Cascade Falls

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall

This is a popular trail that leads to one of the most unique waterfalls you'll ever see, with water gushing out of a cave in the side of a cliff. The water comes from Navajo Lake, but flows through a conduit of lava tubes and limestone for multiple miles underground before resurfacing at this cave mouth.

It's best to avoid hiking this in colder months, as the trail gets very icy in the steepest parts. The dirt road to get here can also become quite rough during wet or snowy weather. A pit toilet is located at the trailhead, but there are no other facilities.

Start by running out of the parking lot on a well-defined trail. Meander through trees and traverse a well-marked trail along a steep hillside where views are abundant. The bluffs beside the trail belong to the Pink Cliffs formation (a rock layer shared with Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks). Soon enough you'll reach the cave from which Cascade Falls erupts. A viewing platform offers a good look at the waterfall in one direction and a vista in the other.

The waterfall is not large, and the viewing platform is too close to get a great picture, but the full panorama from this point is quite a sight. Look to the south to see the skyline of Zion National Park on the horizon, and forested plateaus stretching for miles. The cave itself is closed to exploration, due to low oxygen levels and high water flows at many points of the year. You can peer into the entrance, however, and just imagine the journey that this clear water has taken underground. When you've had your fill of the views, simply retrace your run back.

A variety of pines and firs thrive on this high plateau rim. Wildflowers can bloom alongside the trail in early summer months, and you may see frogs or lizards around the wet seeps in the rock walls. Marmots also frequent the area, so keep an eye out for them!