Tucked in between St George and Zion National Park is a small town called Toquerville. Surrounded by multi-colored rock layers, Toquerville is nestled into the hills at the very southern end of the Markagunt Plateau, which makes up the rugged cliffs and high ramparts of Zion. As with most towns, Toquerville was established on the banks of a river. Heading upstream following rough forest service roads about 12 miles northeast of town, you’ll come across this region’s little treasure: Toquerville Falls.
So how to get there? Well, take it slow in a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle with good tires. Alternatively, numerous outfits in the Hurricane and St. George area rent side-by-sides and ATVs, which are ideal for the long, dusty, bumpy approach. Note that this road isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it for passenger cars (even if they are AWD). The road is rough, filled with sharp rocks, and very dusty. My trip to Toquerville punctured an 8-ply offroad all-terrain tire!
Once you reach the falls, be prepared to be stunned. This little oasis is surrounded by red rock but the highlight, of course, are the falls themselves. Early in the season the falls rush fast, but the water is very cold. As the season moves on into May and June, the water slows but warms and becomes suitable for use as a swimming hole.
Surrounding the falls is the ubiquitous sign of man’s imprint, in the form of numerous trails and side trails. There are parking areas all around the head of the falls, and the road crosses directly above the falls themselves (which makes for an interesting photograph for those who like to show off).