Katie Wanders : Lower and Upper Emerald Pools Hike, Zion National Park

Lower and Upper Emerald Pools Hike

Our first hike at Zion National Park was the Emerald Pools.

The combined hike to the Upper Emerald Pool and back is about 2.2 miles round trip.

Zion Lodge, Zion National Park

The trail is accessed via the parking area/shuttle stop at Zion Lodge. From the Lodge, it is a 0.6 mile hike to the Lower Emerald Pool trail.

Bridge at Emerald Pools Hike, Zion National Park

Bridge at Emerald Pools Hike, Zion National Park

The trail is paved and is a beautiful easy hike viewing natural pools and waterfalls. From here, you can hike an additional 0.5 miles to the Upper Emerald Pool trail that is rock and sandstone.

The trail ends at the upper pool with a small waterfall.

Waterfall at Upper Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Upper Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Upper Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Unfortunately, the pool was more brown than emerald, but this was a beautiful hike none the less. The Lower Emerald Pool was definitely my favorite, where the trail curved around this waterfall area.

Waterfalls at the Lower Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Where the Lower Emerald Trail ends and Upper Emerald Trail begins, the Kayenta Trail starts. The Kayenta Trail connects the Emerald pools section to the Grotto area, the trail head for Angels Landing. If you wanted to extend your hiking, you could hike the Lower Emeraly Pool, the the Upper Emerald Pool, and then back to the Kayenta Trail connecting over to the Grotto and Angels Landing.

Waterfalls at the Lower Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

This trail is very popular and very busy (and full of hikers of all abilities). It is narrow in parts which makes it a little congested and frustrating if you are stuck behind large crowds. I was really amazed how busy and warm the park is in March, and really can’t picture being here with much larger crowds and warmer temperatures. I will say the serenity of the park was sometimes lost due to large and rowdy college kids visiting for Spring Break. Regardless, this was a great trail to hike out to and enjoy the scenery.