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Lower Calf Creek Falls

Boulder, Utah

4.6/5
based on 14 reviews

Details

Distance

5.74 miles

Elevation Gain

515 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

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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Features

Camping
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Scenic
Waterfall

Lower Calf Creek Falls Reviews

Grab the info for the trail before leaving and learn about different things all along the trail. They have spots marked 1-14. The hike itself is pretty flat, some up and down but not bad, but you are hiking through a lot of sand so try to wear shoes that don’t let sand in… I had a sandbox in my shoes by the time I got to the falls. The falls are absolutely beautiful as well as the scenery along the tail and worth the hike!

This one is pretty out there but well worth it should you be in the area. The hike itself is pretty flat and after 3ish miles you will reach the waterfall which is a nice and cool oasis in an otherwise scorching hot area in the summer. Summer days on the trail are well over 100 so make sure to pack plenty of water.

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.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Escalante Natural Bridge

Upper Calf Creek Falls

Camp at Deer Creek Campground

Backpack Death Hollow in Grand Staircase-Escalante

Hike to the Cosmic Ashtray

Drive the Burr Trail Scenic Backway