Photo: ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Beginning next year hikers will have to take an extra step to experience the famous — and famously terrifying —Angels Landinghike in Utah’s Zion National Park.
Starting April 1, 2022 the national park will require visitors planning to complete the Angels Landing hike to obtain a permit beforehand via an online lottery. The trail, which at its end is extremely narrow as it juts out into a canyon with drop offs on both sides, is the park’s most popular destination and frequently experiences overcrowding.
“In response to concerns about crowding and congestion on the trail, on and after April 1, 2022, everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit,” the park explained on itssite.
ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
In a statement toCNN, National Park Service superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh elaborated on the decision.
“Angels Landing is one of the most iconic destinations in Zion National Park and issuing permits will make going there fair for everyone,” said Bradybaugh. “The system we’ve put in place will reduce crowding on the trail, address safety concerns and make it easy for visitors to plan ahead.”
It takes around 4 hours for most hikers to complete the 5.4 mile round trip up a 1,488-foot rock formation and offers breathtaking views, according to the Zion National Park website.
Those interested in applying for a permit have the option of entering in either the seasonal or day beforeonline lotteries.
To apply or for more information visitRecreation.gov.
source: people.com
