Lower Calf Creek Falls

Misting 126-ft. waterfall featuring a natural pool at its base, reachable by a scenic hike.

(1,056)

Boulder, UT

About

Misting 126-ft. waterfall featuring a natural pool at its base, reachable by a scenic hike. Situated in Boulder, it helps visitors discover the area's most remarkable landscapes and outdoor activities.

Guests frequently praise Lower Calf Creek Falls for knowledgeable guides and breathtaking scenery. These consistent themes across multiple reviews paint a picture of a business that values the visitor experience. Many reviewers recommend Lower Calf Creek Falls as a standout option in the area.

Recognized as highly rated with 4.9 stars across 1,054 Google reviews, Lower Calf Creek Falls is a trusted choice for visitors to the Bryce Canyon National Park region.

The Bryce Canyon area in southern Utah is known for its otherworldly hoodoo formations, pink cliffs, and vast stretches of high-elevation forest and canyon country. Visitors come from around the world to hike among the spires, and the surrounding communities offer a welcoming range of services to support every kind of trip.

Those booking with Lower Calf Creek Falls can expect a guided or self-directed adventure tailored to the unique terrain around Bryce Canyon National Park. Many experiences are seasonal, so visitors are encouraged to confirm availability and any gear or fitness requirements in advance.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable seasons for the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. Summer brings warm temperatures in the canyon, and while the creek and waterfall pool provide relief at the destination, the walk in can be warm by midday. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August across southern Utah, and heavy rain anywhere in the drainage above can raise creek levels quickly — watch the sky and check the forecast before heading out. Winter visits are possible on clear days but may include muddy or icy sections depending on recent weather.

Trail Tips

The natural pool at the base of the falls is a popular swimming spot — bring a towel and water shoes if you plan to wade in.
Water from the creek is not safe to drink without treatment; carry enough water for the full round trip.
If you see dark clouds building or hear thunder while in the canyon, do not linger near the creek bed — move to higher ground and wait for the storm to pass before continuing.
The parking area fills on summer weekends, particularly midmorning through early afternoon; an early start makes a meaningful difference.

Getting There

Lower Calf Creek Falls is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the Calf Creek Recreation Area, located outside Boulder, Utah. A day-use fee applies at the recreation area — have cash or a card ready. The area can be busy on summer weekends and holidays; arriving earlier in the morning gives you the best chance of securing parking without a wait.

What to Expect on the Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike

The hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls follows the creek upstream through a canyon corridor to a 126-foot waterfall that mists the air well before you reach it. The falls drop from a sandstone wall into a wide natural pool, cold and clear, where many visitors wade or swim after the walk in. The canyon walls rise on both sides, and the creek keeps the environment noticeably cooler and more lush than the surrounding high desert. The reward at the end — the waterfall and pool together — is the defining feature of the route and well worth the full round trip.

Reviews (1,056)

See all on Google

4.9

1,056 reviews

Google Reviews

Write a review

Lisa Stone

in the last week

Great trail 👣 Beautiful waterfall approx. 3 miles in, very cold water, lots of sizable rocks to sit on and relax a bit before heading back. The trail is about 50% sand, but offers some great views.

Charlotte Rollins

a week ago

Falls are gorgeous. Drinking water stations and washrooms at the start of the trail. The hike is SAND the entire way which made it less enjoyable but worth the view at the end.

Natasha Witt

2 weeks ago

This 6.5 mile trail was kinda brutal in the sun, but WELL worth the trip once we got to the falls. My dog and I spent about an hour there, wading in the water and just chilling. Luckily it was cloudy on the way back. There are some shaded spots and a good variety of scenery! Be warned that 95% of the trail is sand. Not a deal breaker, but it does take a little bit longer to walk. One more thing to note- there are essentially no trash cans in the entire park save for one dog poop bag disposal about 1/2 a mile into the trail.

B Tja

2 weeks ago

A beautiful hike that ChatGPT recommended to us as the most beautiful day hike in South Utah. I don't know if that is true, because there is very strong competition ;). However, it was indeed a beautiful hike, for which you don't actually need a whole day. It took us about 2 to 2.5 hours, with a few stops along the way. We set off around 7:00 AM and were glad we did, because there were only two other people walking at that time, which made for a wonderfully quiet (and also cool in June) walk. On the way back, we encountered dozens of people, sometimes in groups of over 20. In short, this beautiful destination and the hike are no longer a secret. If you want to do it in peace, I wouldn't leave later than 7:30 AM. We did this on a workday in the first half of June.

Jessie Kins

2 weeks ago

DO THIS HIKE!! Seems long on paper and is classed as moderate but I’m asthmatic, he doesn’t do heat and neither of us are hikers… We smashed it ❤️ started at 2pm (maybe go with others recommendations of not doing it at the hottest point of the day😂) but took it easy, felt like walking along the beach with the sand under foot and through a forest with the long grass!! Couple of rocky areas but most have been made into steps and the largest ones were no bigger than a double step!! Pretty open trail so definitely savour the shady bits, enjoy all the chipmunks, squirrels, blue / yellow birds & lizards!! Trail had 13 markers, they didn’t feel evenly spaced, first 5 fairly close, next ones definitely more spread out!! After the 13th it’s roughly 250 steps to the falls!! I would say it took us 1.5 hours each way (it’s a there and back trail) but that did include lots of pics and chit chats along the way :) Pictured: * biggest steps *path *falls