How to hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Utah

Lower Calf Creek Falls is an enchanting 126-foot waterfall tucked away in the beautiful Grand Staircase Escalante. I did this hike during my road trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion and it was one of the highlights of my time in Utah.

The 6-mile trail will take you past towering canyon walls to a hidden oasis where you’ll find the 126-foot waterfall cascading down the mineral-stained sandstone wall. It’s unlike any hike I’ve done and is definitely a must-do adventure if you’re in the area!

In this guide, I’m covering everything you need to know about hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls to help you prepare for your hike. You’ll find information on the trailhead, parking, day-use fees, as well as an overview of the hike so you know what to expect. Let’s jump in!

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Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail

Where is Lower Calf Creek Falls?

Lower Calf Creek Falls is located in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in between Escalante and Boulder. It’s just under an hour and a half east of Bryce Canyon National Park and an hour south of Capitol Reef National Park. We stopped here as part of our 3-day Utah road trip before driving on to Zion National Park and are so glad we did!

Grand Staircase Escalante is often overlooked in favour of more popular national parks, but it is home to many of Utah’s hidden gems. It’s one of the more remote areas in Utah and is known for narrow slot canyons, sand dunes, oases and sandstone arches. We only had time to do the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail but it’s definitely worth adding on a day or two if your itinerary allows!

If you’re flying into one of these airports, I recommend renting a car as there’s no public transportation to Bryce Canyon.

Upper Calf Creek Falls and Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of two waterfalls along Calf Creek. Although Lower and Upper Calf Creek Falls are only located a few miles from each other, you can’t access them on the same trail. There is a separate trailhead and trail for Upper Calf Creek Falls which is further up Calf Creek.

The trail to Upper Calf Creek Falls is shorter (2 miles versus 6.2 miles) but it is much steeper and requires some scrambling. Upper Calf Creek Falls is a smaller waterfall and has a result, is less popular than the lower falls. It does, however, have a lovely swimming hole so if you’re looking for a quieter trail, this is a great option!

Leave No Trace

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Leave No Trace principles but as this is quite a remote and fragile area, I just want to mention it before I share more about the hike. It’s important that we all do our part to preserve the beautiful landscapes in Grand Staircase Escalante for future generations to come. Please make sure you are following the seven Leave No Trace Principles during your time in the park. This includes staying on the designated trails, not touching or removing any natural objects, packing out all your trash, and respecting wildlife.

It’s also about being prepared. There is very limited cell service in this area so make sure you have a physical map or an offline map like AllTrails. It’s also a good idea to carry a GPS device like a Garmin In-Reach Mini in case of an emergency. Research your trail and know how long it should take, the level of difficulty, and ensure you have enough food and water to sustain you during the hike. Check the Bureau of Land Management’s website for current trail conditions and closures, and also check the weather.

Hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls: What you need to know

In this section, I’m sharing some must-know information to help you prepare and plan your own hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, including parking and day-use fees.

Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike Overview

Distance: 6.2 miles/ 10 km
Elevation change: 531 feet/ 162 meters
Estimated hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

How to get to Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhead

A lot of hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante are located down rough dirt roads that require a 4×4. Luckily, the trailhead for Lower Calf Creek Falls is just off Scenic Highway 12, making it very accessible.

From Highway 12, you’ll turn onto Calf Creek Road and continue until you reach the parking area. Once you’ve parked, you’ll need to walk through the campground area to reach the trailhead.

Parking at Lower Calf Creek Falls trail head

The parking lot for the trail head is quite small and fills up quickly so I recommend starting this hike early, especially if you’re hiking on the weekend. There is some overflow parking on the gravel road before the main car park but make sure you look at for ‘no parking’ signs to avoid getting fined.

Day-Use Fees

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and charges a $5 entry fee per vehicle for hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls. You’ll need to bring cash (correct as of August 2023) and pay at the information board in the parking lot. Alternatively, they do accept a National Parks America the Beautiful Pass if you have one.

If you’re planning to visit a couple of national parks then it’s definitely worth buying the annual National Park Pass. It costs $80 for the year and gives you access into all 63 national parks (plus hundreds of other national park sites). When we went, we visited Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park so we got the annual pass.

Facilities

There are some restrooms in the parking lot but there isn’t any running water. Make sure you bring your own hand sanitizer and use the bathrooms before starting the hike as there aren’t any along the trail. From memory, there aren’t any garbage cans at the trailhead parking lot so make sure you pack out all of your trash.

How difficult is the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls?

Lower Calf Creek Falls is classed as a moderately difficult hike. We found the trail quite easy as we hike a lot and it’s relatively flat with a few uphill sections. However, there are some parts where you have to hike over thick sand which makes the trail more challenging. It is also quite exposed to the sun so the heat can make it feel a lot harder than it is. Make sure you bring sun protection and hike earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the peak sunshine.

Before you decide to hike this trail, make sure you’re comfortable hiking this distance. There are no places along the way to fill up on water so make sure you pack plenty to get you through the hike. The heat and dry air made us more thirsty than usual. The National Park Service recommends drinking at least one gallon of water a day.

Sandy terrain in Grand Staircase Escalante can make hiking tough

How long does it take to hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls?

This really depends on your fitness levels and walking speed. We’re fast walkers so we reached the waterfall in just over one hour. We spent about 45 minutes at the waterfall taking some photos and eating our lunch, and then we hiked back. In total it took us about 3.5 hours with photo stops on the way back.

Can you hike Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail with pets?

Unlike many Utah trails like Fairyland Loop and Navajo and Queen’s Garden Loop in Bryce Canyon, dogs are allowed on the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail. It’s a popular dog trail but they must be on a leash. The trail can get very hot though so if you plan on bringing your four-legged friend, make sure you have something to protect their feet from the hot sand.

Best time of year to hike Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls trail is accessible year-round, and the waterfall flows all the time, so you can go throughout the year. That being said, spring and fall are the best times to do this hike. In spring, the waterfall is at its most powerful and the temperatures are much more pleasant for hiking. In fall, the waterfall won’t be as powerful but you’ll benefit from fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. We hiked Lower Calf Creek Falls in November as part of our Utah road trip so you can get a feel for what it was like. We got very lucky with the weather and we ended up hiking in our sports bras!

Summer is also a lovely time to do this hike but it can get very hot and the trail is exposed to the sun for the most part. If you plan to hike in June, July or August, I recommend starting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak hours. I would avoid hiking this trail in winter (December to February) due to unpredictable weather. If you do hike, the trail may be icy so pack traction devices such as spikes or crampons and check the trail conditions in advance.

Swimming in the waterfall

You’ll be pleased to know that after working up a sweat, you can take a refreshing dip in the waterfall! Even in November, the trail got very hot and by the time we reached the waterfall we were very sweaty! Unfortunately, we didn’t pack our swimsuits as we weren’t expecting it to be so hot in November. If you do go for a swim, make sure you’re wearing waterproof sunscreen to reduce the risk of contaminating the water.

The waterfall area is one of the only parts of the trail that is actually shaded so it is quite a lot cooler than the rest of the hike. I recommend packing some additional layers if you plan to sit and eat lunch here as the cold mist from the waterfall does cool the air down quickly.

What to pack

You’ll need to bring plenty of food and water, as well as the right gear for the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail. I’ve put together a summary of what you should pack, along with links to gear I personally use and love:

The 10 essentials

The 10 essentials include navigation, water, food, rain gear and insulation, fire starter, first aid kit, tools (to repair kit and gear), light sources, sun protection, and shelter. You should take these items on every hike, no matter the distance. If an emergency does arise, these items may help save your life.

Hiking Backpack

Having a good hiking day pack makes such a difference. I always look for ones with adjustable straps and a waist and chest strap to reduce the strain on my neck and back. If you use hiking poles like me then make sure you get a bag with clips or hooks. I love Osprey’s daypacks and Patagonia also has a great selection. I recommend going and trying them to get a feel for what fits you best.

Hiking Boots

I can’t stress enough the importance of having comfortable and supportive hiking shoes. The trail can be loose in places so you need a pair with good grip. I usually opt for waterproof and lightweight hiking boots with ankle support. I’ve had my Keen Hiking Boots for over 2 years and have been really pleased with them.

Merino Wool Socks

As someone with very delicate feet, I highly recommend buying merino wool socks for hiking. They are more expensive but your feet will thank you. I always opt for Darn Tough, Icebreaker or Smartwool as they last a long time and protect your feet from blisters.

Trekking Poles

I normally pack poles to take the pressure off my knees if I know there are some steep, downhill sections. The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles and Black Diamond Trail Sport 2 Trekking Poles are great options.

Rain Protection

Make sure you bring a rain jacket which can be easily packed away as the weather can always change quickly. I bought my Patagonia waterproof shell on sale in 2019 and I never go hiking without it.

Layers

The temperatures will change quite a bit along the Fairyland Loop Trail as you descend and ascend through the canyon. You’ll need to pack lightweight and breathable layers. Avoid cotton and opt for merino wool or poly blends that are quick drying. One of my favourite breathable mid-layers is the Patagonia R1 Fleece as it provides a lot of insulation but is lightweight to carry in my backpack. We did this hike in November and although it was quite warm for the time of year, I did end up putting on my Nano Puff Jacket and toque at times.

Sun Protection

I’ve said it a few times but this trail is exposed to the sun. Don’t forget to pack a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses even if you’re hiking in spring, fall or winter.

Lower Calf Creek Falls trail: What to expect

The best hike in Escalante Utah - Lower Calf Creek Falls

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the hike itself! Before you set off, make sure you pick up an informative brochure at the trailhead. It includes information about the hike and things to look out for along the way. There are ancient pictographs on the canyon walls that you may miss if you don’t know where to look for them. If you want to have a look beforehand, here is a link to the online PDF.

The trail is very well maintained and we found it straightforward to follow. However, I still recommend downloading the trail map from AllTrails before you set off so that you have an offline version just in case. As I keep mentioning, the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls is very exposed to the sun so make sure you bring along a sun hat, wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

You’ll begin by climbing uphill but don’t worry, it does even out and the elevation gain is minimal. The trail goes up and down throughout the hike and isn’t too steep. However, what makes the trail tougher is the sandy patches. There are a few stretches of loose sand which are difficult to walk through. We definitely felt it in our legs and it made easy sections a lot harder! You’ll be walking on a mix of rock, dirt and sand so make sure you have good hiking shoes.

The first half of the trail

Lower Calf Creek Falls trail hiking guide

The first section of the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls will take you through the canyon. This part is the most exposed section of the trail but you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the colourful sandstone cliffs. Make sure you keep an eye out for the numbered signposts that correspond to the trail brochure. This section is where you’ll find the pictographs.

The second half of the trail

The final part of the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls

You’ll eventually make your way to a stream. This is Calf Creek. The trail will follow the creek all the way to Lower Calf Creek Falls. This section is a bit more shaded and provides some welcome relief from the hot sun! This part of the trail is filled with lush green vegetation. In spring, there are lots of wildflowers and cacti.

Around three miles into the hike, you’ll begin to hear the waterfall in the distance. Shortly afterwards, you’ll get your first glimpse of Lower Calf Creek Falls above the trees. Seeing the 126-foot waterfall cascading down the orange and black sandstone wall is truly a spectacular sight! It feels like you’ve found a real oasis in the desert. Enjoy your lunch and have a quick dip before heading back the way you came.

Where to stay

If you’re looking to stay in the area so that you can start the hike early in the morning, there are some great campsites close by, as well as some lovely hotels in Escalante.

Calf Creek Campground

Located next to the start of the trailhead, Calf Creek Campground has 13 first-come, first-served campsites. They cost $15 per night and include basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables and bathrooms. Check availability >

Canyons of Escalante RV Park

If you want to camp but don’t want to risk not getting a spot at Calf Creek Campground, check out Canyons of Escalante RV Park. In addition to the tent and RV sites, the park also has a number of cabins. They have private showers, an onsite laundromat, and even a coffee shop! Check availability >

Yonder Escalante Luxury Glamping

With a sun terrace, outdoor movie screen, pool, and fire pits, Yonder Escalante is a dreamy place to stay. They have tiny cabins, RV sites and Airstreams so if camping in a tent isn’t your thing, try this glamping experience instead. Check availability >

Ponderosa Inn

This rustic inn is a great option if you’re spending a couple of nights in the area. It has a number of comfortable rooms and all the amenities you need. It’s located in Escalante so it’s only a short drive from the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead. Check availability >

Final thoughts on hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls was one of the highlights from our Utah road trip. Seeing the waterfall streaming down the colourful sandstone walls is a beautiful sight! I hope this guide inspires you to add this epic hike to your bucket list. If you have any questions about Lower Calf Creek Falls, let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them!