Lower Sulphur Creek Waterfall

Lower Sulphur Creek Waterfall is a small cascade and pool in a narrow red-rock canyon just west of Capitol Reef's visitor-center area. This is the short upstream outing, not the longer point-to-point Sulphur Creek hike. Start at the gravel area by the UT-24 bridge and follow the creek upstream about 0.7 mile (1.1 km) to the falls; return the same way for roughly 1.4 miles (2.2 km). It is not a maintained path, and the walk usually involves shallow water, so wear shoes that can get wet.

The informal route can change after floods, rockfall and storms. Flash floods make this creek dangerous; the National Park Service says not to hike it when rain is possible. Ask at the visitor center for a current condition report, and don't depend on cairns as route markers—they may be missing or misleading. Pets are not allowed on park trails or in off-trail and backcountry areas, so leave them behind.

Sulphur Creek cuts through some of the oldest exposed rocks in Capitol Reef. Layers in the Moenkopi Formation preserve ancient river, delta and tidal-basin settings. Flow changes with upstream water use, snowmelt and rain, so the pool can shrink and the falls may slow or dry. From the bank, frame the small cascade against the horizontal canyon bands, with the cottonwood at one side for scale.

Use the gravel bridge-side parking area, not the visitor-center lot. The nearby visitor center is the closest known restroom; food service at the falls is not listed, so bring what you need for the creek walk.