Angels Landing Permit Guide 2026
Lottery permit
Utah · No dogs in the backcountry
By Casey Rowan, Permit Ranger
Last updated
Angels Landing climbs Zion's most famous ridgeline, and the final chained half mile past Scout Lookout requires a permit every day of the year. There is nothing to book first-come-first-served: every permit is awarded by lottery on recreation.gov, through a seasonal advance lottery held four times a year and a day-before lottery for each hiking date. Permit Ranger tracks both application windows for the dates you want to hike, with apply links, deadline reminders, and calendar events.
When permits are released
Lottery only - no first-come sales. A seasonal advance lottery runs four times a year (generally the 1st-20th two months before each season); the day-before lottery runs 12:01 AM to 3:00 PM Utah time (Mountain) the day before every hiking date.
Fees
- Application: $6 per lottery application (non-refundable)
- Per person: $3 per person if awarded
How to get a Angels Landing permit
- Pick the dates you want to hike. Angels Landing runs on permits year round, split into four seasons on recreation.gov: spring (March through May), summer (June through August), fall (September through November), and winter (December through February).
- Apply in the seasonal advance lottery for your season. Each season has a short application window a couple of months ahead: in 2026, summer applications ran April 1-20 (results April 25), fall ran July 1-20 (results July 25), and winter 2026-27 runs October 1-20 (results October 25). One application covers up to 6 people and ranks up to 7 day-and-time choices.
- If you miss the seasonal window or don't win, use the day-before lottery: apply between 12:01 AM and 3:00 PM Utah time (Mountain) the day before your hike, and results are emailed by 4:00 PM the same day. Permits cancelled from the seasonal lottery roll into this drawing.
- Each application costs $6 (non-refundable), and winners pay $3 per person when the permit is issued.
- Bring the permit on your hike: rangers check permits at Scout Lookout, where the chained section begins. Hiking to Scout Lookout itself requires no permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can Permit Ranger alert me when Angels Landing permits open up?
No, and neither can anyone else: Angels Landing has no first-come availability to watch, so there are no cancellation or opening alerts. Every permit is awarded by lottery. What Permit Ranger does instead is track the application windows for the hike dates you enter - it shows the seasonal advance lottery and your day-before application day, links straight to the right recreation.gov page, and reminds you before each window closes.
How does the day-before lottery work?
Applications for each hiking date are accepted the day before, from 12:01 AM to 3:00 PM Utah time (Mountain). Results are emailed by 4:00 PM the same day. To hike on a Saturday, for example, you apply during the day on Friday.
When are the seasonal lottery windows?
Each season has its own short application window on recreation.gov, generally the 1st through the 20th of the month two months before the season starts, with results emailed on the 25th. In 2026: summer applications ran April 1-20, fall ran July 1-20, and winter 2026-27 runs October 1-20. The spring 2026 round was an exception, running February 13-25 with results February 26.
Do I need a permit to hike to Scout Lookout?
No. The permit covers only the chained section beyond Scout Lookout, where rangers check permits. The West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout, with most of the climbing and the Walter's Wiggles switchbacks, is open to everyone.
How much does it cost?
Each lottery application costs $6 and is non-refundable whether or not you win. If you are awarded a permit, you pay an additional $3 per person in your group. An application can cover up to 6 people.
Are dogs allowed on Angels Landing?
No. Pets are banned from Zion's trails, including the entire Angels Landing route.
More permits in Utah
- Canyonlands National Park permit guide
- Cedar Mesa (Bears Ears) permit guide
- Paria Canyon (Vermilion Cliffs) permit guide
- Zion Narrows & Canyoneering permit guide
- Zion National Park permit guide
- Zion Overnight Narrows permit guide
Permits awarded by lottery
- Glacier National Park permit guide
- Grand Canyon National Park permit guide
- Half Dome Cables permit guide
- Mount Rainier permit guide
- North Cascades permit guide
- The Enchantments permit guide
- Yellowstone National Park permit guide
- Yosemite National Park permit guide
Plan ahead
Sold-out dates reopen all the time from cancellations and quota drops. Permit Ranger checks recreation.gov around the clock and alerts you the moment your dates open. It never books for you.