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If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park and were hoping to hike Angels Landing, but didn’t get a permit, don’t worry! There are plenty of other great hikes in the park that you can do instead. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some of the best hikes in Zion National Park, as well as some other activities that you can do in the area around Zion National Park if you did not get an Angels Landing permit.

How to get an Angels Landing Permit

Hiking to the top of Angels Landing is one of the most popular activities in Zion National Park. This hike is 4.4 miles round trip with 1600 ft of elevation gain and it is rated hard. The views from the summit are simply breathtaking, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching the top is hard to beat. If you’re thinking about making the hike, there’s one important thing you need to know: you need a permit.

Now before you write off hiking Angels Landing altogether, let’s talk about how to get an Angels Landing permit.

There are both a seasonal lottery and a next day lottery option. The seasonal lottery will require you to know your travel plans pretty far in advance. The next day lottery requires you to apply on the day before you want to hike between 12:01 a.m. and 3 p.m. MT. For example: If you want to hike on a Wednesday, you need to apply between 12:01 a.m. and 3 p.m. MT on Tuesday. We will issue permits at 4 p.m. MT on Tuesday.

Angel’s Landing Alternatives

Whether you didn’t get an Angels Landing permit or you think it is a hike that is too hard for your itinerary, there are plenty of other alternatives to hiking Angels Landing.

Best Zion National Park Hikes that Aren’t Angels Landing

Scout Lookout

Scout Lookout is 3.6 miles and 1,115 ft of elevation gain. This is the Angels Landing trail but instead of going the whole way, you stop just before the chains section.

Even before the Angels Landing permit was installed, many hikers would stop at Scout’s Lookout when doing this hike because of either crowding or because they were scared of heights.

The Narrows

Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the best things to do in Zion National Park. The Narrows is an out and back hike that averages 8.9 miles with an elevation gain of 695 ft. You can also do the hike from the top down with a permit.

However, if you are looking for something easier you can start the Narrows hike at the Temple of Sinawava and just walk along the paved path for 1.9 miles round trip and 193 ft of elevation gain. Doing this will keep you from ever getting in the water.

West Rim Trail

Hiking the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park is incredible. The West Rim Trail if done as a through hike connects right through Scout’s Landing.

Before hiking the West Rim Trail, most of my experience in Zion National Park has focused on the main canyon with hikes like Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Exploring this area allowed me to add the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park to my bucket list as this is where the hike begins.

Much of the hike did not feel or look like what you would expect from Zion National Park. In fact, for the first 10 miles of the hike, it felt like I was back home in North Carolina, rather than on the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park. Because of the length of this trail (15 miles, 1750 ft of elevation gain, rated hard), many people opt to do this as an overnight. In order to do this, you will need a backcountry permit.

The Subway

Hiking the Subway at Zion National Park is one of my favorite hikes in the park. If you’re looking for a truly unique hiking experience, the subway in Zion National Park is definitely worth checking out. This hike takes you through a slot canyon with towering walls of red rock – and the best part is that you can cool off with a swim in the Virgin River at the end. The hike can be done from the top down as a thru-hike or out and back from the bottom (9.1 miles round trip and 1300 ft of elevation gain, rated hard). Regardless of how you do it, this hike also requires a permit.

The subway hike is not for the faint of heart – it’s strenuous and there are some scrambles involved. But the views are more than worth it. When you reach the end of the canyon, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning waterfall.

Canyon Overlook

The Canyon Overlook trail is one of the most scenic trails in the park. From beginning to end, the trail offers stunning views of the canyon. The Canyon Overlook trail is a great choice for hikers of all levels. If you’re looking for a short hike with a big payoff (1 mile round trip, 187 ft elevation gain, rated easy), this trail is sure to please.

Kayenta Trail

Kayenta Trail is a hiking trail in Zion National Park. The trail is 3.1 miles and is considered to be moderately difficult with 400 ft of elevation gain. The trailhead is located at the south end of the park, and the trail ends at the north end of the park. The trail offers stunning views of the park’s red rock canyon. There are also several waterfalls along the trail, and hikers can cool off in the pools at the base of the falls.

Emerald Pools

One of the most popular trails is the Emerald Pools Trail. The trailhead is located just a short shuttle ride from the main visitor center, making it easily accessible for even the most inexperienced hikers. The trail itself is relatively short and easy, making it perfect for a quick day hike.

However, don’t let the easy rating fool you – the Emerald Pools Trail is still breathtakingly beautiful, with towering cliffs, emerald green pools of water, and a variety of plant and animal life. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a first-time visitor to Zion National Park, the Emerald Pools Trail is definitely worth a visit.

Alternate areas of Zion National Park

The main Zion Canyon (where the shuttle operates) gets all the love, but check out:

• East Side of Zion National Park – where Canyon Overlook Trail is located, much more accessible for quick scrambling
• Kolob Terrace Road near Virgin, UT – it took me years of visiting Zion to even drive down this road but it is beautiful & it enters into the park in a completely different section.
• Kolob Canyon Entrance – Not to be confused with Kolob Terrace Road, this entrance is just off I-15 & despite its accessibility it is often overlooked. Once again it took me years to explore this area myself. But it is amazing. And quiet.

Visit Other Amazing Parks in the Area

There are plenty of other amazing national and state parks around Zion National Park. Check out this post for a complete list of fun things to do near Zion National Park. Here are a few ideas:

• Bryce Canyon National Park – Bryce Canyon National Park is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Zion National Park. Despite their proximity, Bryce Canyon National Park is quite different from Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon is higher elevation than the surrounding area including Zion National Park making it much cooler. Also there are hoodoos and accessible views from the top of the canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park versus accessible views from the canyon floor in Zion National Park.

• Red Canyon – Red Canyon is in between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and one of the best places to visit in Utah. It looks quite similar to Bryce Canyon but since it is not a national park it has less crowds. There are several hikes and bike routes in Red Canyon that are definitely worth a visit.

• Snow Canyon State Park – This is one of the best state parks in Utah and it is located very close to Zion National Park. If you do not get an Angels Landing permit, this is a great alternative park. I am convinced that Snow Canyon State Park would be a national park if it wasn’t located just an hour from Zion National Park. It is absolutely stunning. Despite the name “Snow Canyon”, it’s not often you will actually see snow there. Instead the park was actually originally named Dixie State Park. Later it was renamed for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent pioneering Utah leaders.

• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Coral Pink Sand Dunes is one of the best things to do in Kanab. During the summer the sand is incredibly hot during the day. Going during early morning or at sunset is a must when the temperatures are warm. Although I am not speaking from experience, sand boarding is a popular activity in Coral Pink Sand Dunes. It’s on my list for next time.

Things to do in Zion National Park without an Angels Landing Permit

If you’re looking for things to do in Zion National Park, we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of amazing trails and hikes both inside Zion National Park and outside the park that don’t require getting a permit or risking your life on Angels Landing. Check out our list of the best alternative hikes in and around Zion National Park and start planning your trip today!

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Best Hikes in Utah
• Best National Parks in Utah
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Epic Things to do in Utah
• 11 Things to do in Kanab
• Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks
• Best Scenic Drives in Utah
• The Ultimate Southwest Road Trip Itinerary

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