Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park: How to See All Three Pools

The Emerald Pools are one of the most recognizable features in Zion National Park — a trio of natural pools tucked beneath towering sandstone cliffs, connected by a network of trails that climb gradually from the canyon floor to a hidden upper basin. This isn’t one specific route, but rather a layered trail system that allows you to tailor the hike to your preferences. You can keep it short and easy with a single pool visit, or continue upward through increasingly rugged terrain to experience all three pools.

This hike is perfect for families, first-time visitors, and anyone wanting big scenery without committing to a long canyon hike.

For what it’s worth, the pools may not always glow emerald. They often lean mossy or golden. Still worth every step… In fact, the Emerald Pools hike is less about the pools themselves and more about the setting and the journey between them.

Quick navigation

Plan the hike:

• How the Emerald Pools trail system works
• Best way to see all three pools
• Emerald Pools at a glance
• Starting point (trailhead and shuttle stop)

Trail sections:

• Lower Emerald Pool
• Middle Emerald Pools
• Upper Emerald Pool
• Return options

Helpful info:

• Is the Emerald Pools hike worth it?
• Can you swim in the Emerald Pools?
• Best time to visit
• Restrooms
• Pets
• Footwear and safety
• Nearby hikes worth considering

How the Emerald Pools trail system works

Unlike many hikes in Zion, Emerald Pools isn’t an all-or-nothing experience. You’re not choosing a hike. You’re choosing how far into it you want to go. That flexibility makes this one of Zion’s most customizable hikes… and also one of the most confusing at first glance.

👉 There are three pool levels:

• Lower Emerald Pool
• Middle Emerald Pools
• Upper Emerald Pool

👉 And four trails used to reach them:

• Lower Emerald Pool Trail
• Middle Emerald Pools Trail
• Upper Emerald Pool Trail
• Kayenta Trail

Only the Upper Pool has its own dedicated trail. The Lower and Middle Pools can each be reached using multiple trail combinations, which is why the layout can feel unclear until you understand how the routes layer together.

👉 In addition, there are two access points:

• Shuttle Stop #5 — Zion Lodge (via Lower or Middle Emerald Pools Trails)
• Shuttle Stop #6 — The Grotto (via Kayenta Trail)

Here’s a visual breakdown of how the trails connect:

Best route to see all three pools (without backtracking)

📍 Start at Shuttle Stop #5 — Zion Lodge

Pool sequence:
Lower → Middle (via a short connector trail) → Upper

Return via one of three options:
• Lower Trail (easiest)
• Middle Trail (shaded & quieter)
• Kayenta Trail (canyon views)

⏱ Total time: ~1.5–3 hours (depending on pace + photo stops)
↔ Total distance: 1.2–3 miles (depending on route)

For the most variety:
⬆️ Go up via Lower Pool → Middle Pools connector → Upper Pool
⬇️ Return via Kayenta
🚶 Hop on the shuttle at Stop #6, or walk the Grotto Trail back to Stop #5

Emerald Pools at a glance

	Lower Pool	Middle Pools (via Lower Pool)	Upper Pool
Distance (one way)	0.6 miles	0.2 miles	0.25 miles
Elevation Gain	70 ft	+ 80 ft	+ 200 ft
Difficulty	Easy	Moderate	Moderate
Surface	Paved	Dirt + Rock	Rocky and Steep
Description	Short trail to an alcove with waterfalls, hanging gardens, and a view of a natural pool.	A sandstone ledge with pools, streams, and expansive canyon views. Shaded area.	Steep and rugged final climb to the largest pool beneath towering sandstone cliffs.

Starting point

Trailhead: Lower Emerald Pool Trail (🚍 Shuttle Stop 5 — Zion Lodge)

From the shuttle stop:
• Cross the Lodge lawn
• Cross the road
• Cross the Virgin River bridge

Two trails begin just across the bridge:
Right → Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Left → Middle Emerald Pools Trail

Follow the Lower Emerald Pool Trail to the right to begin the full progression.

Interactive map of Zion National Park showing trailheads and shuttle stops:

🚗 If you’re visiting during the off-season when the Zion shuttle isn’t running and private vehicles are allowed on Zion Canyon Road (Zion Canyon Scenic Drive), you can drive to Zion Lodge. There is a small paved lot near the bridge, with additional limited parking across the road near the lodge itself.

Lower Emerald Pool (via the Lower Emerald Pool Trail)

Distance: 0.6 miles one way
Elevation gain: ~70 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15–25 min

The Lower Pool is the quickest and easiest of the three to reach via its dedicated trail, making it a great option for families and casual walkers. The trail is paved, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and climbs gently throughout. Just beware that near the end, the surface can be wet and slippery.

The trail begins alongside the Virgin River before entering a shaded grove and climbing toward a large sandstone alcove. Here, water filters through the rock and spills down over the trail in two seasonal waterfalls from the Middle Pools above. Depending on the time of year, they can range from misty to dramatic.

As you approach the alcove, the Lower Emerald Pool appears below the trail on the right. Unlike the others, it’s mostly viewed from above rather than accessed directly. At times the pool itself feels subtle (some hikers miss it entirely), but the real draw is the setting: hanging gardens clinging to the cliff face, dripping springs (moisture that may be thousands of years old), and water cascading over the alcove.

This is one of the busiest stretches in Zion, second only to Riverside Walk. Expect crowds, a slower pace, and slick footing near the falls, though railings provide support. If you’re ready to turn back, this makes for an easy 1.2-mile round trip.

If you continue just beyond the dripping alcove, the paved trail gives way to dirt as it curves along the cliffside and gently climbs toward a small overlook. This stretch narrows slightly and includes a few drop-offs, though most hikers find it manageable. From the viewpoint, you’ll get an elevated look at the waterfalls and canyon walls before the route continues toward the Middle Pools.

Middle Emerald Pools (via the Lower Emerald Pool Trail)

Distance: 0.2 miles one way
Elevation gain: ~80 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 10–20 min

Beyond the overlook, the trail shifts noticeably. Pavement disappears entirely, replaced by dirt, stone steps, and uneven rock as the route climbs toward the Middle Pools atop the alcove. Many hikers turn around underneath the alcove or at the viewpoint, so this next stretch feels noticeably quieter.

This brief segment merges twice with the Kayenta Trail. Junctions are clearly marked, but if in doubt, hug the left side toward the Middle Pools.

After about 0.2 miles, you’ll reach the Middle Emerald Pools — a broad slickrock area where shallow streams and small pools gather before spilling over the cliffs to form the waterfalls feeding the Lower Pool. There are two primary pool areas (hence the plural). Compared to the desert below, this section feels surprisingly lush, with shade trees and sweeping canyon views. This is also where the dedicated Middle Emerald Pools Trail ends.

⚠️ Drop-offs:
There are a few exposed edges near the runoff crossings from the two pools, protected by chains. As always, keep an eye on kids near flowing water and ledges, though most of the area is easy to explore safely.

Because this is a natural junction connecting multiple trails, it’s often busier than the approach. But there’s still ample space to wander and find a quiet corner.

From here, the final ascent begins.

Upper Emerald Pool

Distance: 0.25 miles one way
Elevation gain: ~200 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 15–30 min

The climb to the Upper Pool is short but noticeably steeper and more rugged than the previous segments. Still, most families find it manageable. The trail branches near the Middle Pools — close to the first water pocket if coming from below. From the marked junction, follow the sign toward Upper Emerald Pool. If you’ve wandered around the slickrock at the Middle Pools, it may take a minute to regain the main path.

The terrain quickly shifts to uneven rock and sand. There’s some light scrambling, but nothing technical and no drop-offs. The trail is exposed and crosses a rockfall area before opening into a shaded basin beneath towering sandstone walls. Here, the route ends at a sandy, boulder-strewn shoreline wrapping around the last and largest pool in the series — Upper Emerald Pool.

The 300-foot-tall Navajo Sandstone surrounding the basin is thought to be a remnant of what was once the largest sand dune on Earth. Its porous nature allows water to seep through until it encounters a layer it can’t penetrate and emerges along the cliff face, feeding the pool year-round. During wetter seasons or spring snowmelt, a waterfall from Heaps Canyon above may spill into the basin and add to the water level.

The shaded Upper Pool area feels noticeably cooler after the exposed climb, and many hikers linger here. While the trail up was relatively quiet when we visited, the pool itself was lively, with hikers and families gathered on the surrounding sand and rocks, and kids hopping between boulders. The rocky shoreline adds to the charm, but it’s also where slips and ankle injuries are most common, so it’s worth slowing down here.

📸 Stop for the views!
On the way up, don’t forget to pause every once in a while. The canyon views behind you are just as rewarding as the destination, and they get better the higher you go. You’ll see the same views on the way back, but you won’t regret seeing them twice.

When you’re ready to leave, retrace your steps to the Middle Pools, where multiple return options connect back toward the canyon floor.

Return options (Back to Zion Lodge — Stop #5)

Since this guide begins at the Lower Emerald Pool Trailhead (Shuttle Stop #5 — Zion Lodge), most routes naturally circle you back there.

After visiting the Upper Pool and descending back to the Middle Pools area, you have three solid ways to finish your hike. If you complete all three pools, total distance will range from roughly 2 to 3 miles, depending on which return route you choose.

1. Lower Trail (backtrack): 2.1 miles total
2. Middle Trail: 2.2 miles total
3. Kayenta Trail (+ optional Grotto Trail): 2.2–2.8 miles total

Option 1: Backtrack via the Lower Emerald Pool Trail

Distance back to trailhead: 0.8 miles (easiest)
Total round-trip distance: 2.1 miles

This is the simplest and most direct return. From the Middle Pools, descend the same way you came, past the Lower Pool alcove again, and follow the paved trail back to the bridge near Zion Lodge.

Best for:

• the fastest return
• the easiest way down
• families ready to wrap it up

Option 2: Take the Middle Emerald Pools Trail

Distance back to trailhead: 0.9 miles (moderate)
Total round-trip distance: 2.2 miles

Instead of dropping back to the Lower Pool, you can take the Middle Emerald Pools Trail, which starts at the Middle Pools area and runs parallel to the lower route at a slightly higher elevation. This option skips the busy alcove and returns you directly to the same bridge near Zion Lodge.

Expect a quieter feel and slightly lusher scenery.

⛔ Closures:
This trail has experienced long-term closures in the past due to landslides. It was closed during our visit but has since reopened. Always check current trail conditions before heading out.

Option 3: Take the Kayenta Trail (to The Grotto — Stop #6)

Distance: 0.9 miles to Kayenta Trailhead (Shuttle Stop #6 — The Grotto; moderate)
Optional: + 0.6 miles back to Shuttle Stop #5 via the Grotto Trail (easy)
Total round-trip distance: 2.2–2.8 miles total

Kayenta offers a different flavor entirely with wider canyon views, drier terrain, and more of that classic desert feel.

From the Middle Pools junction, retrace your steps briefly toward the Lower Pool and follow signs for Kayenta Trail (about 0.1 miles later) along that short connector trail between the Lower and Middle Pools. You’ll encounter two branches:

• Upper fork (first): slightly shorter route and more direct
• Lower fork (second): more scenic, hugging the cliff base through tighter sandstone passages

Both rejoin the Kayenta Trail and lead to Shuttle Stop #6 — The Grotto.

If you end at The Grotto, you can:

• hop on the shuttle
• walk the flat 0.6-mile Grotto Trail back to Shuttle Stop #5

One of the best things about Zion’s shuttle system is that you don’t have to finish where you started.

Before you go

Is the Emerald Pools hike worth it?

Absolutely! It’s one of the few hikes in Zion that leads to water features and elevated views and doesn’t involve technical terrain or high exposure like the iconic Angels Landing or a trip through The Narrows. It’s scenic, flexible, and family-friendly. But because it’s more inclusive, it gets very busy in peak months (late spring and summer). Still deserves a spot on your itinerary even if you only have one day in Zion National Park.

Can you swim or wade in the Emerald Pools?

No. Swimming or wading in the pools is strictly prohibited as they are fragile water sources for local wildlife. (Source: National Park Service)

Best time to visit the Emerald Pools

The Emerald Pools are accessible year-round, but each season feels different.

Spring (March–June)
Strongest water flow from snowmelt. In spring, the waterfalls are at their most dramatic. Expect increasing crowds by late May.

Summer (July–September)
Extremely hot, often exceeding 100°F. Waterfalls may slow to a trickle or dry up. Best to start before 9 AM or after 4 PM, as this is peak visitation season.

Fall (October–November)
Quieter trails, milder temperatures, and mostly light water flow. A great balance for Zion magic and crowd level management.

Winter (December–February)
Winter visits tend to be peaceful but may include icy patches on shaded sections of trails.

Restrooms

Restrooms and water filling stations are available at Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop #5), and The Grotto (Shuttle Stop #6).

Pets

As with most trails inside Zion National Park, pets are not permitted on the Emerald Pools trails. Here’s what to do if you’re visiting Zion with a dog.

Footwear and safety

The Emerald Pools trail system combines pavement, slickrock, sand, rock, and uneven stone steps. Shoes with solid grip make a noticeable difference.

The boulder-lined shoreline at the Upper Pool is prone to slips and minor ankle injuries. Slow down around here, and near the exposed edges around the Middle Pools, especially with kids.

Other Zion hikes worth considering

• Riverside Walk (2 miles, easy and incredibly scenic way to explore Zion Canyon)
• Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles, cool surprise at the end of this short hike)
• Watchman Trail (~3 miles, an overlooked hike with great views)

More planning tips:

• Easy hikes in Zion National Park
• One-day Zion itinerary
• What to do in Zion National Park if you don’t hike