Box Canyon Waterfall & Park, Ouray: Address, Phone Number, Box Canyon Waterfall & Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Box Canyon Waterfall & Park
Box Canyon Waterfall & Park
4.5
About
Waterfalls cascade through canyon walls at this park near Ouray.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Box Canyon Waterfall & Park and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
28 within 3 miles
Bon Ton Restaurant
734
0.4 mi$$$$ • Italian • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Mouses Chocolates and Coffee
1,074
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American
Red Mountain Brewing
245
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Brew Pub • Bar
Outlaw Restaurant
1,084
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
BrickHouse 737
466
0.6 mi$$$$ • American • Contemporary • Healthy
Ouray Brewery
1,500
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
The MineShaft
73
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
Maggie's Kitchen
829
0.5 mi$ • Quick Bites • American
Colorado Boy Southwest Pub
65
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Southwestern • Pizza
Artisan Bakery and Cafe
161
0.4 mi$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Attractions
19 within 6 miles
Ouray Alchemist Museum
340
0.5 miSpeciality Museums
Yankee Boy Basin
473
0.5 miHiking Trails • Geologic Formations
Imogene Pass
140
0.5 miMountains
Ouray County Museum
160
0.6 miHistoric Walking Areas • History Museums
Perimeter Trail
337
0.9 miHiking Trails
Lower Cascade Trail and Falls
293
0.8 miHiking Trails
Ouray Ice Park
82
0.5 miSports Complexes • Parks
Baby Bath Tubs Trail
41
0.5 miHiking Trails
Rotary Park
5
0.4 miParks
Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company
56
0.5 miBreweries
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,275 reviews
Excellent
923
Very good
281
Average
60
Poor
9
Terrible
2
Anette A
2 contributions
This is a unique waterfall. It is in the mountain and it is very powerful and loud. You can walk down stairs and look at it from the bottom. There is a parking lot and you pay $5 to walk up to see the waterfall. It is a lot of stairs but it is a short walk to the fall.
You can also walk above the fall. It has a nice view. We spent 20-30 min seeing it all.
You can also walk above the fall. It has a nice view. We spent 20-30 min seeing it all.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pickupthepace
Mesa, AZ522 contributions
This is a very unique experience that everyone will enjoy but we may have built this up on our minds a bit much because we got there and it was like "this is it?" You can see the whole thing in 5 or 10 minutes. It is worth it, but I suggest including this in a broader itinerary of activities rather than a way to spend a morning or afternoon. Be careful on the rocks, they get slippery!
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Diana C
Austin, TX15 contributions
Family
The waterfalls were amazing and, while there were a lot of stairs, it was manageable with rails and I felt safe. My older teens attempted the upper hike and said it was a lot of climbing and scrambling up. The chipmunks and birds were fun to watch, too.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Erin N
3 contributions
Yes it cost to get it but it is worth it. Beautiful place. Don't rush this hike take it all in, take all 3 hikes, upper lower and the nature hike. I did think hike by myself and as a female I usually don't like to hike alone, but there were enough people around that I felt safe, but also not too many that it was crowded.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1806anthonyc
Enid, OK84 contributions
The falls were great. It was a short walk on the trail to the falls. There is a metal walkway that takes you up to a few feet from the fall. The sound is so intense that you can "feel" it. You have to watch your head when you get close because part of the cliffs protrudes out above the metal walkway. The is a small charge to go up to see them but it is well worth it.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam F
Vine Grove, KY27 contributions
We very much enjoyed the box canyon waterfall, but the only issue we had was parking. We travel in a 25 foot truck camper/truck combo and thought that the parking was super tight. When we went, it was raining a bit and so the attendance was pretty light - had there been a lot of people parking there, I don't think we would have been able to find a spot.
That being said, we very much enjoyed the waterfall as well as the trail to above the fall. The views of Ouray were also awesome.
That being said, we very much enjoyed the waterfall as well as the trail to above the fall. The views of Ouray were also awesome.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cnieves3
Edmond, OK203 contributions
Well worth the stop and the entry fee is minimal. Adults are $5, children to 17 years old are $3 and senior citizens are free. My 81 year old mother made the walk down the stairs and we took the long way around to avoid the steps on the way back. Tall people need to watch out due to overhanging rock and you can take stairs down to the river bed. Make sure you stop and enjoy nature's power.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JB Lew
North Royalton, OH12 contributions
This is an amazing and unique waterfalls. It's in a park that you pay $5 admission for. Our family of 9 was really WOW'd by the thunder of the snowmelt cascading down this falls in a very unique rock formation.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NightowlCalifornia
California32 contributions
Very interesting and unique waterfall. Hike is not too strenuous. However, the signage on the road above is confusing. It says No Parking and Falls 1/4 mile away. So we assumed we had to park above on the lot across the highway, which is hazardous to cross, and walked the 1/4 mile down to the visitor center and then to the falls. In fact, there IS parking down the hill next to the visitor center. It appears the no parking sign refers to not parking along the entrance road, but it was confusing and resulted in an unnecessary long walk in the heat.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
deanasugarek
Beeville, TX63 contributions
Spectacular waterfall!!! Climb to bridge across the canyon was strenuous but so worth it! Beautiful views from up high and tremendous power in the falls.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
How long of a walk is it?
Tim B
Phoenix, AZ53 contributions
10 easy minutes. If you head to the high bridge it is tougher but maybe 20 minutes.
Amanda A
Houston, TX
Are dogs allowed?
TyrelleTravellers
Gloucester, UK268 contributions
Sorry I don’t know.
Aerielle T
San Angelo, TX
About how long does it take to see all the sights here? (Rough estimate) Husband and I are planning on a week trip and want to have enough time to add this in the list
worldview2016
Newport Beach, CA173 contributions
The falls take about 30-60 min. You can spend longer and hike. It's a small town.
jandjlong
Tipp City, OH9 contributions
any place to park an RV?
awayfarinstranger
Houston, TX68 contributions
RV probably would have trouble in the lot immediately next to the visitors center where you buy tickets. There are many places in town to park RVs and you can walk to Box Canyon via the perimeter trail or city streets and the road.
Ryan F
Chesterfield, MO542 contributions
Do you need cash for the fee?
much2honest
much2honest73 contributions
Yes you do. I don't recall the amount but it wasn't substantial. Just a few dollars and completely worth it!
Wanderlustemerald
Denver, CO295 contributions
I will be taking my grandparents, would this be too difficult of a hike for them? One they might not want to do? Can the waterfall be seen from the bottom?
Bill S
Nashville, TN36 contributions
If they they are physically capable of several flights of stairs, they might be able to make it to the falls. There is a OK walk way, scaffolding etc. Once you get there, there is a lot of stairs down to it.
Hours it's opened
qwestioneverything
Depoe Bay, OR27 contributions
8 am - 8 pm. Info is on City of Ouray website.
Would this be a good trail for smaller dogs?
awayfarinstranger
Houston, TX68 contributions
Dogs aren't allowed :-( Ouray is a very dog friendly city overall (most stores allow them in). However, this trail doesn't allow dogs. At least, that's what the signs in July 2017 indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Box Canyon Waterfall & Park
- We recommend booking Box Canyon Waterfall & Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Box Canyon Waterfall & Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Box Canyon Waterfall & Park:
- (0.18 mi) Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs
- (0.21 mi) Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs
- (0.36 mi) Main Street Inn
- (0.39 mi) China Clipper Inn
- (0.38 mi) Black Bear Manor
- Restaurants near Box Canyon Waterfall & Park:
- (0.38 mi) Bon Ton Restaurant
- (0.44 mi) Mouses Chocolates and Coffee
- (0.22 mi) The MineShaft
- (0.56 mi) BrickHouse 737
- (0.37 mi) Red Mountain Brewing