Lower Jump
Utah • Canyonlands National Park
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Reached from the Colorado River Overlook road, which NPS classes as a four-wheel-drive road. Pets are not allowed on park hiking trails or four-wheel-drive roads, even inside a vehicle.
Photo Credits (5)
About Lower Jump
Lower Jump is a pour-off on lower Salt Creek in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, shown on the USGS The Loop quad at about 4,600 feet. It is a short walk from the Colorado River Overlook road, a backcountry road that starts near the Needles Visitor Center. Like most desert pour-offs it flows mainly after storms and snowmelt.
The Setting
Lower Jump sits at 4,606 feet within Canyonlands National Park, in the mountains of Utah.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no maintained trail to Lower Jump. Visitors reach it with a short walk from the Colorado River Overlook road; no official distance or elevation gain is published.
What to Expect
A rock ledge on Salt Creek that may hold only a trickle or no water in dry periods.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for individuals with mobility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Lower Jump?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets are not allowed on Canyonlands hiking trails or four-wheel-drive roads, even in a vehicle.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $30.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Lower Jump?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Lower Jump, as the waterfall is typically more active due to snowmelt and seasonal rains.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September). Check with Canyonlands National Park for current conditions.
Safety Information
Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and stay on marked trails. Carry sufficient water and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Colorado River, 19.9 miles away, not on Lower Jump's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
51°F
WarmVery comfortable
What does this mean for your visit?
Water temperature is a bracing 51 degrees F, limit your time in the water. Mineral content is elevated.
Water Quality
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge COLORADO RIVER AT GYPSUM CANYON NEAR HITE, UT (32 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
8610 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
8594 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
9853 cfs
3/10Wed
Barely Flowing
9178 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
9210 cfs
3/10Fri
Low
9460 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
8597 cfs
5/10Best window: Wed — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to mid July, peaking in June.
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 La Sal hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Lower Jump Frozen?
Updated about 19 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Lower Jump is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 64°F to 39°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 8610 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 293 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 4,648 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 118 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 283 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 4,648 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 293 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Enter the Needles District on UT 211 and drive the Colorado River Overlook road from near the Needles Visitor Center. NPS lists it as a moderate four-wheel-drive road; Lower Jump is a short walk off the road above Salt Creek.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is no developed lot. Park on the road leaving room for other vehicles to pass, as NPS advises for this road.
Elevation
4,606 feet above sea level
Coordinates
38.193876° N, -109.791789° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months. Check weather conditions before visiting, as rain can make the trail slippery. Early mornings or weekdays are recommended to avoid crowds.
Where to Stay
ULUM Moab
Pack Creek ~ Creekside West
Pack Creek ~ Farm House
Moab Grand View - Secluded Breathtaking Views
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
Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
2.4 miles away · 26 sites
Overview The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25 hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet (1494 m). The Needles Campground offers limited services and is best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and RVs. If you are looking for group campsites, visit the Needles District Group Campground page
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Lower Jump, Utah
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Lower Jump, Utah on SoakingSprings.
Explore Utah springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The Colorado River Overlook at the end of the same road, the Cave Spring Trail, and the Big Spring Canyon Overlook.
Wildlife
The area is home to desert wildlife, including lizards, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
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