You need a permit to hike Angels Landing, a popular Zion destination and one of the world’s most famous trails
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Zion National Park requirement for a permit to hike to Angels Landing is entering its second year, and rangers say it’s doing what it was intended to do.
About 200,000 permits have been issued each year since the “pilot” program began, and park officials say crowding and congestion on the half-mile from Scout Lookout to Angel’s Landing has been reduced. It’s one of the most famous hikes in the world, but crowds were diminishing the experience when the park decided to make a change.
“Angels Landing is one of Zion National Park’s most popular destinations,” Jeff Bradybaugh, Zion National Park superintendent, said in a Thursday news release. “The Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program helps us maximize the number of people who make the hike and minimize crowding and congestion on the route. We know this from what visitors are telling us, and from rangers have observed since 2022.”
They still call it a pilot program, but it’s here to stay. It costs $6 to apply for a permit and there’s a $3 per person registration fee. Currently, applications are being taken for hikes between from June 1 to Aug. 31, a popular time at the park during summer vacations. Find more information about the permit lotteries here: Angels Landing hiking permit lottery dates announced at Zion National Park.
A “day-before” lottery is available (apply by 3 p.m. on the day before you want to visit Angels Landing). “Depending on the day of the week and time of year, between 10% and 100% of lottery applicants receive permits. Holidays and weekends are busier than most weekdays,” according to park officials. Apply for a permit on Recreation.gov.
The hike takes 3 1/2 to 5 hours to complete. The 3.6 mile trail to Scout’s Lookout ascends 1,000 feet. One hiking website calls Angels Landing one of the most dangerous hikes.
Rangers say the permit program has spread hikers’ start times throughout the day.
More than 4.6 million people visited Zion National Park in 2023, down about 1.5% from 2022. That ranked third in the U.S., behind only the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon.
Camping fees in the park are increasing this year.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
