For many people around the world, visiting Zion National Park is a bucket list trip. When it comes time to plan Utah vacations, a visit to the park is often a highlight. Its towering peaks and beautiful landscapes have been inspiring visitors for more than 100 years. But in more recent years, one spot in the park in particular has arisen as a must-see for many guests.
Angels Landing is arguably Zion’s most famous trail, as well as one of the most famous — or infamous — trails in the United States. The trail ends in a stunning panoramic view of Zion. But to get there, hikers must cross a number of challenging and sometimes dangerous obstacles. This hasn’t stopped millions of people from hiking the trail, even prompting the recent addition of a lottery and permit system to control crowds on this popular trail.
If you’re dreaming of hiking Angels Landing during your time in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, there are a few things you’ll need to know ahead of your trip. Keep reading to learn how to enter the lottery for a permit and how to plan your hike during your stay in one of our Copper Rock Vacation Rentals.
How to Enter the Angels Landing Lottery
Following several years of crowding on Angels Landing, the National Park Service implemented a new lottery and permit system. Starting in 2022, anyone looking to hike past Scout Lookout on Angels Landing now needs a permit to do so, no matter the time of day or year.
Unfortunately, getting a permit isn’t as easy as simply purchasing one. Instead, you’ll need to enter one or both of the two Angels Landing Lotteries. The first is the Seasonal Lottery, which opens four times a year and awards permits for the following season. The second is the Day-Before Lottery, which opens daily at 12:01 a.m. MT and closes at 3 p.m. MT, and awards permits for the following day.
With either lottery, you’ll need to go online to enter. Entering the lottery costs $6, and you can include up to six hikers in one entry. If you do get a permit, you’ll need to pay an additional $3 per person for the permit.
When you enter the Seasonal Lottery, you’ll get a chance to choose seven days and times or windows of days and times that you would like to hike Angels Landing. You’ll rank each in order of which are your top picks. The Day-Before Lottery only provides permits for the following day.
The 2024 Dates for the Seasonal Lottery
If hiking Angels Landing is on your bucket list and you’re planning future Utah vacations, you’ll want to try to enter the Seasonal Lottery. Because this lottery awards permits for the following season, you’ll need to book your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals early to give yourself a chance to enter the lottery for the dates that you’ll be visiting.
Two of the entry periods for the 2024 Seasonal Lottery have already closed. But if you’re planning a St. George vacation later in the year, you still have two more chances to enter this lottery this year. This includes:
- For hikes from September 1 to November 30, the Seasonal Lottery will be open from July 1 to July 20. Permits will be awarded on July 25.
- For hikes from December 1 to February 28, 2025, the Seasonal Lottery will be open from October 1 to October 20, with permits awarded on October 25.
Of course, if you’re planning a last-minute stay in our Zion vacation rentals, you can always enter the Day-Before Lottery for each day of your visit.
Preparing to Hike Angels Landing
Getting a permit is only one part of preparing to hike Angels Landing. This challenging trail shouldn’t be attempted without the right training and preparation.
The trail is 5.4 miles long with more than 1,500 feet of elevation change. It has a few challenging features, including Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 steep switchbacks that hikers must navigate. One of the trail’s most famous features is the narrow ridgeline walk near the peak. Here, hikers cross a rocky ridge with 1,000-foot drops on either side and only a metal chain handrail to help them keep their balance. Even if you don’t have a fear of heights, the view is enough to leave you a little shaky.
In addition to preparing before you arrive at our Zion National Park vacation rentals, you’ll also need to bring along the right gear. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather during your Utah vacation, including lightweight, moisture-wicking materials during the hot summer months. Bring a daypack that’s stocked with plenty of water, a first aid kit, and some trail snacks to keep you energized. Don’t forget your camera — you’ll want to capture the views to share long after your St. George vacation is over!
Planning Utah Vacations With Copper Rock Vacation Rentals
Hiking Angels Landing is on many people’s bucket lists, along with visiting Zion National Park during their Utah vacations. If you’re dreaming of taking on this challenging trail during your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, understanding how the lottery system works and how to prepare for this challenging hike is a must.
Ready to start planning your next St. George vacation? Copper Rock Vacation Rental has a vacation home for you! Our stunning vacation homes are perfect for families, couples, groups of friends, and more. Outfitted with unique amenities like putting greens, resort-style pools, and more, our vacation homes are the perfect basecamp for exploring all that Southern Utah has to offer. Check out our selection of vacation homes today to find the right one for your next Utah vacation!