A Guide to the Angels Landing Permit

You must apply, encompassing every hyperlink. The information available here is rather bewildering, and the Angels Landing permit system remains unclear, as numerous individuals have inquired about it.

The introduction of the Angels Landing permit on April 1st, 2022, was a response to overcrowding at the chains section of the hike, making it safer for hikers to complete the hike.

After the lottery closes, the results will be released. You have 20 days to apply for it, and you can apply for either the seasonal lottery, which opens up two months before, or the lottery for Zion National Park in Utah, where you can apply with your Angels Landing permit. There are two different types of lotteries.

The everyday lottery is the subsequent lottery, which becomes available from 12.01am to 3pm Mountain time / 5pm EST for the following day. Permits are subsequently granted at 4pm Mountain time / 6pm EST.

When you apply for the seasonal lottery, you can choose the times and days of your preference for hiking.

Applications for the seasonal raffle are available 2 months in advance for a period of 3 months, such as from 1 December 2023 to 28 February 2024. Permits will be granted on the 25th of each month, and you can submit your application between the 1st and 20th of the same month. For instance, to apply for the period of 1 December 2023 to 28 February 2024, you must submit your application between 1st October 2023 and 20th October 2023, with permits being issued on 25th October 2023.

If you are unsuccessful with the seasonal raffle, you can opt for the daily draw.

The outcomes provided on July 25th, 2023 for the seasonal raffle covering September 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2023 were accessible from July 1st, 2023 to July 20th, 2023. The upcoming raffle for December 1st, 2023 to February 28th, 2024 will become available on October 1st, 2023.

To participate in the daily lottery, you will need to apply for permits from September 1st, 2023, to November 30th, 2023.

Daily Raffle for: 1st September 2023 to 30th November 2023.

Your license must be presented at Scout Lookout, which you will reach by walking along the Kayenta Trail if you intend to embark on the Emerald Pool hike. The permits are issued with a start time based on your preference, starting from The Grotto at that particular time (Shuttle stop number 6), which is the stop prior to The Weeping Rock Hike (Shuttle stop 7). It is not necessary for you to commence your hike at The Grotto.

The permits are granted with starting times of Prior to 9am, 9am-12pm, and post 12pm.

If people in a group have any free permits, they can ask and go up to scout lookout or walk. Similarly, if there are any permits available for that day at the visitors’ center, you can ask and enter the lottery for daily and seasonal permits if you were not successful.

Click here from 12.01am to 3pm Mountain time to submit an application for the daily lottery.

There is no assurance, although there is no guarantee, you could potentially have good fortune on the occasion and still have the opportunity to hike it. (The individual who reserved the permit must be present, but extra individuals on the permit can be altered, even though the National Park website states that permits cannot be transferred from one person to another).

a path with lots of switchbacks up a rock mountain with steep orange cliff faces. There are lots of green bushes and trees at the bottom and a few bushes that are in the cracks of the rocks

What is the reason behind the implementation of a permit system for Angels Landing at Zion National Park?

The permit system has been implemented for the last 0.5km stretch, which marks the beginning of the chains section, starting from Scout Lookout. This measure has been put in place in response to the increasing number of hikers venturing towards Angels Landing.

During peak times, such as holidays, weekends, and particularly in summer, numerous individuals waited in long lines to ascend and descend specific sections of the park, resulting in significant congestion on the chain section and posing a growing safety hazard.

The permits additional could be issued depending on how they feel about it. The change may go well depending on how the trial is currently being conducted in Zion National Park.

Personally, I do not think that people who want to remove this system have any idea of the sheer volume involved.

How many licenses are required for Angels Landing?

Around the clock, the park ranger has the authority to inspect your permit and identification at various locations along the trail, such as The Grotto, Scout’s Outlook, or other spots. It is mandatory for anyone planning to hike beyond Scout’s Outlook to possess a permit.

If you are unable to show your permit, you will not be allowed to hike. Also, the area may not have a great cell phone signal, so make sure to either take a screenshot of it or print your permit.

If the applicant or an alternative person who applied for the permit has the ID and permit, the rangers can request to view them collectively or allow the group to pass through the checkpoint as a whole. In order to proceed, hiking will be necessary.

Am I able to revoke my permit or modify my permit?

If you obtained your seasonal lottery permit, you can cancel it up to two days before and receive a refundable application fee of $6. However, if you are unable to cancel it within that timeframe, you will not be able to get your $3 fee back for each person.

The everyday lottery allocation will involve the revocation of their license if a participant of your group is unable to attend, and Zion National Park has verified on their website that permits cannot be transferred.

Once you obtain your permit, it is not possible to alter the group’s leader, the name on the permit, the desired hiking date, or the party size.

If you have received the daily lottery, you will no longer be able to change your name or receive any refunds on the next day’s hike.

view of a canyon with steep orange cliffs on either side, in the canyon you can see lots of green trees and bushes, there is also a river snaking through the canyon

What is the maximum distance for hiking without a permit?

A license is required for the final 0.5km. This is the point where the chains section begins, known as Scout’s Lookout, as far as you can trek.

Winter Hike to Angels Landing.

This is due to the limited availability of shuttles for transportation and parking. If you plan to hike the Angels Landing during the day, you will be able to start at any time and you will not have a designated time slot for your permit during the winter. However, if the parking lot is full, you may need to return to it.

To ensure that you can embark on the hike at your desired time, it would be beneficial to arrive early at the parking area if you are staying in any of the nearby towns close to Zion. In the event that the parking lot is crowded, you might have to either locate parking at a greater distance or consider returning at a later time during the day.

Due to Health and Safety considerations, there may be occasions when it becomes necessary to temporarily close the trail, and the weather conditions cannot assure your ability to proceed with the hike.

If you are considering a trip to Zion National Park in January and intend to hike when there might be icy or snowy conditions on the trail, it is advisable to come equipped with appropriate footwear traction devices. If you prefer not to purchase them, you can rent them in Springdale.

Is it permissible to go hiking in the early morning without a permit?

As a ranger, you must have a permit to hike for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at any time.

A permit will be assigned for either “Prior to 9am” “9am – 12pm” “After 12pm”.

If you are caught hiking without a permit in Landing Angels, it is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of $5,000.

When is the optimal period for hiking Angels Landing?

The best time of the year to hike Angels Landing is during Fall and Spring, as temperatures are more pleasant during the day, even though it can be cooler before sunset and early in the morning.

August is indeed the most rainy month of the year and July the warmest month of the year.

If you were planning to hike to Angels Landing, the best time of the day would be early morning, before the temperatures rise. However, if you prefer cooler temperatures, the Fall or Spring seasons would be more suitable for your enjoyment.

Is it possible to hike both The Narrows and Angels Landing at Zion National Park within a single day?

Take these factors into account, but it is indeed possible to hike to both The Narrows and Angels Landing in one day.