Faux Falls
Utah · 120-foot drop · Ken's Lake Recreation Area (BLM) · Last verified 2026-05-23
Faux Falls is a 120-foot man-made cascade on a Mill Creek diversion tunnel that feeds Ken's Lake south of Moab. Despite the name (faux is French for fake), the falls are striking in spring when BLM releases water — a green oasis against red desert rock. Dry by mid-summer. The 0.6-mile trail from Ken's Lake is sandy and short.
Faux Falls sits in San Juan County, Utah. It drops along Mill Creek diversion. The falls are inside Ken's Lake Recreation Area (BLM). The base sits at roughly 5,255 feet of elevation. Drive time is about 15 minutes from Moab. Source records come from OpenStreetMap and blm.
Entry is free. Dogs on leash are welcome on the access trail. The approach is short and gentle enough for young kids. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Parking: Ken's Lake Recreation Area off Spanish Trail Rd south of Moab. Free.. Swimming is not recommended — The base of the falls is rocky and shallow. Ken's Lake itself, a few minutes downstream, is the swim destination — not the falls. Best viewing window: 4 through 6.
A short history
Created in the 1980s as part of a Bureau of Land Management diversion project to feed Ken's Lake from Mill Creek. The waterfall is a side effect of irrigation engineering — hence the name 'Faux'.
The trail
0.6 miles each way, rated easy with 80 feet of elevation gain. Ken's Lake Recreation Area off Spanish Trail Rd south of Moab. Free.
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faux Falls (this page) | — | 120 ft | easy · 0.6 mi | Y | Free |
| Mille Creek Falls (Left Hand) | 8 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Medieval Chamber | 9 mi | — | — | — | — |
| "Slytherin Falls" | 13 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Indian Creek Fall | 24 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Lower Jump | 28 mi | — | — | N | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~120 ft)
- High Falls120 ft
- Mingo Falls120 ft
- Ramona Falls120 ft
- Upper Latourell Falls120 ft
- Western Falls120 ft
Same best season in Utah
- Rocky Mouth Falls60 ft
- Adams Canyon Upper Falls40 ft
- Lisa Falls50 ft
Questions visitors ask about Faux Falls
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Faux Falls?
Faux Falls is 120 feet (37 m) tall. Height is sourced from BLM.
Is Faux Falls in a national or state park?
Yes — Faux Falls is inside Ken's Lake Recreation Area (BLM). See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Faux Falls?
Yes — dogs are allowed (Ken's Lake Recreation Area (BLM) permits leashed dogs in most areas). Always leash and pack out waste.
Can you swim at Faux Falls?
No — swimming is not safe or not allowed at Faux Falls. The base of the falls is rocky and shallow. Ken's Lake itself, a few minutes downstream, is the swim destination — not the falls.
When is the best time to visit Faux Falls?
Peak flow is typically April, May, June. Season-wise: spring, summer. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Faux Falls?
No entrance fee. Ken's Lake Recreation Area (BLM) is free to access. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Faux Falls from a major city?
Faux Falls is 8 miles from Moab (about 15 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in Utah
Where it is
38.4811, -109.4111
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-05-23
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