📍 Out and Back | 8.7 km | 457m Elevation | ~4 hours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Stars for Views, Thrills, and Sheer Drama
No family hike of ours is ever complete without a touch of chaos, and Angel’s Landing delivered in spades.
We knew Zion National Park could be busy, but “busy” turned out to be a colossal understatement. The drive into the park lulled us into a false sense of security. Yes, traffic was steady, but it didn’t prepare us for the reality of circling the parking lot three times in search of a space. When we finally slid into a bay, Patrick (our ever-patient driver) let out a victory whoop so loud it probably echoed off the canyon walls. Parking achieved, the real adventure could begin.
We made a heroic effort to march straight past the visitor center gift shop (displaying restraint that deserves its own medal), because we had bigger goals: hiking Angel’s Landing. We’d been lucky enough to win the much-coveted permit lottery months before, and we weren’t about to miss our slot.
The only thing between us and the trailhead? The shuttle line. A line so long it wound endlessly around the edge of the parking lot in the baking sun, testing patience we didn’t actually have. As the minutes crawled by, we nicknamed Zion “National Park Disney.” Even with shuttles running every 5–10 minutes, it took over an hour before we finally boarded. At last, smiles replaced scowls, and we were on our way.
Our group of seven set off from the Grotto Shuttle Stop, while Madison and Jon (driving in from Vegas) were meant to meet us further up the trail. Hiking without them felt a little strange, like setting off missing a limb, but the excitement of what lay ahead carried us forward.
The first stretch along the Virgin River was deceptively gentle, lulling us into thinking this hike might not be too bad. But soon the trail tilted upward, winding steeply into the cliffs. Gorgeous valley views softened the burn in our legs, and frequent “scenic” stops (which totally weren’t just breathers) gave Madison and Jon time to catch up.
Then came Walter’s Wiggles, 21 famously tight switchbacks that snake straight up the rock. We’d already huffed and puffed through steep sections, but this was another level. (Pro tip: don’t be fooled by the earlier switchbacks, the real Wiggles are unforgettable.) Dramatic, exhausting, but oddly fun, they delivered us to Scout Lookout, the gateway to the most notorious stretch: the chains.
From Scout Lookout the views were already jaw-dropping, with cliffs dropping away on both sides. Cue adult pep talk before we set out across the narrow spine. Nerves jangling, we inched forward… until about 10 feet in, when we stopped to take a photo of the sheer drop. Big mistake. One glance down and our courage evaporated. We scuttled back to Scout Lookout, hearts pounding and suddenly questioning our life choices.
What followed was a heated family debate: Was the glory of Angel’s Landing worth the very real risk, especially with Quinn’s well-documented habit of wandering too close to ledges? Eventually, cooler (and more cautious) heads prevailed. With some muttering from the teens, we turned away from the chains and carried on a short stretch along the West Rim Trail instead, rewarded with equally spectacular views and vows from the kids to return one day without us “holding them back.”
Heading back down Walter’s Wiggles, we finally ran into Madison and Jon, who’d taken a wrong turn earlier and lost precious time. Their timing was perfect: they arrived just in time not to attempt the chain section, which Jon, judging by the look on his face, considered a blessing in disguise.
Together again, we descended the trail chatting and laughing, and even the shuttle ride back didn’t dampen the mood.
We might not have reached the summit, but Angel’s Landing still earned a full five stars from us. The challenge, the views, and yes, the drama, made it unforgettable. But here’s the thing: if heights aren’t your cup of tea, this trail probably isn’t for you.
🥾 Hike At-a-Glance
- Distance: 8.7 km (out-and-back)
- Elevation Gain: 457 m
- Time: ~4 hours
- Best For: Thrill-seekers, bucket-list hikers, chain-clutchers, and anyone who enjoys a good quad burn
- Highlights: Walter’s Wiggles, Scout Lookout, dizzying drop-offs, canyon views straight from a postcard
- Difficulty: Strenuous — and definitely not for the faint of heart (or those uneasy with heights)
📦 Lessons Learned
- Zion is crowded — plan extra time for parking and shuttles.
- Don’t underestimate Walter’s Wiggles (or mistake the warm-up set for the real thing).
- The chain section is every bit as intense as people say — not a “just push through it” kind of situation.
- Scout Lookout offers incredible views without the risk.
- Teenagers may forgive you eventually for turning them back.
🧳 Packing List
- 🎒 Daypack
- 💧 Water bottle or hydration pack
- ⛑ First aid kit
- 🧢 Hat & 🕶 Sunglasses
- 🌧 Rain jacket
- 🧥 Warm top/layers
- 🧦 Hiking socks
- 👟 Proper boots/shoes
- 🍫 Snacks and a packed lunch
Go Together Life 
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