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Lower Emerald Pool Trail – Fantastic pools and waterfalls in Zion National Park
A detailed hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah. Discover tranquil sandstone pools and an epic waterfall on this short and easy hike! The Emerald Pools Trail is a small network of trails leading to three sandstone pools in Zion National Park; the Lower Emerald Pools, Middle Pools and Upper Pools. In this quick and easy guide, I'll outline everything you need to know about the shortest route to the lower pools. However, I will also add an alternative, extended route that I took that goes under the Emerald Pools waterfall in Zion National Park and up...
Lower Emerald Pool Trail – Fantastic pools and waterfalls in Zion National Park
A detailed hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah. Discover tranquil sandstone pools and an epic waterfall on this short and easy hike!
The Emerald Pools Trail is a small network of trails leading to three sandstone pools in Zion National Park; the Lower Emerald Pools, Middle Pools and Upper Pools.
In this quick and easy guide, I'll outline everything you need to know about the shortest route to the lower pools. However, I will also add an alternative, extended route that I took that goes under the Emerald Pools waterfall in Zion National Park and up to Middle Pool.
alt="Lower and Middle Emerald Pools in Zion National Park">
Interesting facts about Zion National Park
Before we dive into this hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail, here are a few things a first-time visitor should know about Zion National Park.
- Nationalparkpass: Der Eintritt in den Zion NP kostet 35 $ pro Fahrzeug. Alternativ können Sie einen jährlichen America The Beautiful Parks Pass kaufen, der für 80 $ pro Jahr für alle Nationalparks innerhalb der USA gültig ist.
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle: Im Frühling, Sommer und Herbst sind private Fahrzeuge entlang des Zion Canyon Scenic Drive nicht gestattet, es sei denn, Sie übernachten in der Zion Lodge. Stattdessen müssen Besucher den kostenlosen Shuttleservice vom Besucherzentrum des Zion Canyon nehmen. Der Ausgangspunkt des Wanderwegs Lower Emerald Pools beginnt in der Nähe von Haltestelle Nr. 5: The Zion Lodge.
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How to get to the Lower Emerald Pools Trailhead
To get to the Lower Emerald Pools trailhead, you will need to make your way to the Zion National Park Lodge on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you are visiting in the winter or staying at Zion Lodge, you can drive up the scenic road and park right next to the trailhead.
However, if, like most, you visit Zion during other months, the only way to get here is via the free Zion National Park shuttle service. You can book this at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
When you arrive at Zion National Park Lodge, bear left (west side of the road) where you will find a large parking area with the Emerald Pools Trails. Below is a map pin with the exact location.
Lower Emerald Pools Trail: Zion National Park Hiking Guide
After you reach the parking lot, head immediately west across the Virgin River Bridge. Here you will find information boards describing the basics of the Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald Pools Trails in Zion.
If you're looking for a short hike to the lower pools to see the waterfall, turn right at the fork immediately after the bridge.
alt="Lower Emerald Falls Trail in Zion National Park">
From here, an easy but incredibly scenic hike awaits you through Behunin Canyon to the Lower Emerald Pools. This trail seems to offer breathtaking views and photogenic vantage points at every turn. You'll get excellent views of Lady Mountain, Mount Zion, Mount Majestic, and the Great White Throne.
While it will take you longer due to the many photo stops, you certainly won't get lost.
alt="Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park">
This path is very easy to follow and is well marked and signposted. As one of the most popular hiking trails in Zion National Park (along with Angels Landing or The Narrows), you wouldn't expect anything less. However, be aware that there are several steep drops and sections where a fall is possible. Other than that, the Lower Pools trail is fairly wide with very little incline, making it an easy hike for most.
In fact, this trail is wheelchair accessible provided they have assistance.
alt="Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park">
Lower Emerald Pools
After just over half a mile you reach the waterfall that flows over the Lower Emerald Pools. There is a viewing area under the alcove where you can admire the waterfall.
Below are some photos I took on my last visit that will hopefully inspire you to hit the road!
alt="Waterfall in Zion National Park">
alt="Lower Emerald Pools in Winter">
Waterfall in Zion National Park
The two waterfalls you see at the Lower Emerald Pools come from the Middle Pools, which are located directly above the alcove. While I did my best to find the name of these waterfalls in Zion National Park, the best I could find was “Lower Emerald Pools.”
If, like me, you are amazed by the beautiful surroundings and want to keep going, I highly recommend walking under the falls and continuing on to the Middle or Upper Pools trails.
alt="Lower Emerald Pools Waterfall in Zion National Park">
alt="Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah">
Optional: Extended route to the Middle Pools
Instead of turning back, it is possible to continue to the middle and upper Emerald Pools in Zion. Unfortunately, the Upper Pools Trail was closed due to rockfall when I visited, so I opted to loop back to the car park via the Middle Pools instead.
This extensive route is very scenic but involves a slightly steeper climb to the rocky outcrop next to the Middle Pools. In total, the Lower and Middle Emerald Pool Loop is only 2 miles long, with only about 150 feet of elevation. We completed this entire circular hike in winter in about 1.5 hours with lots of photo stops.
The trail begins by passing under the Alcove Falls and then climbing a short but steep section to a trail that now runs parallel to the Lower Emerald Pools trail. This ends with a loop at a higher elevation with spectacular views over historic Zion Lodge and Red Arch Mountain before a sharp descent back to the parking lot.
Map and trail details: My Strava
alt="Hiking trail to Upper Emerald Falls in Zion">
alt="Middle Emerald Falls Zion">
alt="Medium Emerald Pools Zion">
alt="Middle Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park">
Lower Emerald Pools Trail Zion FAQs
Q. Which Emerald Pool Trail is the best in Zion National Park? The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is the easiest and most popular. However, if you have an extra 30 minutes, the best pool trail would be the 2-mile loop that combines the Lower Emerald Pools and Middle Emerald Pools trails.
Q. Can you swim at the Emerald Pools in Zion? Due to the sheer volume of traffic on this trail, the Zion National Park Authority has asked visitors not to swim in the Lower Emerald Pools in Zion. If you don't get in, the pools and path will be preserved to prevent further erosion. In fact, these trails have been closed several times due to erosion and a lot of money has gone into repairs.
Q. Do you need a permit to hike to the Lower Emerald Pools? Aside from the National Park permit, you do not need any other permit to hike the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. However, if you plan a night hike in Zion National Park, you will need a permit.
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alt="Hiking Trails in Zion National Park">
alt="Lower Emerald Pools of Zion National Park">
Read more
I hope you enjoyed this quick but useful hiking guide to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park, Utah.
While you are here on my blog, be sure to check out some of my other articles. I have great travel, road trip, and hiking resources that will help you on your own adventures in the great American Southwest!
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