How to Get an Angels Landing Permit for Zion Through the Lottery System (September 2026)

Angels Landing is one of the most iconic and thrilling hikes in the entire U.S. national park system. The trail takes you 1,488 feet above Zion Canyon on a narrow sandstone ridge with chains bolted into the rock, delivering views that stay with you for a lifetime.

Since April 2022, hikers need a permit to go beyond Scout Lookout and tackle the famous chain section. The National Park Service uses an Angels Landing permit lottery system managed through recreation.gov to control crowds and keep the trail safe.

If you want to hike this trail in 2026, you need to understand how that lottery works. In this guide, I will walk you through every step of how to get an Angels Landing permit for Zion through the lottery system, including seasonal and day-before options, fees, timing, odds, and backup plans if you do not get selected.

Why Angels Landing Requires a Permit

The Angels Landing permit system exists because the trail was getting dangerously overcrowded. Before the permit program, up to 1,200 hikers per day crowded onto a narrow ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides.

The National Park Service launched the pilot permit program in April 2022 after years of safety concerns. The trail had seen multiple fatalities, and rangers were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people attempting the chain section simultaneously.

The permit system caps the number of hikers at a manageable level, usually between 300 and 600 per day depending on the season. This reduces wait times on the chains, limits erosion damage to the trail, and gives rangers a way to manage flow during peak periods.

Here is the key detail many people miss: the permit only applies to the section beyond Scout Lookout. You can hike the West Rim Trail all the way to Scout Lookout without any permit at all. The chains, the narrow spine, and the final summit push are what require a permit.

How to Get an Angels Landing Permit for Zion Through the Lottery System

There are exactly two ways to get an Angels Landing permit through the lottery system. The first is the Seasonal Lottery, where you apply months ahead of time for a specific hiking date. The second is the Day-Before Lottery, where you apply the day before you want to hike.

Both lotteries are run through recreation.gov, the official federal recreation reservation platform. You need a free recreation.gov account to participate in either option.

The application fee is $6 per application, and this fee is non-refundable whether you win or lose. If you win, there is an additional charge of $3 per person on your permit. So a solo hiker pays $6 to apply plus $3 if selected, for a total of $9.

The Seasonal Lottery Explained

The Seasonal Lottery is the primary way most hikers secure an Angels Landing permit. It lets you plan your trip well in advance by applying for specific dates in an upcoming season.

Zion divides the year into four seasonal lottery windows. Spring covers hikes from March 1 through May 31. Summer runs June 1 through August 31. Fall spans September 1 through November 30. Winter covers December 1 through February 28 or 29.

Applications for each season open on the first of the month, one to three months before that season begins. For example, the Spring seasonal lottery typically opens on January 1, giving you about two months before the season starts on March 1.

When you apply, you select your preferred hiking date and up to two alternate dates. The system uses a ranked-choice method, meaning it tries to give you your first choice first, then falls back to your alternates if that date is full.

Results are announced about one to two weeks after the application window closes. If you win, you pay the $3 per person permit fee at that point. If you do not win, you are not charged the per-person fee, but the $6 application fee is already spent.

The Seasonal Lottery is best for people who need to lock in travel plans, book flights, or reserve lodging in Springdale or inside Zion National Park. It gives you certainty ahead of time but is also the most competitive option.

The Day-Before Lottery Explained

The Day-Before Lottery is your backup option and a favorite among flexible travelers. It gives you a chance to score a permit for the following day, which works well if you are already in the area or have a loose itinerary.

The application window opens every single day at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time and closes at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time that same day. So if you want to hike on a Friday, you apply between 12:01 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Results are posted at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time the same day you apply. You can check your status by logging into your recreation.gov account. If you win, the $3 per person fee is charged automatically to the card on file.

The Day-Before Lottery costs the same $6 application fee per submission. This fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are selected. If multiple people in your group each submit their own application for the same date, everyone has an independent shot at winning.

One important rule: there are no same-day permits. You cannot show up at the trailhead and get a permit for that same day. The earliest you can hike is the day after a successful day-before application.

Seasonal vs Day-Before Lottery: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between the two lottery options comes down to your travel flexibility and how far in advance you can plan. Here is how they compare.

The Seasonal Lottery gives you the ability to plan everything months ahead. You can book hotels, arrange transportation, and coordinate with your hiking group with confidence. The downside is that it is more competitive, especially for weekends and holidays during peak spring and fall seasons.

The Day-Before Lottery is less competitive because fewer people are in the area with flexible plans. If you are already staying in or near Zion, this option can work surprisingly well. The trade-off is uncertainty. You might apply two or three times before you win, and that means spending $6 each time.

My recommendation for most visitors is to try both. Apply through the Seasonal Lottery for your preferred dates. If you do not win, use the Day-Before Lottery once you arrive in the Zion area. This maximizes your chances without putting all your eggs in one basket.

If you are traveling from far away and have non-refundable flights, prioritize the Seasonal Lottery. If you live within driving distance or have a flexible road trip schedule, the Day-Before Lottery may be all you need.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Here is the exact process for applying to either lottery on recreation.gov. Follow these steps carefully to avoid mistakes that could cost you a permit.

Step 1: Create a recreation.gov account. Go to recreation.gov and set up a free account before the lottery opens. You will need a valid email address, phone number, and a credit card on file. Do this ahead of time so you are not scrambling when the application window opens.

Step 2: Navigate to the Angels Landing permit page. Search for “Angels Landing” on recreation.gov or go directly to the permit listing at permit ID 4675310. You will see separate listings for each season if you are applying through the Seasonal Lottery.

Step 3: Choose your lottery type. Select either the Seasonal Lottery for advance planning or the Day-Before Lottery for next-day hiking. The page will show you which application windows are currently open.

Step 4: Select your hiking date and group size. For the Seasonal Lottery, pick your preferred date plus up to two alternate dates. Enter your group size, which can be up to 6 people per permit. Every person on the permit needs to be listed by name.

Step 5: Pay the $6 application fee. This fee is charged immediately and is non-refundable whether you win or lose. Make sure your credit card information is current before submitting.

Step 6: Wait for results. Seasonal Lottery results come out about one to two weeks after the application window closes. Day-Before Lottery results are posted at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time the same day you apply.

Step 7: Confirm and pay if you win. If selected, the $3 per person permit fee is charged to your card. You will receive a confirmation email with your permit details. Download and print your permit or save it to your phone.

Lottery Odds and Success Rates

One of the most common questions I see on hiking forums is about actual win rates for the Angels Landing permit lottery. The National Park Service has not published official statistics broken down by date and season, but we can piece together a clear picture from user reports and park data.

The Seasonal Lottery is the most competitive. During peak spring and fall weekends, demand far exceeds the daily permit cap of roughly 300 to 600 hikers. Based on patterns shared by applicants on Reddit and hiking forums, winning a spring weekend date through the Seasonal Lottery can take three or more attempts.

Weekday dates are significantly easier to win than weekends. Tuesday through Thursday applications tend to have much higher success rates because fewer people are competing for those slots.

The Day-Before Lottery generally has better odds because the pool of applicants is smaller. Most people who win the Seasonal Lottery are not also applying day-before, so the competition is reduced. Hikers on forums report winning the day-before lottery on their second or third try, especially for weekday dates.

Winter offers the best odds of any season. December through February sees far fewer applicants, and some dates go completely unclaimed. If you are comfortable hiking in cold conditions, winter is your best bet for a nearly guaranteed permit.

October is the single most popular month for Angels Landing due to ideal weather and fall foliage. If you are targeting October, expect fierce competition and plan to use both lottery options.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Winning

After reading through dozens of forum threads and first-hand accounts from successful permit holders, I have compiled the strategies that actually work.

Apply for weekday dates whenever possible. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday consistently have lower competition than weekend dates. If your schedule allows even one weekday option, use it as your first choice.

Use all your ranked-choice slots. The Seasonal Lottery lets you pick a preferred date plus two alternates. Fill all three slots, and make at least one of them a less popular date. Many people win on their second or third choice.

Have multiple group members apply independently. Each person can submit their own $6 application for the same date. If your group of four all applies separately for the same day, you quadruple your chances of at least one person winning. The winner can then list the others on their permit.

Target shoulder seasons and winter. March and November have decent weather but lower demand than peak months. December through February is wide open for anyone willing to bundle up.

Use the Day-Before Lottery as a supplement, not a replacement. Even if you lose the Seasonal Lottery, arriving in Zion and trying day-after-day through the Day-Before Lottery significantly increases your overall odds.

Be online and ready when the Day-Before Lottery opens at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time. While the window stays open until 3:00 p.m., submitting early ensures you do not forget. Then be on the results page at 4:00 p.m. sharp to claim your permit if you win.

Consider applying for early morning time slots. Some dates have different time windows for when you can start hiking. Early morning slots are less popular because they require a pre-dawn shuttle, which means slightly better odds.

What Happens After You Win

Winning the lottery is just the first step. Here is what happens next and what you need to do before hitting the trail.

Once you are selected, you will receive a confirmation email from recreation.gov. This email contains your permit number, hiking date, group details, and a downloadable permit document. Save this email and download the permit immediately.

Print your permit or save a digital copy on your phone. You will need to show it at the permit checkpoint. The checkpoint is located near Scout Lookout, which is where the chained portion of the trail begins.

Every person listed on the permit must carry a government-issued photo ID. Rangers at the checkpoint verify that the names on the permit match the IDs of the hikers present. If someone in your group cannot make it, they simply do not show up, but you cannot swap in a different person.

You can designate an alternate group leader when you apply. This is useful if the original applicant might not be able to attend. The alternate leader can check in the group at the trailhead if the primary permit holder is absent.

The permit allows you to hike during your assigned time window. Most permits are valid for the full day, but some seasonal permits may specify a morning or afternoon window. Check your permit details carefully.

Permit Requirements and Restrictions

Understanding the rules will save you from headaches on the trail. Here are the key requirements and restrictions for Angels Landing permits.

The maximum group size is 6 people per permit. This includes the permit holder and everyone listed on the application. You cannot split a larger group across multiple permits for the same date to bypass this rule.

Permits are non-transferable. You cannot sell, give away, or trade your permit to another person. The names on the permit must match the hikers who show up at the checkpoint.

Every hiker past Scout Lookout needs their own permit entry. If you have a group of 4, all 4 names must appear on the permit. Each person must also carry matching identification.

The permit covers only the Angels Landing chain section beyond Scout Lookout. You do not need a separate permit for the West Rim Trail, the Grotto trailhead, or the shuttle system. Those are open to all park visitors.

Commercial guides and outfitters must obtain a separate commercial use authorization. If you are hiring a guide, they typically handle the permit process for you, which can simplify things considerably.

Violation of the permit requirement can result in a fine. Park rangers actively patrol the checkpoint and the summit area, so do not attempt the chain section without a valid permit.

What to Bring on Your Angels Landing Hike

Angels Landing is a strenuous 5.4-mile round-trip hike with 1,488 feet of elevation gain. The trail demands proper preparation, especially on the exposed chain section.

Bring at least one gallon of water per person. There is no water source beyond the Grotto trailhead, and the hike takes most people 4 to 6 hours round trip. A hydration pack is the most practical option.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good grip. The sandstone can be slick, especially in shaded areas or after rain. Avoid sneakers with smooth soles, and absolutely do not attempt this trail in sandals or flip-flops.

Pack high-energy snacks. Trail mix, energy bars, and sandwiches will keep you fueled for the climb. The last reliable spot to eat comfortably is Scout Lookout before the chain section begins.

Bring sun protection. The trail is almost entirely exposed to direct sun for much of the route. A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential, especially during summer months when temperatures in Zion Canyon can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Carry a small first aid kit. Blisters, scrapes, and minor cuts are common on rocky terrain. Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, and moleskin for hotspot prevention.

Check the weather before you go. Do not attempt the chain section if there is any chance of rain, lightning, or ice. Wet sandstone is extremely slippery, and the chain section becomes genuinely dangerous in poor conditions. In winter, traction devices for your boots may be necessary on icy sections of the trail.

Hiking Without a Permit: Scout Lookout Alternative

If you do not win the lottery, you still have an excellent hiking option. The trail to Scout Lookout is completely free and requires no permit at all.

Scout Lookout sits at the top of Walter’s Wiggles, the famous series of 21 tight switchbacks carved into the rock. From there, you get a stunning panoramic view of Zion Canyon and a clear sightline up to the Angels Landing summit ridge. Many hikers consider Scout Lookout a worthy destination on its own.

The hike from the Grotto trailhead to Scout Lookout is about 2 miles each way with significant elevation gain. It is a challenging and rewarding hike even without continuing to the summit.

Beyond Scout Lookout, you can also explore other incredible Zion trails that do not require permits. The Narrows bottom-up hike lets you wade through the Virgin River as far as Big Springs without any permit. Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail offers sweeping views that actually look down on Angels Landing itself.

Canyon Overlook Trail is a short, family-friendly option on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It delivers one of the most photographed views in the park in under an hour of hiking.

If you want the Angels Landing summit specifically, keep trying the Day-Before Lottery while you enjoy these alternatives. Many visitors end up hiking Scout Lookout one day and winning the day-before lottery for the summit the next.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Understanding the cancellation rules helps you avoid losing money if your plans change.

The $6 application fee is always non-refundable, whether you win, lose, or cancel. This applies to both the Seasonal Lottery and the Day-Before Lottery. Recreation.gov charges this fee at the time of application, and it covers the administrative cost of running the lottery.

If you win the lottery and are charged the $3 per person permit fee, you can request a refund of that per-person fee under certain conditions. You must cancel your permit before the hiking date through your recreation.gov account.

Cancellations made more than a certain number of days before your hike date are typically eligible for a refund of the per-person fee. The exact window can vary, so check the current policy on your permit confirmation email or the recreation.gov listing.

If you simply do not show up on your hiking date without canceling, you forfeit all fees paid. No refund is issued for no-shows.

Weather-related closures by the National Park Service may qualify for a refund even if you did not cancel yourself. If the park closes the trail due to flooding, ice, or other hazards on your permit date, contact recreation.gov customer service to inquire about a refund.

FAQs

Conclusion

Getting an Angels Landing permit for Zion through the lottery system takes some planning, but it is entirely manageable once you understand the process. The Seasonal Lottery is your best bet for advance planning, while the Day-Before Lottery is a powerful backup for flexible travelers.

Remember the key numbers: $6 to apply, $3 per person if you win, and the Day-Before window runs from 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time with results at 4:00 p.m. Apply for weekday dates when possible, have your group submit separate applications, and target shoulder seasons for better odds.

Even if the lottery does not go your way, Scout Lookout and Zion’s other incredible trails ensure your trip will be unforgettable. Now go create that recreation.gov account and get your application in.