Zion Angels Landing: Private Hike & Permit Included

Angels Landing Without the Lottery: Your Permit is Already Secured

You get the Angels Landing permit without entering a lottery, hike with only your group and a guide who knows the route, and access to the visitor center facilities before and after. The guide coaches you through the exposed ridge sections and manages the pace so you're not rushing. Bring water and snacks, meet at the flagpole, and plan for a full morning or early afternoon on the trail.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Angels Landing3h
2. Zion National Park2h

Angels Landing Hike and Zion Shuttle Ride

• Meet guide at Zion Visitor Center
• Refill water and use bathrooms
• Ride Zion Shuttle to trail start
• Hike Angels Landing with permit
• Enjoy summit views and snack
• Return to Visitor Center

The experience

Yeah, so the permit thing. That's the whole reason most people don't actually do this hike. You enter the lottery, you don't get picked, and then you're standing at the Zion visitor center watching other hikers head up to Angels Landing while you're stuck on an easier trail. This tour skips that part. The permit is already yours, included in the booking, which means you show up at the flagpole at the visitor center and your guide meets you ready to go. No application forms, no waiting months to hear back, no luck involved.

The hike itself is the thing people come to Zion for: a 5.4-mile round trip that climbs about 1,500 feet to a sandstone ridge hanging over the canyon floor. The first part is steep but straightforward. Then you hit Walter's Wiggles, this series of tight switchbacks carved into the rock that everyone warns you about before you start. After that comes The Chains section, where the trail narrows to a ridge with metal chains bolted into the rock on both sides and a 1,400-foot drop below. Your guide coaches you through the exposed parts, points out where to place your feet, and keeps the pace manageable. You're not racing. You're moving at your group's speed, which means you can stop and breathe and actually look around instead of getting swept along in a crowd of fifty people trying to summit before noon.

Once you reach the top, the view is the kind of thing that justifies the permit lottery existing in the first place. You can see the whole canyon system from up there, the Virgin River threading through red rock, the walls dropping straight down. You eat a snack, take photos, and then you head back the way you came. The guide will text you the day before to confirm timing and answer any last-minute questions. Bring 2 to 3 liters of water per person and pack lunch or snacks. The visitor center has a place to refill bottles before you start, and your guide will show you where the bathrooms are.

What’s included

• Angels Landing permit.
• private guide for your group.
• Zion Shuttle transportation from visitor center to trailhead.
• guide coaching through exposed ridge sections and chains.

Information

Lasts 4h–6h, runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 6 start times, from US$ 378 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and as a private tour.

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday6 departure times: 06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate5 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.3 with pickup ›

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sundial Guiding

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to hike Angels Landing without entering the permit lottery or managing the logistics yourself: the permit and guide handle both, leaving you to focus on the hike and the views.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

37 verified traveler reviews

5 ★37

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need a permit to hike Angels Landing in Zion?

Yes. Permits are required year-round and are issued through a lottery system. This tour includes the permit, so you don't have to apply or wait for approval.

What time does the hike start?

You'll meet your guide at the Zion National Park Visitor Center at the flagpole. Your guide will text you the day before with the exact meeting time.

How long is the Angels Landing hike?

The round trip is about 5.4 miles with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Most hikers take 3 to 4 hours depending on pace and how long you spend at the summit.

What should I bring?

Bring 2 to 3 liters of water per person and lunch or snacks. The visitor center has water refill stations and bathrooms available before you start.

Are there chains on the Angels Landing trail?

Yes. The final section to the summit includes a narrow ridge with metal chains bolted into the rock on both sides. The drop-offs are steep, and your guide will coach you through this exposed section.

Is this hike difficult?

It's a moderate to strenuous hike with steep elevation gain, narrow sections, and exposure. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness and good cardiovascular health.

Can I hike at my own pace?

Yes. This is a private tour, so you hike with your group only and move at a pace that works for everyone in your party.

How do I get to the trailhead?

Your guide will take you on the Zion Shuttle from the visitor center to the Angels Landing trailhead. The shuttle is part of the tour.