The Emerald Pools Trailhead starts at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop. It’s considered a moderate trail because it starts in the canyon and heads uphill to a series of three pools – Lower, Middle, & Upper Emerald Pools. The hike to the lower pool is actually pretty easy and accessible so the trail can be crowded.
This late in the season and with the drought, the water level in the waterfall feeding the pools is low. This makes for some rather unimpressive pools, still the hike is scenic with beautiful vistas of Zion Canyon at various viewpoints.

Lower Emerald Pool

Middle Emerald Pool

The trail to the Middle Emerald Pool is less crowded but still busy. It is just a short vertical hike from the Lower Pool and opens into a wonderful panorama of the canyon.

Upper Emerald Pool

Hiking to the highest Emerald Pool is the most challenging section of the trail. Earlier in the season when the water level is higher, I’m sure this hike is more worthwhile. But our expectations were pretty low since this was our first time and we enjoy hiking the less crowded sections of trail.