How Zion’s Angels Landing Got Its Name?
The towering monolith of Zion National Park draws thousands of adventurous hikers each year who brave its narrow spine and dizzying dropoffs. If you've ever wondered How Zion's Angels Landing Got Its Name?, you're curious about one of the most fascinating origin stories in America's national park system. The name originated in 1916 when Methodist minister Frederick Fisher exclaimed that only an angel could land on such a narrow, lofty summit.
The Legendary Naming Moment
In April 1916, Frederick Vining Fisher was exploring Zion Canyon with park custodian Walter Ruesch. When Fisher gazed upon the massive, isolated rock formation with its seemingly impossible summit, he was awestruck by its majesty and precarious nature. "Only an angel could land on it," he reportedly declared, and the name "Angels Landing" was born.
Before this christening, the formation had been known by the more prosaic name "Temple of Aeolus" (named for the Greek god of winds). Fisher's poetic description captured the spiritual essence of the place, and the name quickly stuck, becoming one of the most recognizable trail names in the national park system.
- The peak of Angels Landing stands at 5,790 feet (1,765 meters) above sea level
- The final half-mile of the trail features a spine just a few feet wide with 1,000-foot dropoffs on both sides
- The trail was constructed in 1926 and includes 21 challenging switchbacks nicknamed "Walter's Wiggles"
The Trail to Angels Landing
Today, the trail to Angels Landing is considered one of America's most thrilling and dangerous hikes. The 5.4-mile round-trip journey takes hikers up nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain through a series of steep switchbacks before reaching Scout Lookout. From there, the truly daring continue along a narrow sandstone spine with chains bolted into the rock for safety.
The physical and psychological challenge of this hike is immense—not for those with a fear of heights or the unprepared. Yet thousands complete it annually, drawn by both the exhilarating climb and the incomparable 360-degree views of Zion Canyon that await at the summit.
A National park tour from Las Vegas often includes Angels Landing as a highlight, though tour operators typically note that completing this challenging hike is optional and depends on participants' comfort with heights and physical abilities.
Geological Marvel
From a geological perspective, Angels Landing is a masterpiece of natural engineering. The massive fin of Navajo Sandstone was carved over millennia by the Virgin River cutting through the soft rock layers of Zion Canyon. The harder sandstone of Angels Landing resisted erosion longer than surrounding areas, creating the dramatic, isolated monolith we see today.
The rock itself tells a fascinating story—these sandstone layers were once ancient sand dunes in a vast desert that covered much of the southwestern United States over 200 million years ago. This ancient landscape has been transformed through uplift, erosion, and time into one of the most distinctive features in Zion National Park.
Planning Your Visit
Many visitors wonder, "is one day enough for Zion?" While you can experience Angels Landing in a single day, a successful attempt requires careful planning. The hike typically takes 3-5 hours round trip depending on your pace and how long you spend at the summit. Starting early (before 8am) helps you avoid both crowds and afternoon heat, which can be extreme during summer months.
Since 2022, a permit system has been implemented for the chains section of Angels Landing to manage crowding and enhance safety. These permits must be obtained in advance through a lottery system, adding another layer of planning to this bucket-list adventure.
Beyond Angels Landing
How to explore Zion National Park goes well beyond this signature hike. Zion offers numerous other adventures including The Narrows, Observation Point, and Emerald Pools that showcase different aspects of the park's beauty. Understanding this helps visitors create a balanced itinerary that might include Angels Landing as just one highlight of their Zion experience.
Many travelers opt for a 3 day Grand Canyon tour that includes Zion, allowing them to experience multiple iconic landscapes in one trip. This approach provides adequate time to attempt Angels Landing while also enjoying other aspects of Zion's diverse landscape.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Beyond its geological significance, Angels Landing has embedded itself in outdoor culture as a rite of passage for many hiking enthusiasts. Social media has amplified its notoriety, with countless photos capturing triumphant hikers at the summit, arms raised against the backdrop of Zion's magnificent canyon.
The trail has also gained somber recognition for being one of the more dangerous hikes in the national park system, with several fatal falls recorded over the years. This dual nature—stunning beauty paired with genuine risk—has only enhanced its mystique and allure.
Bottom Line
So how did Zion's Angels Landing get its name? A Methodist minister's poetic observation that "only an angel could land" on such a precarious summit gave us the evocative name that perfectly captures both the spiritual feeling and physical challenge of this remarkable formation. Whether you choose to brave the chains and experience the summit firsthand or admire it from below, Angels Landing stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature and the human desire to connect with these extraordinary places.
