2.5 days before July 4, 2015 we decided to take a spontaneous, 9.5 hour drive from Boise to Zion National Park. My family was driving back from Disney Land and we were going to meet them outside of St. George, UT.
So we filled up on gas, grabbed some sunflower seeds, and hit the road.
We got in around 12:00 am. Exhausted + hungry + and ready to explore the next day. The next morning, we gathered up the troops, ate breakfast and took a shuttle into Zion National Park. I was immediately overtaken by the beauty. This place is incredible! I had been Googling non-stop different hiking trails and places to explore there.
The park has this incredible shuttle service that takes you around the different hiking trails. I highly recommend ending your day with one last shuttle ride across the whole park.
Day 1: Emerald Pools
We wanted to start out with a slightly easier trek that was kid friendly. Emerald Pools was just that. It’s a fun walk to Lower Emerald Pools and definitely worth it. 
The biggest downside to going in July– it’s freaking hot! Hailey, my 10 year old niece in the coral shirt, complained the entire time that she was ready to be done. But she lightened up when she got to the lower pool.
Water trickled over the rock edge above and created a sanctuary from the heat. It was a bit slick (hence the railing and chains), but was very relaxing to see + hear the water.
The walls of the lower pools were stained from the water residue, creating a painted effect. Nature really is amazing. So we continued on through the heat and decided to go to make our way to the Upper Pools. Again, it was HOT and we didn’t bring nearly enough water for the temperature. (Amateur move!) With a few more complaints and a bit of convincing, we talked the little ones into going just a little bit further.
Right after the lower pool, there is the short, but awesome rock hallway that leads you to the the middle pool. And yet another path to take you to the Upper Pool. On the way to the top, we saw a little deer resting in the shade watching the world pass by. (Zion Park is full of deer!)
Upper pool was beautiful and gave us that much needed time to relax. At this point, we were out of water, and had a trek down. My mom and I were resting in some shade, listening to a small water fall. Hailey joined us in all of her 10-year-old “quietness.” We jokingly told her she had to be quiet and meditate. This was her meditative stance. 🙂
We got to the bottom, purchased ice cream, water, and some snacks and then made our way back to the hotel to relax and prepare for the next days hike…Angel’s Landing.