West Rim Trailhead South

This is the southern trailhead of the West Rim Trail, at The Grotto shuttle stop in the main canyon. From here the trail crosses the river and climbs toward Scout Lookout, which requires no permit, before the famous final half-mile to Angels Landing, with its chain handholds along a narrow, exposed ridge.

Know before you climb

• A permit is now required to hike from Scout Lookout onto Angels Landing itself, obtained through a seasonal or day-before lottery on Recreation.gov, with a non-refundable application fee plus a per-person fee if you're selected. Hiking that segment without one is a federal violation.
• Beyond Scout Lookout, the West Rim Trail continues north as a longer route, eventually reaching Lava Point roughly 15 miles from this trailhead, well outside a casual day-hike.