So popular you need a permit
When it comes to must-do hikes in Zion National Park, Angels Landing takes the cake. It is everything a bucket list adventure should be: audacious, dramatic, even a little bit crazy!
However, as one of the most popular destinations at Zion, there have been growing concerns about crowding and congestion on the trail. As a result, everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs a permit.
A hike to the heavens
Built over a century ago on some of the most exposed, inhospitable terrain this rocky realm has to offer, it’s a testament to the hardihood of hikers chasing that sublime high only the outdoors can provide.
This 5-mile out-and-back trail contains the entirety of the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, but adds an additional layer of complexity that elevates it to hiking greatness. Instead of stopping at the Scout Lookout, those carrying a permit can enter the next section—a narrow sandstone fin with massive drop-offs on both sides that will make your head spin.
Yes, that spine-tingling 500-vertical-foot push to the summit is so sensational that it warrants a separate entry. To call it merely steep would be a disservice to the heroes that built the trail and bolted chains to provide handholds throughout this final stretch. The abyssal gaps, scrambly slabs, and tight walkways will keep you on your toes at all times.
Along the way, you’ll pass above Moonlight Buttress, one of the best spots for rock climbing in Utah and my personal favorite. Once you’ve reached the top, which is a delightfully wide and level surface, you’ll have earned eternal bragging rights for tackling one of the coolest hiking trips in Utah, and the finest 360-degree views in the entire park.