The Complete Guide to Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion

Find an oasis amid the desert sandstone on the hike to Emerald Pools in Zion National Park. This trail to three beautiful pools is always spectacular, and if you can catch it during a rainstorm, the waterfalls are simply incredible. Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion is definitely one of the must-do experiences in the park.

Info for Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion

You don’t need a permit to hike to Emerald Pools, but you will need to pay the Zion National Park entrance fee ($35/vehicle) or use an annual National Parks pass to get into the park to access the trail.

LOCATION

The Emerald Pools trail is located in the main canyon of Zion National Park. It is closest to the Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop #5), but the trail bridge from The Lodge is currently closed, so you will need to access the Emerald Pools via the Kayenta Trail at The Grotto (Shuttle Stop #6).

LENGTH

The full Emerald Pools hike is 3 miles round trip all the way to the Upper Pool and back. You can also just go to the Middle Pool (2 miles round trip) or the Lower Pool (1.2 miles round trip).

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DIFFICULTY

Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion is generally easy, especially if you only go to the Lower Pool which can be reached along a wide, paved path. The trail to the Middle Pool is also paved, but it heads up a ridge, so it’s a little steeper. The path to the Upper Pool is sandy and rocky, so it’s a little more difficult.

Also check out this blog post for more easy hikes in Zion!

WHEN TO HIKE EMERALD POOLS

Spring features the most dramatic waterfalls, but fall is also a good time of year to hike Emerald Pools Trail Zion. You can really do this hike year-round, but summers will be very hot (so you should hike in the morning). In winter, ice can make parts of the trail slippery and certain sections will often be closed because of this (you’ll want traction like Yaktrax for your shoes in the winter).

Trail Details for Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion

You can choose your own adventure when hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion, and either complete the whole 3-mile hike to all three pools or do a shorter hike and only go as far as the Lower Pool or Middle Pool before heading back.

The Lower Pool is an accessible hike on a wide, paved path that provides great views of Zion’s rock formations from a green oasis. To get to the Middle Pool, you’ll continue on a paved path up a steeper ridge. The views from here over the dropoff into the canyon are really cool.

Getting to the Upper Pool is the trickiest section of the trail along a sandy, rocky path, but believe me, it is absolutely worth the extra effort! Sheer cliffs surround the pool, and the waterfalls are truly epic when they’re running, especially after a big rainstorm.

Find more awesome waterfall hikes in southern Utah in my blog post here!

Tips for Hiking Emerald Pools Trail Zion

Before or after your hike spend some time at the Zion Lodge. This is such a great place to grab and ice cream cone at the little cafe, sit on the law and enjoy some shade under the massive cottonwood tree. Also a great people watching spot! :-)
Wear good hiking shoes if you plan to hike to all three pools. While you might be able to get away with other footwear on the paved path, you’ll want hiking-specific shoes for the rocky path to the Upper Pool.
The Emerald Pool trail splits off depending on which pool you are going to, but the trails are well-marked with good signage, so it’s easy to navigate where you want to go.
I always recommend bringing water and snacks when hiking in Zion, even on shorter trails. If you’re hiking the Emerald Pools in summer, be sure to bring plenty of water since it gets very hot, even though the trail does have some shady sections.
You will have to take the free Zion shuttle to access the Emerald Pools most of the year. You can only drive the main canyon in Zion in the winter when the shuttles aren’t running.