State guide

Waterfalls in Utah

22 waterfalls across 12 counties, ranked 28th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Wasatch Front Canyons, Uinta Mountains, and Colorado Plateau and Canyon Country.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best WaterfallsMost Beautiful WaterfallsMust-See WaterfallsBest Waterfall Hikes

Photo of Bridal Veil Falls in Utah County, Utah
Pictured: Bridal Veil Falls, UT

Towns

Why Utah Has So Many Waterfalls

Utah is mostly arid, and its waterfalls exist where elevation squeezes moisture out of the sky or where springs emerge from porous rock in the desert. Our directory lists 22 named falls in the state, ranking it 28th nationally. The largest group lies along the Wasatch Range, a steep fault-block mountain front that rises abruptly above Salt Lake City and Provo. Deep winter snowpack in these mountains feeds creeks that pour down canyons sculpted by both streams and glaciers, producing cascades within a short drive of the state's population centers.

Utah County and Salt Lake County together hold seven of the named falls, mostly in Provo, American Fork and the Cottonwood canyons. The Uinta Mountains in Summit County add high-elevation falls along rivers draining a broad, glaciated range. Southern Utah, on the Colorado Plateau, is different terrain altogether: streams cut through thick sandstone, and the few permanent falls are fed by springs, such as those in Calf Creek in Garfield County. Elsewhere in the canyon country, dry pour-offs that flow only after storms are far more common than true year-round waterfalls, so a storm can briefly turn a cliff into a cascade.

Utah Waterfall Regions

Wasatch Front Canyons

9 waterfalls · Utah County, Salt Lake County, Sanpete County, and Carbon County

The canyons of the Wasatch Range hold Utah's most accessible falls. In Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls cascades down the canyon wall beside the highway and a paved trail, and the Upper Falls lies nearby. Above American Fork, Scout Falls is reached by a moderate hike, while Stewarts Cascades lie near Sundance. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, Doughnut Falls pours through a hole in the rock into a small cave, and Hidden Falls is a short walk from the road; Little Cottonwood Canyon's Lisa Falls is reached on a short, bouldery path. South along the Wasatch Plateau, Milky Falls in Sanpete County and a fall near East Carbon City are quieter spots.

Start with: Bridal Veil Falls, Doughnut Falls, Hidden Falls, Lisa Falls, Upper Falls

Uinta Mountains

4 waterfalls · Summit County, Daggett County, and Uintah County

The Uinta Mountains are unusual for running east to west, and their high plateau was heavily glaciated, leaving lakes, meadows and steep river descents. Provo River Falls, along the Mirror Lake Highway east of Kamas, is a series of cascades over stepped bedrock ledges that can be seen from roadside overlooks. Other falls in Summit County lie farther into the range near Francis and Kamas. On the north and east slopes, Daggett and Uintah counties include canyon country around Flaming Gorge; the historic Ashley Falls on the Green River now lies beneath Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a reminder of how much river terrain the dam submerged.

Start with: Provo River Falls, Smooth Rock Falls, Ashley Falls, Merkley Drop

Colorado Plateau and Canyon Country

9 waterfalls · Garfield County, Kane County, San Juan County, Grand County, and Washington County

Southern Utah's falls are oases in a land of slickrock and sandstone cliffs. In Garfield County, Lower Calf Creek Falls plunges into a pool at the head of a sheer-walled canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, with Upper Calf Creek Falls reached by a separate steep route. Kane County's Cascade Falls lies on the forested Markagunt Plateau near Navajo Lake, where water emerges from limestone. San Juan County near Blanding, Grand County near Moab and Washington County hold a few more, often in narrow canyons. Many canyon-country falls are seasonal pour-offs that run only during snowmelt or after thunderstorms.

Start with: Cascade Falls, Lower Calf Creek Falls, Upper Calf Creek Falls, The Falls, Double Falls

All 22 Waterfalls in Utah

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Bridal Veil Falls

    Orem, UT · Utah County
    4.8 (670 reviews)

    River canyon waterfall close to the highway with a paved trail & picnic area with tables.

    Rating
    4.8 (670 Google reviews)
    Address
    Utah County, UT 84604 (GPS 40.3379, -111.6007)
    Known for
    paved trail, walk to the falls, steep hike, family friendly, picnic area
    Nearest town
    Orem, UT (5.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bridal Veil Falls quad
    View details Directions

  2. Doughnut Falls

    Snyderville, UT · Salt Lake County
    4.7 (226 reviews)

    Hiking through spruce & aspen forest to a cascade pouring through a rock hole & into a cave.

    Rating
    4.7 (226 Google reviews)
    Address
    Salt Lake County, UT 84121 (GPS 40.6297, -111.6547)
    Nearest town
    Snyderville, UT (7.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Aire quad
    View details Directions

  3. Provo River Falls

    Kamas, UT · Summit County
    4.9 (112 reviews)

    Provo River Falls is a waterfall in Summit County, Utah, about 18 miles east of Kamas. It appears on the USGS Mirror Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (112 Google reviews)
    Address
    Summit County, UT 84036 (GPS 40.6566, -110.9454)
    Nearest town
    Kamas, UT (18 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mirror Lake quad
    View details Directions

  4. Cascade Falls

    Cedar City, UT · Kane County
    4.8 (98 reviews)

    Cascade Falls is a waterfall in Kane County, Utah, about 21 miles southeast of Cedar City. It appears on the USGS Navajo Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (98 Google reviews)
    Address
    Kane County, UT 84762 (GPS 37.5021, -112.7570)
    Known for
    hike to the falls, pretty views, easy hike, overlook, canyon
    Nearest town
    Cedar City, UT (21 mi)
    USGS topo
    Navajo Lake quad
    View details Directions

  5. Lisa Falls

    Granite, UT · Salt Lake County
    4.6 (47 reviews)

    Cascading waterfall attainable by a short hiking path with boulders & mild elevation.

    Rating
    4.6 (47 Google reviews)
    Address
    Salt Lake County, UT 84092 (GPS 40.5727, -111.7277)
    Known for
    short hike, steep hike, amazing views, climbing, challenging hike
    Nearest town
    Granite, UT (4.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Dromedary Peak quad
    View details Directions

  6. Lower Calf Creek Falls

    Loa, UT · Garfield County
    4.8 (57 reviews)

    Lower Calf Creek Falls is a waterfall in Garfield County, Utah, about 41 miles south of Loa. It appears on the USGS Calf Creek topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (57 Google reviews)
    Address
    Garfield County, UT 84716 (GPS 37.8291, -111.4201)
    Nearest town
    Loa, UT (41 mi)
    USGS topo
    Calf Creek quad
    View details Directions

  7. Hidden Falls

    Cottonwood Heights, UT · Salt Lake County
    4.8 (49 reviews)

    Hidden Falls is a waterfall in Salt Lake County, Utah, about 4.7 miles east of Cottonwood Heights. It appears on the USGS Mount Aire topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (49 Google reviews)
    Address
    Salt Lake County, UT 84121 (GPS 40.6354, -111.7236)
    Nearest town
    Cottonwood Heights, UT (4.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Aire quad
    View details Directions

  8. Upper Calf Creek Falls

    Loa, UT · Garfield County
    4.4 (41 reviews)

    Upper Calf Creek Falls is a waterfall in Garfield County, Utah, about 39 miles south of Loa. It appears on the USGS Calf Creek topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (41 Google reviews)
    Address
    Garfield County, UT 84716 (GPS 37.8550, -111.4519)
    Nearest town
    Loa, UT (39 mi)
    USGS topo
    Calf Creek quad
    View details Directions

  9. Upper Falls

    Orem, UT · Utah County
    4.8 (29 reviews)

    Upper Falls is a waterfall in Utah County, Utah, about 6.4 miles northeast of Orem. It appears on the USGS Bridal Veil Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (29 Google reviews)
    Address
    Utah County, UT 84604 (GPS 40.3440, -111.5906)
    Nearest town
    Orem, UT (6.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bridal Veil Falls quad
    View details Directions

  10. Scout Falls

    Cedar Hills, UT · Utah County
    4.8 (28 reviews)

    A 3-mi. roundtrip hike reaches this small, scenic waterfall in American Fork Canyon.

    Rating
    4.8 (28 Google reviews)
    Address
    Utah County, UT 84604 (GPS 40.4172, -111.6399)
    Known for
    climbing tree roots, steep slope, great trails, easy hike, canyon
    Nearest town
    Cedar Hills, UT (6.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Timpanogos Cave quad
    View details Directions

  11. Stewarts Cascades

    Lindon, UT · Utah County
    4.6 (18 reviews)

    Stewarts Cascades is a waterfall in Utah County, Utah, about 6.8 miles northeast of Lindon. It appears on the USGS Aspen Grove topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Utah County, UT 84604 (GPS 40.3863, -111.6038)
    Nearest town
    Lindon, UT (6.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Aspen Grove quad
    View details Directions

  12. Milky Falls

    Manti, UT · Sanpete County
    4.7 (12 reviews)

    Milky Falls is a waterfall in Sanpete County, Utah, about 6.4 miles east of Manti. It appears on the USGS Black Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (12 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sanpete County, UT 84627 (GPS 39.2433, -111.5216)
    Known for
    waterfall
    Nearest town
    Manti, UT (6.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Black Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  13. The Falls

    Kanab, UT · Kane County
    5.0 (3 reviews)

    The Falls is a waterfall in Kane County, Utah, about 17 miles north of Kanab. It appears on the USGS Bald Knoll topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Kane County, UT 84741 (GPS 37.2911, -112.4925)
    Nearest town
    Kanab, UT (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bald Knoll quad
    View details Directions

  14. Smooth Rock Falls

    Kamas, UT · Summit County
    3.8 (5 reviews)

    Smooth Rock Falls is a waterfall in Summit County, Utah, about 17 miles east of Kamas. It appears on the USGS Iron Mine Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    3.8 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Summit County, UT (GPS 40.6004, -110.9676)
    Nearest town
    Kamas, UT (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Iron Mine Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  15. Double Falls

    Toquerville, UT · Washington County
    4.0 (1 reviews)

    Double Falls is a waterfall in Washington County, Utah, about 14 miles east of Toquerville. USGS notes: Approximate location

    Rating
    4.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Washington County, UT 84737 (GPS 37.2805, -113.0247)
    Nearest town
    Toquerville, UT (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    The Guardian Angels quad
    View details Directions

  16. Ashley Falls

    Manila, UT · Daggett County

    Ashley Falls is a waterfall in Daggett County, Utah, about 13 miles southeast of Manila. USGS notes: Now in Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

    Address
    Daggett County, UT (GPS 40.9166, -109.5004)
    Nearest town
    Manila, UT (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Flaming Gorge quad
    View details Directions

  17. The Thumb Pour Off

    Blanding, UT · San Juan County

    The Thumb Pour Off is a waterfall in San Juan County, Utah, about 32 miles west of Blanding. USGS notes: Approximate location

    Address
    San Juan County, UT (GPS 37.4572, -110.0201)
    Nearest town
    Blanding, UT (32 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pollys Pasture quad
    View details Directions

  18. Chandler Falls

    East Carbon City, UT · Carbon County

    Chandler Falls is a waterfall in Carbon County, Utah, about 22 miles east of East Carbon City. It appears on the USGS Chandler Falls topographic map.

    Address
    Carbon County, UT (GPS 39.4705, -110.0221)
    Nearest town
    East Carbon City, UT (22 mi)
    USGS topo
    Chandler Falls quad
    View details Directions

  19. Funnel Falls

    Moab, UT · Grand County

    Funnel Falls is a waterfall in Grand County, Utah, about 36 miles northeast of Moab. It appears on the USGS Big Triangle topographic map.

    Address
    Grand County, UT (GPS 38.9936, -109.1479)
    Nearest town
    Moab, UT (36 mi)
    USGS topo
    Big Triangle quad
    View details Directions

  20. Lower Jump

    Moab, UT · San Juan County

    Lower Jump is a waterfall in San Juan County, Utah, about 29 miles southwest of Moab. It appears on the USGS The Loop topographic map.

    Address
    San Juan County, UT (GPS 38.1939, -109.7918)
    Nearest town
    Moab, UT (29 mi)
    USGS topo
    The Loop quad
    View details Directions

  21. Merkley Drop

    Roosevelt, UT · Uintah County

    Merkley Drop is a waterfall in Uintah County, Utah, about 14 miles north of Roosevelt. It appears on the USGS Whiterocks topographic map.

    Address
    Uintah County, UT (GPS 40.4833, -109.8999)
    Nearest town
    Roosevelt, UT (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Whiterocks quad
    View details Directions

  22. Upper Jump

    Monticello, UT · San Juan County

    Upper Jump is a waterfall in San Juan County, Utah, about 26 miles northwest of Monticello. It appears on the USGS Druid Arch topographic map.

    Address
    San Juan County, UT (GPS 38.0417, -109.7646)
    Nearest town
    Monticello, UT (26 mi)
    USGS topo
    Druid Arch quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Utah

  1. Provo River Falls 4.9 from 112 reviews · Kamas
  2. Bridal Veil Falls 4.8 from 670 reviews · Orem
  3. Cascade Falls 4.8 from 98 reviews · Cedar City
  4. Lower Calf Creek Falls 4.8 from 57 reviews · Loa
  5. Hidden Falls 4.8 from 49 reviews · Cottonwood Heights

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 4 Utah waterfalls mention easy access, including Bridal Veil Falls, Cascade Falls, and Lisa Falls.
  • Reviews of 2 Utah waterfalls mention families and kids, including Bridal Veil Falls and Lisa Falls.

Utah Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Utah are about 314 miles apart.

Names and History

3 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Provo River Falls (also Upper Provo Falls) and Lower Calf Creek Falls (also Lower Falls).

From the USGS record for Ashley Falls: "June 1, 1869 named by Powell expedition during exploration of the Colorado River of the West 1869-1872."

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Utah

In the Wasatch and Uintas, waterfalls peak with snowmelt, typically from late May through June, though big snow years can extend high flows into July. Lower-elevation falls such as Bridal Veil in Provo Canyon run earlier, while the Mirror Lake Highway to Provo River Falls usually stays closed by snow into late spring. Late summer flows drop considerably. In southern Utah, spring-fed Calf Creek flows year-round, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to hike there because summer heat is intense. The summer monsoon, generally July through September, brings thunderstorms that can create temporary falls over canyon rims but also dangerous flash floods. Winter freezes many Wasatch falls into ice.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Utah

Most of Utah's falls are on public land: the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache, Manti-La Sal and Dixie national forests in the mountains, and Bureau of Land Management land, including Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in the south. Big and Little Cottonwood canyons are part of the Salt Lake City watershed, where dogs and swimming are prohibited. Canyon trailheads such as Doughnut Falls fill quickly on summer weekends. In the Wasatch, snowmelt streams are cold and fast, and wet rock around Doughnut Falls is slippery. In the canyon country, flash floods are the overriding hazard: check forecasts and avoid narrow canyons when storms threaten anywhere upstream. Carry ample water on desert hikes such as Lower Calf Creek, where sandy trails and summer heat take a toll.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Utah Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Utah418%Bridal Veil Falls
Salt Lake314%Doughnut Falls
San Juan314%The Thumb Pour Off
Garfield29%Lower Calf Creek Falls
Kane29%Cascade Falls
Summit29%Provo River Falls
Carbon15%Chandler Falls
Daggett15%Ashley Falls
Grand15%Funnel Falls
Sanpete15%Milky Falls
Uintah15%Merkley Drop
Washington15%Double Falls

All Utah Waterfalls A to Z

Utah Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Utah?

Our directory lists 22 waterfalls in Utah, all officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, 28th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 0.8% of the national total. 45% of them are in just three counties: Utah, Salt Lake, and San Juan.

What is the most visited waterfall in Utah?

By Google review count, Bridal Veil Falls in Utah County leads with 670 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Doughnut Falls is next.

Are there waterfalls in southern Utah's desert?

Yes, though they are few. Lower and Upper Calf Creek Falls in Garfield County are spring-fed and flow year-round, and Cascade Falls in Kane County emerges from limestone on the Markagunt Plateau. Many other desert falls are pour-offs that run only after storms.

Can dogs go to Doughnut Falls or Lisa Falls?

No. Big and Little Cottonwood canyons are protected watershed for the Salt Lake City area, and dogs are not allowed in those canyons. Check the rules for other canyons before bringing a pet.

Which Utah town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Kamas has 9 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Utah directory.