Angels Landing — Zion's Most Iconic Scramble

There's a half-mile ridge in southern Utah where the trail stops looking like a trail and starts looking like a challenge. The final stretch to Angels Landing runs along a narrow spine of sandstone — the Hogsback — with iron chains bolted into the rock as your only handhold and 1,000-foot drops on either side. Plenty of hikers turn around at Scout Lookout and still leave with one of the best views they've ever seen. The ones who keep going come back changed.

This week's pick: Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah.

At a Glance

Stat	Detail
Distance	5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain	1,488 ft (453 m)
Difficulty	Strenuous — chains required on final 0.5 mi
Est. Time	4–5 hours
Trail Type	Out-and-back
Trailhead	Grotto Trailhead, Zion Canyon
Permit Required	Yes — lottery via Recreation.gov
Best Seasons	Spring (Mar–May) · Fall (Sep–Nov)

The Route

The trailhead sits at the Grotto Picnic Area in Zion Canyon, accessed only by the free Zion Canyon Shuttle (private vehicles are not permitted in the canyon during peak season). The first mile follows the West Rim Trail through the canyon bottom — flat, wide, easy — before the climb begins.

Refrigerator Canyon comes first: a cool, shaded slot wedged between towering walls. Even on a 95°F July day, the temperature in here drops noticeably, and the contrast of red rock and cottonwood green makes it one of the trail's quiet highlights.

Then come Walter's Wiggles — 21 tight, paved switchbacks that gain elevation fast. They look brutal from below and feel almost mechanical to climb, like a staircase someone forgot to flatten. In 15 minutes you're at Scout Lookout, where restrooms sit and where most families make their honest decision about what comes next.

The final half-mile along the Hogsback ridge is what everybody comes for. You clip your hands around cold chain links, lean into the rock, and place each foot deliberately. The drop on both sides is real, the exposure is real, and so is the pull to keep moving. At the summit (5,790 ft), Zion Canyon stretches 1,500 feet below in both directions — the Virgin River a green ribbon between rust-red walls.

Towering sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park rising under a blue sky — Zion's Navajo sandstone walls — formed from 270-million-year-old desert dunes 1

Permit & Reservation

Angels Landing requires a permit — no walk-ups. Two ways to get one 2:

Seasonal Lottery — Apply in the 20-day window before each season opens:

Spring hikes (Mar 1–May 31): apply Jan 1–20
Summer hikes (Jun 1–Aug 31): apply Apr 1–20
Fall hikes (Sep 1–Nov 30): apply Jul 1–20
Winter hikes (Dec 1–Feb 28): apply Oct 1–20

Day-Before Lottery — Enter between midnight and 3 p.m. the day before your intended hike. Results emailed by 4 p.m. Good option if your schedule is flexible.

Permits cover up to six people. Apply at recreation.gov.

Hiker walking through a lush forest trail surrounded by mountains in a national park

An early-morning start keeps crowds manageable and the light soft — key on any canyon trail

Getting There & Parking

Do not drive to the Grotto. Private vehicles are prohibited in Zion Canyon during operating hours. Here's the flow:

Park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (free) or at overflow lots just outside the South Entrance in Springdale
Board the free Zion Canyon Shuttle at the Visitor Center
Ride to Stop 6: The Grotto — this is your trailhead

Shuttle buses run every 6–7 minutes during peak hours. Arrive early (before 8 a.m.) on busy weekend days to avoid long shuttle queues.

Entry fee: $35 per private vehicle (valid 7 days). The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entry and is worth it if you're hitting more than two parks this year 3.

Camping Inside the Park

Both in-park campgrounds sit near the South Entrance — within shuttle distance of the canyon 4:

Watchman Campground (year-round)

63 RV sites with electric hookups: $30/night
66 tent sites: $20/night
Group sites: $50–$130/night (7–40 people)
Reservable Mar–Oct at recreation.gov (book early — fills months ahead)

South Campground (February–November)

117 tent/RV sites (no hookups): $20/night
Reservable up to 2 weeks in advance
Dump station with potable water available

Both campgrounds place you 10–15 minutes by shuttle from the canyon trailheads.

Red cliff with trees in Zion National Park, vibrant red and green contrast — Fall color along Zion Canyon trails — September and October bring cooler temps and stunning foliage 4

Signature Shots

The standard Angels Landing photos show the Hogsback chains — and they're worth getting — but the real photography opportunities are spread across the whole route:

Refrigerator Canyon: Shoot upward from the slot toward a narrow strip of blue sky between orange walls. Early morning gives side-lit texture on the rock face.
Walter's Wiggles from below: The 21 switchbacks form perfect geometric zigzags. Frame them from the base of the climb with a wide lens.
Scout Lookout panorama: At roughly 5,400 ft, the view east toward Cable Mountain fills the frame. Soft golden-hour light in late afternoon.
Hogsback ridge looking back: Turn around mid-chain section and shoot back toward Scout Lookout — the ridgeline narrows to a point, and the canyon opens dramatically on both sides.
Summit 360°: The view from the top encompasses the full sweep of Zion Canyon — the Virgin River corridor, the Great White Throne, and the West Temple. Plan for late morning or afternoon when the canyon shadows have shortened.

Practical Notes

Season: Spring and fall are ideal. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, and afternoon thunderstorms in July–August can make the Hogsback chains dangerous (lightning exposure is real on that ridgeline). Winter is hikeable but chains become icy — microspikes strongly recommended.

Footwear: Grippy trail shoes or low-cut hiking boots with sticky rubber soles. The sandstone has good friction when dry; smooth-soled sneakers become treacherous on the chains.

Water: Carry at least 2–3 liters per person. Drinking water is available at the Grotto trailhead and at Scout Lookout (restrooms only at Scout Lookout, no fill station).

Children: The NPS recommends this trail is not suitable for young children. The chain section requires confident footwork and comfort with significant exposure.

Turnaround option: Scout Lookout (mile 2.2) is a fully satisfying destination in its own right. The view is extraordinary, and many experienced hikers choose this as their endpoint when conditions on the Hogsback are poor.

Next Saturday: another North American trail worth lacing up for.