Emerald Pools
Emerald Pools
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A one-mile hike will bring you to this area of pools and waterfalls.
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- Richard NStroud, United Kingdom460 contributionsWhat a Work Out!We went on a steaming hot day in July with temperatures well over 100F. We decided to walk to all of the pools, Lower, Middle and Upper and were proud of ourselves for the effort put in. After starting out fairly consistently, at higher levels the path becomes very rocky and when we were there, sandy. I'd imagine it can get muddy, and it's certainly busy but each Pool in their own right offer fantastic views and superb scenery. For me its worth the effort and well worth going to all the Pools, not abandoning your walk after the Lower one.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 October 2023
- Icarus4335Colorado Springs, Colorado806 contributionsWorth Going a Little Further to the Upper and/or Lower PoolsWe started the hike to the pools from Stop 6 on the shuttle line and used the Kayenta Trail. From there, it's only about 1 mile to the first pool (the Middle Pool). That portion is not too strenuous; there were plenty of kids doing it too. However, that first pool is relatively unimpressive. It is definitely worth a little extra hiking to visit either the upper or lower pool (or both...different directions though), which are much more spectacular. The Upper Pool is about another 1/3 of a mile (and then another 1/3 mile back) and is absolutely beautiful. It opens into a much larger area with a waterfall that sprinkles down; great views. The hike is definitely more strenuous to get up there, but still manageable for most people. The Lower Pool splits into the opposite direction at the trail junction. It's easy getting down, but the walk back up is rough...LOTS of steps. I think in total we hiked about 3-3.5 miles to visit the pools and go back to Stop 6 where we started. I am also pretty sure that you can access the Lower Pool (and then the rest of this area) from a lower trail that starts earlier on the shuttle line, but we didn't explore that section.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 March 2024
- ScottRobyScottsdale, Arizona868 contributionsA little crowded for my taste but it is a gorgeous resultThis is a fun little hike from shuttle stop 6 which is also where you head up to Angel's Landing. Once you cross the bridge from the shuttle stop it will tell you it is about one mile. That one mile is mostly an incline. There are three pools to see: a lower, middle and upper. The middle pool was almost a blink and miss it with all the people around it. The upper pool is worth the extra distance to get to. It had a light waterfall when we were there. It was a very crowded hike though which for me takes away a little bit but I think if you go early in the morning you can avoid that.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 26 April 2024
- HeavyHikerFarmingdale, New York400 contributionsLovely morning hikeWe started the hike from the Grotto trailhead as the footbridge at the Zion Lodge was still closed. There are several trials that originate after you cross the river via footbridge. The path you want to take is up the steps to the left. We did this hike in the early morning. The lighting was perfect and the trail was not crowded. The trail steadily ascends but is not overly tough. We saw birds, caterpillars, tadpoles and a scorpion. Access to the Lower Pools was via a long descending staircase. This particular section of trail leads to the Middle Pools, which were nice but underwhelming. The views from the trail were far better than the pools themselves. We did not attempt to go to the Upper Pools. Overall, it was a lovely morning hike and worth doing.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 July 2024
- CoffeewowColumbia, Maryland81 contributionsLack of signs, just ok for a Zion hikeWe did the pool loop and it's good we looked up how to do it before because the map is a bit misleading and the signs are horrible. The upper pool is nothing special (the views up are the best part). The middle pool is not even worth a picture (could be better at different times of the year). The lower pool is by far the best but I would skip it in a heartbeat to do the Narrows or Angles Landing/Scout Overlook. Really, Kayenta trail is worth doing but I would skip upper and middle pools if you are pressed for time.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 August 2024
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4.0
1,637 reviews
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collethc2
Palm Beach Gardens, FL127 contributions
June 2021
This trail is not very hard, not so long, probably 1H30 you could see all the falls (upper & lower). the lower is beautiful, you have water above you..it is refreshing.
The upper one is more like a small lake (in summer when it is "dry")
The upper one is more like a small lake (in summer when it is "dry")
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathy1966
Northern Virginia, VA247 contributions
Dec 2019
We hiked the Upper Emerald Pool trail accessible from shuttle stop #6 (Grotto) during the holiday season. It was very busy midday due to the closure of many other trails in the park, recent snowfall creating icy conditions on Angels Landing, and the high flow rate for the Narrows. We found this 3 mile RT trail to be easy/moderate and took us about 90 minutes to complete.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Icarus4335
Colorado Springs, CO806 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
We started the hike to the pools from Stop 6 on the shuttle line and used the Kayenta Trail. From there, it's only about 1 mile to the first pool (the Middle Pool). That portion is not too strenuous; there were plenty of kids doing it too. However, that first pool is relatively unimpressive. It is definitely worth a little extra hiking to visit either the upper or lower pool (or both...different directions though), which are much more spectacular. The Upper Pool is about another 1/3 of a mile (and then another 1/3 mile back) and is absolutely beautiful. It opens into a much larger area with a waterfall that sprinkles down; great views. The hike is definitely more strenuous to get up there, but still manageable for most people. The Lower Pool splits into the opposite direction at the trail junction. It's easy getting down, but the walk back up is rough...LOTS of steps. I think in total we hiked about 3-3.5 miles to visit the pools and go back to Stop 6 where we started. I am also pretty sure that you can access the Lower Pool (and then the rest of this area) from a lower trail that starts earlier on the shuttle line, but we didn't explore that section.
Written 26 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George A
Phoenix, AZ266 contributions
Apr 2021
This is an experience where getting there is more enjoyable than arriving. The hiking trail to the pools is really worthwhile. It's not that difficult, although it does have some elevation change and a few tight spots. There was also one area heading to the middle and upper pools where the trail was not well marked and created a lot of confusion, although I suspect that was due to a recent rockslide. The trail is on the western side of the canyon, so will be sunlit in the morning. You can also make a circuit by taking this, the Kayenta Trail, and the Grotto trail that makes for a very scenic and enjoyable morning. Great views of the rocks, river, and valley. The pools themselves I thought were rather small, and the falls unimpressive. Maybe I just hit it at the wrong time of year!
Written 25 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baldtomato
Vancouver, Canada100 contributions
Aug 2021
We are not very outdoorsy and definitely aren't hikers, and we only wanted to spend <1.5 hours on our last day so we hit the Lower Pool trail. It's more like a (paved) walk in the park along a quiet part of the creek. We saw people of all sorts of physical ability - including 3 generation families with strollers - on the concrete paved path. I wouldn't even call it a "hike" and there was no use of our hiking poles, but it was nice and relaxing. A few (maybe 3) photo ops. The Lower Pool would really take you 15 to 20 min each way even if you are leisurely. If you a re physically fit, a better time investment (1 to 1.5 hours) would be the Canyon Overlook Trail, if you would brave the parking craze.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,824 contributions
June 2019
The path to middle and upper Emerald pool is closed during the period we went there, so I can't comment the about the middle and upper Emerald pool, but most people go that trail is just walk up to the Lower Emerald pool, we also did so. The path to Lowe Emerald pool is an easy trail, about 25 min can walk to the pool, but the pool is not impressive, what attracts people to come here is the overhanging waterfall, but the water strip is thin, just like a mist falling down, but as it's fall over the curved inward cliff, so you can take a good picture at some angle. There are also some ranger program at the trail head, if your kid is looking for ranger program and need to attend in order to get ranger badge, the ranger-program here may be a good choice, you can spend 10-20 min here to listen to what she said, and she will repeat the same topics several time in a 2 hours period, so you can come to attend at your convenient time with that 2 hrs period. it's a daily program in summer. If you go there, you have to get off at the 'Zion Lodge" bus stop which is #5.
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mogata721
Phoenix, AZ114 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Hiked emerald pools because we had time to kill after doing scout’s lookout. We started the hike from the grotto at 10:10. The hike was easy at first and then did have quite a few stair-like parts. Its only ~1.5mi to the top pool and we got there at 10:50a. Since we were here in the summer, the emerald pools were dried up so not so eventful when we saw them. Relatively easy, and the trail was pretty crowded there and back and lots of kids. We got back down to the bus stop at 11:20a. Overall, the timing was bad because it was ungodly hot, lots of people, and nothing to write home about once you see the emerald pools.
Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda P
Ballston Spa, NY416 contributions
Oct 2020
Too many people and rather mucky when water level down. The lowest pool and waterfall was still lovely, the upper two not so much. The uppermost was extremely crowded, people eating, some walking in water and we left quickly.
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K B
Lafayette, CA487 contributions
Apr 2022
Because of the ongoing drought in the west, the pools are not much to behold. They are not "emerald at all; just kind of greyish clear. The trail is probably good early in the morning but you can't do everything early unless you have infinite days. The afternoon I went, wall to wall and waiting on slooow non-hikers on one way rocky places.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ondrej.i.am
Sokolov, Czech Republic64 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Beautiful mature spring spa. Three pools, but only in Emerald you can swim.the rest two are closed. Blue is too hot (50 Celsius degrees) and Crystal is without access. Emerald pool is mostly used by local people, so it was, in time of our visit, little crowded.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are planning to do the Mighty 5 in August. Rethinking if we really need to do Zion...Opinions?? 6 of us and one is my mom who is 75. Healthy and can walk several miles per day with some hills but not steep inclines. Rest of us are in decent shape. Thanks in advance!
Written 21 November 2019
If I had to skip one it would be Canyonlands. I wouldn't skip Zion. Topography is so very different there. For you are down looking up the whole time. Many easy/moderate hikes there. We just went in October. Such a memorable trip. We hiked Narrows at Zion. But even a hike down the mile trail to where the water starts is worth it! My favorite parks were by far Arches and Bryce. You will love it!
Written 8 January 2020
Do I have to have a guid to take these hikes in Zion park?
Such as The Narrows, The subway, the Emerald pools
Written 8 May 2017
No, you don't need a guide for these hikes. (I don't know about The subway). For Narrows you might need some equipment that you can rent near the entrance to the Park. Emerald Pools is an easy hike if you start from the Lodge and finish in Grotto.
Written 9 May 2017
Hi, I'm planning a return trip here at the end of summer. 5 yrs ago I did the Narrows and it was fantastic, but tiring then. I'm 60 now and my hips are riddled with arthritis, never know if I'll have a good day or a bad one. However I'm determined to hike, albeit slowly, in Zion again. Want to see the emerald pools, so, any suggestions on the best route? I do best on level surfaces, but will happily do inclines or steps as long as I can go slow, stop from time to time. I'm determined and will be bringing along hiking poles. Thanks!
Written 29 May 2016
I think it will depend on your ability and determination. I am 61 and have a bad knee but I am in good shape otherwise. I took lots of breaks and my daughter helped me down the steeper parts of the upper pool trail (going down is harder on my knee). The lower pool is relatively easy. The upper pool is considered moderate and you will have to climb over rocks. It was doable and well worth it -- the upper pool is breathtaking.
We went from the Lodge to the lower pool then through the middle pool to the upper level. Coming back we went to the right to Kayenta Trail (very easy and view of the valley is unbelievable). We made a mistake and took the first right (marked to the Grotto); that trail was a bit steep. I think if we went lower and took the second right (to Grotto) the trail would have been easier. But ask a ranger at the Visitor's Center; they are very helpful.
This hike was one of our highlight so I would say try it and you could always turn back.
Good luck!
Written 19 June 2016
Cate Y
Los Angeles, California
Hi,
We are planning to visit Zion during Thanksgiving, is weather ok to take young kids (1.5 - 7 year-old) hiking that time?
Thank you.
Written 29 April 2016
Bonjour, combien de temps avez vous mis pour combiner avec le kayenta trail ?
2H? 3H? nous avons des enfants de 7 et 11 ans très bons marcheurs qui ont l'habitude de faire des randonnées.
merci pr votre reponse d'avance
Written 12 February 2016
How much shade is along this hike? We are interested in the Lower and Upper trails.
Written 13 April 2015
Lots of shade to the lower pool, more exposed on trail to upper pool until you get there. Connecting trail to Grotto from Emerald Pools is exposed to both sun and steep drop-offs. Bring water with you and wear a hat/sunscreen. :)
Written 22 June 2015
How are the emerald pools in mid-may? Is there much water runoff? Is it worth hiking to the upper pools during this time?
Written 25 March 2015
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