Angels Landing Trail

This out-and-back climbs from The Grotto to the Angels Landing summit via the West Rim Trail, Refrigerator Canyon, Walter’s Wiggles, Scout Lookout and the final chain ridge. The mapped corridor is about 2.1 miles each way, or 4.2 miles round trip; published visitor figures differ, with some listing 5.4 miles. Allow around four hours or longer for this strenuous climb. A permit is required beyond Scout Lookout. Without one, Scout is a worthwhile turnaround with canyon views.

From shuttle stop 6, cross the road and bridge over the Virgin River to reach the West Rim Trail. The route begins with a sustained climb on steep switchbacks along the canyon wall. Fill bottles and use the restroom at The Grotto: it is the only drinkable-water point on the hike. Shuttle schedules change seasonally; when buses are not running, the small Grotto parking area can fill early.

The grade briefly eases in the cooler shade of Refrigerator Canyon before climbing again on Walter’s Wiggles, a tight series of 21 switchbacks cut into the rock. The turns lead to Scout Lookout, a relatively level, sandy area with some shade and a restroom but no water. Take a pause here and decide whether the exposed ridge suits you.

The approach to Scout Lookout is strenuous but does not require the Angels Landing permit. The viewpoint has broad canyon scenery, and turning back here avoids the narrowest and most exposed terrain. It is a sensible destination for anyone without a permit or who does not want to continue on chains.

Beyond Scout, the last half mile follows a narrow sandstone fin with a metal chain for handholds. The path has steep drops and bottlenecks where hikers moving in opposite directions must communicate and take turns. There is no protected alternate line on this stretch. Do not continue onto the ridge in rain, thunderstorms, or icy conditions, or if exposure feels beyond your comfort. Dogs are prohibited on the route.

The summit sits on a resistant fin of Jurassic Navajo Sandstone high above Zion Canyon. The route’s dramatic signature view looks north across cliffs and the green canyon floor; Scout Lookout offers a lower-exposure place to compose a view of the fin. California condors sometimes soar near the cliffs. Stay on the trail and avoid throwing or dropping objects, since climbers may be below and the area is used by nesting birds.

The name is attributed to Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher, who allegedly remarked on a 1916 visit that only an angel could land on the fin. The West Rim and Angels Landing trail is also recorded as a historic park structure, with important construction years in the 1920s.