How many Emerald Pools are there?

There are three separate pools: Upper, Middle, and Lower.   The Upper Pool is the largest pool.  There are several smaller pools at the Middle Pool area.   There is a large pool at Lower Pool.

How many trails are there to Emerald Pools?

There are three ways to hike to the Emerald Pools and it really depends on which pools you want to see.  The three trails are The Kayenta Trail, the Middle Emerald Pools Trail, and the Lower Emerald Pool Trail.

I hiked all three ways and will try and give you the best breakdown I can.

Two trailheads begin at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5) and one trailhead begins at The Grotto (shuttle stop #6).

Many people get off at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5) and just hike to the Lower Emerald Pool and turn around.  If you want though, you can continue hiking to get to the Middle Pool then the Upper pool. The Middle Emerald Pools Trail also beings at Zion Lodge.

You can also get off at The Grotto (shuttle stop #6) and then hike on the Kayenta Trail to get to the Emerald Pools.  You can combine any of the trails to make your hike longer.

This is what I did.  I got off at The Grotto (shuttle stop #6) and hiked on the Kayenta Trail.  It’s 0.82 mile on the Kayenta Trail to the lower/middle emerald pools trail junction.  I then hiked the remaining 0.29 mile to the Upper Pool and saw Middle Pool along the way.  I came back down the same trail lower/middle emerald pool junction, but instead I turned right to be on the Lower Emerald Pool Trail now.  I saw the Lower Pool, and then hiked down until I got to Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5).  It’s about 0.66 mile to the trailhead from here plus another 950 ft. to Zion Lodge.  The way I did it took just over 2 miles.

Are you confused yet??  You can reach ALL of the Emerald Pools from ANY of the trailheads.  However, I think it’s more fun to do the trail from the Kayenta Trail from The Grotto, see the Emerald Pools, then come down the Lower Emerald Pool trail and end at Zion Lodge.  This way, you can see this beautiful area from different perspectives and still be able to easily catch the shuttle buses.

Can I swim in the Emerald Pools?

Swimming is not allowed in any of the Emerald Pools.

Are there waterfalls at the Emerald Pools?

There is usually a small waterfall at the Lower Emerald Pool.  This is because the water from the Upper Emerald Pool comes right out of the cliffside, then flows down to the Middle Emerald Pools, then there is a small overflow cascading down to the Lower Emerald Pool.  Don’t expect massive waterfalls though.

If there are recent rains or melting snow, there COULD be active waterfalls at the Upper Emerald Pool and also the Lower Emerald Pool.  The Upper Emerald Pool may have a waterfall coming from Heaps Canyon, which empties into the Upper Emerald Pool.  Keep in mind that if there is flooding, the National Park Service may close the trails due to the amount of runoff.

What are the distances to the Emerald Pools?

Above picture – From the Lower Emerald Pool Trail to the Middle Pool, then the Upper Pool it’s 0.95 mile one way (1.9 miles roundtrip)

Above picture – From the Middle Emerald Pool Trail to the Middle Pool, then Upper Pool it’s 1.11 mile one way. (2.22 miles roundtrip) You won’t pass by the Lower Pool this way.

From the Kayenta Trail to the Upper Pool (passing by the Middle Pool along the way) it’s 1.11 mile one way. (2.22 miles roundtrip)

Above picture – From the Kayenta Trail at Shuttle Stop 6 to the Middle Pool, then Upper Pool, then down to the Lower Pool, then over to Zion Lodge it’s 2.064 mile.

How hard is the Emerald Pools hike in Zion?

It depends on how far you hike.  It’s not too difficult to get to the lower pools.  In fact, many people just hike to the lower pool and turn around.  The middle pools are a little more difficult to get to and require hiking up many stairs.  The trail to the upper pool is difficult and steep.

Which Emerald Pool Trail is the best?

I personally enjoy hiking on the Kayenta Trail to get to the Middle then Upper Pool.  Then hiking down to the Lower Pool and then continue hiking to the Zion Lodge on the Lower Emerald Pool trail.  This way, you get many different perspectives and vantage points to Zion Canyon that you wouldn’t otherwise get if you just hiked up-and-down on the same trail.

Do you need a permit to hike Emerald Pools?

You do not need a permit, but you do need to pay an entrance fee.

What shuttle stop should I get off at for Emerald Pools?

Most people get off at Shuttle Stop 5 (Zion Lodge) for Emerald Pools to get on the Lower Emerald Pools Trail.  You can also get to the Emerald Pools through Shuttle Stop 6 (The Grotto) via the Kayenta Trail.   All of the Emerald Pools Trails are interconnected so you can get to all of the pools from any of the trails.

Just like I mentioned above, there are three separate trails to get to Emerald Pools.  I will show you what I believe to be the best way to hike to all three of the pools.  The way I did it was to hike from the Kayenta Trail at Shuttle Stop #6 (The Grotto) and then hike to the pools and then hike down the Lower Emerald Pool Trail.  This way you end up at Zion Lodge at Shuttle Stop #5 and make a big half circle adventure.

The Kayenta Trail

The Kayenta Trail is a great way to see Emerald Pools.  From Shuttle Stop #6, it’s only 1.11 miles to the Upper Pool.  The Kayenta Trail meets up at the Lower Emerald Pools Trail junction point making it pretty easy to see Lower Pool and Middle Pool too.

One of my favorite things about the Kayenta Trail is that it quickly gains most elevation right from the start.  Then it’s a nice gradual incline to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail Junction.

The Kayenta Trail begins just across the bridge from Shuttle Stop #6.  I got off the shuttle and walked across the road to the beginning of the trail.  Just follow the signs as this is the same trail for the West Rim Trail, which goes up to the Angels Landing Trail too.

Once across the bridge, look on your left and you will see the sign for the Kayenta Trail.  This is where you’ll gain about 80 ft. in elevation fast.  It’s easy hiking though, and didn’t take much to get amazing views of Zion Canyon below me.  I stopped many times to get pictures.  The Kayenta Trail doesn’t have as much shade as the other two trails so keep that in mind.

The trail gradually gains elevation and before I knew it I was at the entrance to the canyon where the Emerald Pools are at.  There are a couple of nice overlooks where you can glimpse the Lower Pools and the Middle Pools too so keep an eye out for those.  I kept going a little ways to the junction point for the Lower Emerald Pools Trail.

At the trail junction, I stayed right and saw Middle Pools after hiking another 400 ft. 

There are actually several pools at Middle Pools.  The first one I came to was a pool with water that was flowing from Behunin Canyon, which is above to your right.  If you keep following the Middle Pools Trail, you can see the other pools that are formed from the water that trickles down from the Upper Pools at Heaps Canyon.

The middle pools have cliff edges so please be careful and make sure children are away from the edges.

From the Middle Pools, it’s another 0.23 mile to the Upper Pool.  The trail has larger rocks and is a little more steep and difficult. 

You will end at Upper Pool, which is large emerald color pool of water surrounded by trees and boulders.  It’s a beautiful spot for lunch or a long break.   This is the end of the canyoneering route for Heaps Canyon too.  I’ve been here before when people were rappelling down from above.

After eating some snacks, I hiked down to the Lower Emerald Pools Trail and then to Zion Lodge.

Middle Emerald Pool Trail

From Shuttle Stop #5 (Zion Lodge) it’s just a short walk to the trailhead.

This is the least popular of the Emerald Pools Trails because it’s so steep.  It gains a lot of elevation at the beginning and is steeper than the other trails.  It gets you directly to the Middle Pools though at about 0.87 of a mile.  I think this trail is beautiful with the many views it provides of the canyons and the small springs that come out from the side of the mountain along the trail.

The trailhead for Middle Emerald Pools Trail is the same as the Lower Emerald Pool trail, except you turn left to begin.  It’s steep, but once you gain all that elevation, you are practically done with the steep sections until you come to Middle Pools.

I loved seeing the springs and a good view of Angel’s Landing to the northeast.  There are lots of trees for shade too once you turn into the canyon towards the Emerald Pools.

Once you get to the Middle Emerald Pools you can continue to the Upper Pools or hike down a different trail.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail

This is the most popular Emerald Pool Trail.  From Shuttle Stop #5 (Zion Lodge) it’s just a short walk to the trailhead. After you cross the bridge, turn right to be on the Lower Emarald Pool Trail.

This trail is paved despite it not being a flat trail.  It’s easy hiking though and beautiful!  This is the trail that has most of the shade, so if you are hiking on a very hot day then I suggest using this trail. 

At about 2/3 of a mile, you will come to Lower Emerald Pool.   There is a good sized pool here just below the railings.  Water trickles over from the Middle Emerald Pools above to make a humble waterfall of sorts.  It’s refreshing in the hotter months. 

You aren’t allowed to swim in the pools.

The trail goes underneath a large alcove then you will climb up stairs to the Kayenta Trail junction.  You can then turn left to the Middle Pool and Upper Pool, or turn right to hike on the Kayenta Trail. 

Most people visit the Middle and Upper Pools and then hike back down the same trail.