The Angels Landing permit lottery, explained
Angels Landing is one of Zion’s signature hikes, and since 2022 the chained final section needs a permit awarded by lottery. Two separate draws feed the same permit, and knowing the difference is the key to actually getting on the spine.
Seasonal lottery vs. day-before lottery
The seasonal lottery runs a few months ahead and covers a whole travel quarter — best if your dates are locked. The day-before lottery opens the afternoon before your hike and suits flexible travelers already in the area.
Both run on recreation.gov, both cost a small application fee, and both name a time block if you win.
Which has better odds
It shifts with season and day of week, but the day-before lottery is often the more forgiving of the two, especially midweek and outside summer. If you can move your date by a day, it’s a real advantage.
Either way, only hike the chains in dry, calm conditions — the exposure is serious and heat is the bigger danger in summer.
If you don’t get a permit
Scout Lookout, just below the chains, needs no permit and delivers most of the view. Observation Point actually looks down on Angels Landing from higher up, with no lottery at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for the whole hike?
No — only for the chained section beyond Scout Lookout. The trail up to the lookout is permit-free.
When do results come out?
The day-before lottery posts results that same evening. Seasonal results come a few weeks after the application window.
