News Release

Zion National Park Reopens Emerald Pools Bridge After Major Reconstruction

Construction crews and park rangers stand on the Emerald Pools Bridge after being moved onto its new foundation.

NPS Image / Ally O'Rullian

News Release Date: June 10, 2025

Contact: [e-mail], 435-772-0162

SPRINGDALE, Utah – After two years of planning, design, and construction, the bridge connecting Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop #5) to the Emerald Pools Trail system is once again open to visitors. 

The project, led by National Park Service engineers and contracted construction teams, involved lifting the historic bridge off its original, unstable foundation and relocating it approximately 100 feet upstream. New concrete abutments were built to provide a stable, resilient base capable of withstanding Zion’s dynamic environmental conditions, including flash floods and landslides. 
 
“Reopening this bridge restores a critical connection to one of Zion’s most iconic trail systems,” said Jeff Bradybaugh, Superintendent of Zion National Park. “We appreciate our visitors’ patience and support as we worked to ensure this structure can safely serve future generations.” 
 
The entire project was funded through entrance and recreation fees, made possible by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). This is one of many examples of how visitor fees directly support infrastructure and preservation work across the park. 
 
Why the Bridge Was Moved 
 
The bridge closed in May 2023 after a nearby landslide destabilized its attachment to both its concrete abutments and the ground underneath. While the bridge itself remained safe for the time being, park engineers determined that relocating it upstream, outside of the geologically active zone, would provide a longer-lasting solution. 
 
Visitors can now once again enjoy direct access from the Lodge area to the Emerald Pools trails, offering spectacular views and unique desert landscapes just steps away from the main canyon road. 
 
Multimedia

Learn more about the project in this video. 
 
Download photos of the construction in this NPGallery Album. 

www.nps.gov/zion

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube