Tourist dies after fall at Angels Landing in Zion

SPRINGDALE — National Park Service officials have identified the visitor who died after a fall from the Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park as Gilberto Ramos, 68, of Laredo, Texas.

Angels Landing rises above Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. Park officials said a Texas visitor died Friday after a fall from the popular trail.

Park officials said an emergency response began about 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, after reports that a hiker had fallen from the popular trail’s chained section. Search and rescue crews responded, and the Angels Landing and West Rim trails were temporarily closed during recovery operations.

Ramos was located on the north side of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon near Big Bend, according to reports. His remains were transferred to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.

Angels Landing is one of Zion’s best-known hikes and one of its most demanding. The final ridge section includes steep drop-offs, narrow footing and chain assisted travel. A permit system has been in place since 2022 to reduce congestion and improve safety on the route.

The incident came during one of Zion’s busiest visitor seasons, when southern Utah parks typically see heavy spring traffic.

The National Park Service and Washington County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.