Upper Calf Creek Falls
Boulder, Utah
| Address: | UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716, USA |
| GPS: |
37°51'34.1"N 111°26'15.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Utah |
Waterfalls Streams
Hike and Swim
Upper Calf Creek Falls is a stunning desert oasis hidden in the slickrock country of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, between Escalante and Boulder, Utah. An 87-foot waterfall pours over a sandstone cliff into clear pools below — a startling burst of green and falling water amid the vast red-rock wilderness, and a wonderful place to cool off after the hike in.
The trail is short but strenuous: about 2.4 miles round trip, descending across open Navajo sandstone slickrock with far-reaching desert views before dropping to the base of the falls (cairns mark the way across the rock). At the bottom you'll find a large pool often deep enough for a refreshing swim, plus more swimming holes a short distance up a side fork of the trail — pure magic on a hot southern Utah day.
A few practical notes: the climb back out is exposed and can be brutally hot, so carry far more water than you think you'll need, wear sun protection and sturdy shoes with good grip for the slickrock, and avoid the midday heat in summer. The unmarked trailhead is on a short spur road off Scenic Byway 12, roughly 20 miles north of Escalante (about 7 miles southwest of Boulder), between mile markers 80 and 81.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures, though the falls and pools are inviting through the warm season (March to November). Watch the sky for summer monsoon storms, pack out everything you bring in, and tread lightly on the fragile desert and cryptobiotic soil. For a relatively quick hike to a true desert waterfall and swimming hole, Upper Calf Creek Falls is one of the Escalante area's finest.
More Information
swimmingholes.org Utah Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking camping outd
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/ut.htmlBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Boulder, Utah
- Head east toward UT-12 W (354 ft)
- Turn right onto UT-12 WDestination will be on the right(6.9 mi)
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