Hiking the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase Escalante was the reason we went to Utah.
No joke — when my brother Garrett and I were originally researching where we should go for a three-week trip in the USA, I showed him a blog post with a photo of Lower Calf Creek Falls and he replied “I want to go wherever that is”.
And it delivered. In fact, I’d put Lower Calf Creek Falls right up there with hikes in Bryce Canyon and hiking the Narrows in Zion.
So, what should you expect on Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail and how should you prepare? That’s what I’m here for.
👉 Jump to: Essential Info | About the Trail | What to Expect | The Falls | Where to Stay | What to Pack
Hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls in Utah
Essential Info
🥾 Length of Hike: 9.8km kilometers (6.1 miles) out and back. If you don’t stop for a break at the falls or photos, it should take about 2 hours. However, the hike took us about 3.5 hours total as we spent lots of time at the falls.
⛰️ Elevation: 162 meters
😓 Difficulty: Moderate
📍 Trailhead Map: Google Maps
👉 How to Get to Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhead: To get to the Lower Calf Creek Trailhead, make your way to the Calf Creek Campground on Highway 12.
The campground is located 15 miles east of Escalante, and about 11 miles south of Boulder, Utah. If you’re technically inclined, then just plug “Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead” into Google Maps and you’re on your way.
There is paid parking at Calf Creek Campground, and it’s a trust-based system. When we were there, daily parking was $5, so make sure you have some cash on hand for this.
👉 Need a Car? I recommend searching for a car rental in Utah with Discover Cars. It stacks up all the options to get you the best deal.
About the Trail & Falls
The Lower Calf Creek Falls trail takes you right to, you guessed it, the base of Calf Creek Falls.
A trail that follows along Calf Creek, the trek will guide you through sky-high Navajo sandstone cliffs, across flowing fresh-water streams, past beaver ponds, and into one of the most magnificent waterfall oases you’ve ever seen in your life.
And where does the name Calf Creek come from, you ask? Well, it comes straight from the area’s use as a natural calf pen in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
If you ask me, this would be a pretty good place to be a calf.
👉 Read More: Zion National Park Travel Guide
What to Expect on the Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike
Lower Calf Creek Falls is a very popular hike in Grand Staircase Escalante and as such, there are usually a lot of people on the trail.
However, Garrett and I went in mid-October. We ran into people every now and then but mostly had the trail to ourselves. There were more people hanging out at the falls, though.
We saw some solo hikers, friends, and even families on the trail.
Following along Calf Creek to the base of the falls, there is little elevation gain but the trail is very sandy and it can be hard to walk sometimes. It’s like walking on the beach for an hour. There are also some very jagged, rocky areas.
Also, while there are areas of the trail that are well-shaded, and there is a lot of shade near the falls themselves, I do recommend bringing along a sun hat and some sunscreen.
I’ve listed all the items to bring on your hike in the “what to pack” section below.
Lower Calf Creek Falls Viewing Area
So now onto the really good stuff, the Lower Calf Creek Falls. At 214 feet tall, This is easily one of the most magnificent waterfalls I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I’ve seen some pretty good ones in my day.
The area surrounding the lower falls is made up of a soft blanket of sand and is scattered with trees. The water pounding down from the falls can be quite loud up close. They’re pretty sensational when viewed from any distance.
I recommend picking a tree, unpacking your lunch, and eating while having one of the most peaceful, relaxing, views around. Just remember to leave no trace!
Or, if you feel like a (very) cool dip, then pack a swimsuit and take a plunge into the crystal-clear waters. Just keep in mind that the water is deep beneath the falls and that there is no lifeguard on duty.
Given that it was mid-October, I skipped this particular activity.
Where to Stay Near Calf Creek Falls
Given that a) hiking Calf Creek Falls Trail is a half-day activity, b) there are a million beautiful places to see in Utah, and c) the trailhead is a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas, I highly recommend staying at nearby accommodations the nights before and after your hike.
Here are highly-rated hotels near Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail:
- 🏆 Best Overall – Escalante Yurts – Luxury Lodging (Escalante)
- 💸 Best Budget – Ponderosa Inn (Escalante)
Otherwise, there are plenty of beautiful Airbnbs in the area, and some great (albeit pricier) hotels near Bryce Canyon.
What to Pack for the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail
🥾 Hiking Gear: To have a comfortable time on the trail, I recommend bringing along snacks, hiking boots/shoes, a hat, hiking poles (you will be walking through sand, after all), at least a couple of water bottles per person, bug spray, and sunscreen.
📷 Camera Gear: On this trail, I brought along my Canon DSLR and tripod (you’ll want something to stabilize your camera for taking dreamy waterfall photos). While I lost my GoPro a couple of weeks prior to this trip, I would have loved to bring a GoPro as well.
👙 Swim Gear: If you plan on taking a dip while at the falls, then be sure to bring a bathing suit and a quick-dry towel.
🥪 Lunch: One of the major perks of getting to the falls is having a picnic! I won’t tell you what to eat, but anything that will provide fuel for the trek back is a must.
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That’s it for my guide to hiking the Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah. Up next, check out my guide to the best things to do in Bryce Canyon.
Have any questions about hiking this trail? Fire em’ off in the comments below!
