Emerald Pools

Overview

The Emerald Pools trail is one of Zion's most versatile hikes - a series of three separate pools at progressively higher elevations, each reachable by a trail of different length and difficulty. You can tailor the hike to your group's ability: the Lower Pool is accessible and easy; the Middle Pool adds a short moderate climb; the Upper Pool involves steeper terrain with some loose rock and sandy footing.

The pools owe their striking green color to algae that thrive in the shallow, sunlit water. In spring and after rain, waterfalls cascade off the sandstone walls above each pool with genuine force. In summer and fall, the flow slows to a drip - but the setting remains spectacular.

The sandstone amphitheater the pools sit in is shaped by the same forces at work elsewhere in Zion Canyon: porous Navajo Sandstone lets water percolate downward until it meets a harder, less permeable layer beneath, then travels laterally until it finds a way out through the cliff face. Here, that process feeds three distinct pools stacked at different elevations rather than a single seep, which is part of why each level has its own character - quieter and mossier near the amphitheater floor, more open and exposed higher up.

Trail Options

Lower Emerald Pool - 1.2 miles RT, 150 ft gain (Easy)

The most popular option. The trail starts at Zion Lodge, crosses the Virgin River via a footbridge, and follows a wide, well-maintained path into a sandstone amphitheater. The Lower Pool sits beneath a dramatic overhang where water drips from above - in spring, it becomes a full waterfall. The path here is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs with some assistance.

Middle Emerald Pool - 2 miles RT, 150 ft gain (Easy-Moderate)

Continue past the Lower Pool on a steeper, narrower trail that climbs to a second, quieter pool with its own small waterfall. The Middle Pool typically has fewer crowds than the Lower and offers better views of the surrounding canyon walls. The trail has some uneven sections and sandy footing - not stroller accessible. For many visitors this is the sweet spot: enough of a climb to thin out the crowds from the Lower Pool, without the loose, technical footing that the Upper Pool section demands.

Upper Emerald Pool - 3 miles RT, 200 ft gain (Moderate)

The longest and most rewarding option. From the Middle Pool, the trail switchbacks up steeply through open sandstone to the Upper Pool - a broad, shallow basin at the base of a massive cliff face. This pool is the largest and most secluded of the three. The views from up here into Zion Canyon are excellent. The terrain is more technical with loose rock and exposed sections; hiking boots recommended.

Loop Option

You can hike this as a loop rather than an out-and-back: go up the north (left) trail to the Upper Pool, then descend via the south (right) trail back to Zion Lodge. The full loop is about 3 miles. Most hikers prefer this to backtracking.

The two sides of the loop feel different underfoot. The ascent past the Lower and Middle Pools stays close to the amphitheater wall, with more shade and the steady sound of dripping water. The descent trail runs more in the open, with wider views back across the canyon toward the Zion Lodge area, so doing the loop in this direction saves the more exposed stretch for the way down, when it matters less if the sun is higher and warmer.

What to Bring

• Water - especially for the Middle and Upper Pool options, which take longer and gain more elevation than the Lower Pool alone.
• Hiking boots or grippy trail shoes - required footing on the Upper Pool's loose, sandy sections; sandals are a poor choice there.
• Rain layer in spring - waterfall spray at the Lower Pool can be substantial on windy days.
• Sun protection - the switchbacks between the Middle and Upper Pools are largely exposed once you climb above the amphitheater.

Best Time to Go

Spring (March-May) is peak season for the Emerald Pools - snowmelt and spring rain keep the waterfalls full and the hanging gardens lush. Fall is also excellent with smaller crowds and warm, stable weather. Summer sees heavy traffic; go early to beat the midday heat and shuttle crowds. The Lower Pool trail can be icy in winter.

Safety

The Lower Pool trail is gentle, but conditions get more serious as you climb toward the Middle and Upper Pools.

• Wet sandstone is slippery - the Upper Pool's loose, sandy sections become noticeably harder to grip after rain or snowmelt.
• Rockfall can occur from the alcoves above each pool; avoid lingering directly beneath an overhang, especially after storms.
• Stay back from pool edges - the sandstone rim can be slick where waterfall spray keeps it wet.
• Watch footing on the switchbacks between the Middle and Upper Pools, where loose rock and exposure increase together.

Tips

• Start at Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop 5) - cross the footbridge immediately to access the trailhead.
• Hike the loop if doing the Upper Pool - more scenic and avoids backtracking on the steepest sections.
• Wear layers in spring - the waterfall spray at the Lower Pool can be substantial on windy days.
• Hiking boots for Upper Pool - the upper section has loose sandy rock. Trail runners or boots with grip are better than sandals.
• Go early - the Zion Lodge shuttle stop is one of the most crowded. The trailhead fills up fast on summer weekends.