"Fall Colours and Waterfalls at Zion NP" Top 5 Page for this destination Zion National Park by windsorgirl

Zion National Park Travel Guide: 642 reviews and 1,225 photos

Emerald Pools Falls - Zion National Park

Apparantly seeing waterfalls at Zion NP is a rare and lucky event. We visited Zion National Park after the area's worst storm in 20 years had lingered over southern Utah for the last 3 days. For such a dry region, you can imagine the effect that this rainfall had on Zion Canyon. The Virgin River was running very high and fast and countless waterfalls appeared throughout the park cascading over the colourful sandstone cliffs, for which Zion is famous.

We noticed many of these falls on our drive along the Zion/Mt. Carmel Highway in the eastern section of the park. On several hikes, we were able to get up close and even walk beneath the falls as pictured here, on the hike to the Emerald Pools. In the photo you can plainly see the two lower waterfalls, but if you look up to the right you will see a third waterfall emerging from the cliff face.

Soaring Sandstone Cliffs

Colourful cliffs at Zion

Zion Canyon was sculpted by the powerful Virgin River and it's canyon walls rise up 2000 ft in colours of red, orange, and yellow. These cliffs are amongst the highest in the world.

Last Stop on Our Tour of Southwestern USA

We spent the last two nights of our 16 day tour of Southwestern USA here before driving back to Vegas for our return flight home. We even made a daytrip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from here.

What You Need To Know

fall colours at Zion

Zion National Park is one of the most popular parks in southern Utah. It is located only 158 miles from Las Vegas and 86 miles from Bryce Canyon NP. The cost of admission is $20/vehicle or you can purchase a National Park Pass which is good for a year and allows entrance to all of the country's National Parks.

Zion has a wonderful shuttle service that delivers you to the trailheads of all the excellent hikes in the park. Many of the hikes are paved and are very well maintained. Bring lots of film for this park is a photographer's dream.

You should plan to spend 2 nights in nearby Springdale so that you have at least one full day to explore the park.

Last visit to Zion National Park: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Nov 25, 2004
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Reviews (17)

The Grand Canyon, North Rim Off The Beaten Path (2)

It is a worthwhile detour to the north rim of the Grand Canyon from Zion, if you have not seen the Grand Canyon before.... more travel advice

Bryce Canyon Off The Beaten Path (2)

Only 86 miles east of Zion will bring you to Bryce Canyon National Park. In just a short distance you will find a... more travel advice

Easy Paved Walking Paths Favorites (3)

I thought it was great that many of the hiking trails in Zion NP are at least partially paved, and two of them are... more travel advice

Great Food Right outside Park Entrance Restaurants (1)

This cafeteria style restaurant is located immediately outside of the South Entrance to Zion NP. There was a good... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Closest Accomodations are in Springdale

Things to Do (10)
See All Hike or Cycle the Pa'rus Trail

Travelogues (1)

Written Nov 27, 2004

8 photos

Hike to Scout Lookout

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Comments (9)

LoriPori Mar 7, 2006 at 5:45 AM Report Abuse

Totally totally awesome Zion. It's been a while since Hans and I were there, so it looks like another visit is in order, especially with my newer photo equipment. Hehe!
goodfish Nov 1, 2005 at 9:56 AM Report Abuse

Great photos of one of my favorite places, Windsorgirl! Can't WAIT to go back to Zion!
JetlagCity Jan 13, 2005 at 10:01 AM Report Abuse

Really enjoyed your fantastic photos, I think I could come back here 100 times and still feel amazed at the beauty of the rocks and mountains!
Stephen-KarenConn Dec 21, 2004 at 9:46 AM Report Abuse

I'm glad I came back to see these completed pages. Excellent! Makes me eager for our Arizona adventure which begins in two more days. Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
jamiesno Dec 8, 2004 at 3:27 PM Report Abuse

For a lot of reasons Fall really is a great time of year hey? Beautiful time to be in a park obvioiusly according to these pictures. Cheers Kathy :-)
CoAir13 Nov 29, 2004 at 5:12 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful!! We didn't have that much water on our Emerald Pools hike! Great page!!
mtncorg Nov 17, 2004 at 2:20 PM Report Abuse

Nice to be here with all of that water dropping instead of the little trickles you normally might see.
goingsolo Nov 4, 2004 at 3:18 PM Report Abuse

Great photos of Emerald Pools. Zion is a beautiful park. I can't wait to go back there this month.
Bwana_Brown Nov 4, 2004 at 2:45 PM Report Abuse

Wow, it must have been amazing with the full-flowing waterfalls and 2000-ft multicoloured cliffs as a back-drop!! These western extravaganzas are something to behold!