Lower Calf Creek Falls Overlook | Highway 12

Hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls Overlook - Highway 12 Hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls Overlook

Highway 12

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: CALF CREEK, UT

Sat

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. East northeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

61 | 44

Sun

Showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

50 | 42

Mon

A chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 35

Tue

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

45 | 33

Wed

A slight chance of rain and snow before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 30

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any when dry. This can be very hot in the summer.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Sat

A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. East northeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

61 | 44

Sun

Showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

50 | 42

Mon

A chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 35

Tue

Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

45 | 33

Wed

A slight chance of rain and snow before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 30

View Full Weather Details
Getting started on the hike. Calf Creek is on the right side of the photo.

Getting started on the hike. Calf Creek is on the right side of the photo.

Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the most iconic water falls in Utah. You see its image everywhere! The contrast of slickrock and flowing water is dramatic and stunning.

I've hiked the trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls many times over the years. It is always spectacular. I had heard rumors of a short overlook trail from the highway that gives a different perspective on the falls. Finally, in 2025, I had a little extra time to stop and check it out.

This short hike meanders down from the highway to an overlook of Lower Calf Creek Falls from a distance. It is a really neat overlook. I visited in mid-to-late afternoon, and the falls were in deep shade. The view was still spectacular but difficult to photograph. I would recommend a morning visit for hopefully better lighting.

Lower Calf Creek Falls from the Overlook

Lower Calf Creek Falls from the Overlook

Getting There

The trailhead is about halfway between mileposts 78 and 79 on Highway 12. There is a small pullout on the east side of the highway here. This is about 11 miles south of Boulder on Highway 12, or about 18 miles north of Escalante, also on Highway 12.

Heading down toward the overlook

Heading down toward the overlook

Route

From the parking spot, cross the road. Initially, a dirt use trail is easy to follow that heads over to slickrock.

Once on the slickrock, head south and west. You can see Calf Creek to the west and a social trail at the bottom of the slickrock on the west in the dirt that heads toward Calf Creek.

Head west from the bottom of the slickrock on the most used social trail. On my visit, after recent rains, there appeared to be a few trails. The trails all seem to go west to the rim and views of Lower Calf Creek Falls to the north.

Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 0.74 miles / Elevation Range 5,910 - 6,197 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 463776E 4186710N

37°49'38"N 111°24'42"W
Trail Off Slickrock

12S 463533E 4186549N

37°49'32"N 111°24'52"W
Overlook

12S 463384E 4186591N

37°49'34"N 111°24'58"W

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