Upper Emerald Pool

The Upper Emerald Pool sits at the end of the Emerald Pools trail system in Zion Canyon, set into a natural amphitheater closed in on three sides by sheer rock and shaded by maple trees. Seasonal waterfalls spill down the canyon walls above it, especially after snowmelt or rain. It's the pool the trail system's name refers to first — smaller and quieter than the heavily trafficked lower pool.

What to know

• Reached from the Middle Pool via a 0.4-mile stretch with uneven sand and rock and a moderate-to-strenuous grade
• Accessed from the Emerald Pools Trailhead at Zion Lodge or from The Grotto — both are shuttle stops during shuttle season
• The pool is a wildlife water source; stepping into it is not allowed