Angels Landing

Angels Landing is a sandstone summit in Utah within Zion National Park, rising 1,760 meters (5,790 feet) above sea level. The narrow rock formation is reached by a trail that winds along steep walls and is secured with metal chains on the final sections, allowing hikers to climb over exposed rock edges.

Settlers first called the formation Temple of Aeolus before it was renamed in 1916. The switchbacks leading to the summit were built in the 1920s under the direction of the first park superintendent to give visitors access to the upper part of the park.

A Methodist minister gave the summit its name in 1916, saying only angels could land on such a place. This religious reference reflects how early visitors saw the area as a spiritual site, a view that still shapes how people respond to reaching the top today.

A permit system limits how many people can go beyond Scout Lookout each day, so advance planning is necessary. Starting early helps avoid afternoon heat and increases the chance of clear views before clouds build up.

The final half kilometer is a natural rock fin with 300-meter (1,000-foot) vertical drops on both sides. This narrow ridge feels like a path suspended in the air and offers an experience unlike any other hike in the park.

Location: Washington County

Elevation above the sea: 1,760 m

Made from material: sedimentary rock

Part of: Grand Staircase

GPS coordinates: 37.26931,-112.94799

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:06