‘Cherished’ southern Utah site expected to be closed for 2 months this summer
May 13, 2024, 10:00 PM
The Lower Calf Creek Falls at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Calf Creek Recreation Site is slated to receive upgrades this summer, but the area will be closed for up to two months. (Bureau of Land Management)
(Bureau of Land Management)
BOULDER, Garfield County — One of the “most cherished recreation sites” at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument will be closed for a large chunk of the summer as construction crews enhance infrastructure, federal land managers say.
Calf Creek Recreation Site, including the trailhead for the popular Lower Calf Creek Falls hike, is scheduled to close July 8 to make way for project construction. The area is expected to remain closed for up to two months while crews improve the parking area and other amenities within the recreation area, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as we enhance visitor infrastructure in this area,” said Harry Barber, manager of the bureau’s Paria River District, in a statement. “This project signifies our commitment to maintaining Calf Creek as a popular monument destination.”
The project dates back to 2021, when federal land managers said they were targeting changes to offset the growing popularity of the recreation site. Bureau of Land Management officials said the biggest concern is vehicles parked in “numerous undesignated shoulder locations” along state Route 12 leading up to the access road.
The process led to changes approved last year, including the following:
- A replacement of current infrastructure, including creek-crossing structures, shade shelters, restrooms, fee station and retaining walls. Meanwhile, a small amphitheater, a nature trail and pedestrian pathways will also be constructed.
- An addition of 70 parking stalls through the reconfiguration of the main parking area, while also constructing new designated parking and widening an access road.
- New camping units. Existing camping units will be modernized and the host site will be relocated.
- Relocating the trailhead and rerouting the beginning of the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail around the campground.
Bureau officials said Friday that they will provide construction updates and “real-time alerts” on the monument’s website.
Falyn Owens, director of the Garfield County Office of Tourism, said the county still offers “plenty of public land destinations” for summer visitors. The agency created a list of alternative hikes in the region:
- Bighorn Slot Canyon
- Broken Bow Arch
- Burr Trail Drive/Singing Canyon Slot Hike
- Devil’s Rock Garden
- Escalante Petrified Forest Trail (within Escalante Petrified Forest State Park)
- Escalante River/Natural Bridge
- Eye of the Needle
- Hell’s Backbone Bridge Loop
- Posey Lake Lookout
- Upper Calf Creek Falls
- Upper Gulch
- Willis Creek Slot Canyon
The Lower Calf Creek Falls trail is expected to reopen by late summer or early fall.
