Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls
Details
Distance
6 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Thomas Burton
The hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls takes you past Native American ruins to a beautiful waterfall and natural pool for swimming.
The trailhead for lower calf creek falls begins at the Calf Creek Campground. There is a small fee to park in the campground and a larger fee if you plan on camping in the campground. There is potable water and outhouses at the trailhead but parking can be difficult to find during the spring and fall.
Near the trailhead there is a pamphlet that you can grab that will tell you about the plants you see along the trail as well as the locations for some Native American ruins that you can see on the way to the waterfall. Be sure to grab one because the ruins can be very difficult to find without a little help.
The trail makes it way up through the sandstone canyon for about 3 miles until you reach the Lower Calf Creek Waterfall. The color of the blue water makes for a very stunning contrast with the red sandstone rock and there are numerous photographers trying to get great pictures. I would recommend taking a neutral density filter for your camera to be able to take long exposure photographs of the waterfall.
Spend some time eating lunch and swimming here at the waterfall before making the way back to the parking lot. The trail is open year round but can be very hot in the summer and there can be snow in the winter. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash.
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Reviews
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Popular Hike
This is a popular hike with a campground nearby so get there early before the parking lot fills up. The hike is relatively flat but through deep sand. Keep an eye out for petroglyphs and granaries on the way to the falls. The falls are beautiful and worth the visit.
5.0
Long walk! Beautiful waterfall!
The walk there seemed eternity, but it was definitely worth the fabulous results! Went mid spring and later in the evening, so we did not get in the very cold water and also couldn’t stay long because of the cold misty wind
4.0
Lower Calf Creek Falls
This hike took me 1 hour and 10 minutes. I packed two 32 oz of water and drank them both, and packed a few apples and clif bars. Some of the trail is very exposed so be prepared for sun!! Lots of sunblock. I went on a Tuesday and it was pretty heavily trafficked still.
5.0
A Beautiful Waterfall
The hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls took me to a beautiful waterfall and natural pool.
5.0
A True Oasis in the Desert!
This is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and should not be missed! Definitely one of the prettiest hikes I've been on. Six miles round-trip, mostly flat, but could be challenging for some because the majority of the trail is sand and exposed. I recommend starting this hike very early in the Summer months, especially with children. Along the way you will see gorgeous sandstone cliffs, rich with desert varnish, and pre-historic rock art. There is also a nice variety of flora and fauna here, and a lush riparian habitat as you get closer to the falls. I loved the color of the mineral-streaked sandstone, and the green from the moss and algae growing along the walls that surround the falls. The water here is usually cold, no matter what time of year so be prepared if you plan to swim.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
