Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail (Zion National Park)

The Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park is one of the most iconic hikes in the entire United States. This hike delivers an adrenaline rush, navigating along a narrow ridge that rises approximately 1,488 feet (454 meters) above the valley floor. Hikers proceed single-file along the sheer drop-offs, gripping safety chains installed along the route. Amidst the thrill, the trail also offers spectacular views of Zion Canyon. 

In this guide to Angels Landing, I’ll cover everything you need to know for this hike. I’ll also share alternative routes, for example extending your journey on the West Rim Trail to Telephone Canyon. These alternatives are great options if you’re unable to secure an Angels Landing permit or are seeking a longer and less crowded adventure in Zion’s captivating backcountry.

If you need a refresher, check out my guide to day hiking. For more places to explore in Utah, browse my Utah destination guides. 

Related Articles:
Zion Canyon Hikes
Watchman Trail
Observation Point
Kolob Arch Trail
Checkerboard Mesa

Angels Landing Trail Map and Hike Stats

Angels Landing Hike

The Angels Landing hike length is 4.3 miles. This strenuous out-and-back route includes 1,827 feet elevation gain. Most visitors complete the hike in ~4 hours, with the last half-mile along the Angels Landing ridge being the most slow-moving. The hike to only Scout Lookout, Zion would be 3.6 miles with 1,115 feet elevation gain.

Given much of the trail’s exposure to the elements, it’s imperative to safeguard yourself against both heat and cold. Fortunately, the Angels Landing trail is well-marked and you shouldn’t have any difficulty navigating.

Angels Landing Trail Map

Due to its popularity, this hike requires an Angels Landing permit to ensure safety and prevent overcrowding. However, you don’t need a permit to hike the West Rim Trail. If you’re unable to get a permit, the hike to Scout Lookout, Zion still offers a striking perspective of the Angels Landing ridge. If you have the energy to go further, read below to learn about the stunning and crowd-free route up the West Rim Trail to the Telephone Canyon Trail.

Angels Landing Hike, West Rim, and Telephone Loop

If you’re an experienced hiker seeking a full-day adventure, consider extending your journey beyond Angels Landing to explore more of the West Rim Trail and Telephone Canyon. The full route spans 15.5 miles with 4,396 feet elevation gain. However, even if you choose to proceed just a few miles on the West Rim Trail before turning around, you’ll still encounter breathtaking scenery. This hike is strenuous, and some parts of it are difficult to navigate. One major bonus of this route is a lack of crowds; I saw only a handful of other hikers on the trail.

West Rim Trail Map

Trail Guides

Angels Landing Hike

The Angels Landing trail starts at shuttle stop #6 (The Grotto). You’ll cross the river on a bridge, then briefly follow the Virgin River before ascending. As you ascend, you’ll encounter Walter’s Wiggles, a series of 21 switchbacks carved into the canyon.

At the top of the switchbacks, you’ll reach Scout Lookout, where you’ll find restrooms and an impressive up-close view of Angels Landing. To proceed onto the ridge from here, you’ll need an Angels Landing permit.

I did this hike before the Angels Landing hike permit system was in place. Despite an early start on a weekday during shoulder season, I experienced significant crowding. One hiker was crying and refusing to proceed, resulting in a traffic jam in the single-file line of hikers along the chains. If you have a severe fear of heights, navigating this trail may prove challenging! Also, remember to be cautious and patient with others as you share the trail.

If you’re doing the Angels Landing hike early in the morning in shoulder season, I recommend wearing extra layers and gloves. You may get cold if traffic on the trail comes to a standstill, and warm hands are crucial for a secure grip on the chains. If you’re hiking with trekking poles, make sure they can be attached to your backpack so that you can navigate the ridge hands-free.

Upon completing the final half-mile stretch along the Angels Landing trail, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of Zion Canyon. While most hikers opt to retrace their steps at this point, I chose to extend my hike along the West Rim Trail toward Telephone Canyon.

West Rim and Telephone Canyon

As its name suggests, the West Rim Trail offers breathtaking panoramic views as it winds along the western rim of the canyon. If you have some energy left after visiting Angels Landing, I highly recommend continuing a little while on this trail before heading back down to the trailhead. Just keep in mind that the terrain here is rocky and exposed, and is best avoided during the midday sun.

After a brief stretch along Zion Canyon, the West Rim trail veers left, descending into a lush ravine. I found this section of the trail difficult to navigate at times. However, once you’ve descended into the ravine, the shade offers a welcome relief from the heat. The contrast between the verdant vegetation here and the arid landscapes earlier in the hike is striking. I visited in October, and this area was full of beautiful fall foliage.

From the ravine, the trail climbs up along sandstone cliffs until it reaches the junction with the Telephone Canyon Trail. At this point, the majority of the ascent is behind you as you reach a plateau. From here, the trail follows the plateau’s edge, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. You’ll see unique sandstone formations, including conical and bulb-shaped structures. This area is higher in elevation, and during my visit, there was a layer of snow on the trail.

While I chose to hike the loop clockwise—beginning with the West Rim Trail followed by the Telephone Canyon Trail—the terrain doesn’t necessarily favor one direction over the other. I found the West Rim hike to offer more impressive vistas compared to the Telephone Canyon Trail, which is more forested. Keep in mind that portions of the Telephone Canyon Trail may be overgrown. Having the trail map downloaded can be helpful for navigation.

After completing the loop, simply go back the way you came on the West Rim Trail.

West Rim Backpacking Route

If you’re into backpacking, you can also camp along the West Rim hike! In addition to the route I described above, you can do the West Rim Trail as a point-to-point hike from Lava Point to the Grotto. For any Zion backpacking trip, you’ll need to obtain a Zion camping permit beforehand. When planning your trip keep in mind that there are three springs along the West Rim Trail, two of which are not reliable year-round. For more information on West Rim campsites and water sources, head over to the National Park Service page.

Useful Tips for the Angels Landing Hike

Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service in hiking areas. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance. 

Beat the heat. Start hiking early in the morning. If you can, visit in spring or fall over summer. Some sections of the Angels Landing hike can get very hot since they are exposed.

Leave no trace. Let’s make sure this place stays beautiful! 

Check trail conditions. The trail is open year-round, but be mindful of snow and ice in winter. The West Rim Trail to the Telephone Canyon Trail is at higher elevation and may have snow and ice from late fall to early spring.

Zion National Park Weather and When to Go

Aim to visit Zion National Park in spring or fall. Summers are unbearably hot and pose risks of flash floods. Zion sees its highest influx of visitors between April and September. Consequently, shoulder seasons (for example, March or October) are great times to visit to avoid crowds. My last visit was in mid-October, and I appreciated the cooler temperatures and vibrant fall foliage. 

If you’re planning a spring trip to Zion, keep in mind that higher elevation trails may still have lingering snow and ice. The Narrows hike may also be closed in spring due to high water levels. 

Zion is open year-round, and it’s also possible to visit during winter. While the experience will be much quieter, be prepared to drive in winter conditions since the shuttle doesn’t operate for most of winter. Also, expect snow and ice in higher elevation areas (such as the West Rim and Telephone Canyon Trails), which will require specialized hiking gear.

Avoid visiting Zion National Park on weekends and holidays, which are usually packed with visitors. Arriving early is key, as parking lots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. You’ll also want to start hiking early in the day before it gets too hot.

Check the National Park Services pages for more information on current conditions and weather in Zion.

Zion National Park Information

Zion National Park entrance is $35 per car, paid at the kiosk on the road leading to the park. You can use your US National Parks pass or purchase one there for $80.

There are no specific park hours. Dogs are not permitted on the Angels Landing Hike, or on any trails within the park with the exception of the Pa’rus Trail.

Zion National Park Directions and Parking

Zion National Park is located in Southwestern Utah, along State Route 9. The closest town is Springdale. The park is a ~2 hr 45 min drive from Las Vegas, and a ~4 hr 30 min drive from Salt Lake City.

To reach Zion Canyon, navigate to “Zion Canyon Visitor Center”. From here, you’ll need to take the free shuttle to stop #6 (The Grotto) to reach the Angels Landing hike. During peak season (typically from March to November), cars are prohibited in the canyon and all visitors must take the shuttle.

The parking lot at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center fills up quickly. If you’re arriving outside of early morning or visiting during peak season, consider parking in Springdale and taking the free shuttle into Zion.

What to Bring for the Angels Landing Hike

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my complete day hiking checklist. For this hike I would stress the following:

• Trail Map. Download the map for offline navigation. 
• Day Hiking Backpack. Invest in a high-quality and durable pack that will last for years!
• Hiking Shoes. Women’s, Men’s. I do not recommend running or general athletic shoes for this hike. Their lack of traction will cause you to slip.
• Hiking Socks. Women’s, Men’s. Wool is essential to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
• Hiking Pants. Women’s, Men’s. I love these pants because they are lightweight, durable, and have pockets.
• Hiking T-Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. Quick-drying T-Shirts are ideal. Tank tops will cause your skin to rub uncomfortably against your backpack straps.
• Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. This is the best way to protect yourself from the sun. 
• Trekking Poles. These are helpful for long downhill sections. Make sure you have a way to attach them to your backpack for hands-free navigation on the Angels Landing chains.
• Gloves. Bring these if you anticipate cooler weather on your Angels Landing hike. You’ll want to keep your hands warm for good grip on the chains!
• Hat. This hike is very exposed, so protect yourself from the sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip Balm with SPF.
• Electrolytes. These help prevent dehydration and fatigue, especially on strenuous hikes in hot weather.
• Water in a Reservoir or Bottle. This is a long and hot hike.
• Microspikes and Gaiters. If you’re hiking in winter or shoulder season, the trail may have snow and ice.

Where to Stay

Within Zion National Park itself, you can either camp or stay at Zion Lodge. Staying in Springdale or nearby towns such as Hurricane opens up many more lodging options. Accommodation near Zion sells out quickly, so book as far in advance as you can!

Zion National Park Camping

Campsites within Zion include: South Campground, Watchman Campground, and Lava Point Campground. All of the Zion campsites require reservations, which can be made 6 months in advance and sell out quickly.

Accommodation in Zion National Park

The only accommodation inside the park is Zion Lodge.

Accommodation in Springdale

Splurge:
Hampton Inn & Suites
Flanigan’s Resort and Spa

Accommodation in Hurricane

Mid-range:
Hurricane Hideaway Lodging
Wingate by Wyndham
Sleep Inn & Suites
Comfort Inn & Suites

Other Things to Do in Zion National Park

You’ll need a few days to thoroughly explore all that Zion National Park has to offer. Aside from exploring more trails in the most famous section of the park (Zion Canyon) pay a visit to the lesser-known Kolob Canyons. Also check out the scenic drive along Route 9 (Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway). 

Lastly, consider adding a trip to Bryce Canyon to your Zion trip! Bryce Canyon is just a 2 hour drive away and can be explored in a day or two.

Recommended Zion Hikes:
Zion Canyon Hikes
Watchman Trail
Observation Point
Kolob Arch Trail
Checkerboard Mesa

Bryce Canyon

Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide to the Angels Landing hike, the West Rim Trail, and Telephone Canyon was helpful! Is the Angels Landing trail on your bucket list? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. Happy hiking!

For more places to explore, check out my guides to other hikes in Utah.

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