ANGELS LANDING PERMITS
Which Recreation.gov lottery to use, when to apply, the odds, and your permit cost — sorted out in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
Your plans
$6 application + $6 per-person (2 × $3)
The $6 application fee covers up to 6 people. The $3-per-person fee is only charged if you're awarded a permit. Seasonal permits can be canceled until two days before for a refund of it; day-before fees are not refundable.
Seasonal Lottery
Recommended for youPlan months ahead and lock in dates for a whole season.
When to apply: Apply during the seasonal application window, which opens for the first 20 days of January, April, July and October, for a block of dates in the season that follows. Confirm the exact dates on Recreation.gov.
- Go to Recreation.gov and search for the Angels Landing permit during the seasonal application window for the season you plan to hike (the windows cover the first 20 days of January, April, July and October).
- Submit your application with up to 7 ranked date-and-time-slot choices and your group size (up to 6 people).
- Pay the $6 application fee — this covers the whole group, not each person.
- Wait for the lottery to run after the window closes; you'll be notified by email whether you were awarded a permit.
- If awarded, pay the $3-per-person fee to finalize your permit, then print or save it for your hike.
Your odds
About 47% of seasonal-lottery applicants won a permit in 2024. Odds vary by season and time slot — popular spring and fall dates and midday slots are the most competitive. Improve your chances by entering flexible dates and off-peak time slots, and by trying the day-before lottery if your seasonal application doesn't win.
The two Angels Landing lotteries
Seasonal Lottery
Recommended for youPlan months ahead and lock in dates for a whole season.
When to apply: Apply during the seasonal application window, which opens for the first 20 days of January, April, July and October, for a block of dates in the season that follows. Confirm the exact dates on Recreation.gov.
- Go to Recreation.gov and search for the Angels Landing permit during the seasonal application window for the season you plan to hike (the windows cover the first 20 days of January, April, July and October).
- Submit your application with up to 7 ranked date-and-time-slot choices and your group size (up to 6 people).
- Pay the $6 application fee — this covers the whole group, not each person.
- Wait for the lottery to run after the window closes; you'll be notified by email whether you were awarded a permit.
- If awarded, pay the $3-per-person fee to finalize your permit, then print or save it for your hike.
Day-Before Lottery
Already in the area? Try for a permit the day before you hike.
When to apply: Apply between 12:01am and 3pm Mountain Time the day before you want to hike; results are released after 4pm that same day.
- Open Recreation.gov on the day before you want to hike and find the Angels Landing day-before lottery.
- Apply between 12:01am and 3:00pm Mountain Time the day before, choosing your preferred time slot and group size (up to 6 people).
- Pay the $6 application fee to enter the day-before drawing.
- Check your results around 4:00pm the same day — you'll be notified whether you were awarded a permit for the next day.
- If awarded, pay the $3-per-person fee to finalize the permit before you hit the trail.
Angels Landing Permit FAQ
Do you need a permit for Angels Landing?
Yes — a permit is required year-round for the chain section from Scout Lookout to the summit of Angels Landing. You do not need a permit to hike only as far as Scout Lookout; the permit applies specifically to the final chained climb to the top.
How much does the Angels Landing permit cost?
Permits are awarded by lottery on Recreation.gov. It costs $6 per application, which covers a group of up to 6 people, plus $3 per person if you're awarded a permit. Seasonal permits can be canceled until two days before the date for a refund of the per-person fee. The application fee and day-before fees are not refundable.
What are the odds of getting an Angels Landing permit?
Roughly 47% of seasonal-lottery applicants won a permit in 2024, though the odds vary by season and by the time slot you request. Popular spring and fall dates and midday slots are more competitive than off-season dates and early-morning or late-afternoon slots.
When should I apply for the Angels Landing lottery?
If you're planning months ahead, use the seasonal lottery and apply during that season's application window for a block of dates. If you're arriving in a day or two, use the day-before lottery: apply between 12:01am and 3pm Mountain Time the day before you want to hike, with results released after 4pm the same day.