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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. 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.

Kayenta Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Kayenta Trail Pictures
Maps: Trail Map
Backcountry Map - Overview 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: Usually from April 1st until October 30th Zion Canyon is accessed via the shuttle. Private cars are allowed in Zion Canyon the rest of the year. Park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to ride the shuttle and get off at the Grotto or Angels Landing shuttle stop.
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.

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.

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance. From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.			Zion Photo: The Kayenta Trail is an alternate hike to Zion's Emerald Pools. You can enter on the Kayenta Trail and exit on any of the alternatives.
	Zion National Park Lodging Lodging and services are available in East Zion. The main road through Zion, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (SR-9) is open year-round, and is not a route the Zion Canyon Shuttle takes. Zion Canyon is deep inside the park. Towering 3000' walls form a slot canyon, forged by the violent rush of torrent water over millions of years. From late March to late October access through the six mile stretch of road is via the Zion Canyon Shuttle, the rest of the year the canyon is accessed in private vehicles.

Emerald Pools

Lower 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 Pool - 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.

History of the Thunderbird