In a side canyon of Zion National Park, the Emerald Pools are a series of three captivating, cascading pools. Their name hints at their blue-green hue, possibly due to mineral deposits in this area of Utah.
Emerald Pools hike allows you to see a three tiered waterfall system with the lower, middle, and upper pools. The Middle Pool’s water runoff creates a mesmerizing waterfall over a cliff into the Lower Pool below.
I’ll give you some details on each of these Emerald Pools so you can choose which trail you’d like to hike and via which route during your visit to Zion.
Overall Emerald Pools Trail Map
Hiking to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools
There are different access points for the pools and you can pick the route that best fits your energy level and time. My recommendation is to start your hike from The Grotto. Take the Kayenta Trail to the Upper Emerald Pools Trail first. This is the more challenging trail of the three because of the elevation gain. On your descent, go right for the Lower Emerald Pools Trail which you can follow to Zion Lodge. Both start and end points are shuttle stops that you can take advantage of.
These trails are open year round, however, they may be icy in the winter. Restrooms and water refill stations are only available at Zion Lodge and The Grotto.
A mudslide in 2010 forced the closure of the trail for a decade. Thankfully, a significant restoration project costing $1.2 million led to the trail’s happy reopening in 2020
Zion Lodge to Lower Emerald Pools Trail
The trailhead for the Lower Emerald Pools Trail is closest to Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5). Follow the sidewalk across the street and continue walking across the bridge. You should see a trail sign to the right to begin your hike.
This paved 1.4 mile out-and-back trail starts off by leading you parallel with the Virgin River. It winds through scenic pinyon-juniper trees to the Lower Emerald Pool. Near the pools lookout at the end of the trail, there is a metal handrail. This trail has only about 70 feet of elevation gain and is the easiest of the three pool choices.
The Middle Emerald Pool will be located above you at the end. Depending on the season and water flow, it may create a waterfall that empties into the Lower Emerald Pool.
When visiting in late August, we walked along this section of the trail and could feel the mist from the waterfall cooling us off from the strong Utah sun. The water causes the canyon wall to be painted shades of white, green, and brown that are really beautiful.
How to Get to the Middle Emerald Pool
Middle Emerald Pools Trail is a moderately challenging, yet rewarding 2.2-mile hike. The trail has about 150 feet of elevation gain and connects with the Kayenta Trail and Lower Emerald Pools Trail.
Essentially, this hike is steeper and a bit longer than the Lower Emerald Pools, as the trail climbs higher up for different views. You can access it at the Emerald Pools Trailhead across from Zion Lodge and stay to the left to begin the hike.
The path traverses an unpaved sandstone ledge, offering panoramic vistas of Zion Canyon as you ascend. The initial climb is fairly steep, but the views make it all worthwhile.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the cool shade and unique flora of pinyon-junipers nestled within the red sandstone cliffs. Eventually, the trail descends towards a series of vibrant emerald-colored pools. This is a vital source of water for wildlife in the area, and the pools are delicate so there is no swimming allowed.
Upper Emerald Pool via Kayenta Trail or Lower Emerald Pool Trail
The Upper Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate 2.4 mile trek that rewards you with stunning scenery. It is a spur off of the other Emerald Pools Trails and accessible via the Kayenta Trail. The Upper Emerald Pools hike is one of Zion’s more challenging treks because of the elevation gain (about 350 feet) on this out-and-back trail. The Upper Pool is harder to hike to than the lower and middle.
This path takes you up stone steps and onto a sandy path winding through pinyon-juniper woodlands. Towering canyon walls rise on either side, and depending on the season, you might see a cascading waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for iconic landmarks like Lady Mountain and The Great White Throne during your ascent.
The trail culminates at the Upper Emerald Pool, a vital source of water (again, no swimming allowed). This area can be a bit crowded, depending on the season and time of day you’re visiting. During months with heavy runoff (in the spring), the waterfall from above can be powerful and breathtaking.
When we visited, very little water was trickling down the canyon wall from high above, but I’d love to see it in different seasons.
Trail Map for Upper Emerald Pool Hike
Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald Pools Hike
Although spring, summer, and fall are typically the high season for tourism in Zion Canyon, the park is beautiful in wintertime. In the winter, the shuttle won’t be running, so you can drive your car throughout Zion Scenic Drive. Be sure to check the NPS site for road closures before departing. Snow and slush may make the trail conditions less than ideal, however, snow melt may make the waterfalls even more grand to see!
Which trail you choose depends on how much time you have and how much of a physical challenge you’re up for. If you have young kids or are not looking to hike uphill, then the Lower Emerald Pools Trail is a perfect choice where you can see a beautiful waterfall during certain times of the year. If you’re up for a bit more of a physically demanding hike, you can ascend the Upper Emerald Pools Trail.
No, swimming is not allowed in the Emerald Pools per the NPS. However, swimming is allowed in the Virgin River, but it’s best to also check for news updates on cyanobacteria before dipping your feet in the water.
No, it is accessible to all park visitors.
