and hats blowing away are the belongings most often lost on the ridge. Clip them in or stow them.
Gear questions for Angels Landing
Do you need gloves for Angels Landing?
They are not required. Many hikers bring snug gloves for grip on the chain, and in winter the park itself says the chains get very cold and gloves may help.
From Zion National Park (NPS), TravelAwaits and UponArriving
How much water should I carry on Angels Landing?
Fill everything at the Grotto, because there is no drinkable water on the trail. The park suggests about a gallon (4 liters) per person per day, and more in summer heat.
What do I need to show at the Angels Landing permit check?
Your Recreation.gov confirmation email, printed or saved to your phone before you arrive, and identification. Phone service at the checkpoint is unreliable.
Should I bring trekking poles on Angels Landing?
Most hikers we read leave them behind or stow them before the chains, because both hands are needed on the ridge. In ice or snow, poles and traction help.
From UponArriving and 24 Hours Layover
Sources
- Angels Landing Permits & Hiking · Zion National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Tips for Hiking Angels Landing (Zion) · UponArriving, Daniel Gillaspia · Blog
- Things to know before hiking Angels Landing · TravelAwaits, Cindy Barks · Blog
- One Step from Death: Hiking Angels Landing (Photos) · TravelFeed, seangold · Trip report
- Angels Landing winter hike · 24 Hours Layover, Caterina McGrail · Blog