An Oasis in the Desert: The Beautiful Emerald Pools Trail at Zion
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Zion National Park is easily one of the country’s most stunning national parks. Nature lovers will love the variety of trails, the incredible scenic drive, and many opportunities for bird and wildlife watching. Hiking is definitely the number one thing to do.
Emerald Pools is one of the more popular trails with tourists. This comes at no surprise to me as this stunning hike features quaint views of the river, several waterfalls, lots of greenery, and towering views of Zion Canyon. Starting at the Lower Emerald Pools and continuing on to the Upper Pools is a moderately challenging, gorgeous 3 mile round trip hike. It is the “the hike” if you are limited on time. This is a great moderate option for regular fitness buffs up for a semi challenging hike who do not want to go all out with the daring Angel’s Landing hike.
Your trek to the pools starts with a walk across the Virgin River via a bridge. I really love the scenery here – it’s so incredible with the river and red rock background. Stop here and take some amazing photos. Morning and evening are the best times for photography.
Lower pools
Your hike will begin with an easy 0.6 mile journey along a paved path to the Lower Pools and waterfall. Spring is the ideal time to visit, as the melting snow creates a more intense waterfall. If you visit in the drier months, the stream will more than likely consist of nothing more than a slight trickle as you can see in my pic here. Our visit fell in February which was great for avoiding crowds, but not the best for seeing a powerful waterfall. Personally, I would probably rather deal with less crowds and cooler temps, but it’s up to you. I’ve seen a lot of great waterfalls throughout the country, so I was more impressed by the breathtaking red rock scenery.
The scenery along the Lower Pools trail is beautiful and relaxing. This hike consists of an easy trek through a gorgeous section of the park. There are numerous overlooks to look out and enjoy the ancient formations. Overall, a great hike and if you are not up for going any further, you still got to see one waterfall and some nice scenery. Don’t feel like you have to push yourself further if you are not up for it.
Middle and Upper Pools
From here on, you can continue 0.4 miles to the Middle Pools, and then another 1/2 mile to the Upper Pools. Although both these hikes are short, this is where the trail becomes more challenging. It’s a steep climb up to the Upper Pools along a sandy and rocky trail, thus good hiking shoes and a stick will come in handy.
In exchange for your hard workout, you will be treated to a number of stunning overlooks. It’s really hard to trek through sand, much much harder than regular hiking. And it feels like it takes forever which can be frustrating if you were expecting a quick hike.
If you are in decent shape and up for a bit of a workout, definitely continue on to the Upper Pools. The trail leads to the base of a cliff where you may or may not see a gorgeous waterfall, depending on the season you visit.
During our winter visit the stream was sparse, although still visually stunning with the red rocks. When I finally arrived at this waterfall after a hard trek, I felt like I found a hidden treasure. I imagine the crowded summer months would be a bit different, but this view with no one around was so enchanting.
Another really cool aspect is that you can stand directly underneath the waterfall for a really cool photo opp. It’s not all too common to find a falls you can stand under, so you might as well take advantage after a rough workout. Obviously pics will be much better during the spring when the flow is more impressive. On the bright side, there will likely be few crowds interrupting your photos on a winter hike.
A great option for every hiker
Overall, I feel like this is a great pick for first time visitor because there are 3 stopping points, enabling you to choose for yourself how far you feel like going. If you feel like only exploring the Lower Pools, then simply turn around and call it a day. I would say that the views are pretty impressive on all 3 treks.
Believe me, you will be waiting for your next trip. This is easily one of my favorite natural attractions in the western states. It’s more than worthy of a repeat visit and I can’t wait to come back and explore some more.
When is the best time to visit?
I recommend a spring visit as this is when water flow is typically strongest. In addition, temperatures are much cooler (hiking in the desert in summer is brutal), and crowds are still not out in full force. Fall offers the benefit of stunning foliage. And winter (check for trail closures) offers the most peaceful conditions (crowds are virtually non existent) along with cool afternoon hiking temperatures (be sure to avoid hiking in snowy and icy conditions and be prepared for extremely cold morning temperatures).
Tips for a wonderful hiking experience
- Set out early in the day for fewer crowds and the best photo opportunities.
- A winter visit is desirable due to the absence of crowds, however, ice and snow could possibly close the trails. Stay updated on the National Park Website. Also dress in layers – temps can drop below freezing in the morning hours.
- Carry a hiking stick and wear quality hiking shoes providing good traction.
- Wear a GPS watch and track your distance, pace, time, and heart rate.
- If planning an evening hike, set out at least 2 hours prior to sunset. You do not want to get caught on a trail in the dark.
- Remember you are at high altitude (4000 feet). If coming from a lower elevation area, take extra precautions. Drink extra water, eat snacks frequently, and take your time! Don’t push yourself too hard!
- Never get too close to any edges, especially true as you get into the Upper portion of the hike. More hikers have died on this trail than any other: even the Narrows!
- Bring with your camera – there are so many overlooks featuring gorgeous views!
- Pre-hike, stop for breakfast and a cup of joe at Deep Creek Coffee Company – the views are fabulous!
Directions
I recommend starting your day at the visitor center located at: 1 Zion Blvd in Springdale, Utah. Follow the signs to the Zion Lodge once entering the park (there is a parking lot across the street). As the lot fills up very quickly, a better option is to take the free shuttle (note that it does not run during the winter months).
Admission: Entrance to the park is $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days) or $15 per person/cyclist (also good for 7 days). Pricing current as of 2025 and subject to change. Consider purchasing an annual National Parks Pass for $80, good for an entire year: a great value for frequent travelers.
Trail distances & elevation
- Lower – 1.2 miles
- Middle – 2 miles
- Upper – 3 miles
Elevation Gain
- Lower – 69 feet
- Middle – 150 feet
- Upper – 350 feet
How much time will the hike take up?
If you are planning on hiking just the Lower Pools, plan on about an hour or so. Completing the full 3 mile hike to Upper Pools will take anywhere from about 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on how many rest and photo breaks you take. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes, moving at a casual pace.
