![]() ![]() The Lower Calf Creek Falls trail loses light quickly at sunset, because it’s inside a steep canyon. Grand Staircase, including the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail, is one of the most dog-friendly places in the National Park System! The only bathrooms are in the parking lot, before you get on the trail. If you have one, display it on your dash. It costs $5 to park in the lot, but America the Beautiful passes cover the fee. Bring cash - or your national parks pass.Don’t underestimate the desert on this Utah waterfall hike! Even on cool days, the sun and lack of humidity on the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike quickly dehydrate. Tips for Hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah Plus, you’ll feel nice and cool hiking back out! To get back, simply retrace your steps. Of course, you can’t leave without taking a dip! The water is COLD but refreshing. Once you reach Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah, walk around the pool to get different viewpoints and spend plenty of time relaxing on the sandy “beach” or under shade trees. You should also be able see it above the trees up ahead. Right around 2.8 miles in, you’ll hear the distinct roar of the waterfall. Your first view of Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah Minus the handful of sand sections, that is.ĭuring the second half of the hike, you’ll closely follow Calf Creek itself. A couple of times, you’ll cross slickrock ledges, but this half is mostly flat and level. The first half of the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail is almost entirely exposed, traveling between the massive sandstone canyon walls. Stop #9, about 1.8 miles in, is another must-see: ancient pictographs dating back to 1200 AD. For example, #6 features Fremont culture granaries, stone storage structures used primarily for grain. You can also view it online, if you’re curious.Īs you’d expect, some stops are more interesting than others. Each stop points out historical details, and if you grabbed a trail guide, it’ll tell you exactly what you’re looking at. Shortly into this Utah waterfall hike, you’ll see the first of 15 numbered viewpoints on your right. Look very closely at the ridge - do you see the stone storage areas? These are granaries from the Fremont people. If you have time to hike both, do! If you’re hoping for a Utah waterfall hike all to yourself, Upper Calf Creek Falls may be worth it - but we recommend the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike if you can only do one. It’s beautiful in its own right, but smaller (88 feet) and far less popular, largely because it’s more remote and requires a shorter but much more difficult hike. Upper Calf Creek Falls is only a few miles away, but can’t be accessed via the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail. You may also find overflow parking in the gravel area between Highway 12 and the lot (we did!). There’s a parking lot at the trailhead ($5 per car, payable at the kiosk), but it’s small and fills up quickly. Parking at the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhead In fact, this is an excellent trail for beginner hikers or families! Other than that, it’s not at all difficult or technical, and the elevation gain is very gradual. It’s exposed, meaning there’s almost no shade, and you’ll hike through sand on parts of the trail. Personally, we feel it leans more toward the easy side of moderate. The Lower Calf Creek Falls hike is officially rated moderate. How Difficult is This Utah Waterfall Hike? We hike at a very average pace and spent almost five hours on the trail, including nearly 1.5 hours at the waterfall. However, the falls are still at their most impressive shortly after rainfall. Lower Calf Creek Falls flows year-round (amazingly!), so you don’t have to worry about there being no water flow, like so many other Utah waterfalls. As a bonus, you’ll enjoy wildflowers and tons of greenery on the trail in the spring, and even some changing foliage in the fall. These months offer the most pleasant and stable weather, plus let you avoid busy times like spring break. The best time to hike Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah is the spring and fall - specifically April & May and September & October. Local tip: this Utah waterfall hike is between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, two highly underrated national parks! Best Time to Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah The trailhead is easily accessible by car (the 12 is a state highway), and the drive itself makes an awesome scenic road trip in itself. ![]() It’s 15 miles east of Escalante, near mile marker 75. Lower Calf Creek Falls Utah is in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, just off Scenic Byway 12. Here are some of the most important things to know before hitting the trail. The Lower Calf Creek Falls hike isn’t long or technical, but it is remote.
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