Angels Landing: The Permit, Explained
There are two separate lotteries, and most people only enter one. Here are the 2026 dates, what it costs, and what to do if you don’t get a permit.
The short answer
You need a permit for Angels Landing, but only for the final half mile past Scout Lookout — the chains section. The first two miles up the West Rim Trail and Walter’s Wiggles are open to anyone.
Permits come from two separate lotteries on Recreation.gov: a seasonal lottery that opens quarterly and a day-before lottery that runs the day before you want to hike. Most people only enter one of them, which is the single biggest reason they miss out.
It costs $6 to apply for up to six people, plus $3 per person if you’re awarded a permit.
What the Permit Actually Covers
Permits are required every day of the year and at every time of day. There’s no off-season and no early-morning loophole.
The reason the system exists is worth understanding: past Scout Lookout the trail narrows to less than three feet wide in places, with drop-offs on both sides. The permit isn’t bureaucracy, it’s crowd control on a genuinely exposed ridge.
Lottery 1: The Seasonal Lottery
This is the one to plan around. Each seasonal lottery covers a three-month block of hiking dates and opens well in advance.
| Hiking dates | Lottery opens | Closes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1 – May 31 | Feb 13 | Feb 25 | Feb 26 |
| Jun 1 – Aug 31 | Apr 1 | Apr 20 | Apr 25 |
| Sep 1 – Nov 30 | Jul 1 | Jul 20 | Jul 25 |
| Dec 1 – Feb 28, 2027 | Oct 1 | Oct 20 | Oct 25 |
You can rank up to seven date and time choices on a single application, and it costs the same $6 whether you list one or all seven. Use all seven — and include at least one weekday, because weekday demand is meaningfully lower than weekends.
The seasonal lottery decides your whole trip. Enter it before you book flights, not after — the dates you win determine everything else.”
Lottery 2: The Day-Before Lottery
If you missed the seasonal lottery or didn’t win, this is your second chance — and it’s a real one.
- Opens 12:01 AM Mountain Time the day before you want to hike
- Closes 3:00 PM Mountain Time the same day
- Results by 4:00 PM, so you know that afternoon
- Hiking Tuesday? Apply Monday. There is no same-day option.
Why this lottery is better than it looks
Cancelled seasonal permits roll automatically into the day-before pool. That means the day-before lottery often has more permits available than people assume — and it’s worth entering even for dates when the seasonal lottery looked completely full.
The catch is that it requires you to already be in the area, or at least committed to being there. Plenty of people enter both lotteries: the seasonal one months ahead, and the day-before one as a backup while they’re already on the trip.
What It Costs
- $6 to apply — non-refundable, and it covers a group of up to six people
- $3 per person if you’re awarded a permit, charged automatically to the same card
- The park entrance fee is separate. The permit doesn’t include it.
Applications go through Recreation.gov. One person applies on behalf of the group, and that person has to be on the hike — the permit holder must be present, and rangers check photo ID.
Screenshot your permit
Cell service in the canyon is poor and gets worse as you climb. Save your permit to your phone as an image before you leave the visitor center — don’t count on it loading at the trailhead.
Didn’t Get a Permit? Hike Scout Lookout
This is the part that gets lost in the permit conversation. Scout Lookout requires no permit at all, and it’s most of the hike.
- About 4 miles round trip from The Grotto, shuttle stop 6
- Nearly all of the elevation gain, including Walter’s Wiggles
- You’re already looking straight down the canyon before the chains start
- No permit, no lottery, no fee, any day of the year
Plenty of people with permits reach Scout Lookout, take one look at the ridge, and turn around anyway. It’s a normal outcome, not a failure.
The chains are the famous part, but the view from Scout Lookout is already enormous. If heights aren’t your thing, this is the hike — not a consolation prize.”
Planning Notes
- Your start time is set at The Grotto, shuttle stop 6 — not at the trailhead sign and not at Scout Lookout. Build the shuttle ride into your window.
- Enter both lotteries. The seasonal one months ahead, and the day-before one as a backup once you’re on the trip.
- Weekdays improve your odds noticeably. If your dates are flexible at all, rank a weekday first.
- The permit holder must be present on the hike, and rangers check photo ID at the chains.
- Angels Landing is closed to hiking in high winds, ice, and lightning, permit or not.
- Lottery dates are published each February for the year ahead. These are the 2026 windows.
Now plan the rest of it
Our 3-day Zion itinerary builds Angels Landing into Day 2 with the shuttle timing worked out, or the 2-day version puts it first thing on Day 1. See also the Zion shuttle guide — you’ll need stop 6.
Angels Landing Permit FAQ
The questions we get asked most.
Do I need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
Only for the final half mile past Scout Lookout, where the chains are. The first two miles from The Grotto up the West Rim Trail need no permit and are open to anyone, any day.
How do I get an Angels Landing permit?
Through a lottery on Recreation.gov. There are two: a seasonal lottery that opens quarterly for a three-month block of dates, and a day-before lottery that runs from 12:01 AM to 3 PM Mountain Time the day before you hike.
How much does an Angels Landing permit cost?
$6 to apply, which is non-refundable and covers up to six people. If you win, it’s an additional $3 per person. The park entrance fee is separate.
When do the 2026 Angels Landing lotteries open?
Spring dates opened February 13, summer on April 1, fall on July 1, and winter on October 1. Each window stays open two to three weeks, with results a few days after closing.
Can I get an Angels Landing permit the same day?
No. The day-before lottery closes at 3 PM Mountain Time the day before your hike, and there’s no same-day option at all. If you want to hike Tuesday, you apply Monday.
What happens if I don’t get a permit?
Hike to Scout Lookout instead. It’s about 4 miles round trip from The Grotto, covers nearly all the elevation gain including Walter’s Wiggles, and requires no permit. The view down the canyon from there is already enormous.
How hard is Angels Landing?
5 miles round trip with roughly 1,400 feet of gain. The climb itself is strenuous but manageable. The difficulty is the exposure — past Scout Lookout the trail narrows to under three feet wide in places with drop-offs on both sides.
Which shuttle stop is Angels Landing?
Stop 6, The Grotto. It’s the busiest trailhead in the park, and your permit start time is measured from there — so factor the shuttle ride into your timing.