Hiking Angel’s Landing with Kids: A Thrilling Adventure

I’m going to do a typical recap of our whole family trip to Zion and Bryce, but as we organized pictures and thoughts, we felt the need to dedicate a post to the term we searched incessantly for the months leading up to our trip: hiking Angel’s Landing with kids.

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 its 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.

The hike to Angel’s landing was a bucket list item for me and David. We applied for a permit months beforehand 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 determined to do it. The only thing we were unsure of was whether or not our newly 12-year-old and 9-year-old would be up for it. We wondered, can you hike Angel’s Landing with kids?

We have a fair amount of hiking experience and an appetite for adventure, but I still had my concerns about the extreme terrain of Angel’s Landing. Ultimately, we decided to all hike to Scout’s Lookout and then let the kids decide for themselves. Our cautious twelve-year-old decided to stay put at Scout’s Lookout, while our adventure-seeking nine-year-old couldn’t contain her excitement to march forward to the chains.

With snacks, water, and a comfortable spot for our twelve-year-old, we went ahead with our enthusiastic nine-year-old. The initial steps were nerve-racking for me, not so much for myself, but for that 9-year-old piece of my heart walking ahead of me, fearlessly taking on this challenge. David kept checking on me, and I reassured him that I was fine, but to never take his eyes off of Kaitlyn.

At first, I may have been a bit dramatic. Because objectively speaking, Kaitlyn was doing phenomenally well. With prior research and an understanding of the hike’s seriousness, she was focused and proceeded with caution. She listened to instructions and earned compliments from fellow hikers in awe of her determination and stamina.

Indeed, she hiked it better than me and better than most of the people we passed along the way. We took our time, and although the trail is only half a mile in length, it took us a solid hour to reach the end and the final overlook down the canyon.

The descent was easier for us, perhaps because we knew what to expect. Still, the chain section alone took us two hours, about 30 minutes longer than we had estimated for our twelve-year-old. When we returned to her, she was relieved to see us and content with her decision to skip this part of the hike.

So, can you hike Angel’s Landing with kids? I answer with a cautious yes. Based on my experience, here are a few guidelines I would offer:

• Although not physically challenging, the hike is mentally demanding. Your child should have the mental fortitude to focus and listen under pressure. I recommend a minimum age of 9, but I did see a couple of kids younger than that making the hike.
• Prior hiking experience is important. This shouldn’t be your child’s first hiking experience.
• Height matters. There are parts of the trail where you need to reach out and/or pull up. I am 5’1″ and managed well, but I wouldn’t have wanted a child much shorter to attempt those parts.
• Hiking boots are a must. Tennis shoes or anything else will not provide the necessary grip.
• Ultimately, only you and your child know your own limits. I recommend not committing fully until you reach Scout’s Lookout and see it for yourself.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. As we prepared for our trip, we scoured the internet and consulted friends to get an idea of what to expect. But ultimately, seeing it in person is an experience like no other. I am incredibly proud of both my girls for making their own choices and having an unforgettable adventure!

Source: Hiking Angel’s Landing with Kids