Lower Emerald Pool Trail - Fantastic Pools and Waterfalls in Zion National Park

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A detailed hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail in the Zion National Park, Utah. Discover calm sandstone pools and an epic waterfall on this short and light hike!

The Emerald Pools Trail is a small network of hiking trails that lead to three sandstone pools in Zion National Park; The Lower Emerald Pools, Middle Pools and Upper Pools.

In this quick and simple guide, I will sketch everything you need to know about the shortest way to the lower pools. However, I will also add an alternative, extended route that I have taken and which leads under the Emerald Pools waterfall in the Zion National Park and up to the Middle Pool.
Alt = “Lower and Middle Emerald Pools in Zion National Park”>

Interesting facts about the Zion National Park

Before we deal with this hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail, here are some things that an first-time visit should know about the Zion National Park.

  • National Park Pass: Entry to the Zion NP costs $ 35 per vehicle. Alternatively, you can buy an annual America the Beautiful Parks Pass, which is valid for all national parks within the USA for $ 80.
  • Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle: In spring, summer and autumn, private vehicles along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive are not allowed unless you spend the night in the Zion Lodge. Instead, visitors have to take the free shuttle service from the Zion Canyon visitor center. The starting point of the Lower Emerald Pools hiking trail begins near stop No. 5: The Zion Lodge.

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How to get to the Lower Emerald Pools Trailhead

In order to get to the starting point of the Lower Emerald Pools, you have to make your way to the Zion National Park Lodge on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you are visiting in winter or stay in the Zion Lodge, you can drive up the scenic road and park right next to the starting point.

If you visit Zion in the other months, however, you can only get here via the free Zion National Park shuttle service. You can book this in the Zion Canyon visitor center.

When you arrive at the Zion National Park Lodge, keep left (west side of the street), where you will find a large parking lot with the Emerald Pools Trails. Below is a card pin with the exact location.

Lower Emerald Pools Trail: Hiking guide of the Zion National Park

Hiking route: 1.2 miles back and forth (1.93 km)
Duration: About 1 hour
Höhe: 69 Foot/21 meters
difficulty: Simple

After you have reached the parking lot, go west via the Virgin River Bridge. Here you will find information boards that describe the basics of the Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald Pools Trails in Zion.

If you are looking for a short hike to the lower pools to see the waterfall, turn right at the fork.
Alt = “Lower Emerald Falls Trail in Zion National Park”>
From here you can expect a simple but incredibly picturesque hike through the Behandin Canyon to the Lower Emerald Pools. This path seems to offer breathtaking views and photogenic viewpoints on every corner. You will receive an excellent view of Lady Mountain, Mount Zion, Mount Majestic and the Great White Throne.

While you need longer due to the many photo stops, you will certainly not get lost.
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This path is very easy to commit and is well signposted and signposted. As one of the most popular hiking trails in the Zion National Park (besides Angels Landing or The Narrows) you would not expect anything less. However, note that there are several steep slopes and sections in which a fall is possible. Apart from that, the path of the lower pools is fairly wide with a very low incline, which makes it a simple hike for most.

In fact, this hiking trail is accessible to wheelchair users, provided you have support.
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Lower emerald pool

After a little more than half a mile, you reach the waterfall that flows over the Lower Emerald Pools. There is a view area under the niche where you can admire the waterfall.

Below are some photos that I took during my last visit and that hopefully you will inspire to make your way! Alt = "Waterfall in the Zion National Park">
Alt = “Lower Emerald Pools in Winter”>

Waterfall in the Zion National Park

The two waterfalls you see at the Lower Emerald Pools come from the Middle Pools, which are located directly above the niche. While I did my best to find the name of these waterfalls in the Zion National Park, the best I could find was "Lower Emerald Pools".

If you are enthusiastic about the beautiful environment and want to continue, I highly recommend you to run under the waterfalls and continue to the Middle or Upper pools hiking trails.
Alt = “Lower Emerald Pools Waterfall in Zion National Park”>
Alt = “Lower Emerald Pools Trail in the Zion National Park, Utah”>

Optional: Extended route to the Middle Pools

Instead of turning around, it is possible to continue to the middle and upper emerald pools in Zion. Unfortunately, the Upper Pools Trail was closed during my visit to rockfall, so instead I decided to form a loop back to the parking lot over the Middle Pools.

This extensive route is very attractive, but includes a slightly larger climb to the rocky lead next to the Middle Pools. Overall, the Lower and Middle Emerald Pool Loop is only 2 miles long, with a height of only 150 feet. We completed this entire circular hike in winter in about 1.5 hours with many photo stops.

The path begins with going under the alcove waterfalls and then climbing a short but steep section to a path that now runs parallel to the Lower Emerald Pools-Weg. This ends with a loop at a higher height with a spectacular view of the historical Zion Lodge and the Red Arch Mountain before a sharp descent takes place back to the parking lot.

card and hiking details: My Strava
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Alt = “Middle Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park”>

Lower Emerald Pools Trail Zion Faqs

f. Which Emerald Pool Trail is the best in Zion National Park? The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is the simplest and most popular. However, if you have an additional 30 minutes, the best pool trail would be the 2-mile loop that combines the Lower Emerald Pools and Middle Emerald Pools Trails.

f. Can you swim in the Emerald Pools in Zion? Due to the sheer volume of traffic in this way, the authority of the Zion National Park asked visitors not to swim in the Lower Emerald Pools in Zion. If you don't get in, the pools and the path are spared to avoid further erosion. In fact, these paths were blocked several times due to erosion and a lot of money was flowed into the repair.

f. Do you need a permit to hike to the Lower Emerald Pools? Apart from the national park permit, you do not need any further approval to hike the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. However, if you are planning a night hike in the Zion National Park, you need approval.
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Read on

I hope you liked this quick but useful hiking guide for the Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah.

While you are here on my blog, take a look at some of my other articles. I have great travel, road trip and hiking resources that will help you with your own adventures in the great southwest of the USA!

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