I’m going to do a typical recap of our whole family trip to Zion and Bryce, but as I was organizing pictures and thoughts, I felt the need to dedicate a post to the term I searched incessantly for the months leading up to our trip: hiking Angel’s Landing with kids.
From the moment we won a lottery spot to hike it, I asked everyone I knew and googled every post I could find on details about this hike and if the kids could do it. Now that we’re on the other side of the trip, I want to pay it forward and share all about our experience hiking Angel’s Landing with kids!
For those not familiar, Angel’s Landing is a 1,488 foot rock formation inside of Zion National Park. The 5.4 mile out-and-back hike is one of the world’s most renowned hikes, known for it’s tumultuous half mile chain section featuring narrow, steep, sheer-faced drop-offs. You can divide it into two distinct sections- before Scout’s Lookout and after.
Before Scout’s Lookout, it’s a moderate trail with some gentle canyon views and a walk though a narrow canyon. It culminates with Walter’s Wiggles, a set of quick switchbacks that take you to Scout’s Lookout, a wide overlook with plenty of bold chipmunks running around.
After Scout’s Lookout? That’s where the real excitement begins with what is known by many names- the chain section, the fin, the spine. Whatever you want to call it, the last half mile of the trail is a thrilling ascent up a narrow trail with sheer-faced canyon drop-offs and a bolted in chain to hang onto. There are no guardrails.
It’s an iconic hike that was on mine and David’s bucket list. We applied for a permit months prior and were thrilled when we were awarded one for our first morning of our trip. While I’m not a big fan of heights, I do love a challenge, so we were set on doing it. The only thing we weren’t sure of is whether or not our newly 12 year old and 9 year old would be game. I mean, can you hike Angel’s Landing with kids?
Though we have a fair amount of hiking experience and our fair share of adventure (remember our accidental off-path sunrise hike to Delicate Arch?), I still wasn’t sure about it given the known extreme terrain of Angel’s Landing.
Ultimately we decided to all hike to Scout’s Overlook and then let the kids decide for themselves. What happened next was predictable. Our careful twelve year old looked around with tears pricking her eyes declaring she was perfectly happy to hang out at Scout’s Overlook. Our adventure-seeking nine year old lit up like the fourth of July, almost too eager about marching forward to the chains.
So we chatted with a ranger (stationed at the top, since you have to show your permit to hike it), then set up Hailey with snacks, water, and comfortable perch before moving forward with an excited Kaitlyn.
Honestly, within the first 15 feet I almost lost my cool. Not for myself so much as that 9 year old piece of my heart walking outside my body and ahead of me, boldly taking on a sincere challenge with real consequences. David kept turning to check on me, to which I would reply strongly that I was fine but DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF KAITLYN.
Was I being a bit dramatic? Perhaps. Because objectively speaking, Kaitlyn was doing a phenomenal job. We had watched videos about the hike previously and discussed it’s sincerity, and she more than rose to the occasion. She was focused and though smiling and happy, she took it seriously and carefully. She listened to instruction, not always her strong suit, and proceeded with caution. She was peppered with compliments from fellow hikers in awe of her determination and stamina. She ate it up.
Honestly, she hiked it better than me and better than most of the people we passed along the way! We took our time and though it’s only a half mile in length, it took us a solid hour to get to the end of the trail and the final overlook down the canyon.
To all of us, going back was easier; perhaps it was knowing that to expect. Still, the chain section alone took us a solid two hours, about 30 minutes longer than we had estimated to Hailey. When we returned to her, she was relieved to see us and still very much pleased with her decision to sit this one out.
So, let me condense this into a couple bullet points, like I was looking for pre-hike:
Can you like Angel’s Landing with Kids?
I answer with a cautious yes. But here are a few guidelines I’d offer you based on my experience:
- Though not a physically challenging hike, it is very mental. You want your child to have the mental fortitude to be able to focus and listen under pressure. I feel like 9+ is a reasonable guideline, though I did see two kids that looked younger than 9 accomplish it.
- Hiking experience is important. Don’t make this one of your child’s first hiking experiences.
- Height matters. There are some areas you will need to reach out and/or pull up. I’m 5’1″ and handled it fine. Kaitlyn is roughly 4’5″ and I wouldn’t have wanted her to be much shorter than that for some of the parts.
- Hiking boots are a must. Don’t attempt with tennis shoes or anything else. You want thr good grip of a hiking boot.
- Ultimately you and your child know yourselves best. I recommend not committing fully until you get to Scout’s Overlook and see it for yourself.
If I missed anything you’re curious about, please ask. I scoured the internet and peppered friends with questions leading up to our trip so I could get an idea of what to expect, but ultimately it takes seeing it for yourself. I’m so proud of both my girls for honoring what felt right to them. What an incredible experience, and one I will never forget!
Tina says
To each its own but I have two concerns…one you left your 12 year old alone in a huge park because she decided, two Angles Landing is so dangerous you have to have a permit but you left it up to your 9year old to decide. In those moments you became their friend not parent. A 9 year old and 12 year old should not be making these type of decisions when they have never experienced those levels of danger. I guess if something happened with either one you would have said, well they decided?? I’m not sayiinthis these things to bash anyone but to open their eyes to common sense and parenting.
Marie says
I am absolutely stunned at your comment. The permit is not because it is “dangerous”, the permit is to reduce overcrowding on trails. Also, they checked in with a Ranger before leaving H. Part of being a parent is to raise self-sufficient individuals who are capable of making their own decisions and trusting their own instinct. If children are never given that opportunity, how can they succeed? H and K also have hiking experience and have been on other difficult trails. All I can say is I’m thankful that I was raised by parents like Brittany and David. I can’t even imagine all the opportunities I would have missed out on, and how different I would be as a person, if I was never allowed to experience the world.
Rama says
My wife and I did Angel’s Landing in 2016 with our then 5 year old daughter. She had been hiking with us since age 1 though. And she always had daddy’s firmly gripped hand for anything “treacherous”. She handled it like a champ, although we did get a late start and stayed up there late. By the time we got down, there were no more shuttles and the 5 mile hike became a 10 mile hike because we had to hike out the park to our car in the dark. She did a lot of that portion up on daddy’s shoulders lol.
NB says
I did this hike 5 years ago. Before the permit process started. It is a dangerous hike plain and simple. I saw horrible things the day of our hike. There were people going up in flip flops! The permit process is in place now because it’s dangerous so overcrowding is deadly. People can’t seem to figure this out on their own so now we have to patrol it. I mean there are no second chances here folks. Scout’s Landing is the perfect opportunity to take in views and turn around, especially for beginner hikers and children. I said to my husband when we finished “I hope no one else I love ever does this hike.”
Jennifer hare says
My little “bad asses” just did it too ;). Not for the faint of heart, but with patience and realistic expectations, it can be done. My 8 year old made scouts without much trouble, but was hesitant to go further. My 9 year old bounded ahead and thoroughly loved every minute. They both did some chained sections and both deserve all the praise they were given by fellow hikers 🙂
Brett F Schneider says
What an awesome adventure to share with your children! A 12 year old “left alone” was way more safe at Scout’s Landing than almost anywhere else in our country. I did this hike in July and I’d venture to say the kind of people your daughter encountered while waiting would have been nothing but protective and helpful to her should she have needed anything. Kudos to your younger daughter for embracing the challenge. Also thanks for the great pictures. I was too hot and tired to bother getting my camera out while in the chain section.
M Fritz says
I will concur that a child can absolutely do this hike. But the kid needs to be in shape and have the right equipment and attitude. Your list looks great.
Do not take anyone on this who is scared of heights. Going up is not so bad as you are basically staring at the rock in front of you, but coming down everything is open to your view. Also, feel free to sit on your butt and scoot down some of the larger steps if you are not tall enough to make the step safely. I am 6’3″ and I still scooted down on my butt a fair number of times.
“To all of us, going back was easier; perhaps it was knowing what to expect. Still, the chain section alone took us a solid two hours.”
TWO HOURS? Now some commentary. I have done this hike 5 times — most recently exactly one year ago by myself (day prior lottery!!). 14 years ago I did it with with my then 8 year-old daughter. When she was 7, we hiked up Half Dome and also across Halekala, so she was experienced with such hikes. My older daughter could not do those hikes, but she and my wife easily made it to Scout Lookout. None of those hikes required permits when we did them.
Going down the chains with her was scarier than going down Half Dome on the cables. On Half Dome, we wore rock climbing harnesses and clipped in to the cables. That really would not be efficient going down on this hike. Also, the later in the day it is, the more people are on this trail and the harder it is to have a safe efficient path down the chains. There are a couple of choke points across narrow spots, and people need to be willing to take turns. Even last year it was a bit bad coming down, and I was the first one to the top in the morning.
Must haves: Hydration. Food/fuel. Hiking shoes and optionally hiking poles (but leave them where the ranger is). Also have good attitude and a way to take great photos/video. And a permit.
Best of luck with further hiking adventures.