The Emerald Pools Trail Zion National Park is one of my favorite all-time hikes!
For me, this is the heart of Zion Canyon and I hike it each time I go to this amazing park.
It is a big part of why I fell in love with Zion and the American Southwest and have spent months exploring its beauty!
Emerald Pools Trail
This is one of the best hikes in Zion and I recommend it to all first-timers and anyone who does not have a full day in the park.
If this is your first hike or your only hike in Zion Canyon, It will give you a true taste of southern Utah and the magic of Zion.
This trail is perhaps one of the easiest hikes in the canyon, especially if you go to the Lower Emerald Pools only.
Zion National Park Entrance Fee
Just a heads up, you must first pay to enter Zion National Park. It does not matter if you have a Lodge or camping reservation, you still have to pay the entrance fee to get into the park. Here is the cost to enter Zion:
Private Vehicle: $35
Motorcycle: $30
Snowmobile: $20
Per Person: $20
Planning a National Park vacation? The National Park System has an America the Beautiful/National Park Pass which covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites. The cost is $80 for the pass.
Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
How to get to the Emerald Pools Trail
The most common way to get to the Emerald Pools Trailhead is to take the Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus from the Zion Visitor Center (Bus Stop #1) to the Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus Stop #5 for the Zion Lodge.
The trail starts across the road and over the bridge and takes an immediate right onto the trail.
Currently, the bridge to cross the Virgin River to the Emerald Pools Trail is closed so the best option is to take the Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus stop # 6 for The Grotto. (See Map above)
From the Grotto, cross the road and bridge and take a left onto the Kayenta Trail.
Once you cross the bridge, the trail to the right will take you to Angels Landing Trail and the left will take you to the Kayenta Trail.
This nice walk follows along the Virgin River and eventually connects to the Middle and Upper Emerald Pools Trail and Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
The Emerald Pools Trail itself is not classified as an ADA trail even though it is a paved trail to the waterfall as there are steep sections.
Once you get past the Waterfall, the trails to the Middle Pool, Upper Pool, and Kayenta Trail are not paved.
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The Emerald Pools hike is a very popular day hike in Zion so expect to share the trail with other park visitors.
I would say this trail is kid-friendly as it is paved and one of the best easy hikes in Zion.
The trail is mostly flat and they will love to crawl on the large stones next to the trail.
Be careful as there are several sheer cliffs next to the trail.
Emerald Pools Trail Route Options
There is no wrong way to visit the Emerald Pools in Zion. My personal favorite is during the spring when the weather is cooler and the spring runoff makes the waterfall more dramatic.
The trail is open year-round but would say it is most pleasant during the spring and fall. The summer can get quite hot and I would recommend hitting the trail early to beat the afternoon heat.
Accessing Emerald Pools Trail From the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle Bus Stop #6 (The Grotto Shuttle Stop)
Lower Emerald Pools Trail Round Trip
Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 150 feet
Time: 1.5 Hour
You start by hiking one mile on Kayenta Trail which follows the Virgin River over halfway before heading towards Heaps Canyon and the Emerald Pools. You will reach a y in the trail, the left takes you to Lower Emerald Pools and the right takes you to the Middle then Upper Emerald Pools.
Middle Emerald Pools Trail Round Trip
Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 150 Feet
Time: 1.5 Hours
The Middle Pool is a short hike above the lower falls to see the pool before going over the edge.
Remember there is no swimming allowed in the Emerald Pools and it includes all parts. The National Park Service has even placed posts and chain across to keep people out but it does distract from taking photos.
The views here are still beautiful as you can get a beautiful reflection off the water.
Upper Emerald Pool Trail Round Trip
Distance: 3.0 Miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 Feet
Time: 2 Hours
After passing the Middle Emerald Pools, continue up the trail to Upper Emerald Pools. Remember that the water may look inviting, especially on a hot summer day, but there is no swimming allowed in any of the Emerald Pools.
Accessing Emerald Pools Trail From the Zion Canyon Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle Bus Stop #5 (Zion Lodge) (Currently the Bridge by Zion Lodge is closed and trail is unaccessible from this stop)
Lower Emerald Pools Trail Round Trip
Distance: 1.2 Miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 69 feet
Time: 1 Hour
Shuttle Bus Stop: Bus Stop #5, Zion Lodge
The Lower Emerald Pools Trail is an easy hike the perfect trail for almost everyone! It's relatively flat, has great views of the Virgin River, and the Zion Canyon and a spectacular view of the waterfall at the end. You can even follow the trail behind the waterfall then through some rock cliffs towards the middle pool.
Middle Emerald Pools Trail Round Trip
Distance: 1.6 Miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 Feet
Time: 1.5 Hours
Shuttle Bus Stop: Bus Stop #5, Zion Lodge
The Middle Pool is a short hike above the lower falls to see the pool before going over the edge.
Remember there is no swimming allowed in the Emerald Pools and it includes all parts. The National Park Service has even placed posts and chain across to keep people out but it does distract from taking photos.
The views here are still beautiful as you can get a beautiful reflection off the water.
Upper Emerald Pools Trail Round Trip
Distance: 2.0 Miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 269 Feet
Time: 2 Hours
Shuttle Bus Stop: Bus Stop #5, Zion Lodge
Another .4 miles takes you to the Upper Pool. It's the biggest of the three pools and is just below the canyon wall. It's a nice end to one of my favorite trails in the canyon.
Upper Emerald Pools Loop including Lower Emerald Pools, Upper Emerald Pools, Kayenta Trail, and the Grotto Trail Loop Hike
Distance: 2.9 Miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 330 Feet
Time: 3.25 Hours
Shuttle Bus Stop: Bus Stop #5, Zion Lodge
You can make this a loop trail by starting at the Zion Lodge and hiking to the Upper pool. Instead of coming back the same way, take the upper pool trail down to the Kayenta Trail and down to the Grotto and head back to the lodge.
Here you will get to see different views of the Virgin River and have the opportunity to see wildlife all along the Grotto trail including deer and turkeys.
Things to know
Always carry plenty of water, especially in the summer months when hiking in the desert, and always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival.
The Emerald Pools Trail, like many trails in the Zion Canyon, has a history of being closed due to rock falls.
This is due to the natural cycle that makes this place so special. Water, especially flash floods, causes erosion to the sandstone and erodes the rock away.
Eventually, the upper cliffs fall and create the place we all want to come to visit, the Zion Canyon.
Fortunately for Zion, they have a great network of trails that interlink so when one trail area is closed, there is possibly another way to access where you want to go.
Any park visitor heading out into Zion Canyon should first check in to see the current trail conditions with the park newspaper or the park's visitor center.
Trails will be closed for any dangers, rock falls, or maintenance. Don't worry if your trail is closed, there are several spectacular trails in Zion, each having its own special moment.
All park visitors should also become aware of flash flooding. This means checking the weather and the park's visitor center for flash flooding potential before heading out.
Visitors should also be able to recognize the warning signs of a flash flood like rivers rising, turning muddy, and having debris inside the river.
Also, listen for a thundering sound and know where potential safety routes would be. Remember that you need to go up to escape a flash flood as you can't outrun the water.
The Emerald Pools area is a place to exercise common sense as waterfalls may be more interesting with more water going through but you also don't want to be caught unprepared for a dangerous situation like a flash flood.
Zion National Park Resources
Zion National Park Guide- Your complete guide to exploring Zion National Park
Things To Do Zion National Park- List of things to do at Zion National Park including horseback riding, ranger programs, and exploring the town of Springdale!
Zion Hikes- The ultimate hiking guide to plan your trip to Zion! Get Trail information, photos, and trail descriptions directly from a park ranger who has spent countless hours hiking this incredible park!
Zion Shuttle Guide- Learn when the shuttles are running and how to use them to plan your trip to Zion
Zion Narrows planning guide- The ultimate guide to plan your hiking adventure to the Zion Narrows. Includes both day hikes and top-to-bottom overnight hikes.
Emerald Pools Trail Guide- Plan your trip to one of Zion's most iconic trails!
Zion Camping Resources
Zion National Park Camping Guide- Complete guide to camping in Zion National Park
Watchman Campground- Zion's main campground is located next to the visitor center and the park shuttle stop. The campground has 176 campsites, 95 electric hookups, and 7 group sites.
South Campground- Centrally located next to the visitor center, the shuttle bus stop, the Parus Trail, and the Virgin River. The campground has 117 campsites and no RV hookups.
For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando
Where to stay when visiting Zion
* National Park Lodges often sell out months in advance but there are several lodging options near Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. Below is a list and map of several options for lodging outside of Zion National Park.
Zion Lodge - Spend the night in the heart of the Zion Canyon giving you the easiest access to some of Zion's most popular trails! This review includes amenities, photos, and video of what it is like to stay in the lodge.
Zion Cabins- The cabins are located next to the Zion Lodge in the heart of the Zion Canyon. The review includes photos, video, and a list of amenities.
The majority of lodging outside of the park is located in Springdale or Virgin Utah.
Under Canvas Zion - Sleep under the stars in a glamping tent.
Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton - 4-star hotel. Take advantage of a roundtrip airport shuttle, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton. With a private beach, this hotel is the perfect place to soak up some sun. In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites - Consider a stay at Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites and take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour health club. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a 24-hour business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion - Consider a stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham at Zion Park/Springdale and take advantage of free continental breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a 24-hour business center.
Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion - Take advantage of free breakfast, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour gym at Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour business center and a snack bar/deli.
Holiday Inn Express Springdale - look forward to a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and shopping on site at Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Zion National Park Area, an IHG Hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a firepit and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion - free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion National Park. Active travelers can enjoy bicycling at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a fireplace in the lobby.
Additional State Parks and Tribal Parks Near Zion National Park
Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)- an incredible park with great trails and jaw-dropping scenery between Las Vegas and Zion!
Upper Antelope Canyon- The slot canyon that every photographer on the planet desires to photograph!
Monument Valley- The most iconic scenery of the American Southwest and the location of countless Western movies.
Valley of the Gods- This is a park where you can spend as little as a couple hours and complete the 17-mile scenic drive and truly get an appreciation of the area.
Goosenecks State Park (Utah)- amazing views of the San Juan River twisting and turning causing epic goosenecks in the canyon 1,000 feet below.
Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)- is best known for its goblin-like geologic features that can be easily seen.
Bryce Canyon is just under 2 hours away from Zion National Park!
National Parks near Zion National Park
Pipe Springs National Monument- learn about the Mormon War!
Lake Mead National Recreation Area- Explore all the recreational opportunities along Lake Mead and around Hoover Dam
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument - If you are flying into Las Vegas on your way to Zion this is an easy park to visit on the way.
Bryce Canyon National Park- No matter if you see Bryce in the summer or snow, at sunrise or the middle of the day, its breathtaking scenery and hoodoos will leave you inspired and awestruck!
Cedar Breaks National Monument- Another gift from nature, the mini Bryce Canyon with sunsets that will dazzle your imagination! They have pretty epic fall colors too
Grand Canyon National Park- nicknamed "The Big Ditch" is something you just have to see to believe! Its wonders are hard to put into words, photographs can only capture a small portion of its epicness! It truly is one of the seven wonders of the natural world!
Capitol Reef National Park- The least visited of the 5 National Parks in Utah is what I call one of the top hidden Gems in the National Park System! It has epic scenic drives, epic hikes, jaw-dropping scenery, and much more!
Arches National Park- A hikers and photographers paradise! Arches is home to over 2000 natural sandstone arches, many of which will blow your mind!
Canyonlands National Park- Canyonlands is broken down into 3 sections, each filled with the charm and rugged beauty of the American Southwest. It's easy to see some of the highlights but its real charm come to those who plan and prepare to go deep into the wilderness.
Check out these other great Utah National Parks, Nevada National Parks, Idaho National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Colorado National Parks, New Mexico National Parks, and Arizona National Parks.
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