Kayenta Trail - A Surprisingly Beautiful Hike in Zion NP

Kayenta trail in Zion National Park is a beautiful hike that starts at the Angels Landing trailhead at the Grotto and connects over to the Emerald Pools trail. It mostly runs along the top of the cliff above the Virgin River. Every time we hike Angels Landing, we keep seeing the trail but had no idea where it led to. On our most recent trip, on our way back from finishing Angels Landing, we decided to also hike the Kayenta trail to Emerald Pools. We were glad we did. The views on this trail are breathtaking. It is our favorite way to get to Emerald Pools. Kayenta trail is also easy enough for beginner hikers and families of all ages.

Note: Please make sure to respect this beautiful place and the surrounding areas. Always practice LEAVE NO TRACE. This means no loud music, no graffiti, no taking artifacts or fossilized items, and pack out what you pack in! Please help us protect this place for generations to come!

Stats

Where

Kayenta Trail Trailhead
37°15’36.3″N 112°57’05.5″W

Parking

If you’re driving in, there is a tiny parking lot in front of the Grotto Picnic Area.
If you’re taking the shuttle, it is shuttle stop #6

Restroom

There are restrooms at the Grotto.

Fee

There is a fee to enter the Zion National Park. Please check the park’s website for updated infos. You can also use your annual pass such as America the Beautiful Pass here.

Important Things

The Kayenta Trail shares the same trailhead as Angels Landing Trail. It is across from the Grotto, shuttle stop #6.
It can be slippery in wet or icy condition.

Distance

Kayenta Trail: 0.7 miles each way
To Upper Emerald Pool: 1.2 miles each way (0.2 miles to Lower Pool, 0.5 miles to Upper Pool)

Elevation Gain

150 ft

Level

Moderate

Time:

1- 3 hours depending on your final destination.

Pet-friendly

Dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.

Ideal Time

You can do this hike anytime, however, it can be more challenging in the snow or icy conditions. Also, it is a popular hike so go early if you want solitude.

Weather

Video

Getting to Kayenta Trail Trailhead

The Kayenta trail shares the same trailhead with the Angels Landing and the West Rim trail. This means you will be leaving from the Grotto Picnic Area. When the park shuttle is running, you will need to get off at shuttle stop 6, the Grotto. If the shuttle is not running, you can drive your car to the trailhead. From the park entrance in Springdale, continue into the park for a couple of miles. Then, turn left onto the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and proceed for about 3.4 miles, past Zion Lodge. The Grotto is less than a mile past Zion Lodge. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road.

The Adventure

The Start of the Trail:

Since we visited Zion during the off season, we were actually able to drive in. After parking at the Grotto, we crossed the street to start the hike. Once you get to the other side of the road, follow signs for Angels Landing to cross over the bridge. As soon as you get to other the side of the bridge, you’ll see a set of rock stairs and a directional sign at the bottom. These stairs are the start of the Kayenta Trail.

Along the Trail

After the initial rock steps, the trail turns into a rocky, dirt trail. It runs parallel to the Virgin River below. There are many sections with big drop-offs so please make sure to be careful with your footing. Along the way, there are also rock stairs and uneven footing. This is why it’s rated moderate. Most of Kayenta Trail has continuous views of the Virgin River and the mountain ranges that surround it. The views along this trail are spectacular, especially during a cloudy day. It was hard for us to keep moving. We kept wanting to stop and take photos every 5 feet.

Into the Canyon

About 0.6 miles, the trail curves right, away from the river and into the canyon. At this point, you can see the small alcove and the waterfalls where the Lower Emerald Pool is on the left-hand side. There is also a small directional signage pointing the way. As the trail snakes around, you’ll find a set of rock stairs. The view above this set of rock stairs is quite beautiful. Soon enough, the trail will lead down to a another set of rock stairs, toward an opening between two big boulders. I personally love this part! It feels like you enter a gate to another dimension. Once you cross over the opening, there will be a couple of small directional signs. This is where the Kayenta trail connects with the Emerald Pools trail.

Emerald Pools Trail

Going right will take you to the Middle and Upper Pools. Going left down the rocky staircase will take you to Lower Emerald Pool. We suggest you see both the Lower and Upper Pools. They are both beautiful and very different. Middle Pool is alright, but it is on the way so you don’t have to make an additional effort. For directions to the pools, check out our blog for Emerald Pools trail. Once you’re done, return the way you came from.

If you have a few days to spend in Zion National Park, there are a few classic hikes that you must do. These hikes include Canyon Overlook, the Watchman Trail, the Subway, and of course, the famous Angels Landing. If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path hikes, check out Lower Pine Creek Falls, Many Pools, and its unknown neighbor, ass well as Cascade Falls. These off-the-beaten-path hikes are beautiful and offer the solitude that is hard to find on the main hikes in Zion.

These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.