National park · Iran
Margoon Waterfallآبشار مارگون
Visit the waterfall in July–September when the flow is strongest and the weather is mild; pay the 50,000 IRR entry fee at the gate, then walk the 20-minute trail to the base. For a full day, hike the gorge to the cave waterfall (requires swimming). Avoid winter when the path is icy and the falls may freeze.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iran before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iran ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iran before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iran ↗Entry rules, visa type and nationality restrictions differ sharply by passport and change quickly.
- Iran ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iran before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Iran
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Approximate area of the Abshare Margoon Protected Area (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Margoon Waterfall, in the Zagros Mountains of Fars province, is a 70 m high, 100 m wide curtain of water falling from a rock face. It is the main attraction of the Abshare Margoon Protected Area, which also offers mountain climbing, rock climbing, camping and landscape photography. The area has a cold climate from November to April, with parts of the waterfall freezing, and mild summers. The waterfall is near Margoon village, accessible from Sepidan and Yasuj.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of the Abshare Margoon Protected Area under Iran's Department of Environment.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate area of the Abshare Margoon Protected Area (check).
Why go
- A 70 m waterfall that is the widest in Iran, falling from a sheer rock face.
- The gorge hike leads to a cave with another waterfall inside, accessible only by swimming.
- The surrounding Zagros forest has oak trees and wildlife including brown bear, Persian leopard and wild boar.
- Summer temperatures stay below 25°C (77°F) while much of Iran is above 40°C (104°F).Summer temperatures stay below 77°F (25°C) while much of Iran is above 104°F (40°C).
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold; parts of the waterfall may freeze; trails icy.
- FebCold; icy paths; limited access.
- MarCold; snowmelt starts, but trails may be muddy.
- AprSpring; water flow increasing; mild temperatures.
- MayWarm; good for hiking; crowds moderate.
- JunWarm; water flow good; start early to avoid heat.
- JulPeak flow; warm but not hot; best for swimming in the cave.
- AugPeak flow; warm; busiest month.
- SepStill good flow; warm days; fewer crowds.
- OctCooling; water flow decreasing; pleasant hiking.
- NovCold; possible frost; low water.
- DecCold; waterfall may freeze; trails hazardous.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown bear, Persian leopard, wolf, fox, wild boar, wild goat, porcupineAll year · Rare; best seen at dawn or dusk from a distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Oak forest birdsMar–Jun · Spring and early summer. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Shiraz
Drive or take a bus to Sepidan (about 2 h), then a local taxi or private car to Margoon village (30 min).
2.5–3 h
From Yasuj
Drive north on the Sepidan road; Margoon village is about 1 h from Yasuj.
1 h
From Sepidan
Local taxi or private car to Margoon village, then walk to the waterfall.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfall base | The main viewing area at the foot of the 70 m fall; a short trail from the parking area. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Gorge and cave | A stream gorge leading to a cave with an internal waterfall; requires swimming. | Open; no restrictions but only for confident swimmers. |
| Protected area forest | Oak forests and mountain slopes around the waterfall; wildlife habitat. | Open for hiking; no off-trail camping. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the waterfall is at the given point, the cave entrance is a short distance upstream.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to Abshare Margoon Protected Area | IRR 50,000 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry ticket permit or guide
Guide for gorge cave no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the protected area; use designated sites outside (check).
- Fires
- No open fires; carry out all rubbish.
- Swimming
- Swimming is allowed in the pool at the base of the waterfall and in the cave, but only for confident swimmers.
- Drones
- Check with the park authorities; likely restricted (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Margoon village guesthouses
Basic rooms in the village, a few minutes' walk from the waterfall.
Near the park
Sepidan hotels
A wider range of accommodation in Sepidan town, 30 min drive away.
Safety
Slippery rocks near the waterfall medium
Swimming in the cave high
Cold weather and ice (Nov–Apr) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The waterfall base is reachable by a short, flat walk from the parking area.
- The gorge and cave hike is not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins in the protected area.
- Do not disturb wildlife; keep a safe distance from animals.
- Support local guesthouses in Margoon village to benefit the community.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Margoon Waterfall?
The entry fee is about 50,000 IRR per person (2026 estimate; check). Pay at the gate near Margoon village.
What are the best hikes in Margoon Waterfall?
The short walk to the base of the waterfall takes 20 minutes. The gorge hike to the cave waterfall takes 2–3 hours and requires swimming.
When is the best time to visit Margoon Waterfall?
July to September for the strongest water flow and mild weather. Avoid winter when the waterfall may freeze and trails are icy.
Can I swim at Margoon Waterfall?
Yes, swimming is allowed in the pool at the base and in the cave, but only for confident swimmers. The water is cold.
Is there accommodation near Margoon Waterfall?
Basic guesthouses are available in Margoon village. More options are in Sepidan, 30 minutes away.
Do I need a guide for the cave hike?
Not required, but recommended for safety, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Margoon Waterfall
Loading…
Was this useful?