Zion's Emerald Pools Trail

Zion's Emerald Pools Trail

The Emerald Pools are Zion's most popular family hike — a series of spring-fed pools and seasonal waterfalls tucked into the canyon wall across from Zion Lodge.

The three pools

• Lower Emerald Pool: an easy, mostly paved 1.2-mile round trip to a pool beneath a misting waterfall you walk behind
• Middle Emerald Pool: a bit more climbing to pools at the top of the falls
• Upper Emerald Pool: a steeper, rockier push to the largest pool, backed by towering cliffs (~3 miles round trip for all three)

Tips

• Take the shuttle to Zion Lodge (stop 5); the trail starts across the road
• The waterfalls are best in spring and after rain — by late summer they can slow to a trickle
• Trails can be slick near the water; wear real shoes
• Don't drink or swim in the pools; they're fragile and protected

An easy, scenic introduction to Zion's canyon.