How Long Does It Take To Hike Emerald Pools?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Rating: Easy family stroll Time Required:

2-4 hours
Length: Roughly 2 miles, depending on which loops you hike Elevation Change: 200-ft elevation gain to get to Middle Emerald Pools and another 200-ft gain to Upper Emerald Pools

Is Emerald Pools a hard hike?

Difficulty:

It’s easy to reach the lower pools, a little bit more difficult to the middle, and strenuous to the upper pool

. Weather: The Emerald Pools trails can be hiked year-round. Summers are hot and so hiking is most pleasant during morning hours.

Which of Emerald Pools in Zion is best?

From the trailhead, the trail visits several Emerald Pools, as well as waterfalls that connect the pools. The short distance and easy walking make this a good family outing as well. The main destination is the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfall. I would recommend most to continue to the

Upper Emerald Pool

.

Can you swim in the Emerald Pools Zion?


Swimming is not allowed

in the Emerald Pools.

Is Emerald Pools trail Open in Zion?

After a decade of closure, Zion National Park’s Emerald Pools trail system is now

fully open to the public

.

Is the Lower Emerald Pool Trail open?

The trail is

open year-round

and is beautiful to visit anytime. SEASONAL CLOSURE: This area is subject to seasonal closure due to weather conditions.

Do you need a shuttle to get to Emerald Pools Zion?


Hire a Private Shuttle

This is a great way to get to Angels Landing, the Narrows, and Emerald Pools without waiting in line for the shuttle. This saves you time, not only at the Visitor Center, but later in the day, when you have to wait in line to ride the shuttle back to the park entrance.

How long does it take to hike Angels Landing?

Rating: Fairly strenuous and exposed day hike, not recommended for small children or those with a fear of heights Time Required:

3-6 hours
Length: 2.4 miles one way (The Grotto to the Angels Landing viewpoint) Elevation Change: 1500 feet with steep elevation gain along the trail

How long is Watchman trail Zion?

Rating: Easy to moderately strenuous day hike Access: Zion Visitor Center (trailhead along the road on the east bank of the Virgin River) Time Required: 1-2 hours Length:

3 miles

total round-trip
Elevation Change: 300-ft elevation gain up to the viewpoint

How long is the Riverside Walk in Zion?

Rating: Easy family stroll; good for children and wheelchair accessible. Access: Temple of Sinawava (the 7th and final stop for the Zion Canyon Shuttle in Zion’s main canyon) Time Required: 1-2 hours Length:

2 miles

round-trip
Elevation Change: mostly flat

Can you swim in Emerald Pool Yosemite?


Emerald Pool is not a swimming pool

. Other swimmers have drowned after discovering the challenge of cold and current when it was too late. Warning signs are a good indication of a tragic history.

How long is the Narrows hike?

Rating: Moderately strenuous/strenuous river hiking Time Required: Allow at least 6 hours to reach and enjoy the best sections of the Narrows. Length:

2.5 miles from Temple of Sinawava to Orderville Canyon and Wall Street (one-way); 2 more miles to Big Springs

.
Elevation Change: gradual ascent up the river.

Can you see Bryce Canyon by car?


Some of the majestic scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park can be seen by auto touring

, no hiking needed. You can enjoy all of the park’s major overlooks if you get out of your car and take leisurely strolls out to the edge of the pavement.

Can I sleep in my car in Zion National Park?


No, you couldn’t sleep in the car in any of the Parks unless you were in a campground

.

Can you drive your own car through Zion National Park?

While

you can only drive through Zion Canyon in your own car a few months out of the year

, you can always drive the Mount Carmel Highway. This 12-mile highway connects the south and east entrances of Zion National Park, and driving it is an experience in itself.

What is the best month to visit Zion National Park?

The best time to visit Zion National Park is between the months of

April and November

when the park’s free shuttles are running and the weather is comfortable.

Do you need a permit to hike The Narrows in Zion?


You are not required to obtain permits for hiking the Narrows from the bottom up

. If you chose to hike from the top down, you will need to arrange transportation, as Chamberlain’s Ranch is a 1.5 hour drive from the Temple of Sinawava.

Can you hike The Narrows right now?


The Narrows closes when the flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (CFS), or during spring snowmelt

. The Narrows also closes when a Flash Flood Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, and remains closed for two hours after the warning is lifted. Check the weather before you head into a narrow canyon.

How do I get to the Emerald Pool in Zion?

Walk over to the Zion National Park Shuttle stop in front of the Zion National Park Visitor Center (Stop 1). Via Zion Lodge Start: Ride the shuttle to the Zion Lodge (Stop 5). Exit the shuttle to your right and follow signs to The Emerald Pools Trailhead (which will eventually cross the road).

How do I get to Angels Landing hike?

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD

Walk over to the Zion National Park Shuttle stop in front of the Zion National Park Visitor Center (Stop 1). Ride the shuttle to the Grotto (Stop 6). Exit the shuttle and continue on to the Weeping Rock trailhead.

Does Zion National Park have waterfalls?

Waterfalls at Zion Narrows


Zion Narrows has a number of waterfalls

. The first you will reach, Mystery Falls, is accessible to almost everyone. Day hikers typically turn back once they reach this landmark. You can reach Mystery Falls less than a half mile from your starting spot at Temple of Sinawava.

Can you walk to Angels Landing?

Angels Landing Hike Overview

Best season: Early spring to middle autumn.

Hiking permit required beginning April 1, 2022

. Hazards: Cliff exposure; can be slippery and dangerous when wet. The Angels Landing hike is not recommended for young children.

What shuttle stop is Angels Landing?

The Angels Landing trail begins at the area known as the Grotto. If you’re riding the shuttle, get off at the

Grotto shuttle stop

. If you’re driving yourself into the park during the shuttle’s offseason, drive into the canyon and park when you reach the Grotto picnic area.

Can you hike Zion without shuttle?

Can you hike Zion without shuttle access?

Yes

. There are several other trails that made it on to my list of the Best Hikes in Zion National Park that you can do without needing a shuttle bus.

Can beginners hike Angels Landing?

But

the trail to Angels Landing is far from a beginner-friendly hike

. In fact, even those with some hiking experience will want to consider their abilities before attempting it. At 5.5 miles roundtrip and climbing nearly 1,500 feet in elevation, the trail is physically demanding.

Can you hike Angels Landing in February?


You can hike Angel’s Landing pretty much any time of the year

. Obviously, Spring and Fall will have better weather. However, there is something special about hiking in the snowy winter.

Which is scarier Half Dome or Angels Landing?

I’ve hiked both trails, and must admit the final stretch to the summit of

Half Dome

is scarier and, indeed, very likely more dangerous than the trail up Angels Landing. Nowhere on Angels Landing does the trail head up a 600-foot stretch of slick granite that at points reaches a 45-degree angle.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.