Emerald Pools Trail (Zion) Hiking Guide
The Emerald Pools are a set of green pools stacked on ledges below Lady Mountain, straight across the river from Zion Lodge. You can stop at the paved lower pool, climb on to the upper pool at the base of the cliffs, or come in on the Kayenta Trail from the Grotto. Expect company: this is one of the canyon's most popular walks.
Permit: The Emerald Pools trails need no permit, only Zion's entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days, $20 per person on foot or bicycle (16 and older; younger kids free), or the $70 Zion annual or $80 America the Beautiful pass. Non-US residents 16 and up pay $100 more each unless an annual or America the Beautiful pass admits them.
Choosing a Route
AllTrails maps the standard loop from the lodge, Lower to Upper and back by Middle, at 3 miles with 406 feet of gain. The park breaks it into pieces: the Lower Emerald Pool is 1 mile round trip with about 80 feet of climbing, Middle Emerald Pools is 2.2 miles out and back, and the Upper Pool is a moderate 3 miles round trip with 360 feet. From the Grotto, the Kayenta Trail climbs above the river to join the pools; AllTrails lists that version at 2.5 miles.
Lower, Middle and Upper
The Lower trail is rough pavement through pinyon and juniper to a small pool and ephemeral waterfalls dropping off the ledge above. The Middle trail starts with a steep climb, then follows an unpaved sandstone ledge with wide views of the canyon before dropping to the pools above those falls. Stone steps and a sandy path lead from there to the Upper Pool, a sandy shore beneath tall walls that run with seasonal waterfalls after rain or snowmelt.
Stay Out of the Water
Swimming and wading aren't allowed. The park calls the pools fragile and an essential water source for wildlife, and toxic cyanobacteria have been found in Zion's streams and pools, so don't drink the water or put your head in it. Keep back from cliff edges on the Middle and Kayenta trails, where the drop-offs are long.
Shuttle Stops and Facilities
The trailhead is across the road from Zion Lodge, Shuttle Stop 5; cross the lawn to the crosswalk, then the footbridge. The Kayenta option begins at the Grotto, Stop 6. Both stops have restrooms and bottle-filling water. During the shuttle season, which in most years runs March through November, only lodge guests with reservations may drive to the lodge, and everyone else rides the free bus.
Seasons
The waterfalls here are seasonal, and AllTrails reviewers note the pools can run low in dry spells, so spring and the weeks after storms are the showiest times. Summer days in the canyon commonly pass 100 degrees, and the park warns that mid-to-late summer monsoon rain raises the risk of flash floods. The Lower trail can be icy in winter, so carry traction if there's been a freeze.
Hiking tips for Emerald Pools Trail (Zion)
- Start at the lodge and take the Lower trail up first if anyone in your group wants the easy, paved section in case they turn back early.
- Use the Kayenta Trail to walk between the Grotto and the lodge and skip a shuttle wait.
- Keep feet and hands out of the pools; the no-swimming rule protects water wildlife depends on.
- Check the park conditions page in winter; the Lower trail can ice over after a freeze.
- Fill bottles at the lodge or Grotto; there's no water along the trail.
Nearby trails to explore
- Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail
- Riverside Walk (Zion)
- Angels Landing Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Emerald Pools is an easy loop to fit around other Zion plans. Use TrailMates to find Zion hikers starting from Zion Lodge or the Grotto. Download the TrailMates app to connect.