Zion National Park · Utah
Angels Landing: The Chains Section
The full chains section of Angels Landing on video, so you know exactly what the exposure looks like before you commit.
Before you go
- You need a permit to hike past Scout Lookout. Apply on Recreation.gov in the seasonal lottery, or try the day-before lottery (apply by 3 p.m. Mountain Time the day before, results at 4 p.m.).
- The hike starts at The Grotto, stop 6 on the Zion Canyon shuttle. Private cars aren't allowed on the scenic drive while the shuttle runs.
- The last half mile is a narrow fin with long drop-offs and chains to hold. Skip it in rain, ice, or high wind.
- Bring more water than you think. Walter's Wiggles and the climb to Scout Lookout are fully exposed to the sun.
The hike
Angels Landing is the hike everyone has heard about, and the chains section is the reason. This video shows the scary part in full, with commentary, so you can decide for yourself before you enter the permit lottery.
The first stretch from The Grotto climbs paved switchbacks to Refrigerator Canyon, then up the tight zigzags of Walter's Wiggles to Scout Lookout. Scout Lookout is a great turnaround if heights aren't your thing, and you don't need a permit to get there.
Past Scout Lookout, the trail follows a narrow sandstone ridge to the summit. Chains are bolted in along the worst sections. Go slow, keep three points of contact, and let people pass at the wider spots. The view from the top looks straight down Zion Canyon.
Trail details last checked October 2026. Confirm current permit rules with Zion National Park before your trip.
Gear I'd bring for this one
Grippy hiking gloves
The chains get hot in summer and slick from thousands of hands. Gloves make the scramble a lot more comfortable.
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