How to Get Angels Landing Permits: Complete Guide

The Angels Landing hike is one of the most iconic hikes in the entire country.  It includes a section over a narrow ridge with steep drop offs on both sides, that has chains for you to hold on to.  This section is narrow.  And the Angels Landing trail is extremely popular.  This resulted in congestion and long lines on the trail.   

In order to alleviate this overcrowding and congestion and to improve safety, the National Park Service has introduced a lottery system to get Angels Landing permits. 

The permit system can be a little complicated.  I am a national park expert and I have written this detailed guide to the Angels Landing lottery to make your planning easy and help ensure you can get to do this incredible hike. 

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Type of reservations 

Permits to hike Angel’s Landing will be issued via a lottery system.  Permits are issued for three time slots each day (see below).  Once you start the hike, you can take as long as you like.  

When is an Angels Landing permit required? 

You will need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing at any time of the year (and any time of the day).  The permit is only needed for the section with chains from Scout’s Lookout to Angels Landing.

How to get an Angels Landing pass 

The permits are released via two types of lotteries. You can apply for a permit for up to six people (including you). 

1) Seasonal Lottery 

Most permits are released in advance via the ‘seasonal lottery’.  The lottery is run four times/ year. You enter the lottery within the window for your trip dates (see schedule below).    

You can pick up to seven dates or date ranges with corresponding start times (ranked in order of preference).  

It does not matter when in the lottery period you enter.  For example, the first lottery window of the year is January 1 – January 20.  Whether you enter on January 1, January 10 or January 20, your name goes in the lottery in the same way.  There is no advantage to entering on the 1st over entering on the 20^th – you have the same chance of having your name called whenever you entered the lottery.   

*  Even though the permit is only needed for the chain section beyond Scout Lookout, the permit times are the time you can start the hike at the Grotto Trailhead (Shuttle Stop 6) 

In the day that permits are issued, if you entered the lottery, you’ll get an email telling you got it (and charging you an extra $3 per person) or telling you that you were not successful.

If you don’t get a permit, you can apply again the day before you want to do the hike.  Or, if your travel plans are flexible, try another seasonal pass for different dates. 

2) Day Before Lottery 

You can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike.  The lottery opens at 12:01 AM (just after midnight) MT and closes at 3:00PM MT.   

You can enter the lottery any time within this period.  There is no advantage to entering at 12:01 compared with any other time in the lottery period.  So, for example, if you enter the lottery at 2:00PM, you have the same chances of getting a permit as if you entered the lottery at 1:00AM. However, I don’t recommend leaving it to close to 3:00PM in case the system crashes or something else goes wrong and you miss out being able to enter.  

You can select multiple preferences for hike start times if your plans are flexible. 

Results are emailed at 4:00PM MT the same day you enter (the day before the hike).

How much do Angels Landing tickets costs? 

It costs $6 to apply for a permit for up to six people (seasonal or day-before). This fee is non-refundable and you pay it whether you get a permit or not. The $6 covers however many people you apply for (it is NOT per person). 

If you get a permit, you will be automatically charged an additional $3 per person. 

Note: If you get a permit using the seasonal lottery, you can cancel the permit (or reduce the number of permits) up to two days before the hike date.  You will get a full refund of the $3 per person fee for any cancellations or reductions in people. The $6 application fee is not refundable.  

Note: You cannot: 

🚫 Change the date of your hike
🚫 Increase the number of people in your group
🚫 Transfer the permit to someone else or nominate an alternate leader 

On the day of your Angels Landing (Zion National Park) hike 

Be sure to print out, download or take a screenshot of your permit before you get to the trailhead.  Rangers will be checking permits at the Grotto (Shuttle Stop 6), at Scout Lookout, or along the trail. If you don’t have a permit to show, you will probably be turned away.  However, permits are technically only required for the chain section beyond Scout’s Lookout.

Tips for entering the Angel’s Landing lottery

Here are some tips that the NPS has issued based on common problems they’ve observed:

‼️ Fill out the entire application to take advantage of the ranked-choice application system. 

‼️ Pick multiple hike start times and/or days that work best for your group.

‼️ Select different group sizes if the number of hikers will change on different dates or at different start times.

‼️ Be mindful of schedules for both Seasonal Lotteries (which happen quarterly) and Day-before Lotteries (open 12:01 AM to 3:00PM MT the day-before your planned hike).

Here is a simple summary of the steps to take to maximize your chances of getting a reservation for the national parks. You’re welcome to share this image on your site using this code and attribution:

Good luck and enjoy hiking Zion National Park Angels Landing!  

More Planning Resources for Zion National Park

Do you have any other thoughts about Angel’s Landing permits?  I’d love to hear them.  Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).  

If you found this article useful, Pin It to your Zion National Park board!  

If you are thinking about traveling to some other national parks, don’t miss my guides to: 

➡️ Which national parks require reservations
➡️ Glacier National Park’s Going to The Sun Road in reservation system
➡️ Yosemite National Park day use reservations
➡️ Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system
➡️ Acadia Cadillac Mountain reservation system
➡️ Arches National Park timed entry system

About the Author

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

Read more…

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