Take one of the best hikes in Zion National Park that’s easy enough for a family by walking the Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail Basics
1 Hour
1.2 Miles Round Trip
Out-And-Back
127 Feet
Duration: 1 Hour
Hiking from the Grotto shuttle stop on the lower pool trail and back takes about one hour. This includes a little bit of time to marvel at the large canyon wall along the trail and enjoy time behind the waterfall near the end of the trail.
Distance: 1.2 Miles Roundtrip
From the trailhead near Zion Lodge, the easy hike is about 1.2 miles in total.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
This is an out-and-back hike, so you will walk 0.6 miles to the small waterfall over the trail then turn around and walk the same path for the return trip.
Elevation Change: 127 Feet
The elevation gain is mostly subtle on the lower part of the Emerald Pool trail system. This part of the trail is wheelchair and stroller-friendly without any steep climbs. There are a few steep dropoffs, though, so be careful of those.
Season: Any
Zion National Park is open year-round, and this trail is available any time of the year. It’s best, though, in the spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler than the summer months. The spring months are especially popular because the snowmelt and spring runoff are at their highest, meaning there’s plenty of water flowing over the waterfalls.
Time of Day: Any
The Emerald Pool series of trails can be done any time of the day, but the best time is in the morning or early afternoon, especially in the busy summer months when the trail gets crowded.
Amount of Shade: Minimal
Even though the hike goes through the pinyon-juniper woodland, there isn’t a lot of shade on this hike until you get to the base of the cliff. Make sure you have enough water, snacks, and sun protection with you for this hike.
Difficulty: Easy
The paved lower trail from the Emerald Pools trailhead to the lower pool is considered an easy trail. There’s minimal elevation change and the paved trail is easy to navigate for those with mobility issues or young children.
What Makes Lower Emerald Pool Trail a Great Hike?
The Lower Emerald Pools hike is a gorgeous easy hike to a few small pools. The most fun for the kids, though, was walking on the paved path that goes behind the waterfall coming down from the middle pool over the wall of Behunin Canyon.
The lower pool is a beautiful place to stop and look at everything that makes Zion National Park such a popular park. If you are up for more adventure, you can take the path up to the middle pool and walk that trail back to the Zion Lodge and the trailhead.
Otherwise, for a more strenuous hike, take the path to the upper pool before coming back down.
Scenery on the Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Start of the Trail
When you first start the trail, you’ll go across a footbridge over the North Fork of the Virgin River. Once you cross the bridge, there’s a sign to lead you to the right for the Lower Emerald Pool Trail or to the left for the Middle Emerald Pool Trail.
On the Trail
As you walk on the trail, you’ll walk between the canyon walls along the river for a short while.
End of the Trail
The Lower Emerald Pool Trail ends when you reach the beautiful spot where you can feel the cool mist from the water flowing over the western wall past the pathway. This area gets very crowded, so make sure to bring your patience.
Notable Places on the Hike
Near the end of the lower pool trail, you can choose to walk along the Kayenta Trail or continue to the middle pool or the final pool at the top of the upper pool trail.
Lower Emerald Pool Trailhead Information
Park Name: Zion National Park
The Emerald Pools are one of the most iconic and well-known hikes in the park after Angels Landing. Zion is located in southwestern Utah a few hours from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Finding the Trailhead
The Emerald Pools Trailhead is well-marked on the eastern side of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, across the street from Zion Lodge.
Markers Along the Trail
Along the trail, there are a few interpretive signs describing the geology and ecosystems found in the area. There are also trial markers for the other trails that can be accessed such as the trails for the different pools.
Nearest Restrooms
There are restrooms and a water bottle-filling station at Zion Lodge across the street from the trailhead.
Parking Area
During shuttle season, driving a personal vehicle is not permitted on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. You'll have to take the park shuttle to the trailhead at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop. Or, you can go further to the Grotto stop and take the Kayenta Trail to the middle trail and upper trail, or walk along the Grotto Trail between the two shuttle stops.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
The trailhead for the Lower Emerald Pool Trail is also the trailhead for the Middle Emerald Pool Trail. They both take you on a bridge across the North Fork of the Virgin River before splitting. You can also get to the Sand Bench Trail, Grotto Trail, Wrangler Trail, and Kayenta Trail.
Tips for Lower Emerald Pool Trail
- Those traveling with young children need to keep a hand on them. There are a few spots where the trail ends at a steep dropoff.
- Follow the signs regarding where you can and cannot go. The beautiful pools look inviting but they are a fragile part of the ecosystem and are off-limits to visitors.
- The Lower Emerald Pool Trail links up with the Middle Emerald Pool Trail, Upper Emerald Pool Trail, and the Kayenta Trail. The Middle Pool Trail connects to the Sand Bench Trail.
- Check the weather conditions and be aware of the possibility of flash floods in the canyon.
Accessibility Information for Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Paved
Shuttle
Trail Type: Paved
The Lower Emerald Pools Trail is paved and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers up to the falls. Once you go past the falls towards the Middle Emerald Pools Trail and Upper Emerald Pools Trail, there are stairs to climb, sandy paths, and some trail erosion in places.
Parking: Shuttle
If you go during shuttle season, you will have to park at the national parks visitor center and take the Zion Canyon Shuttle to the trailhead. For those who visit in the winter months without a shuttle, park near the Zion Lodge.