Waterfalls in the Desert
With the basecamp tour, Four Season Guides sets up the camping arrangements, and you hike into the beautiful locations and camp out with the crew. Their experienced Utah hiking guides will lead you on a variety of unforgettable day hikes to many off-the-beaten-path locations. Expect to camp each night at a lakeside campsite where you will be treated to delicious meals prepared by your guide. You can relax by the fire and enjoy the night’s sky while taking in all the views of the day.
You can also enjoy this waterfall on Four Season Guides’ Best of Canyon Country Lodge based tour. If camping out isn’t for you, here you can stay at a lodge and enjoy day hikes with guides to all the remote and beautiful spots hidden in Southern Utah’s deserts. On this tour, Four Season Guides will lead you through Zion as well as Bryce National Park. It doesn’t stop there… expect to also explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Explore the Area
Many hikers also explore the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail, known for its scenic beauty and accessibility. The lower Calf Creek area near Escalante is home to diverse landscapes and ancient rock art. You'll find trailheads like the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead, ideal for those looking to experience the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike.
If you're staying nearby, consider Calf Creek Falls camping or booking accommodations at hotels near Lower Calf Creek Falls. The Calf Creek Campground and Lower Pleasant Creek Campground provide convenient access to the trail. Looking for more info? Use an Escalante hiking map or search for the Lower Calf Creek Falls in Utah, USA, to plan your adventure.
Thunder River & Deer Creek Falls
Another pair of waterfalls hidden in the Grand Canyon are Thunder River and Deer Creek Falls. These towering waterfalls are a great reward after a long and arduous hike. To get to these waterfalls, consider the Deer Creek Thunder River Loop backpacking trip with Four Season Guides. This hike is definitely not for the beginner, but the reward is an incredibly impressive waterfall.
With this hike, you backpack into the remote desert Grand Canyon where you will be treated to endless vistas, slick rock expanses, turbulent streams, and gorgeous narrow canyons. Camp out in a tourist-free wilderness with nothing but the quiet sounds of nature to surround you.
Thunder River explodes right out of the canyon wall and cascades down through a shady oasis towards Tapeats Creek, another spring-fed stream that carves an impressive canyon as it tumbles its way towards the Colorado River. The Narrows of Deer Creek is one of the most beautiful places in all of Grand Canyon. Cool off in its sparkling pools, explore the sandstone ledges or just lounge around on “The Patio”. Then follow the creek to a nearly 200-foot plunge to the Colorado River at Deer Creek Falls.
These rugged trails offer memorable views of the Colorado River, Great Thumb Mesa and Steamboat Mountain, all of which are a true testament to Grand Canyon’s designation as a World Heritage Site. This remote section of the Canyon will both challenge and endlessly reward the intrepid hiker that chooses to explore its wondrous depths. This is truly an adventure of a lifetime!
Cheyava Falls
Also hidden in Grand Canyon, off of Clear Creek, is the beautiful Cheyava Falls. This waterfall hike in Grand Canyon can be accessed with Four Season Guides’ Clear Creek Backpacking tour.
This adventure is another for fit hikers looking to spend some time in the quieter Grand Canyon backcountry. A trip to Clear Creek has a bit of everything you could want, from a hike below the rim to a magnificent view of the Colorado River, Phantom Ranch, freshwater streams, waterfalls and ancient ruins. Clear Creek lies just east of Bright Angel Canyon and the popular trans-canyon corridor. Despite its proximity to this popular area, Clear Creek provides a true wilderness experience and rewards the backpacker who chooses to makes the journey there.
Finding a waterfall in the desert is just…magical and awe-inspiring. It’s unexpected, displaced and it makes the stark surroundings of stone and heat simply delightful.
Waterfalls hidden in the desert have been slowly discovered and mapped over the years. Some are kept secret so that they don’t become large tourist attractions, while others are just on the ‘down-low’. While revealing a few of our secrets (not all), here are some of our favorite desert waterfalls:
Calf Creek Falls
This hidden waterfall is located near the southern Utah town of Escalante and is tucked a few miles back in a beautiful canyon. Four Season Guides visits this waterfall on their Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Basecamp Tour. This guided hiking trip is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. There are endless sandstone canyons, natural arches, hanging gardens, ancient Native American ruins and of course… the calf creek falls Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the beauty of
hidden waterfalls in Utah and the Grand Canyon, from Calf Creek Falls to Cheyava Falls — desert oases that reward hikers with stunning scenery, refreshing pools, and unforgettable views.
Where can you find waterfalls in the desert?
You can find waterfalls hidden throughout the deserts of Utah and Arizona, including Calf Creek Falls near Escalante and Cheyava Falls, Thunder River, and Deer Creek Falls in the Grand Canyon. These natural wonders are often nestled deep within canyons and require scenic hikes to reach.
What is special about Calf Creek Falls?
Calf Creek Falls, located in Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, is one of Utah’s most photographed waterfalls. Its 126-foot cascade flows into a clear pool surrounded by sandstone cliffs and ancient rock art. The Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail offers a moderate, scenic hike perfect for day trips.
How difficult is the Thunder River and Deer Creek Falls hike?
The Thunder River and Deer Creek Falls loop in the Grand Canyon is a strenuous, multi-day backpacking trip suited for experienced hikers. The route includes steep descents, rugged terrain, and remote campsites, but rewards you with lush oases, towering waterfalls, and panoramic canyon views.
Can you camp near Calf Creek Falls?
Yes, you can camp at the nearby Calf Creek Campground, which offers direct access to the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead. It’s a scenic and convenient base for exploring the falls and surrounding desert landscapes. Reservations are recommended, especially during spring and fall.
What is the best time to visit waterfalls in Utah’s desert?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit desert waterfalls. During these seasons, temperatures are moderate, water flow is stronger from snowmelt or seasonal rain, and trails are less crowded. Summer can be extremely hot, especially in exposed canyon areas.
Are there guided tours to desert waterfalls?
Yes. Four Season Guides offers professionally guided hiking and backpacking tours to several desert waterfalls, including Calf Creek Falls, Thunder River, Deer Creek Falls, and Cheyava Falls. These tours include expert guides, meals, gear setup, and insights into local geology and history.
Is Cheyava Falls worth the hike?
Absolutely. Cheyava Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Grand Canyon, flows seasonally and offers breathtaking views from the Clear Creek area. The hike is challenging, but those who make the journey are rewarded with solitude, cascading water, and unmatched vistas of the canyon.
What makes desert waterfalls so unique?
Desert waterfalls are striking because they appear in arid, rugged landscapes where water is rare. The contrast between dry sandstone and lush, green oases creates a surreal experience for hikers — a glimpse of hidden life in an otherwise barren environment.
Are there other hidden waterfalls in Utah?
Yes. Beyond Calf Creek Falls, Utah hides gems like Clark Falls, Dutch Creek Falls, and Staircase Waterfall. These lesser-known spots offer peaceful solitude and are perfect for hikers seeking uncrowded, photogenic destinations in canyon country.
Can beginners hike to any of these waterfalls?
Beginners can comfortably hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is a moderate 6-mile round-trip trail with gradual elevation. However, routes like Thunder River or Cheyava Falls require backpacking experience, navigation skills, and excellent physical fitness.
You will have the opportunity to explore the numerous side canyons in the area, visit Cheyava Falls or follow Clear Creek down to its confluence with the Colorado River. The possibilities are endless. Regardless of how you spend your days, this exciting backpack adventure is sure to challenge and reward you.
Discover More Desert Waterfalls & Hidden Gems
Aside from these iconic spots, hikers may also want to discover Clark Falls, Dutch Creek Falls, or the Staircase Waterfall while exploring Utah’s canyon country. Many trails lead to lesser-known gems like Charley Creek Falls, Lower Three Corner Falls, or the peaceful Gold Creek Lower Falls.
Exploring the Calf Creek Canyon Utah or Deer Creek Canyon Trailhead is a great way to find solitude and beauty away from more crowded areas. And if you’re up for a challenge, trails like Thunder Creek Falls, Thunder Canyon Falls, and Thunder Creek Lodge provide rugged terrain and unique canyon views.
To book your enjoyable, peaceful and quiet hike or backpacking trip to these mind-blowing, Instagram-worthy waterfalls, call Four Season Guides at 1-877-655-2850 or visit their website at https://fsguides.com.
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