Getting there
- Flights to Cedar City (CDC) 50 km from the start
- Flights to Las Vegas (LAS) 235 km from the start
Treks / USA (Utah)
Angels Landing
USA (Utah) · Nearest city: Las Vegas (also Salt Lake City)
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 9 km
Climbing≈ 450 m
Highest point1,765 m
A short, famous hike in Zion National Park that ends along a narrow sandstone fin with chains and big drops.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonMarch to November
High pointAngels Landing
Watch out: A permit from a seasonal lottery is needed for the chains section.
Why people choose it
It's one of America's most famous short hikes, along a knife-edge sandstone fin with chains.
What makes it different
- Knife-edge ridge with chains
- View down Zion Canyon
- Short but thrilling
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (3.6 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Angels Landing
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Enter the permit lottery. Places are limited and usually allocated months ahead.
- Best time to go: March to November.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Las Vegas.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: March to November
March to May
Spring
Pleasant temperatures and the best time for most desert hikes, though nights are cold.
Bring
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Warm layer for mornings
- Plenty of water
June to September
Summer
Dangerous heat, often above 40°C, and monsoon flash floods from July. Hike at dawn only.
Bring
- 4+ litres of water and electrolytes
- Check flash-flood forecasts
- Avoid midday hiking
October to February
Autumn and winter
Cool, clear and quieter. Snow and ice possible on higher rims.
Bring
- Warm layers
- Microspikes for icy rims
- Headlamp for short days
Be ready for
Chains and cables
Some sections use fixed chains or cables over exposed rock. Go slowly, keep three points of contact, and turn back if it's wet or crowded. Gloves help your grip.
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
What you'll see
4 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Angels Landing
Photo credits: Angels Landing - Zion Canyon by Óðinn, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca, via Wikimedia Commons; Zion angels landing view by Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Zion NP - Angels Landing by Peter Stehlik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Observation Point from Angels Landing Trail by Dave Conger, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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