Upper Calf Creek Falls

In the summer, desert hikers seek two things: water and shade. You find both at Upper Calf Creek Falls.

Upper Calf Creek Falls is one of the finest watering holes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Past the trail register box on the west side of the parking lot, the trail descends a steep slope of slickrock. The bare rock doesn’t show any footprints, but just head generally west for a quarter mile until you see a defined sandy trail.

Dark, basalt rocks lie scattered across the wonderland before you. These volcanic rocks originated from Boulder Mountain, the flat-topped mountain to the north, and have been carried down by water.

Make your way along the rock domes separated by sandy benches for the next half mile. The grade levels out, and the trail continues west descending gradually. Juniper trees dot the landscape, growing out of cracks in the rocks and in sandy patches of cryptobiotic soil.

Around 0.8 mile, the trail splits into a lower and upper route. Both offer shade, water, and beautiful scenery.

Lower route

For the lower route, veer left at the junction, and you will end up at the bottom of Upper Calf Creek Falls. Cairns lead you around a dome of Navajo Sandstone, and you briefly contour along the canyon walls as you head upcreek. Your destination beckons in the near distance—lush cottonwoods line the creek corridor, and the waterfall crests over the top of the cliffs.

Drop down to creek level by following the trail to a shady alcove. From here, the trail continues through thick vegetation (beware of thorns) and ends at the base of Upper Calf Creek Falls. Water cascades in a thin stream from 88 feet above. Hanging gardens decorate the surrounding amphitheater, and moss grows along small seeps.

Enjoy the cool mist blowing from the waterfall, or better yet, take a dip! A marshy area south of the falls offers pockets of shade.

Upper route

To reach the upper section of the falls, return to the trail junction and turn left. You stay high, bending northwest along slickrock and sand slopes. After hiking another 0.25 mile, you reach the lip of the waterfall where it cascades down into the canyon. From there, you can explore upstream as far as you wish.

Whichever route you choose, retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.

Directions to the trailhead

From the junction of UT 12 and Burr Trail Road in Boulder, Utah, head west on UT 12 for about 5.5 miles. The road turns south, climbing to the top of a ridge with immense views of intricate slickrock country. The trailhead can be difficult to find; keep your eyes on the west (right) side of the road for an unmarked dirt spur road just after mile marker 81. Turn right and follow the road 0.25 mile to a looped parking area.