Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Status Closed for the season.
- Permit Ticket required ($6-$8 (2026); under 4 and 75+ free).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Closed for the season. The City of Ouray's 2026 fall hours ran 9am to 5pm from Labor Day through November 2, and the park is closed November to April. What the status labels mean
Box Canyon Falls is where Canyon Creek plunges into a narrow quartzite canyon at the edge of Ouray. The City of Ouray calls it a 285-foot waterfall, though independent guides put the main drop nearer 85 to 95 feet. The city park charges $6 to $8 in 2026 and runs a mostly level 500-foot Falls Trail. The 2026 season ended November 2, and the park is closed through April, per the city.
About Box Canyon Falls
The City of Ouray says the 285-foot waterfall plunges into a narrow quartzite canyon, with walls rising nearly 100 feet above the falls. Independent waterfall guides disagree: they list the main drop at about 85 feet, and one estimates about 95 feet from lidar data.
One guide suggests the 285-foot figure may be measured from a point upstream or from the bridge. Treat the height as disputed. Below the falls, Canyon Creek joins the Uncompahgre River.
The park's official name is Box Cañon Falls Park. It is a City of Ouray park, not a Colorado state park, so CPW passes don't apply.
The canyon has a working history too. According to Wikipedia, Ouray's early hydroelectric plant was first fed by a tunnel into Box Canyon. The same article lists the canyon among the Colorado nesting sites of the American black swift.
The map pin on this page marks the canyon itself, using Wikipedia's coordinates for Box Canyon. It is not a surveyed point for the falls.
Getting there and parking
Box Canyon Falls is at the end of one-way Box Cañon Road on the edge of Ouray, and you can walk or drive there from town.
From downtown Ouray
The city says you can walk or drive there from town. To drive, head south on Main Street and take the long left turn past the OHV staging area. Turn right on County Road 361, stay right at the split, then follow Box Cañon Road.
Box Cañon Road is one way and ends at the park's parking area. The city doesn't give the lot's size. In 2023, damage on the road pushed the park's opening back to about May 12, the Plaindealer reported.
In summer, Ouray's free in-town shuttle stops at Box Cañon Falls Park at half past each hour on a 60-minute loop. Visit Ouray lists it daily from June 1 to September 30, 10am to 9pm, without naming a year.
Admission
The city lists 2026 admission at $8 for ages 18-62, $7 for ages 62-74 and $6 for ages 4-17. Visitors 75 and older and children 3 and under get in free. No reservations are needed.
Planning more Colorado stops? See Rifle Falls, a state park where CPW passes apply, plus Helen Hunt Falls and Seven Falls.
Map and nearby falls
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OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Falls Trail and High Bridge Trail
Box Cañon Falls Park has three short trails: the 500-foot Falls Trail, the half-mile High Bridge Trail and the Native Plant Loop.
Falls Trail
The city describes the Falls Trail as a mostly level, easy 500-foot walk into the canyon toward the falls.
High Bridge Trail
The High Bridge Trail climbs 200 feet on a half-mile round trip, the city says. It gives views of the town and the Amphitheater above it.
Native Plant Loop
The city calls the Native Plant Loop a short, easy stroll. It is the only trail in the park without steps.
The Falls Trail and High Bridge Trail both have stairs. A 2016 hiking blog describes the walkway dropping five flights of stairs, and Colorado Birding Trail lists the site as not accessible.
When to visit
In 2026, Box Cañon Falls Park opened in May and closed after November 2. It stays closed through April, per the City of Ouray.
Season and hours
In 2026 the city listed 9am to 5pm in May (last entry 4:30pm), then 8am to 8pm from May 23 to Labor Day.
From Labor Day through November 2, 2026, the park was open 9am to 5pm. It is now closed for the season, through April.
A hiking blog suggests spring, or a visit after heavy rain, for full flow. The same blog warns that the trail is busy in high season.
| Height | 285 ftNote: 285 ft per the City of Ouray; independent guides put the main drop nearer 85-95 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Falls Trail: a mostly level, easy 500-ft walk into the canyon. High Bridge Trail: about 0.5 mi round trip with a 200-ft climb (City of Ouray) |
| Difficulty | Easy on the Falls Trail (City of Ouray); the High Bridge Trail climbs 200 ft |
| Entry fee | 2026 admission (City of Ouray): $8 ages 18-62, $7 ages 62-74, $6 ages 4-17; free for 75 and older and 3 and under |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or reservation; pay admission at the park |
| Parking | Park lot via Box Cañon Road |
| Hours / season | 2026 (City of Ouray): May 9am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm); May 23-Labor Day 8am-8pm; Labor Day-Nov 2 9am-5pm; closed November-April |
| Dogs | Not allowed in the park (City of Ouray) |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No. The Falls Trail and High Bridge Trail have stairs; only the Native Plant Loop has no steps (city). Colorado Birding Trail lists 'Disabled: No' |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Colorado Birding Trail lists restrooms, a drinking fountain, a visitor center and a gift shop for its Ouray site, which includes the falls |
| Best time to visit | Spring, or after heavy rain, for full flow (hiking blog) |
| Crowds | Busy in high season (hiking blog, 2016) |
| Managed by | City of Ouray (Box Cañon Falls Park) |
Safety and swimming
Expect steep stairs and wet rock in a narrow canyon. Stay on the built trails and walkways, and keep children close.
Dogs are not allowed in the park, according to the city. We could not confirm a swimming rule, but stay out of Canyon Creek and out of any closed sections.
For general advice on wet rock and moving water, read our waterfall safety guide.
Where to stay near Box Canyon Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Ouray.
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Photos
Box Canyon Falls FAQ
When is Box Canyon Falls open?
From May through November 2 in 2026, per the City of Ouray, and it is now closed through April. Fall hours were 9am to 5pm from Labor Day through November 2. Summer hours in 2026 ran 8am to 8pm from May 23 to Labor Day.
Do you have to pay for Box Canyon Falls?
Yes. The city lists 2026 admission at $8 for ages 18-62, $7 for ages 62-74 and $6 for ages 4-17. Visitors 75 and older and children 3 and under are free. No reservations are needed.
How long is the Box Canyon Falls hike?
About 500 feet on the Falls Trail, which the city calls mostly level and easy. The High Bridge Trail is a half-mile round trip that climbs 200 feet.
Can you drive to Box Canyon Falls?
Yes. Follow one-way Box Cañon Road, off County Road 361, down to the park's lot. In summer, Ouray's free in-town shuttle also stops at the park.
How tall is Box Canyon Falls?
The City of Ouray says 285 feet. Independent waterfall guides list the main drop at about 85 to 95 feet, so treat the height as disputed.
Are dogs allowed at Box Canyon Falls?
No. The City of Ouray says dogs are not allowed in the park.
Who runs Box Canyon Falls Park?
The City of Ouray owns and operates it. It is a city park, not a Colorado state park, so CPW passes don't apply.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
Sources
- Ouray County Plaindealer: Shoddy road to falls irks Ouray (May 3, 2023)
- Wikipedia: Ouray Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Wikipedia: American black swift
- Wikipedia: Box Canyon (Colorado) (map pin marks the canyon, not the falls)
- Live and Let Hike: Box Canyon Falls Trail, Box Canyon Park (Oct 16, 2016)
- Colorado Birding Trail: Ouray site
- City of Ouray / Visit Ouray: Box Cañon Falls Park
- Visit Ouray: Free in-town shuttle (archived copy)
- American Southwest: Box Canyon Falls, Ouray
- World Waterfall Database: Box Canyon Falls
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with City of Ouray (Box Cañon Falls Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.