Emerald Pools sounds like one place. It’s actually a small network of trails that climbs to three different pools, Lower, Middle and Upper, each one a little steeper and wilder than the last.
That’s exactly why it’s one of the most useful hikes in Zion. A family with young kids can stroll to Lower Emerald Pool, stand behind a thin waterfall and head back for lunch. Stronger hikers can keep climbing onto sandstone ledges with big canyon views, then on to a quiet pool at the foot of enormous cliffs. And if you start at The Grotto instead, the Kayenta Trail turns it into a scenic one-way walk.
This guide to Emerald Pool in Zion National Park covers every route, with distances, difficulty, the best loop to take, what to expect each season, and how to fit it into your day.
Good to know in 2026: The footbridge from Zion Lodge to the Emerald Pools trails reopened in June 2025 after a full rebuild, so you can once again start right from shuttle stop 5. Many older guides still say the bridge is closed. That’s out of date. As of October 2026, the Emerald Pools trails are open as normal. (The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway east of Canyon Junction is closed after a September 30 rockfall, but that doesn’t affect this hike.)
Emerald Pools at a Glance
Emerald Pools is a set of connected trails starting at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop 5). Lower Emerald Pool is an easy, mostly paved 1.2-mile round trip that takes about an hour. Middle Emerald Pools is a moderate 1.8-mile round trip. Visiting all three pools is about 3 miles round trip and takes 2 to 3 hours. No permit is needed, and swimming isn’t allowed.
| Route | Distance | Climb | Time | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Emerald Pool | 1.2 mi round trip | About 150 ft | About 1 hour | Easy | Families, short walks |
| Middle Emerald Pools | 1.8 mi round trip | About 330 ft | 1 to 2 hours | Moderate | Canyon views |
| All three pools (loop) | About 3 mi round trip | About 400 ft | 2 to 3 hours | Moderate | The full experience |
| Kayenta Trail from The Grotto | About 1 mi to the pools (2 mi round trip) | About 150 ft | 2 to 3 hours with the pools | Moderate | Views, fewer people |
Quick picks: With young kids, go to Lower Emerald Pool. With a couple of hours and decent legs, do all three as a loop. Want the prettiest approach? Start at The Grotto on the Kayenta Trail and finish at Zion Lodge.
In This Guide
- How to get to Emerald Pools
- Lower Emerald Pool
- Middle Emerald Pools
- Upper Emerald Pool
- The Kayenta Trail option
- Best routes and loops
- Best time to go and what each season is like
- Rules, safety and accessibility
- FAQs
Is Emerald Pools Worth Hiking?
Yes. It’s one of the most flexible hikes in Zion. You can make it a gentle one-hour walk or a 3-mile climb, and you can decide as you go. It suits first-time visitors, families, anyone who doesn’t fancy the heights of Angels Landing, and anyone who wants something shorter and drier than The Narrows. Starting right at Zion Lodge also makes it easy to pair with lunch.
Just set your expectations. The pools are small, and they’re usually more green-brown than glowing emerald. The name comes from the green algae that tints the water. The real reward is the whole walk: hanging gardens dripping with ferns, waterfalls spilling off overhangs after rain, and huge views of landmarks like Lady Mountain and the Great White Throne.
Where Is Emerald Pools and How Do You Get There?
The main trailhead is at Zion Lodge, shuttle stop 5, right in the middle of Zion Canyon. From the shuttle stop, follow the sidewalk past the big lodge lawn to the crosswalk, cross the road and walk over the footbridge across the Virgin River. On the other side, the trail splits:
- Go right for the easier Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
- Go left for the moderate Middle Emerald Pools Trail.
You can also reach the pools from The Grotto, shuttle stop 6, using the Kayenta Trail (more on that below).
The shuttle: In 2026, the Zion Canyon shuttle runs from March 7 to November 28, and again from December 26 to January 2. During that time, private cars can’t drive the scenic drive, so you’ll ride the free shuttle. No ticket or reservation is needed. It’s about 20 to 25 minutes from the visitor center to Zion Lodge. Outside shuttle season, you can usually drive the scenic drive yourself, though parking at the lodge and The Grotto is limited.
Facilities: Restrooms and water bottle filling stations are at Zion Lodge and The Grotto. The lodge also has the Red Rock Grill and a seasonal café, the only food inside the park. There’s nothing on the trail itself, so fill up before you start.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Distance: 0.6 mile one way (1.2 miles round trip) · Climb: about 150 feet · Time: about 1 hour · Difficulty: easy · Surface: mostly concrete
This is where most people start, and for many families it’s the whole hike. The paved path climbs gently through oak and cottonwood along the base of the cliffs, with Zion’s walls towering overhead.
Near the end, the trail tucks under a big sandstone overhang. Water from the Middle Pools above drips or pours off the lip, depending on recent rain and snowmelt, and you walk right behind the curtain of water. The cliff is covered with hanging gardens of maidenhair fern, moss and wildflowers, which are home to tiny creatures like the Zion snail, found nowhere else on earth. Below, the water collects in Lower Emerald Pool.
Is Lower Emerald Pool Easy?
Yes, the park rates it easy. But “easy” doesn’t mean flat. Most of it is a gentle slope, with a few short, steeper pitches, and the rock under the waterfall can be wet and slippery. Almost any active visitor can manage it.
Is Lower Emerald Pool Good for Kids?
It’s one of the best short family hikes in Zion. It’s short, mostly paved, interesting the whole way (kids love walking behind the waterfall), and it starts right by the lodge restrooms and lawn. Keep little ones close near the waterfall, where the rock is slippery and there are some drop-offs along the edge.
Middle Emerald Pools Trail
Distance: 0.9 mile one way (1.8 miles round trip) from Zion Lodge · Climb: about 330 feet · Time: 1 to 2 hours · Difficulty: moderate · Surface: dirt, sand and rock
The Middle Pools feel much more like a real Zion hike. Taking the left fork after the bridge, the unpaved trail climbs steadily up the slope with growing views back across the canyon. You can also reach it by continuing up from Lower Emerald Pool.
At the top, you come out onto broad, flat sandstone ledges with wide views across Zion Canyon, red cliffs and the green ribbon of the Virgin River below. Here water collects in shallow basins in the rock before spilling over the edge to become the waterfall you walked behind at the Lower Pool. That edge is a real cliff, so stay well back from it, even when the rock looks flat and harmless.
The Middle Pools themselves are shallow and often small, especially in dry spells. Don’t expect a swimming hole. Enjoy them as part of the view.
Upper Emerald Pool Trail
Distance: 0.3 mile one way from the Middle Pools area · Time: add 30 to 60 minutes · Difficulty: moderate · Surface: rock, soft sand and stone steps
The last stretch is short but rougher. You climb big stone steps (some are knee-high or more) and then follow a sandy path through pinyon and juniper. The soft sand can be tiring, and a couple of short sections are steep. There’s also an overhanging rock to duck past.
The trail ends on the sandy shore of Upper Emerald Pool, sitting at the bottom of a massive amphitheater of sandstone walls. After rain or snowmelt, a tall, thin waterfall can pour down from Heaps Canyon far above. In dry periods, it may be just a streak on the rock. Either way, the setting feels enclosed and peaceful, with big boulders to sit on. It’s a great lunch spot.
Lower vs Middle vs Upper Emerald Pools
| Lower | Middle | Upper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Moderate (rougher) |
| Surface | Mostly paved | Dirt and rock | Rock, sand, big steps |
| Water feature | Walk behind a seasonal waterfall | Shallow pools on ledges | Pool beneath huge cliffs |
| Views | Close-up cliffs, hanging gardens | Best canyon views | Enclosed amphitheater |
| Best for kids | All ages | Active school-age kids | Older, active kids |
| Swimming | No | No | No |
Should You Hike All Three Pools?
If you have two to three hours, good weather and reasonable fitness, yes. Each section feels different, so the full route never gets dull. But there’s no need to push for the Upper Pool if the kids are tired, it’s very hot, the trail is icy, or you’ve got a big hike planned later. Lower Emerald Pool on its own is still a lovely walk.
Emerald Pools via the Kayenta Trail
The Kayenta Trail starts at The Grotto (shuttle stop 6). Cross the footbridge, turn left, and the trail climbs gently along the hillside above the river for about a mile until it joins the Emerald Pools trails near the Middle Pools.
Its big advantage is the view. You walk high above the canyon floor with open views across to the Court of the Patriarchs and up and down Zion Canyon, and it’s usually much quieter than the main trail from the lodge. The trade-off: it’s a moderate trail with sandstone steps, uneven ground and some long drop-offs along the edge, so it isn’t the right choice if you want the easiest possible walk or have small children.
Best Emerald Pools Routes and Loops
| Route | How It Works | Approx. Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower only | Zion Lodge → Lower Pool → back the same way | 1.2 mi | Young kids, short on time |
| Classic loop | Lodge → Lower Pool → up to Middle → Upper → back down the Middle trail → Lodge | About 3 mi | Most hikers |
| Kayenta one-way | Grotto → Kayenta Trail → Middle → Upper → down to Lower → Lodge, then shuttle | About 3 mi | Best views, fewer people |
| Middle only | Lodge → left fork to Middle → back | 1.8 mi | Views without the sandy upper stretch |
Best route for first-timers: Start at Zion Lodge, walk to Lower Emerald Pool, then continue up to the Middle Pools. Check how everyone feels there. If you’ve still got energy, carry on to the Upper Pool, then return down the Middle Pools trail to the lodge. That way you see all three without committing before you know you want to.
Best route with kids: Lower Pool only for little ones. Lower plus Middle for active school-age kids. All three for older kids in good weather. Think about heat, energy and balance more than age. For more family ideas, see our guide to Zion National Park with kids.
Best Time to Hike Emerald Pools
For waterfalls, go in spring or soon after a good rain. For comfortable hiking, April to May and September to October are best. Early morning is the best time of day, both for cooler temperatures and fewer people.
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | The strongest waterfalls and greenest hanging gardens. Mild weather, but wet rock after storms. |
| Summer | Long days and full shuttle service, but hot, especially on the open Middle and Upper sections. Waterfalls often light. Monsoon storms from July can bring sudden flow. |
| Fall | Lovely hiking weather and golden cottonwoods in late October to early November. Falls usually light unless it’s rained. |
| Winter | Quiet and beautiful, sometimes with icicles on the overhang. Dripping water freezes on shaded sections, so traction can help. |
For month-by-month temperatures and storm patterns, see our Zion National Park weather guide, and for crowds and the shuttle schedule, our guide to the best time to visit Zion National Park.
Is Emerald Pools Worth It When It’s Dry?
Yes. In dry spells the waterfalls can shrink to a drip, but the canyon views, hanging gardens, sandstone ledges and the Upper Pool amphitheater are still worth the walk. If a big waterfall is the main thing you want, aim for spring.
How Crowded Does It Get?
Very. It’s short, easy, right by the lodge and on the shuttle line, so it’s one of the busiest trails in Zion Canyon, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon. To beat the crowds, go early, visit on a weekday, or come in late afternoon in the cooler months. The Kayenta Trail is always quieter than the lodge approach.
Emerald Pools Rules, Safety and Accessibility
Can You Swim in Emerald Pools?
No. Swimming and wading aren’t allowed. The pools are fragile and are an important water source for wildlife. Enjoy them from the shore.
Do You Need a Permit?
No permit or reservation is needed. You just pay the normal park entrance fee.
Are Dogs Allowed?
No. Pets aren’t allowed on the Emerald Pools trails or the Kayenta Trail. The paved Pa’rus Trail is the only trail in Zion where leashed dogs are allowed.
Staying Safe
- Stay back from cliff edges at the Middle Pools and along the Kayenta Trail. Don’t climb onto ledges for photos.
- Watch your footing on wet rock under the waterfalls, and on icy sections in winter.
- Don’t drink from the pools. Carry your own water, and plenty of it in summer.
- Be storm-aware. Heavy rain can raise water flow quickly and increase rockfall risk. Check the park’s alerts after big storms.
- Don’t feed the squirrels or other wildlife.
Is Emerald Pools Wheelchair Accessible?
Not fully. The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is almost all concrete, but parts of it are steeper than standard accessible grades, so some wheelchair users and strollers may need help or may not be able to finish. The Middle and Upper trails are rough, with steps and sand, and aren’t accessible. If mobility is a concern, the paved Pa’rus Trail and the Riverside Walk are better options, and the park publishes detailed trail grade information you can check before you go.
What to Bring
Water (at least a liter per person for Lower Pool, more for the full loop and in summer), snacks, sun protection, and shoes with decent grip. Sandals are fine for the paved Lower trail, but proper hiking shoes are much better for the sandy steps to the Upper Pool. In winter, add microspikes and a warm layer. A small dry bag helps if you want to stand behind the waterfall with your phone.
Emerald Pools vs Other Zion Hikes
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Waterfalls and a choice of easy or moderate | Emerald Pools |
| The flattest, easiest walk | Riverside Walk or Pa’rus Trail |
| A river adventure | The Narrows |
| A big climb and huge views | Scout Lookout or Angels Landing |
| A short hike to a dramatic viewpoint | Canyon Overlook (once the highway reopens) |
Emerald Pools and Angels Landing aren’t really rivals. Angels Landing is strenuous, exposed and needs a permit. Emerald Pools is easier, flexible and permit-free. In fact they pair well. See our guide to Zion National Park Angels Landing for the big climb, and our guide to The Narrows Zion National Park for the river hike. For every trail side by side, see the best hikes in Zion National Park.
How to Fit Emerald Pools Into Your Day
After a big morning hike: Do Angels Landing or Scout Lookout early, eat lunch at Zion Lodge, then walk to Lower Emerald Pool in the afternoon. If you still feel strong, continue to the Middle or Upper Pools. Don’t automatically commit to the full loop after a tough morning.
As your main hike: For families or easier days, make the full Emerald Pools loop the centerpiece. Ride the shuttle to The Grotto, take the Kayenta Trail to the pools, finish at Zion Lodge for lunch, then spend the afternoon on the Riverside Walk or the Pa’rus Trail at sunset.
For full day-by-day plans, see our Zion National Park itinerary. Staying at Zion Lodge puts you right at the trailhead, or see our guide to hotels near Zion National Park for other options.
Common Emerald Pools Mistakes
- Thinking all three pools are equally easy. Only the Lower trail is easy.
- Expecting big waterfalls in dry weather.
- Wading or swimming in the pools.
- Walking too close to the ledge edges at the Middle Pools.
- Following old advice that says the lodge bridge is closed.
- Cramming the full loop into an already packed day. Use the flexibility instead.
Related Guides
Keep planning with these related guides:
- Closest Airport to Zion National Park
- Las Vegas to Zion National Park
- Zion National Park Map
- Zion to Bryce Canyon Road Trip
Emerald Pools Zion: FAQs
How long is the Emerald Pools Trail in Zion?
Lower Emerald Pool is 1.2 miles round trip from Zion Lodge. Middle Emerald Pools is 1.8 miles round trip. Visiting all three pools is about 3 miles round trip.
How long does Emerald Pools take?
About 1 hour for Lower Emerald Pool, 1 to 2 hours for the Middle Pools, and 2 to 3 hours for all three.
Is the Emerald Pools Trail easy?
Lower Emerald Pool is easy and mostly paved. The Middle and Upper Pools are moderate, with steeper climbs, sand and big stone steps.
Where does the Emerald Pools Trail start?
At Zion Lodge, shuttle stop 5. You can also start at The Grotto, shuttle stop 6, on the Kayenta Trail.
Is the Emerald Pools bridge open?
Yes. The bridge from Zion Lodge reopened in June 2025 after a major rebuild.
Can you swim in Emerald Pools?
No. The pools are fragile wildlife water sources, so stay out of the water.
Do you need a permit for Emerald Pools?
No. Only the regular park entrance fee applies.
Is Emerald Pools good for kids?
Lower Emerald Pool is one of the best short family hikes in Zion. The Middle and Upper Pools suit active older kids.
When are the Emerald Pools waterfalls best?
In spring and soon after heavy rain or snowmelt. In dry summer and fall spells they can shrink to a trickle.
Can you hike Emerald Pools in winter?
Yes, it’s open year-round, but dripping water can freeze on shaded parts of the trail, so wear good shoes or traction.
Can you do Emerald Pools after Angels Landing?
Yes. Lower Emerald Pool makes an easy afternoon add-on after a big morning hike. Only continue to the Upper Pool if your legs are still fresh.
Is Emerald Pools One of the Best Hikes in Zion?
Yes, mostly because it lets you choose how much hiking you want. Walk a little over a mile to Lower Emerald Pool and back. Climb on to the ledges of the Middle Pools for the views. Keep going to the quiet Upper Pool beneath Zion’s cliffs. Or start on the Kayenta Trail and make a scenic one-way walk of it.
It doesn’t have the thrill of Angels Landing or the adventure of The Narrows. What it offers instead is a hike that works for almost anyone, of nearly any age, fitness level or amount of time. For more ideas to round out your trip, see our guide to the best things to do in Zion National Park.