Emerald Pools Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

This is a great trail to do in Zion - interesting and fun geological features. I recommend starting at stop five on the shuttle (the Zion Lodge stop). From here, you cross the road and walk up a paved (wheelchair accessible) incline to Lower Emerald Pools. To do the loop with all three pools (starting at the Zion Lodge and ending at The Grotto) is approximately 3 miles.

This spot has waterfalls that come over the top of the trail and you walk behind (or through). This is the end point for the wheelchair accessible trail, and from this point, there will be more climbing to the other two pools.

There is a stairway between giant boulders after the Lower Emerald Pool. Once up the stairway, there is a sign pointing left for Middle and Upper Emerald Pools or right for the Grotto. Go left for an out and back trip to the other two pools - this route is steep and is considered moderate. The middle pool is directly above the lower pool. It is the smallest of the three. The Upper Emerald Pool is approximately 200 feet above the middle pool, and it sits at the base of a cliff.

After seeing the upper pool, return back to the split near the lower pool. Take the path that leads to The Grotto. This will mostly be downhill. You can catch the shuttle at The Grotto.

Note: This area gets crowded - and the rocky terrain can be challenging - be aware. It is a beautiful hike with rewarding stops...

Emerald Pools was a nice easy hike, though its very crowded. One of the most popular hike in the park for sure. The trail starts across from Zion Lodge, crossing the Virgin River on a footbridge and then going right to follow a paved path with minimal elevation change about a half mile to the Lower Emerald Pools. We visited during low water. In high water, there are two waterfalls tumbling down into Lower Emerald Pool, but there wasn't much when we visited. The path leads under a huge rock overhang behind the waterfalls and then climbs up. The trail gets more difficult from here. Above the lower pool is the Middle Emerald Pools. Kayenta Trail intersects and this trail leads to the Grotto if you want to make a loop. Only one of the Middle Emerald Pools is accessible as the other one is blocked by a landslide. The Upper Emerald Pools Trail continues climbing up into Heaps Canyon another half mile to Upper Emerald Pool. In high water, there's a big waterfall here, but nothing when we visited. The pool was really pretty even in low water, reflecting the huge towering cliffs all around the pool. I'd definitely like to visit again right after a good rain. This is a pretty easy hike and appropriate for most people, but it's also...

Beautiful and easy hike with gorgeous pools and falls at the end of the lower pools trail.

I’m knocking a star off because the other hikers on this trail were awful. There is often a steep drop of on one side and many hikers insist on walking side by side, forcing people they are passing close to the edge and in danger. I stopped at a shoulder to take pics of the view and a woman who wanted that view literally came over and shoved me out of the way. I was shocked.

It’s worse at the pools. The sound of the water falling is beautiful but can be difficult to hear over all the people who insist on talking super loud because of the echo. There are several areas by the pools and falls that the ground is wet and people will stand in the middle of the path and force you to walk in puddles or areas that are slippery so they can take pictures for several minutes. Many people were hogging viewpoints.

In general people were being very selfish and not mindful of others in ways that put others in danger of slipping or falling. Please be careful and aware of your surroundings here.

We did see a deer on this trail, which was...