Angels Landing Trail--West Rim Trail

The Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail is a 2 km point-to-point trail in Zion National Park, Utah, United States, gaining 358 m of elevation in a single day. Rated strenuous, it climbs from the floor of Zion Canyon to a narrow sandstone ridge with drop-offs of up to 1,000 feet on each side, secured only by anchored chains.

About the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail

The Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail covers 2 km one-way and gains 358 m of elevation over the course of a single day, starting at The Grotto trailhead (Zion Canyon shuttle stop 6) and finishing on the sandstone summit of Angels Landing. It is a point-to-point hiking trail on paper, though in practice almost every hiker returns down the same path, since there is no alternative descent from the summit ridge. The National Park Service describes the route as "strenuous" and "challenging", citing a steep, narrow ridge with uneven steps cut into the rock, in places less than 3 feet (0.9 m) wide.

Since April 1, 2022, a permit has been mandatory to hike any portion of Angels Landing beyond Scout Lookout — hiking without one carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. The lower section, the West Rim Trail from The Grotto to Scout Lookout, remains permit-free and open to any visitor holding a valid park entrance pass. Chains anchored into the rock serve as handrails along the exposed final stretch, and the National Park Service warns that "most accidents on the chains occur during wet conditions," so the summit push should be skipped entirely whenever rain, snow or ice is present.

Despite its short 2 km length, the trail is one of the most talked-about day hikes in the American Southwest precisely because of that final 0.3 km: a narrow sandstone fin with sheer drop-offs of up to 1,000 feet (305 m) on both sides, where hikers move hand-over-hand along the anchored chains and regularly have to yield to hikers coming the other way on sections barely wide enough for one boot.

Water and restrooms are available at both ends of the West Rim segment — at The Grotto and again at Scout Lookout — but not on the chains section itself, so the last realistic refill point before the summit push is Scout Lookout. There is no shade above Scout Lookout, and the sandstone reflects heat back at hikers through the middle of the day, which is the main reason an early start matters here as much as the exposure itself.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail splits into two distinct stages: a paved ascent to Scout Lookout that carries the bulk of the day's 358 m of climbing, and a short, sharply exposed chain-assisted scramble to the summit. Hikers who are uneasy with heights should treat Scout Lookout as the real destination and turn around there — the final 0.3 km adds exposure, not meaningfully better scenery than the West Rim views already earned by that point.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• The Grotto Trailhead — Zion Canyon shuttle stop 6, with restrooms and a water-bottle fill station; the starting point for both the West Rim Trail and the Angels Landing Trail.
• West Rim Trail switchbacks — the paved 1.7 km climb that carries hikers from the canyon floor up to Scout Lookout, gaining most of the trail's 358 m of elevation.
• Scout Lookout — a flat rest area with restrooms where the permit-only Angels Landing segment begins; the last realistic turnaround point for hikers uneasy with exposure.
• The Chains — steel chains anchored intermittently into the sandstone, used as handrails along the narrowest, most exposed 0.3 km of the route.
• Angels Landing Summit — the trail's endpoint, a narrow sandstone fin with drop-offs of up to 1,000 feet (305 m) on either side.
• Zion Canyon overlook — from the upper ridge and summit, sweeping views open over the canyon floor below.
• Shuttle Stop 6 — the free Zion Canyon shuttle's boarding and return point, used by almost every hiker on this trail since private cars are barred from the canyon road for most of the year.

Best Time to Hike the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail

As of 2026, October is the single best month to hike the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail. Daytime temperatures typically sit in a comfortable range for the exposed chain section, the summer monsoon's afternoon thunderstorms have passed, and the chains are usually dry — a real safety factor, since the National Park Service notes that "most accidents on the chains occur during wet conditions." Skip the climb outright whenever storm clouds are visible, or the rock is wet or icy, regardless of the calendar.

June through August bring the highest heat and the greatest thunderstorm risk; the NPS warns that storms "can happen any time" but are more frequent in the afternoon, so an early-morning start is essential in summer. December through February can bring snow and ice onto the upper ridge, which turns the chains section genuinely dangerous rather than merely strenuous — hikers considering winter dates should check current trail conditions before applying for a permit, and should be ready to turn back at Scout Lookout if ice is present. April, May, September and November are the next-best shoulder-season windows after October, offering mild temperatures and somewhat lighter pressure on the chains than the midsummer peak.

Because both the seasonal and day-before lotteries are tied to calendar windows rather than weather forecasts, it is worth applying for a date in the October window and then treating the forecast, not the permit, as the final decision-maker. A confirmed permit does not obligate anyone to climb past Scout Lookout — turning back there is always the safer, and still scenic, option if conditions on the day look wrong.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Two National Park Service campgrounds sit near the trailhead in Springdale: Watchman Campground, open year-round with standard tent sites from around $20 (≈€18) per night and electric-hookup sites around $30 (≈€28), and South Campground, open seasonally through early November at around $35 (≈€32) per night, both bookable via recreation.gov. Inside the park, Zion Lodge is the only in-park hotel and books out months ahead for peak shoulder-season dates — reserve as early as the seasonal permit lottery opens rather than waiting until closer to the hike. Budget motels and hostels cluster along Springdale's main street, a short shuttle ride from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

Getting There & Back

The nearest major airport is Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS), about a 2.5-hour drive to Zion's south entrance in Springdale, Utah. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is closer, roughly 1 hour away. Once inside the park, the free Zion Canyon shuttle is the only way to reach the trailhead during the main season — board at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and ride to Shuttle Stop 6, The Grotto. During limited winter and early-spring weeks when the shuttle doesn't run, self-parking is available at pull-offs along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, on pavement only.

Permits & Fees

A park entrance fee applies to every visitor, separate from the Angels Landing permit. For the chains section beyond Scout Lookout, permits are issued through two recreation.gov lotteries run by the National Park Service: a seasonal lottery (2026 application windows run February 13–25 for March–May hikes, April 1–20 for June–August, July 1–20 for September–November, and October 1–20 for December 2026–February 2027) and a day-before lottery that opens daily at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time, closes at 3 p.m., and posts results at 4 p.m. Both lotteries charge a non-refundable $6 application fee covering up to six people, plus a $3-per-person permit fee if selected. The West Rim Trail up to Scout Lookout requires no separate permit, only the standard park entrance fee.

Gear & Packing List

The chains section rewards a light, low-profile pack that won't catch on rock or throw off balance on narrow ledges — a bulky overnight pack is the wrong tool for a 2 km, one-day trail like this. A trim daypack such as the Salomon ADV Skin 12 (260 g) or the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider (510 g) carries enough water, snacks and a layer without adding bulk on the chains. Hikers combining Angels Landing with a longer stretch of the West Rim Trail can size up to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Aero 28 (536 g), which adds capacity while staying under 600 g. The National Park Service recommends carrying roughly 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per person for the full round trip; pair that with HikeLoad's guide to how many calories you need for a full day of hiking to plan food alongside water. For broader pack comparisons before buying, see HikeLoad's Best Ultralight Backpacks 2026 roundup, ranking packs from 390 g up.

Beyond the pack, closed-toe shoes with sticky rubber soles are non-negotiable on the sandstone chains section — approach shoes or grippy trail runners outperform stiff hiking boots here. Thin gloves protect hands on sun-heated chains, and carrying a 1–2 L water reserve beyond the daypack's main bottle covers the exposed, largely shade-free final push to the summit. A wide-brimmed hat and sun-protective layers matter more here than on most 2 km trails, simply because there is no tree cover above Scout Lookout and the round trip, including queuing for the chains, regularly runs past midday.

Similar Trails You Might Like

Hikers who complete the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail often look for other trails with a similar mix of exposure, chains and canyon views. The Hidden Canyon trail, also 2 km and inside Zion, offers a comparable chain-assisted scramble with noticeably smaller crowds. On the other side of the Colorado Plateau, the South Kaibab Trail (9 km) and North Kaibab Trail (21 km), both in the Grand Canyon, deliver the same rim-to-canyon-floor elevation drama over considerably longer distances. For a bigger day with less rock exposure, the Clouds Rest Trail (15 km) and Panorama Trail (8 km) in Yosemite trade chains for sustained granite ridgelines and equally sweeping summit views.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail?

October is the single best month: daytime temperatures are moderate, the summer monsoon's afternoon thunderstorms have ended, and the chains are usually dry. April, May, September and November are solid alternatives. Avoid the climb whenever storm clouds are visible or the rock is wet or icy, since most chain-section accidents happen in wet conditions, according to the National Park Service.

How difficult is the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail?

The National Park Service rates it strenuous and challenging. Over 2 km it gains 358 m, finishing on a ridge as narrow as 3 feet wide with drop-offs of up to 1,000 feet on each side, secured only by anchored chains. It demands fitness, a head for heights and calm, dry weather — it is not a suitable trail for hikers uneasy with exposure.

How much of the trail can I cover in one day?

The full 2 km, 358 m point-to-point route is designed as a single day's hike, typically taking 3–5 hours round trip including the return descent. Most hikers reach Scout Lookout in under an hour on the paved West Rim Trail, then need extra time for the slower, chain-assisted final 0.3 km to the summit.

Where can I stay near the trailhead?

Watchman Campground (open year-round, tent sites from around €18/night) and South Campground (seasonal, around €32/night) both sit within walking distance of the Zion Canyon shuttle in Springdale. Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside the park and books out early. Motels and hostels line Springdale's main street just outside the park entrance.

Do I need a permit for the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail?

Yes, for the chains section beyond Scout Lookout — required since April 1, 2022, with hiking without one risking a fine of up to $5,000. Permits are awarded through recreation.gov seasonal and day-before lotteries, costing a $6 application fee plus $3 per person if selected. The West Rim Trail up to Scout Lookout needs no permit, only a standard park entrance fee.