Upper Emerald Pools Trail

Upper Emerald Pools is a sandy shore tucked beneath Zion’s high canyon walls. This record maps the full 2.3-mile out-and-back from the Emerald Pools trailhead at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop 5), taking the easier Lower Emerald Pools path to the upper pool and returning the same way. Allow about two hours with a stop at the water. The final named Upper section is only part of that outing; the official accessibility inventory measures that upper tread at 0.3 mile one way. Routes from The Grotto or up the steeper Middle Pools trail make a different trip with different mileage.

From the lodge lawn, follow the sidewalk across the road and bridge to the trail split. Keep right for the easier Lower Emerald Pool route. The path passes the lower pools before a connector turns uphill toward the Upper Pool trail. The shorter Lower Pool walk is a good stopping point if you want less climbing: it is about 1.2 miles round trip from stop 5. The Middle Pools option from the same trailhead climbs a steeper sandstone ledge and opens wider views down the canyon, but it is not the route mapped here.

The upper approach climbs stone steps, then becomes a sandy path through pinyon-juniper woodland. It finishes beneath a tall curved wall marked with dark streaks, with seasonal waterfalls spilling from the cliff when there is enough water. Lady Mountain and The Great White Throne are among the canyon landmarks visible along the way. The falls can be small or absent in dry periods, so treat the canyon setting and the pool itself as the sure payoff, not a guaranteed cascade. From the sandy shore, the pool and striped alcove make the defining view; stay on the established tread.

This is a moderate walk, with a steep final approach, uneven rock and sand, and stairs whose tallest steps are about 30 inches. The upper trail’s steepest grades are demanding even though the outing is short. Fill water and use the restrooms at the Lodge before leaving; no facilities are listed along the trail. Pets are not allowed, and the fragile pool is an essential water source for wildlife: do not enter it. The route is listed year-round, but waterfall flow changes with rainfall and season.