• Distance: 0.6 mile one-way to Lower Emerald Pool; 1 mile to Middle Emerald Pool; 1.4 miles to Upper Emerald Pool
• Duration: 1–3 hours
• Elevation gain: 70 feet to Lower Emerald Pool; 150 feet to Middle Emerald Pool; 350 feet to Upper Emerald Pool
• Effort: easy–moderate
• Trailhead: across footbridge from
  Zion Lodge
• Shuttle stop: Zion Lodge

Three spring-fed pools, small waterfalls, and views of Zion Canyon make this climb worthwhile. You have a choice of three trails. The easiest is the paved trail to the Lower Pool; cross the footbridge near Zion Lodge and turn right 0.6 mile. The Middle Pool can be reached by continuing 0.2 mile on this trail or by taking a totally different trail from the footbridge at Zion Lodge (after crossing the bridge, turn left, then right up the trail).

Together these trails make a 1.8-mile round-trip loop. A third trail begins at the Grotto Picnic Area, crosses a footbridge, and turns left 0.7 mile; the trail forks left to the Lower Pool and right to the Middle Pool. A steep 0.4-mile trail leads from the Middle Pool to Upper Emerald Pool.

This magical spot has a white-sand beach and towering cliffs rising above. Allow 1–3 hours to visit the pools, and don’t expect to find solitude; these relatively easy trails are quite popular.