One of the most iconic landscapes of desert paradise in Utah will be off limits to the public for a month due to construction. The Calf Creek Recreation Area, located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, will close on July 6th for approximately 30 days. This closure will affect access to the popular Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail.
Visitors who drive the stretch of Highway 12 between Boulder and Escalante make the stop to hike amongst sandstone cliffs and ancient rock-art sites to Lower Calf Creek Falls, where they can swim and cool off beneath the spray of the 126-foot high waterfall.
In recent years, the trail, and the campground at the trailhead, has increased in popularity. As a result, Monument officials are upgrading the infrastructure of the area using federal stimulus money.
Improvements will be made to the campground’s water system, including replacement of all the culinary water lines and bringing hydrants into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
All this work mean that heavy equipment will be rumbling around the area, so for people’s safety, officials decided to close the campground and trail for the duration of the construction.
“We regret any inconvenience this may cause to our visitors,” said Rene Berkhoudt, GSENM manager, “Calf Creek is one of our most popular areas on the Monument. Unfortunately, the work cannot be done during the winter months; and the spring and fall are our heaviest use periods for Calf Creek, leaving this time period as the best to complete the improvements.”
The closure will not affect access to Upper Calf Creek Falls. The Lower Calf Creek Falls campground and trail are expected to reopen in early August.