Angels Landing

Angels Landing is a steep sandstone fin and famous viewpoint in Zion National Park, southwestern Utah, with a summit around 5,790 feet (1,765 m) above sea level. It is one of the park’s signature hikes and is known for a narrow, exposed final ridge that requires fixed chains.

The route climbs roughly 1,488 feet (454 m) from the valley floor to the summit and the narrow, exposed ridge leading to the top is about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) long. Hikers commonly report a full round-trip distance near 5.4 miles (8.7 km). The most technical part of the trail is equipped with chains for handholds and includes sections only a few feet wide.

The rock feature is part of the Navajo Sandstone formations that form Zion Canyon. The trail was developed in the early 20th century and has long been a popular destination; in response to heavy use and safety concerns the National Park Service implemented a permit system for the summit in recent years.

Angels Landing sits in the main corridor of Zion Canyon, inside Zion National Park near the town of Springdale, Utah. The approach follows the Zion Canyon trail system and shuttle stops that serve the park’s canyon floor.

• Permit system: A permit system controls access to the summit year-round; slots are allocated through an online lottery and day-use reservations.
• Chains and exposure: Chains are fixed along the final 0.5 mile of the route and the exposed ridge can be as narrow as a few feet, making weather and footwear important safety considerations.
• Timing and length: Start very early or visit in shoulder seasons to avoid the largest crowds and hottest conditions; the full round-trip hike is commonly reported as about 5.4 miles (8.7 km).

What to See #

• Scout Lookout: A high viewing ledge reached after the steep final section of the trail, located about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) from the trailhead; common turnaround point for many hikers before the exposed summit ridge.
• Final ridge and summit: The exposed final ridge and summit accessed via chain handrails for roughly 0.5 mile (0.8 km); some sections narrow to only a few feet and finish at a summit around 5,790 feet (1,765 m) elevation above sea level.