Half Dome vs Angels Landing: Permit Comparison Guide
Half Dome and Angels Landing regularly top lists of America's best hikes. Both require permits. Both have exposure and cables/chains. Both deliver unforgettable summit experiences. But they're quite different in difficulty, accessibility, and permit competition. Here's a detailed comparison.
Overview: The Two Hikes
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is a 14-16 mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of elevation gain, culminating in the famous cable route on steep granite. Angels Landing in Zion National Park is a 5.4 mile round-trip hike with 1,488 feet of elevation gain, featuring a narrow ridge with chain handholds. Both are iconic, both are strenuous, both have elements of risk.
Permit Comparison at a Glance
Here's how the permit systems compare:
- Half Dome: Preseason lottery (March) + daily lottery (2 days before)
- Angels Landing: Day-before lottery only (no preseason planning)
- Half Dome quota: 225 hikers per day on cables
- Angels Landing quota: Variable seasonal limits, roughly 100-150 permits per time slot
- Half Dome lottery success: ~15-20% preseason, ~30% daily
- Angels Landing lottery success: ~25-35% depending on date
Half Dome Permit Details
Half Dome uses a two-phase lottery system:
- Preseason lottery: Apply March 1-31 for dates that summer (May-October)
- Results announced mid-April, acceptance rate roughly 15-20%
- Daily lottery: Apply 2 days before hiking date, closes at 1pm PT
- Daily lottery fills from preseason no-shows and cancellations
- Permit cost: $10 application fee + $10 per person if selected
- Permits are date-specific and non-transferable
Angels Landing Permit Details
Angels Landing switched to a permit system in April 2022:
- Day-before lottery only (no preseason advance booking)
- Apply online at recreation.gov between 12:01am and 3pm PT the day before
- Results posted by 4pm PT same day
- Time slots: 6am, 9am, 12pm (choose preferred slot in application)
- Permit cost: $6 per person if selected
- Walk-up permits sometimes available at visitor center (limited)
Difficulty Comparison
Both hikes are strenuous but in different ways:
- Half Dome distance: 14-16 miles round trip (most people take 10-14 hours)
- Angels Landing distance: 5.4 miles round trip (3-5 hours typical)
- Half Dome elevation: Start at 4,000', summit at 8,836' (4,800' gain)
- Angels Landing elevation: Start at 4,350', summit at 5,790' (1,488' gain)
- Half Dome exposure: The cable section is very steep (400' at 45+ degrees)
- Angels Landing exposure: Narrow ridge with 1,000'+ drops on both sides
Warning: Don't Underestimate Either Hike
Both hikes have seen fatalities. Be honest about your abilities:
- Half Dome cables are extremely slippery when wet (deaths have occurred)
- Angels Landing chains require comfort with significant exposure
- Half Dome's length causes altitude sickness and exhaustion issues
- Both require good physical conditioning and no fear of heights
- Turn back if conditions deteriorate (thunderstorms are deadly on both)
Which Is Harder to Get a Permit?
This depends on your planning style. Half Dome's preseason lottery lets you plan months ahead, but success rates are lower. Angels Landing's day-before system means you can't plan far ahead, but daily odds are slightly better. If you need to book flights and hotels months in advance, Half Dome's system is easier to plan around (even if you might lose). If you're flexible and can road trip to Zion on short notice, Angels Landing works great.
Tip: Angels Landing Flexibility Hack
Since Angels Landing permits are day-before only, consider planning a 3-4 day Zion trip. Apply for permits each day. With a ~30% daily success rate, your odds over 3-4 days become quite good (roughly 75-80% chance of getting at least one). Meanwhile, enjoy the park's other world-class hikes: The Narrows, Observation Point, Kolob Canyons.
Best Time to Visit Each
Optimal seasons differ slightly:
- Half Dome season: Late May through early October (cables installed)
- Half Dome best months: June and September (avoiding August crowds)
- Angels Landing season: Year-round (but icy conditions in winter)
- Angels Landing best months: March-May, September-November (milder temps)
- Both: Weekdays have better permit odds and smaller crowds
Which Should You Do First?
If you've never done either, consider your comfort level. Angels Landing is shorter and lets you test your exposure tolerance more quickly. If heights terrify you, you'll know within the first mile of the chain section. Half Dome requires all-day commitment before you reach the cables. If you're comfortable with exposure and want the bigger adventure, Half Dome's length and elevation make it more of an achievement.
The Experience Comparison
Both summits deliver incredible rewards:
- Half Dome summit: Massive granite dome with 360° Sierra views, room to spread out
- Angels Landing summit: Knife-edge pinnacle, intimate space, Zion Canyon panorama
- Half Dome accomplishment: The famous cables are a bucket-list achievement
- Angels Landing accomplishment: Conquering the narrow ridge is unforgettable
- Both: The permit challenge makes the summit sweeter
Tip: Consider Both on a Road Trip
Yosemite and Zion are about 500 miles apart. Many hikers combine both in an epic Southwest road trip, along with Grand Canyon, Bryce, Death Valley, and Kings Canyon. Apply for Half Dome in March, plan your trip for June or September, and apply for Angels Landing permits while you're traveling through the region.
Conclusion
Half Dome and Angels Landing are both bucket-list worthy. Half Dome offers the bigger adventure with its length and elevation. Angels Landing delivers comparable thrills in a shorter package. For permits, Half Dome requires months of advance planning while Angels Landing rewards spontaneity. Consider doing Angels Landing first to test your comfort with exposure, then tackle Half Dome when you're ready for the full-day challenge.