Lower Calf Creek Falls
Utah • 126 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
6.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
500 ft
About Lower Calf Creek Falls
Lower Calf Creek Falls is a 126-foot waterfall on Calf Creek in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, on Bureau of Land Management land about 15 miles east of Escalante. It is not in Capitol Reef National Park. The 6-mile round-trip trail follows the creek through a sandstone canyon from Calf Creek Campground to a pool at the base of the falls.
The Setting
Lower Calf Creek Falls sits at 5,545 feet within National Public Lands, in the high mountains of Utah. At 126 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Utah.
Height: 126 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Upper Calf Creek Falls (126 ft) lies 2.5 miles to the northwest.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate 6.0-mile out-and-back trail gains 500 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The trail is a 6.0-mile round-trip out-and-back that follows Calf Creek up a desert canyon from Calf Creek Campground. The BLM rates it moderately difficult because of long sandy sections, and much of it is exposed to sun. The trail ends at the alcove where the 126-foot falls drop into a pool.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 126 feet. Swimming is permitted. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Lower Calf Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
The BLM allows pets on the trail; they must be leashed in Calf Creek Campground and owners must pick up waste.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $5.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Lower Calf Creek Falls?
✅ Swimming is allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are milder. Summer can be very hot, and winter may bring icy conditions on the trail.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September).
Safety Information
Carry plenty of water and be prepared for hot, dry conditions. Watch for slippery rocks near the waterfall and be cautious of flash floods during rainy periods. Check weather conditions before your visit.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Escalante River, 9.2 miles away, not on Lower Calf Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
36 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much higher than usual for this time of year
Based on 67 years of record
2.11 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
The water is flowing much higher than usual, expect an impressive display.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge ESCALANTE RIVER NEAR ESCALANTE, UT (15 km away).
Today
Roaring
36 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
38 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
41 cfs
6/10Wed
Roaring
39 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
45 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
42 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
41 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late January to early April, peaking in March.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Boulder hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Lower Calf Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 19 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Lower Calf Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 38°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 7 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Utah.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 364 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 126 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 5,490 feet.
The ground changes about 338 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 23 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,490 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 364 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The hike begins in Calf Creek Campground on Utah Highway 12, 15 miles east of Escalante. The trailhead is inside the campground, which is managed by the BLM.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is available at the Calf Creek Recreation Area. There is a designated parking lot, but it can fill up quickly during peak seasons. Arrive early to secure a spot.
Elevation
5,545 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.829130° N, -111.419924° W
Land Management
Managed by BLM
Visitor Tips & Gear
Start early in the day to avoid the heat, especially in summer. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat, as the trail offers little shade. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for sandy terrain. Be prepared for the possibility of encountering other hikers, as this is a popular trail.
This trail sits at 5,545 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 22% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
With 6.0 miles and 500 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.
Where to Stay
Ponderosa Inn
Escalante Escapes Prickly Pear- Bunk Escape
Escalante Escapes Barrel Cactus - Loft Escape
The Padre Motel
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Deer Creek Campground
3.9 miles away · 0 sites
Deer Creek Campground is a small cozy campground nestled in Deer Creek Canyon at 5800 ft. There are 7 campsites and potable water is not available. This small campground is located along the scenic Burr Trail Road in the Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument. The campground does not accommodate travel trailers due to site limitations.
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other attractions in the area include Upper Calf Creek Falls, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, and the Hole-in-the-Rock Road for additional hiking and exploration.
Wildlife
Wildlife in the area includes birds such as peregrine falcons, lizards, and occasionally deer. Be mindful of snakes, especially during warmer months.
Nearby Waterfalls
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