The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!
Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and
visit the treasures of the Southwest.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Zion National Park Vacation with our Utah Maps and
Information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National
Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park
maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna,
campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National
Monuments.
Directions to Zion National Park From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver.
Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east
entrance. From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona
and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east
park entrance. From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and
travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in
LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion
National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
The Lower Emerald Pool, Middle Emerald Pools and Upper Emerald
Pool viewed from the Kayenta Trail.
Trail History: The Emerald Pools Trail was completed in 1925
and named due to the green tint the algae gives the three pools. Rock slides
have changed the trail system over the years. Heaps Canyon and Behunin Canyon
were named after Mormon pioneers from the late 1800's. The old stone building
at the Grotto is the original Zion National Park Visitor Center, the second visitor
center is now the Zion Human History Museum.
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information
by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo
Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author Tanya Milligan.
To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more
information please visit the Zion
National Park Forum
Suggested
Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National
Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced
Zion hikers and canyoneers like the La Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great
for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.
Kayenta Trail to Emerald Pools
The pools and waterfalls are the attraction here, but the surrounding scenery is outstanding as well. This is an enjoyable entrance or exit from the classic Emerald Pools Trail.
Kayenta Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Kayenta
Trail Pictures Trail Map: Zion
National Park Map Day Hike: Yes Kayenta Trail to Middle Pool - One Way: 1 mile Average Hiking Time: 1 hour to the middle Emerald Pool. Accessible Trail: No, but the lower Emerald Pool Trail
is. Trail Usage: There is heavy use in the summer. Difficulty: Moderate Sun Exposure: Full sun in most places. Permits:
Not needed Trail Conditions: Well maintained, rock and sand path. Trailhead: Footbridge across the road from the Grotto. Trailend: Grotto Picnic area Best season: Year-round.
Trail Access: From late March to November, park at the Zion Canyon
Visitors Center and ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle. The rest of the year drive
into Zion Canyon. Off the Beaten Path: No Classic Zion Hike: Yes Elevation Gain: 150' ascent. Restrooms: Grotto picnic Area. Water availability: Water bottles can be filled at
the Grotto picnic area.
See our vacation planning section for classic Zion National Park trails or glance at our favorite Zion National Park trails list or choose from a complete Zion National Park hiking guide. Get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Kayenta Trail
Park at the lot across the road from the Grotto picnic area, or if
the shuttles are running, get off at the Grotto stop. Cross the footbridge to
get to the other side of the Left Fork of the Virgin River. Hike up the stone steps, around the
bend to a dirt path. The trail begins a steady rise past junipers and ephedra.
The depth of the vertical desert is in perfect view from the trail. Prickly pear
and Yucca ornate the lower mountain sides. The path levels out as it begins a
short downward hike toward the lower pool. The cool breeze blowing from the secluded
canyon ahead is a stark change from the heat of the lower sun baked trail. After
a heavy rain all three pools can be viewed from the Kayenta Trail. As the path
approaches large boulders, signs will indicate directions to the Lower Pool by
turning left and descending down between two massive boulders, or continuing
straight to the middle and upper pools.
The Pools
Lower Emerald Pool Moisture seeps from sandstone and mist
sprays from the falls, feeding lush hanging gardens in the recessed rock. Ferns
and moss sprout from the mountainside with an occasional monkey flower, shooting
star or delicate columbine peering from the more subtle vegetation. The trail
ducks behind twin waterfalls, spilling from the middle pools, leaving black streaks
of desert varnish behind. Droplets dance off boulders that have fallen from above,
now lining the pool of mossy green water.
Middle Emerald Pool Trail Backtrack up the same trail just
descended to get to the middle pools and turn left after passing between the
two large boulders. At the middle pools, shallow streams cross the trail, before
the water spills over the lip to the lower pool. The first middle pool is formed
by the Behunin Canyon watershed - one of Zion's drier canyoneering routes. Next,
just over the ridge, the second middle pool is created by the Heaps Canyon watershed
- one of Zion's most difficult canyoneering routes. After a storm, when water
is flowing in Heaps Canyon and Behunin Canyon, the waterfalls become profuse.
Watch that children never stray near the overhanging ledge, past the chained
areas, where algae and slippery rock result in unsafe footing.
Upper Emerald Pool Trail The secluded oasis of the upper
pool is framed by colossal cliffs on three sides. Watch for canyoneers rappelling
from Heaps Canyon down the backside of the boulder-rimmed pool.
