Box Canyon Waterfall & Park Reviews

This wasn't on our list of things to do in Ouray, but we needed to kill a couple of hours before heading to Silverton. It turns out that we really enjoyed seeing the waterfall and rushing waters of the box canyon. The hike up to the overlook was fun and surprisingly challenging.

I walked there from the hotel (Twin Peaks). There is a bit o a hill, but to me was an easy access from downtown if you don't want to drive.
Packed water, cereal bar and a fruit.
Saw lots of children and elderly people. Overall, a good hike for all ages.

Scary if you have altitude issues. Incredibly beautiful. We are overweight and out of shape and old but still made the hike and it was worth it.

Easy access by car or short walk from downtown Ouray. The most charged is $5.00 per adult ( less for seniors (62 and up) and children). Easy, short walk to the falls ( about 20 minutes for longer walk to the top of the falls).

When you arrive to the falls, you can watch from a catwalk above or go down a stairway to the bottom of the falls. Very interesting and beautiful! The person who takes your money at the entrance will answer any questions you have.

Great Park with wonderful views of both the falls and the town of Ouray below once you hike up a bit. Be ready for some stairs and a vertical hike to reach the falls but once you get there totally worth the trip! Hard to beat for $7 per adult.

Go later in afternoon. Cool waterfall experience inside canyon. hike to upper bridge over falls is steep, so wear hiking shoes.

Definately do the Box Canyon Falls - marvelous little hideaway with great views of the town. Make sure you walk up to the small bridge crossing the gap!!

Great views of the falls. The signage says only 500 feet to the falls, but does not mention all the steps involved. Not a good place for those with mobility issues.

We only visited the lower portion of the falls. It's a short walk to the metal grate walkway and stairs. Good handrails for the walkway and stairs. The waterfall is loud. What you can see is very pretty. It's nice and cool inside the rocks beside the water. We also walked the little nature loop. There are lots of birds and chipmunks at the entrance where they've hung a couple of bird feeders. Entrance fee was $5 per adult. I have arthritis and managed the walk and stairs okay.

stunning and beautiful and breathtaking both summer and winter!! we have visited the waterfall many times over the years and it always amazes us..we never get tired of the rushing water and dramatic heights..so incredible !!

Lovely canyon, quite unique and definitely worth the small entrance fee. There are a few different walks to take.

This Waterfall & park is right on the edge of town. It is very easy to get to the entrance. It is relatively cheap to enter and walk around the falls and trails. The amount of Water flowing through this canyon will blow your mind! The Sound is almost deafening down near the actual falls. There are multiple hiking options. The easiest one is less than a 1/4 mile long with longer distances available as well.
The Grand scale of the rocks, water volume, and the natural cliffs is absolutely beautiful!!!
Highly Recommend!

At first I was surprised by the $5 entrance fee, but after seeing the canyon and the infrastructure needed to make this available, it seems warranted. This is a beautiful and unique waterfall and I highly recommend making the stop if you are nearby. It's a very short hike and good for kids. There are also a lot of hummingbirds near the entrance. Our family had a fun jeopardy match reading all the fun facts about Colorado and Ouray!

Beautiful place to hike and see the falls and the surrounding mountains. We climbed to the top and the view is breathtaking. Not recommended if you have any leg/ankle weakness. Wear good supportive shoes.

The waterfall is a short walk and fairly easy away from the visitors center. Beautiful!! At the front of the visitors center they feed the birds and the chipmunks!! We watched them probably longer than we did the waterfall. $5 for adults $3 for kids..definitely worth the admission

The visit it Box Canyon Waterfall can't really be called a "hike." It's like 500 feet to the falls from the visitor center. If you are able to walk up a short hill, I would walk to the falls from town (at the end of 3rd street). There is a small fee ($5/visitor on our visit) to enter.
You get "up close and personal" with these falls- the are loud, powerful and beautiful. The cuts in the rocks caused by the river are just a beautiful and inspiring- don't neglect looking up.

Two ways to go: up a rather steep trail to above the falls OR go down a few stairs and then across walkway to more stairs which take you all the way to the bottom.

It's a bit of a hike up to the top but wonderful views of the city plus the waterfall was interesting, too.

What an unexpected attraction! Hiked up to the top first - the trail is rough, but go slow and hold the chain or rail because the views at the top are worth it! We then went back down and took the trail into the canyon.. steel steps and walkways follow you to the source of the falls inside the canyon! Temp is cool and you will get splashed some when the water is really rushing. It was amazing and such a surprise. We walked all the way down to the creek side viewing and got a few pictures there too. Went back out and finished with the nature trail. Worth the time and small fee.

I feel a little bad rating a natural waterfall low, but like some of the other reviewers, I'm mystified as to why there is a charge to see this and why there is so much hype. I got there early so there weren't many people there. I walked to the lower and upper falls in less than 30 minutes. There really isn't much to see. The fences and guards around it prevent anything more than a quick look. I can't imagine how much worse it is with lots of people.
There are far prettier waterfalls (for free) in the area. This is for sure an easy walk, but there isn't much of a pay out at the end.

Fantastic experience. Easy walk/trail and a must see. Be sure to take time to read the history at the visitor center and along the trail. There are addtnl trails in the park as well.

This is a fairly straightforward and easy hike to a box canyon where you can get next to a narrow waterfall. You pay $8 each for the entrance to the elevated metal pathway. Maybe not for those afraid of heights - otherwise, just do it.

Quiet little town with a community pool/hot springs and nice hiking trails and good shopping. Very walkable town

We heard about Box Canyon from a couple we randomly talked to and had time to go visit. It is a city park and admission is charged (over 75 is free), which I can accept, since the structures need to be maintained and the city of Ouray has very few living there.
The 'trail', a combination of paved and steel grate walkways is very short and almost flat. The sounds of the waterfall are growing and once you are in there it is super loud and roaring (we were there in May and it had rained all day and the snow melt played a role in the massive amounts of water); the have a staircase going to the bottom and there is a 'Buddy Bench' where you can and enjoy the sounds.
I would recommend good shoes, since the steel grates can be slippery; if you are iffy with heights....try and overcome it; it's worth it. Make sure your cell phone or camera are secured around your neck, since if you drop it, well, it's gone.

This canyon and falls are mind blowing. Allow 30 - 60 min depending on how long you want to linger in the magnificence of the falls.

It's an easy short walk to the falls, mostly along a purpose built platform, which are in a canyon. You can only see a small section of the falls at their outlet because of the rock formation in the gorge but they are very strong and loud.

You can also take a bit more of a difficult hike up 200 feet of stairs and across some slightly uphill rocky ground to a bridge and look down over the gorge.

There are several wonderful view points and photo ops as you walk around of the beautiful historic village of Ouray dramatically situated in the valley and surrounded by the mountains.

Entrance fee is $5 per adult and there is car parking right outside.

The sound of the falling water wes amazing and the experience will last a lifetime. The climb to the high bridge was tough. I should have brought my walking sticks.

We returned to Ouray primarily to visit Box Canon Park again. It is a breathtaking area. There is a lot of walking, up hill (stairs in same places, paths in others) to get the best view. But once up high the view is amazing, if not a little scary, but perfectly safe. You feel you could touch the beautiful falls. There is a nice little office with an informative and helpful clerk and you can purchase small gifts and watch videos of the bird action in the canyon. Well worth a stop!

Really awesome short walk to the lowe falls on metal walkway. Awesome falls moving strong even in August worth the stop. Can take stairs down near the water. Also can take a trail high above the falls. Worth the hike but steep uphill. Good views of the falls and canyon

Don’t miss this spectacular waterfall. Very easy short hike with handrails. Longer higher hike for the more adventurous.

Overrated from either of the two viewpoints. the falls isn't that big or visible given the box canyon. the visitors station is kinda hokey

Box Canyon has a powerful water worth a quick glance and picture! It's somewhat hard to nestle in for a group picture, but you'll just have to visit and enjoy. There are small hikes around a mile or two, but nothing bad around the park where you'll go through a cave and overlook the city. The bridge stop is an introductory view of what to expect if you move on to Telluride.

Definitely do this if you're in Ouray. Short walk to a beautiful and powerful waterfall. The hike above the waterfall was also interesting.

Best $5.00 spent for admission! You can takes stairs to the bottom and a short (1/4 mile) to the top. If we stayed in Ouray another daywe would have taken the 6.5 perimeter trail around town that includes the Box Canyon Falls...a MUST SEE!

Beautiful place, had great time going to bottom of falls, easy hike. We hiked down a few flights of stairs right to the water and took some great pics

Second time to the box canyon and it was better than ever. With the record breaking snowfall this year the water was roaring through the canyon. Amazing and powerful display of nature’s ability to carve out the landscape. A definite easy sight seeing for any group. There are stairs to hike to the top. If you can then do it.

It wasn’t the easiest hike on a hot day, but definitely a highlight of our trip around Colorado. The fee to enter was well worth the money. I would recommend this hike to anyone, the view was breathtaking.

There is a $5/person fee to visit Box Canyon Waterfall, just outside of Ouray, CO. There is a developed platform walkway that is short and fairly easy to navigate. There is also a small visitor center and gift shop. The visit is worthwhile, but you should know that it is not really a hike, but more of a waterfall visit.

We got here before season opening, so free to enter. There are ways to enter or exit via the Perimeter Trail, however we just made our way in off the street on foot. The lower trail is easy, and there's a metal staircase to go to the bottom of the falls. Can be wet, so watch your step, but very safe otherwise. You can't go to the very end of the metal walkway - probably because the park is not open for the season yet. From the visitor center you can then opt to go up to the high bridge. It's about 100+ stairs up, and then a fairly tricky trail the rest of the way, and in our case still icy. At least they have a strong wire you can hang onto. Once you're on the bridge it's totally worth it. You can choose to proceed through the cave and down a path to the perimeter trail. For me this was a big NOPE because there was way too much ice, and it was angled towards the cliff drop. So we turned back.

Every time I get to travel through Ouray, especially in the spring run off, its is so loud and you can't get to the bottom. The bottom you can get to late summer and fall. A must see!!!!

We hiked the waterfall trail and words cant describe it. the trail is not . long and there are resting points along the way. The stairs leading down to the waterfall are a little slippery and very busy. it is well worth it

We stopped here first when arriving in Ouray. Hubby is a photographer, and it's about impossible to shoot photos of this. Just go see for yourself - wear sturdy shoes, especially if you want to walk down the metal stairway and see from below. Cold, wet, and noisy when you get all the way to the falls, but it is so worth the trip. there are nice hiking trails, too. Over seventy-five gets in free, so that is fun for the oldsters.

I'm glad I got to experience the falls even though I got a little scared of the height. As I saw an older lady (probably in her late 80s) climbing up the stairs, I got a little more courage. If she could do it, I could too. :)

Just a short paved walk to the waterfall. Only downside is admission charged ($5.00 per person). Can take steps up to a bridge with a nice view. If you enjoy hiking, you can pick up the Perimeter Trail from Box Canyon.

2nd most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen (over 100 of them) and sooooo easy to access! DO NOT pass through Ouray without taking a couple hours to see this! Walk all the way to the bottom and all the way to the top as there is a treat at both!

We had so much fun climbing here! He ice routes are very accessible. The terrain is beautiful. And it’s so close to a Ouray!

The power of the falls is amazing! Is it worth the cost 🤷‍♂️, I mean what choice do you have? I’d say no, but you drove all this way to take in the beauty of the area.

Even though we live here, we like to visit every year since this is so unique and interesting. If you come in springtime, you might be lucky enough to see rare Black Swifts nesting in crevasses on the opposite walls, We always take visitors here.

Nice place to visit, has huge volume of water from the waterfall. Hot springs source of water, quite impressive to see.

This spectacular canyon falls is very easy to get to and well worth the close drive and short hike to see. For more adventuresome hikers there is an upper trail that my wife climbed, also with stunning views.

It’s a very short walk from the parking lot, great views with a loud waterfall in the background. Brought our toddler and he loved it.

Our first visit to Box Canyon falls won't be our last. First admission of free. It an easy walk/hike to the falls. The power of the falls was just amazing to watch and hear. I saw this on another website but to view it in person was just a 10 of 10

This was a short delicious hike in the snow. Worth the effort! We didn’t think we could make it with all the snow, and we didn’t see other parents pulling their kids on sleds. But with careful navigating you could make it down to the walkway and like I said it was well worth the visit

On the loop around town. Nice place to see a unique view. remember to pay the admission fee so they can maintain it!

I'm not a fan of heights but the short trek to the falls was well worth taking. To think how many years it took the water to carve out that canyon - amazing.

This is a "must see" when in Ouray. The walk to the top is a bit steep and tricky for seniors, but great views over the bridge. The walk to the bottom is easy for people of all ages. Staff is helpful and friendly.

Loved this. We stumbled upon it in an after dinner walk. A series of very safe stairs take you down down down. Loud. Amazing

This is a place we go every time we are in Ouray. Short walk to the waterfall in the canyon, and a little longer hike to the high bridge which is still easy enough for young kids and such a great overlook of Ouray. The visitor center has an interesting display of the history of the canyon and Ouray. Don't miss Box Canyon!

We walked here from our Inn and then walked back along part of the perimeter trail. Really enjoyed the falls and the canyon view - amazing how loud and powerful even a relatively small waterfall like this can feel when you can get up close.

There was a little climbing in one section but the fall wasn’t a bad walk at all and it was beautiful!! Very much worth it.

Beautiful,beautiful waterfall. Easily accessible from the Visitors Center.

It’s beauty can be witnessed at close quarters when you go down the metal stairs. After spending some time marveling at its power as it gushes through the ‘box canyon’, head back up and make sure you take the path leading to the top of the falls. The hike is short but there are areas where you have to navigate thru uneven ground and over boulders , so make sure you wear good shoes.

When you reach the top, there is a narrow bridge across the top of the gorge which may not be great for folks with vertigo/suffer from fear of heights. Stand in the middle of the bridge and breathe in the beauty of your surroundings.
The bridge leads to a short tunnel (and yes, Virginia, there is light at the end of the tunnel) which opens to a trail that continues around Ouray. Unfortunately, We did not venture out on that trail.

This is an easy hike and the views are magnificent. It is accessible for most ages and abilities, and definitely worth a visit!

Great stop spot with absolutely stunning views. Enjoyed it more than Royal Gorge! Reasonable price and super easy access. A bit of a hike if you take the bridge route

Box Canyon is a geological wonder, and it is right in Ouray and owned by the city. Definitely worth a visit, and if you are not faint of heart (literally) a walk up to the bridge above it.

Amazing, beautiful, majestic! A very short walk into a narrow crevice and you can hear see and feel this waterfall. You can walk down stairs to the waters edge or walk up stairs to the top of the waterfall. Such a cool different waterfall experience!

Improved! This year, the walkway was extended further back into the grotto, like it used to be years ago. What a sweet place to go to on a hot day. The cool spray and shade are wonderful.

A short hike takes you to the edge of the falls and a gorgeous view. It is well worth the walk up there.

My husband wore out 18mo Old in a pouch, but it was a great walk out. $5/adult and so worth it. Take scenic nature loop back to the parking lot. So cool. The view out is worth a photo too. Oh and they have a chipmunk garden as you start out on the trail.

This short walk is alittle intense with young kids but highly worth it. We just made them hold on to the cable going up and back. The views are spectacular and the walk over the bridge between two mountains was amazing. The boys loved the cave you walked through as well.

Hiked to the box canyon with my 15 year old yesterday. Perfect mix of adventure, nature & education. Had a great time watching the Ice Climbing Park. Very happy to have micro spikes. Got to see a Black Swiftie nest in the rock! Iron work walkway & stairs were a challenge for someone afraid of heights but left us proud of our accomplishments. Porta potties available at Ice Climbing Park.

The hike is challenging and you get great views of Ouray, but you can't really see the falls very well. You get a better view of a waterfall on Hwy. 550 pullout south of Ouray.

After a short walk the canyon is small. It is hard to get a good picture of the falls, but is it well worth the walk.

Reasonably priced. Trails were well marked and safe. Beautiful view of the falls. Lots of history was presented in pictures and verse.

Very beautiful! Easy hiking trail to the falls as well as the trail above the falls. Entrance fee is reasonable at $5/person. Don't plan on this being an all day event...the trail is very short. Great to do to get out of the sun for a bit and to see an amazing waterfall.

Well worth a visit, a fun walk into the box canyon. Lots of stairs to get down to the bottom, but you do not need to use them to see the box canyon. Also, stay for all the birds and chipmunks down at the entrance.

Nice view of falls coming out of the mountain, short trail, good scenery, view overlooks historic Ouray. There is a walk to the top as well.

Took this lite hike to the Box Canon Falls. Spectacular high views of the quaint little town of Ouray, Colorado. Cool metal bridge with a great view of Ouray and Mtn stream and gorgeous Mtn views. Also a cool 50 yard or so pedestrian tunnel to walk thru. Highly recommend it. Worth the 5 buck admission.

The lower hike had the best views. If i had known how littlw to see at the top i woyldnt have walked up but exercise was good

I expected to see some lovely falls, but was totally surprised by the beauty of the canyons themselves. With huge icicles formed on the walls of the canyons, it was a beautiful and majestic sight. Well worth the hike!!!

This is a must do. Best value for the money in Ouray. Don't stop at the first parking lot when you pull in - keep going till you see the Visitor Center. There are picnic tables and restroom on the east side of the parking lot too. The stairs to the bottom are easy and the hike to the top and the bridge and the tunnel up there are not bad.

we walked to the lower part of the falls, not the elevated trail. Pretty waterfall. Cost $8 to walk to the falls.

Yes, there is a small entrance fee (anything less than $10 is a steal nowadays!), but the ability to access the Falls is well worth the cost! The walk to the falls is fairly easy, but be prepared as the overspray could get you wet! We opted to hike up to the high overlook for a better view, but you really cannot see the falls at all from up there. It is nice to see the entire town of Ouray as well as Cascade Falls across the valley!
Highly recommend this stop!

A must see if your visiting Ouray. The hike is challenging but kid friendly.
The sheer power of the falls is impressive.

Somehow this stop was not on our itinerary but if you have an extra 30 minutes, you have quick and easy access to a real force of nature. Located just at the end of the town of Ouray, this waterfall is just off the highway with plenty of parking and maybe a 100 yard walk to see the falls that almost appear to be indoors. The flow of water is unique in that it appears, then reappears through a path between two mountains. The walkway places you just feet from the powerful waterfall and you can walk down a few flights to the bottom or take the more challenge hike for a view from the top. There is a nominal fee but worth it. There is some history as to the mine train tracks below, but we could not see them.

This is a must if you are in Ouray! The lower trail is easy, but the upper trail takes some more effort, but it is worth it!

This is a must do while in Ouray. It's not a hard walk, but there are alot of stairs up on the front end. It was amazing to be inside this small canyon and hear (and see) the water rushing out from up above.

This is a great place to visit. We did the hike that goes above the waterfall to the tunnel, it is all uphill and you need good shoes (hiking boots preferred). You can also take the direct hike and get close to the waterfall and that is really nice, the waterfall is spectacular going through the box canyon. This is well worth the $5 admission fee.

It is well worth the stop and a few $ admission to visit this waterfall. Be sure to climb up to the bridge before going down to the waterfall - great views. It is a little strenous (we are in our 70s) but well worth the effort. There is a nice display in the visitor's center and the gentleman working there had interesting information about the history of the falls as well. We are glad we took the time to stop.

Family vacation with 4 children ages 9-16. The waterfall was beautiful. The hike up the tall bridge was with the view but strenuous. Kids and adults all went.

I didn't know about the Box Canyon until we checked into our hotel. It is a cool spot to check out and maybe spend an hour at, longer if you see more than the main canyon.
We liked that the ticket area had public bathrooms and brochures advertising local attractions. As for the Box Canyon, it is impressive. We walked along the metal railing and then went down the steps to the base of the waterfall running through the canyon. Make sure you explore the left and right sides of the steps. The water flowing from the canyon is just as neat as the waterfall cascading down.
We were a group of 4 traveling all around Colorado, so we just stayed in Ouray for one night.

We visited here on a recent trip to Ouray and enjoyed this experience. There are multiple paths to get to and view the falls. Some of these involve a fair amount of steps, and others are flat with no steps. The falls are quite a spectacle.

Ouray was beautiful and the trail to the falls is short and easy and worth seeing. The trail to the bridge above the falls has a lot of steps and uneven ground which was fine for us but might not be for everybody. There is a 5 mile perimeter trail that we really wish we had planned ahead for so we could do it but we didn’t have time and weren’t prepared. I highly recommend taking the time to do all three trails if you are physically able. The views are stunning and we even saw a deer and a fox!

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.

So glad we did this! Don’t skip it and if ur able hike to the top and walk the bridge and through the tunnel! There was a lot of people like any tourist attraction.

This was a lovely easy hike. You will have to pay to do the hike, however worth it. Pretty views of Ouray.

This was a short walk and well worth it. The waterfall was amazing. The lady at the front desk was very helpful about other things to do in the area. We also did the climb to the upper foot bridge. It was a lot of stairs and foot bridges over very steep canyons. The upper bridge is not recommended for anyone not wanting to do lots of stairs and steep trail climbing.

The waterfall is next to downtown Ouray. There is plentiful parking and well designed pathway to the waterfall with informative signs at the entrance. One can get quite close to the waterfall.

Coolest waterfall I’ve been to, and after practically 5 minutes of hiking. Absolutely stunning. Definitely worth fitting in if you’re in the are!

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.

Easy hike with awesome falls at the end! Glad we did it. Hike up to the high bridge too! The views from the top are beautiful, just like all of Ouray!

Such a sight to see. A must on your trip to Ouray no matter what time of year. The winter was extra special because you could watch all the brave people ice climbing.

No trip to Ouray would be complete without a visit to Box Canyon Waterfall & Park. There are 3 short trails, all of which are amazing.

We started with the High Bridge Trail which is the highlight of the Park. There are stairs to the first lookout which offers a panoramic view of the town & surrounding mountains. The rest of the climb upward is over rocks and might be strenuous for some, but you’re rewarded with a beautiful view on a bridge at the top of the falls and a cool walk through the tunnel. This is an out & back hike, short but a bit challenging especially at that altitude.

The Falls Trail is an easy walk along the river, followed by stairs into the canyon to hear the roar & marvel at the force of the rushing water through the canyon.

The Nature Plant Loop is a relaxing stroll back to the nature center. Many of the native vegetation are visible & some of the local wildlife, including squirrels, chipmunks & many varieties of birds, will greet you as you return to the entrance to the park.

Take a few minutes to visit the nature center either before or after your hike for even more information about the area.

Highly recommended

This was so fun! We arrived a little after 9 and mostly had the park to ourselves. It was worth the $5 admission. I'm not sure it would have been as great it if was super crowded so keep that in mind!

We visited the falls after having lunch in Ouray. Our group ranged from 18 month olds to grandparents. The youngest and the oldest did not attempt the hike down to the falls but waited at the ticket office for the rest of us.
The only difficult part of the hike was the icy snow packed onto the stairs at the mid-point. The metal stairs leading down to the falls were clear and easy to navigate.

Not a stroller-friendly hike.

It's like so many other beautiful places in the US most of us don't even know to visit. A MUST SEE!!!!

We are hikers, so the steps did not deter us, and the views at the top AND the bottom are worth the effort. The perimeter trail around the town of Ouray intersects near the High Bridge. A small fee ( around $5) is charged to enter.

We are not climbers but love the outdoors. We made the very quick drive up to box canyon from Ouray and watched the ice climbers and admired the magnificent ice. Really cool experience!

Box Canyon Falls Park has two different paths you can take to see the waterfall from two different perspectives. The one takes you inside the canyon to see the falls from the bottom as it cascades down through the rock. You can go all the way down, too, which is very cool. Then, you can also take a short, but more strenuous path up the hill/cliff to get to the top, where you get views from above. This really was a neat stop.

Take all 3 trails in the park. Each has its own charm. The Canyon Creek (Box Canyon) waterfall was truly roaring and spectacular, even in the fall. Varied geology, flora, and fauna made this a wonderful couple of hours spent.

We loved Box
Canyon Waterfall. It was an easy walk to the falls and then you could hike around to the other side.

great views of the waterfall and the park was nice. different options for the trail if you were up for hiking. Did have to pay a fee to park and enter the park ($5/pp)

On your drive from Silverton to Ouray, just when you make that final turn and see the town, definitely take a left turn and go to
see the Box Canon Falls. The lower level is an easy walk to the falls, but also take the upper ridge hike. Takes you to a bridge overlooking the falls, then an old mining cave.

Amazing! I’ve never been so close to a waterfall. I got a little winded climbing back up the stairs, just take small breaks.

Beautiful views, powerful falls, excellent easy hike. The grands loved the chipmunks. They sat quietly for so long just watching them. Also saw deer and blue jays.

We took our two grandaughters with us and they loved it as well as we did. The water fall and views are great.

The area itself is beautiful yet even more interesting to view ice climbers along the well "groomed" rock walls in Winter.

Viewed several ice climbers getting ready for the annual ice climbing events. Very pretty, massive ice formations are world class.

A good way to really get in and see a waterfall if you're unable to hike to others. This box canyon waterfall is spectacular. Stairs and walkway bring you down to water level.
There is a short hike up over the falls to a bridge - that will give you a view and it crosses to the Perimeter trail. Also, after bridge, a tunnel!
Small gift shop with restrooms. 2 picnic tables on far end of parking lot. Soda machines right outside shop.

visited here on a tour of Southwest Colorado. stayed in Ouray and saw this as one of the attractions. you drive to the park and pay $5 at the visitor center. then you have a short hike of a couple hundred yards to the canyon and waterfall. it is truly spectacular. they have metal platforms and stairs that you navigate along the falls. very impressive. it is short so people who cannot hike far will appreciate this attraction. we got some awesome photos. highly recommend this park. and come on, it is only $5.

Such natural beauty! A short walk and grated metal steps will take you down into the magnificent canyon. Sixty-four steps to be precise. (Yes, I’m a counter. It’s a flaw). Words can not describe the beauty. I would recommend you take the hike up to the bridge that overlooks the canyon and capture some breathtaking views of Ouray. That would include 110 man made steps. Well worth it!

Different easy quick well worth seven dollars

When I asked how far was the walk? Short, brief!

I was lucky others were leaving had turned around not yet. Open sign is not that obvious way to the lesson minutes. Opened gates a few minutes before time

Park the car and then waited until eight for the ticket office to open

Enjoyed my breakfast snack at the gazebo there are also charcoal grills and other picnic tables for these no need for a ticket. There are just off the parking lot.

If you want to see a roaring waterfall and not walk to much this one is for you.
You can see the bottom or the top of it and even go for a nature walk around and if you have children they will love the chipmunks that live on the premises

Short but excellent hike to the upper and lower falls!! Spectacular views from up on top to below in the canyon. You can get close to the bottom of the falls. The hike does require some steep incline to the upper, over rocks along with several steps down.There are steps down to the falls if you chose to get close to them.

This is worth the time and money. It's thrilling to see the river flowing furiously deep in the canyon. Short, but a bit steep in some areas, probably doable for most if taken slowly and rest as needed.

We have been here three times and are never disappointed. The falls and the canyon are beautiful. Be sure to take the hike up above the falls to the bridge and thru the tunnel. Come back thru the tunnel if you want to go back to the parking lot though, as the trail through the tunnel does not take back you back to parking lot. You can get on the perimeter trail or walk into downtown on the dirt road and turn right over the creek then right again on a road to walk back to the parking lot, but it is a longer walk.

Really a "wow" experience. A short but challenging walk to the canyon. Don't miss it if you are here.

My 79-year-old mother and I walked up the the falls and found it very easy, and quite enjoyable - a different experience from much of Colorado, and pretty!

My husband and I loved the Box Canyon Waterfall & Park. Box Canyon road (County Road 361) is on the south side of Ouray. When you reach the County Road 361 (from US 550), there is a really nice view point of the river. Parking and the view point is free. Take the dirt road for another quarter mile and you will reach another parking lot. The parking is limited there. We had to wait about 5 minutes for a parking spot. The cost for this location is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. The staff at the park was friendly. There were 3 trails. The Falls Trail is an easy 500 foot walk into the canyon to the 85 foot waterfall then 4 flights of stairs down to foot of the falls. It was cool in the canyon and the waterfall was beautiful. The Native Plant Loop is very easy and very short. The High Bridge Trail is a half mile round trip hike to the top of the falls. This trail is more difficult. At the top of the falls there is a foot bridge across the falls then a tunnel that connects to the Ouray Perimeter Trail. There is a small museum and bird feeder outside the museum. We loved watching the many birds, squirrels and chipmunks.

It’s worth $5 a person to see this waterfall! It’s so unique. The power of the water through the cove was amazing. We also hiked up the top of the mountain on the trail...great views!

Very pretty - it's an easy walk. If you can, take the stairs down. It was great view. Worth the $5 entry fee.

This waterfall is very fascinating (and maybe a little scary). You can pretty close to the waterfall on a metal walkway and really experience the power as it cuts down through the rocks. There is also a steeper path that takes you to the top and a small "nature trail" that is maybe a quarter mile. Everything was nice to see, but it costs $7 for an adult ticket. Considering we were in and out in maybe 20 minutes, it felt a little steep. Hopefully the money is going to something good in the city.

Interesting view of the waterfalls and easy walk but has stairs. Travelers with vertigo or fear of heights should beware. Walk is mostly on metal grate with a view all the way down in some places. Also, watch your head for the rocks overhanging the walkway. If you can make it to the end, it is a very good experience. For the more adventurous (and healthy), there is an optional path up to a bridge spanning the falls. We didn't go up, so I can't say much about it.

Worth exploring...it's a short walk in to see some spectacular falls. We've been several times but never in the Fall before. It was amazing how low the flow was.

We hiked the back trails and enjoy the beauty and serenity, we would up back in the Ice park to watch the ice climbers, it was fun to watch beginners all the way up to the advanced climbers.

Box Canyon was amazing. Being a bit afraid of heights made it a little daunting, but I made it over the bridge! Beautiful views and the actual waterfall is breathtaking.

Really enjoyed seeing this Cayon. The Hike above was fun too. Great views at the top and you even get to go inside a cave that lights up when you walk through it.
The Lower park is really something to see with the rushing water and interesting to read about too. they have a cute nature trail to take with plants and tress and bird feeders. the lady that worked at gift shop and nature center that took your admission money was very friendly and helpful. she answered many questions.
worth to stop and see it if you are in Ouray or near by!!

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.

Box Canyon Falls is a small, privately owned park on the outskirts of beautiful Ouray that offers views of a nice little waterfall bursting trough a crack in the canyon wall. It's $5 per person and the perfect little tourist trap that won't feel like you're being ripped off. Getting to the falls requires some walking, nothing a normal person can't accomplish. There are some more (short) trails in this park, but if you want to hike around Ouray, literally, take the Perimeter Trail, which circles the quaint town, and which, coincidentally, passes along this park too. Oh, and for you Europeans out there that have never seen chipmunks, there a whole bunch of them congregating at the entrance to the park near the bird feeders. You really can't miss them.

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.

Enjoyed this on Mon Aug 23, 2021. Easy to find, $4 a ticket for seniors and a nice walk to see a spectacular waterfall inside the boxy granite/rock. Short nature walk too.

Probably one of the most magnificent sites I have ever seen. I would definitely recommend adding this to your visit to Ouray as it doesn’t take long to access the falls.

Many stairs to get to actual falls but totally worth it. Cost is $5 adults, $3 kids and very short walk, also a nature trail. Cute little gift shop with many post cards and magnets, very clean restrooms.

Very worth a small admission price and a short hike up to the beautiful falls and connection to other hiking trails.

We visited here yesterday after seeing a YouTube video. Let me say the walk to the waterfall is easy and stunning! We took the stairs to the bottom and the noise and damp air was so refreshing. Nature is a beast! We then decided to climb up to the sky bridge and check out the tunnel as our 9 year old was excited about that. The hike starts easy with stairs, lots of stairs. You reach a gazebo and can take a break. But the rest of the way up is steep, loose rocks and giant rocks. It’s definitely strenuous, and sketchy at times. But once you reach the bridge it’s pretty awesome. We took some pictures and then walked through the tunnel and back down. If you’re up for a easy hike do the waterfall hike, if you’re in shape go to the sky bridge. Would definitely do it again!

The Box Canyon Waterfall and Park was a great way to spend a couple of hours. It was really fun to be able to walk right up to the base of a waterfall!

Must see stop in Ouray, Co. powerful exhilarating waterfall amidst close rock canyon walls. Easy access grated walk over surging waterfall, gives a close up feeling of nature’s power

This was a nice stop on the outskirts of Ouray. We arrived later in the afternoon and there were few people, which was nice. Parking was easy, admission was quite cheap and there were chipmunks all over the place!
It was a short walk to the falls and they were quite powerful. The walkway was easy to traverse and there were steps down to the water level. You can see old mining equipment that was abandoned years ago.
There was a trail that was much more difficult and higher than the main one that we took. Maybe I will try that one next time!

It's a short walk to the lower falls and another short but a bit of a climb to the top. ( 2 trails) The path up is very rocky and uneven. Definitely requires a bit of physical effort, but not too bad if you're in decent shape. There hasn't been much rain lately, so I would expect it to be better with more water flow. Still worth the $5.00 admission.
Plus you can also access the perimeter trail if your more adventurous.

Very easy to get to, and view - and spectacular! Advice - go as early as you can to avoid big crowds. we went at 8am - and had the place to ourselves, but around 8:45/ 9 the crowds were lining up!

If you are walking from town it is an easy walk until you get close, then there is a fairly steep hill to walk up to the trail entrance and pay your entrance fee. Fee varies with age. Appears you can also drive up to the trail head as I saw a number of cars in the parking lot by the entrance fee shack. There are a couple of other short trails there too. Small gift shop also.

This truly does remind us of Switzerland (the Trümmelbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen), just a much smaller version.

Free parking with good restrooms. There is a small entrance fee ($5 for adults), totally worth it! Well maintained by the City of Ouray. It is also easy to find, large signage.

We hiked to the bridge for a good view of the narrow canyon, then walk through the dark tunnel, did a portion of the trail on the other side. Also walked down the path with steel railing and at times, cage, to see the waterfall itself. You will need to negotiate wet steel steps. Felt safe the whole time.

Very popular so be prepared for a bit of a crowd.

It’s a little frightening to walk on the path through the canyon, but it’s more than worth it to see the incredible falls. Short distance that’s easy to walk through, and other paths go higher up or through a part of the environment. Great opportunity to witness amazing sights and wildlife.

Easy walk to waterfall bottom, and overlook from a high bridge. From the latter, one can continue on the Ouray circular walking tour.

My favorite part about the trip was the plentiful chipmunks availing themselves of birdseed. I am sure the native plant loop is cooler in spring when there are tons of wildflowers, but at the end of September it was a bit brown. Did offer nice views of the mountains around Ouray though!

The waterfall itself was pretty and whooshing but not the easiest to see. There were 4 or 5 flights of stairs down to the river after an easy walk that kind of messed with my eyes/heights fear and might be difficult for anyone with low mobility, but it was not an essential part of he experience.

We did not do the upper trail which is more moderate due to time constraints. Overall this was a nice diversion but I wouldn’t go again.

Fabulous all the way! Great views, great topography, the sound of water and very close to the entrance of town.

Nice walk into a Box Canyon and large waterfall. Not too expensive. Walk is wet, so wear good walking shoes with treads.

You really do need to hike up to the bridge. It’s not long and not too steep. The bridge affords wonderful views of the canyon and the town

Saw this place on Instagram and decided to check it out when I was in Colorado. The falls is amazing and walking along the rock face awesome. The walk was easy and comfortable on the day I was there. You can also walk above the falls as well.

Please take time to stop here, It is just so beautiful and perfect in every way. This is truley a wonder of the world and only creation that can be made by God,

Wasn't quite sure what to expect at Box Canon (or Box Canyon) falls, as reviews were good but didn't know why this might be different from the hundreds of other great waterfalls in this region. This is private property maintained as a tourist attraction (don't look for national park-like maintenance), but after a short walk back into the tight canyon setting, you get to see raw power at work (and the sound is amazing) and are able to get very close the waterfall itself.

There are actually three trails, with a short jaunt into the blender of the falls, a short "nature trail" that was fairly lame, and a steep, fairly challenging uphill hike to get to an overlooking bridge with terrific views down on Ouray. The trail also connects, all the way up top, to the city's perimeter trail.

It's a fairly unique piece of geography/geology that creates the compressed power of the Box Canon chute, and it's impressive and has a high "wow" factor. At a modest $5 entry fee, it's absolutely worth seeing and you'll also be able to look across Ouray at Cascade Falls - which is definitely also worth venturing to hike up to and view up close.

Parking tip - if you don't mind a short uphill walk, it's easier to park down below in Ouray and walk in through the exit of the facility vs. navigating the first couple of switchbacks on highway 550 to park up above.

Walking distance to most hotels and only five dollars for entrance. Make sure you have comfortable shoes if you plan to hike up the stairs for spectacular views.

This is a great little outing to see up close a raging waterfall! Well worth the $5 (basically a donation) fee.

This was our second visit to Box Canyon and the waterfall. It never ceases to amaze us! Even though the water levels have been down because of a very dry summer the torrential downpour of the waterfall is still a sight to see. The water never stops falling. Forget about trying to talk to anyone you’re with when you make this visit, The waterfall is deafening. It’s a quick and safe journey from the office to the waterfall. And if you are really adventurous you can climb up to the metal walkway that goes across the falls then through a cave. Be careful of the altitude if you’re not acclimatized. It can really get to you. I think this is something not to be missed when you are in Ouray, Colorado. The price is right and it’s totally a family adventure. Ouray is a gorgeous little town bustling in season but harder to get to in the winter. So make note of that. We look forward to going back again and again.

Quick experience but worth the $8. You can get super close to the roaring falls. Temperature is noticed and the mist is felt from the bridge. Super quick trail both to the falls and returning the parking lot. Probably only spent like 20 minutes there but it was so fast and thundering that is was worth it.

Not even a hike, more of a short walk with steps. Kids and adults enjoyed it. Bring a camera with a telescopic lens if you can.

Be sure you go to the top of the falls and the bottom - the bottom is the best. Beautiful! Easy hike, entire family would enjoy. And I'm not a hiker!

It’s a very short hike from the entrance to the falls. There are three separate trails.

The first trail is flat/horizontal and takes you through a metal catwalk/walkway that take you to within feet of the falls…… you are roughly 50 feet above the river bottom.

The second……just before you get to the waterfall, there is a metal spiral staircase that takes you to the river bottom which is at the base of the falls.

And third, there is a ¼ mile trail/hike uphill that takes you to the top of the waterfall. At the top the trail crosses over the falls and continues to town or the Perimeter Trail if you so wish to continue with it.

What’s interesting about this waterfall, is not visible until you get really close to it. And even then, you won’t be able to see the entire falls since it is located within a verry narrow slot within the gorge. However, you know you’re getting close since the volume of the falls is quite loud.

Note there is an $8 entrance fee…… however, if you hike in from town to the top of the falls, you don’t have to pay. There is a small indoor museum/visitor center with nice bathrooms, very cold water, and a vending machine. It’s definitively worth your time and the $8 it takes to get in.

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.

Amazing waterfall. You will never see another one like it. Very safe with an easy trail and stairs. Loved the bridge and the different vantage points.

Age 75 an older get in free, for others the charge is small ($7 or so) and well worth it! The falls are spectacular and the noise and water mist make for a multi-sensory experience. A quick walk or drive from downtown Ouray make the Box Canon Falls a great post-lunch or dinner activity that can be done in as little as 30 minutes. An easy walk to the falls, our friends with canes did fine. The optional free climb to the high bridge is somewhat strenuous, and offers no view of the falls.

Such an awesome experience. Make sure you you have water to drink. It is a hike to the falls. Lots of different species of birds. The more difficult trail is worth it, just take your time.

Fun thing to do in the summer. It's not free, but it is a nice hike, and a beautiful part of Colorado a lot of people never see.

Box Canyon has amazing waterfalls and beautiful scenery. It has 3 separate trails that take about an hour total. Entry is $7 (free for military). The entry has a bunch of cute chipmunks and a variety of birds. Some of the climb may be a bit difficult for some, but nothing unbearable. Definitely do it if you're in Ouray.

Cool! Hike to the left is steep and rocky- see waterfalls from above. Walk to the right is leveled with cement steps- see waterfall up close and personal. My kids say it’s a five-star.

We really enjoyed seeing this dramatic waterfall in Box Canyon and much of the shorter path was paved and had hand rails. Gorgeous and accessible scenery. My only complaint was how crowded it was when we were there and how people would not wear masks (not possible to distance on narrow trails when passing)

I’m a waterfall fan and this one did not disappoint. Be sure to see both sides of the highway. You cannot see the falls from car so watch for the nice pullout.

I have been to this park many times, and every visit has a new discovery.
The falls, and the hiking possibilities are great. We look forward to another trip just for hiking in the area.

We just happened to notice the sign for the waterfall and park. After a few hours on the road, we were ready for a scenic stop. Box Canyon was perfect! The canyon walls are tall and the waterfall is extremely powerful! The Falls Trails has a few steps to a bridge that spans the falls with a lower area with several steps leading to a metal walkway. This allows you to get closer to the falls and you'll feel the mist. There is also High Bridge Trail with steps that go up a steep hill next to the drive, but we passed it by. Reading later, we missed an awesome view of Ouray from the top! There is a nice gift shop (snacks and drinks available) with very nice photos and informative displays of the Canyon and the Black Swifts. The Swifts arrive in the Canyon during June to breed and raise their one offspring on the cliff near the falls. Admission is $5 for adults (18-62), $4 for seniors (62-74), and children (4-17) are $3. Children under 3 and super-seniors (75+) are free. My daughter and I enjoyed a picnic lunch; a restroom building was convenient. Highly recommend.

Easy to see and be close to a dramatic interaction of water and rock. The hike to the high bridge can be a little challenging if you are not in great shape, but certainly doable if you take your time.

Oh my this place is so cool! Its just a short walk, there are some steps and a walk through a cage but it is so worth it. You can also hike above the falls, it is a little more difficult. The trail is very rocky and it winds its way up above where there is a bridge that crosses the gorge to a tunnel. the view is so worth it.

Well worth the easy short little walk to get to the unique falls. Everyone in our group enjoyed the trip.

We had heard great things about this waterfall and decided to stop here on our way from the Black Canyon National Park to Mesa Verde. We stopped for about an hour and took a short walk along a metal platform. A very unique experience. At the end was a very unique waterfall experience. If you have the time, take a short stop to enjoy.

There is a $5 charge per person but well worth the cost. There is a walk along the creek below the falls as well as a more strenuous hike up the hill over the canyon and falls. Beautiful views and a bridge over the canyon, perhaps not recommended for those with fear of heights.

Powerful and loud. definitely worth the short hike to it. be sure to go on the top bridge and the lower stairs.

Adored this experience. The view from the top is worth the scramble, and is a lovely view of Ouray We will be back.

Amazing falls with easy walk to get to. Nice little info area. Good value entry. Nature walk is a bonus with some local plants to see

Worth a stop, the lower part of the cave was really interesting. The bridge was a fun incline hike but less interesting than the lower cave.

Amazing views on this hike. I visited end of march-beginning of april and the trail was mainly snow/ice covered and very slick and I fell 5 ft into the hike. Bought some microspikes in town from ouray mountain sports and then did the trail with ease. It’s a short but steep hike to the bridge. Incredible views if you continue through the tunnel at top and onto the perimeter trail. The lower falls was really neat to see with all the icicles

Do not miss seeing the thunder and beauty of Box Canyon Falls. You will not believe in force of the water pouring through this place until you see it in person

When you first get there you will find yourself in the parking lot for the winter ice climbing there is a sign there posted showing the length of the canyon and there’s a very faint painted arrow pointing to the right to go down the road to the actual parking lot.

After arriving in the after arriving in the parking lot walk over to pay the entry fee. You will then have a choice of either going to bottom of the canyon or to the trail leading to the overhead bridge

After doing both, I would highly recommend going the upper part first because it will make you the hottest and it is a straight up climb of 93 stairs and then a stone and dirt walkway to the top. It is about 200 feet gain in elevation

But you’ll get some wonderful views and you get to walk over the original 1900 bridge that is 120 years old this year

Then I would head down to the bottom taking photos along the way and enjoy the mist of the Falls cooling you off

Something not to miss when you visit Ouray Colorado

Our summer trip to Ouray held a first hand visit to Box Canyon Waterfall and Park. As you enter, wild life scurries around feeders and posing for pictures. Visitor Center has gifts, post cards, bathrooms, etc. Descend down the stairways of a mountain side and enter into the depth of a mountain crevice. You will hear the roaring water long before you see it. Millions of gallons of water pour out and down the mountain, cooling the interior crevice and allowing a glimpse of an astonishing sight! Located at the edge of town. Picnic tables available.

Box Canyon is amazing. One of my fave places to visit. Amazing waterfall. Very powerful. Lots of wildlife

Super fun little trip and great views. Easy hike that almost anyone can do. Great views of the water and the beautiful town of Ouray. Highly recommended!

The waterfalls are lovely. We were there in July and it was pretty crowded on the trails. I would like to try a time when there are fewer people, but it was beautiful

We found checking Trip Advisor for things to do in Ouray. It was a 15 minute walk from our hotel. It is a great experience. The platforms they have built provide access to a great experience as you can walk right up to the fall. The hike up to the top was a little challenging but very doable for us.

This is a great stop. The lower area shows how much force 175,000 gal/min looks like and it is really cool and then the upper area has great views of the canyon and Ouray.

Follow the signs from main street in Ouray. You'll end up on a short dirt road heading to the parking area. Park. Walk to the visitor center if it is the summer. Pay five dollars for adults for three dollars for students.

I say go and see the Box Canyon and bottom of the waterfall first. A short easy path. Watch your head on some of the rocks. Walk the stairs down to the bottom of the falls. Enjoy the power of the water and the mist. Temps are cooler down there, so great on a warmer day. Head back up when you are ready.

You can walk the nature path back around to the front of the visitor center.

Then make the hike up the stairs to the overlook bridge. This is a tougher hike, but not long. You can sit and rest when you make it up all the metal stairs. Then continue up the path to the top. There are some rock scrambling areas so watch your step.

Once at the top you can take some great pictures of the area. There is also a tunnel that is part of the Ouray loop path that goes around the entire town. If you walk through it, watch your head. If you are over 5'6" there are areas you'll need to duck your head. It isn't a long tunnel.

It doesn't require a long visit, but you will enjoy your time there. Certainly worth a visit in my opinion.

It is open in the winter according to the signs, but it could be a much tougher climb up and down and the office isn't open.

Well worth the $5 entrance fee to see the waterfall, cliff tunnel and cliffside on the trails. The short hikes had major payoff with amazing views.

Waterfall will amaze you with its power. The view is best from the bottom, not high up by the bridge. Sturdy metal steps lead down. The falls come out of a cave with such power they go sideways. Quite as amazing as any national park sight. Not to be missed.

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!

Nice little park featuring an awesome waterfall and some great, short hiking trails.
Even in a year with little water, it was roaring. Bonus was we got to take the steps all the way to the bottom.

Unbelieveable 2 billion year old rock formations & waterfall❣ Highly recommend hiking up to the suspension bridge & walk through tunnel. Views were breathtaking.

Nice easy little hike with a nice waterfall! Easy parking. Friendly guy in the info center. Can also hike to the upper level of the falls and go brought a little cave tunnel to the perimeter trail. Late spring snow prevented us from doing a lot of hikes we had wants but we did enjoy his one.

Breathtaking canyon and waterfall. Easy to walk to but there are stairs you must climb. Centrally located in Ouray and the visit is easily done in about and hour. If you are visiting in Ouray don’t miss this canyon and the falls.

Hike itself is beautiful and very manageable with family BUT NO DOGS ALLOWED!!! Family had to take turns on the short hike and I stayed back with fur baby for the longer hike

This is a lively place to visit. Right next to Ouray Town. As you reach the place, there is a small car park, go past by it. When u reach the entrance, there is a larger car park next to it. In season this gets filled up early. We arrived around 9.30 and were lucky slots were available. Next proceed to buy tickets. Then move in. There is an elevation gain by walking up the track plus a combo of steps. Narrow trek up. When you reach up you get a view of the falls. You can also continue straight through a low height cave and there is trail going further ahead on the left. If you continue by keeping right, you will exit near the town and walk from there to the parking lot. Or you can retrace and return from the route you came on. We did that and so did a majority of the people. Overall nice hike and good views. The activity definitely worth it.

Stayed at Twin Peaks Lodge which is a short walk to Box Canyon Waterfall. The Lower Waterfall catwalk was an easy, cool and short walk for my elderly mother with knee problems. We were not able to go to the top bridge because of all the stairs. The Park Ranger mentioned ways to connect the waterfall trip to the larger perimeter trail around town if you are looking for more hiking. This was a lovely way to cool off in the hot summer months. And check out all the chipmunks!

The short walk to Box Canyon reveals the true power of nature! Amazing view of the falls that create the small canyon.

It is not an expensive trip to view the waterfall, but the views are only so-so. We walked up to the top and it really didn't show much. The climb didn't take too long and we got some good pictures of the city. Cool cave at the top. It is rocky to view the waterfall from the top so bring appropriate footwear.

This is not quite as easy of a hike as I was led to believe. There is a metal walkway then stairs down to the water. (Can be intimidating for those scared of heights) There is also a fairly intensive hike up to a viewing bridge at the top of Box Canyon. Very beautiful and glad we went.

Such power of water coming through the rocks. Somewhat of a walk on stairs but worth it. More effort to take the trail to the top. Secure shoes, tennis shoes, a must. First time my husband got in free anywhere for being a “Super Senior” over 75. How nice.

This is a MUST-DO for anyone visiting Ouray. The park is right on the south side of town as you come in on 550 and the canyon is right there. You pay the nominal fee and walk only 500 feet to the entrance of the canyon. The walkway is smooth, slightly inclining and a very easy walk. It takes you straight into the canyon where you see the rushing waters tumbling through the canyon. A good value that is well worth 45 minutes of your time.

Awesome. Very beautiful. You are able to get views of falls from different levels safely. There is a staircase that you may walk down to the bottom of the falls level. There is a nature walk that is very nice. And though I did not do it, you can walk to a spot that has bridge that spans the canyon over the falls.

The Box Canyon Waterfall & Park was a delight! We spent a good part of a day exploring the falls and the trails around the park. The views are lovely. The people are kind and polite. Very professional staff, easy to park. Great event to do while in Ouray!

This place charges $5 admission. It is an easy walk to the waterfall along a dirt path and metal scaffolding. Several areas have low head clearance. At the end of the walkway, you catch a glimpse of the roaring waterfall inside the rock walls. They have metal stairs that you can take down to the water’s edge. The water is very cold, and the posted signs discourage you from getting more than your feet in the water. They also have a higher trail which is more difficult, and a nature trail that we did not have time to take.

This was a great little hike near our hotel. Easy for my young son he loved it (and he hates hiking!)

It was well worth the $5 it cost to get in. The waterfall is beautiful. There was a lot of water flowing over the falls and you could barely hear yourself speak. It was fun watching it go through the canyon.

Ouray is a great little getaway town and one of the adventures here is Box Canyon. Not too easy to find as you follow a dirt road (do not use Google Maps to find this place) and then where it ends is the entrance. If it rains or snows be advised since it is a dirt road it will be muddy; even the parking lot so you are warned. The small gift shop is sparse, but the reading of the history here is really cool. The old pictures from the time period are way cool too.

The hike to the canyon is not difficult. There are two ways to view Box Canyon; in the TripAdvisor picture is the bottom of the waterfall and then there is a way to the top of the water.

At the top there is a walkway over the canyon which leads to a tunnel on the other side. Going through you can see the old water system and at the other end a trail continues for a good hike.

The bottom part you really cannot see the waterfall unless you climb some rocks but be careful as they are slippery. Or just reach your camera around the boulder and just take pictures. The down stream are also great for pictures as you can see the mountains in the background.

Great place to see and get some walking in. If you add the hike through the tunnel I am sure it would be well worth it. But definitely stop and see Box Canyon.

If your in Ouray, this is a must see! The hike up is more of a challenge than the hike down to see the falls however it’s not too difficult and you’ll be glad you did it. Be careful with GPS. If you just put in box canyon you may be guided up a 4-wheel drive road! 😱. Be sure to enter in the entire name of the attraction. Breath taking views and if you time it right you can see over 170K gallons per minute of the pure force of water!

This was a short delicious hike in the snow. Worth the effort! Always box canyons end with a rush of water. Fabulous and safe.

My husband and I visited yesterday. Very crowded. Mostly people there were without masks on tight , narrow walkways. Save your money and go for a nice hike to see a waterfall.

This is a MUST SEE in Ouray. Hike all the way to the top and take the stairs down to the bottom for different. The waterfall is amazing and the views of Ouray are incredible. Do not miss this attraction, highly recommended!

If you're an avid hiker, paying a fee to see this area might feel underwhelming, but I really love this option for out of town family. You can come and go in 30 minutes if you want to see the canyon and the additional footage they carved out recently its really worth the stop. You can also climb up and see the bridge and tunnel above, which is plenty climbing for visitors to make a longer trip of it.

We stopped at Box Canyon and did the short walk to Th bottom of the waterfall. WOW what a sight. Incredible. Never seen anything like. Worth the stop. Highly recommended.

We hiked this trail and part of the perimeter trail with our kids, aged 6 and 8. It was fun, although we did have to top for a few breathers. Lots of cute little chipmunks to watch run around too. It’s a must see!

Beautiful short hike along a catwalk to an impressive waterfall. If you love waterfalls this is a must. Highly recommended.

Been to Ouray few times and never even knew this was here.
Definitely recommend.
My husband was actually able to experience with me and he's not a hiker

Easy walk. Such a beautiful place- escape from everyday thoughts and appreciate. So happy I found this place and history.

Easy walk to the falls and down steps to the base. Every when other falls are low flow, this was flowing well. $5 fee per person to access the area. A nice side stop if in the area. Less than an hour to walk and view/take photos.

If you walk from the bottom of box Canyon to the top where you enter the waterfall it’s a little bit of a walk but you can drive up to the top and walk in it’s not a very strenuous walk. This waterfall was absolutely beautiful running to the mall rocks and running down just took your breath away

Very worth a visit for any age! It does have a small fee per person here but SO WORTH the visit! They have a free parking lot, with clean restrooms inside the visitor center. The walk through the box canyon to the waterfall is so wonderful but not long. You can go down a couple sets of stairs to get to the floor of the falls or stay at the top. We were a group of eight and all of us thought it was a highlight in our 7 day trip to Colorado.

Easy hike to the falls. Beautiful sights as you go down the steps to the lower falls. There is a minimal entry fee, $5. Recommended for all ages.

Ice box canyons were awesome! I got some really awesome pictures of the climbers climbing the ice in the canyon. Wear good hiking shoes if you just plan to walk as tennis shoes will slip a little. It can be done in tennis shoes as I did, but would be easier to climb the snow in hiking boots. I did not climb, just observed. If you wanted to climb you would need the shoes with the spikes.

Easy hike for all fitness levels including families with younger kids to see the waterfall. You can hike up from Box Canyon Lodge if you choose, but can also drive up.

$5 entry fee, short but steep walk, moderately difficult only up to the bridge. Great views, and you can experience the waterfall up close. Just outside your door if you’re staying at the Box Canyon Lodge or Twin Peaks, totally worth it!

This is a easy and short hike into a really cool box canyon. After paying a small donation for the up keep of the the trails, you make the short hike onto the walkway that clings to the side of the canyon wall and will carry you to the breath-taking roar of the falls. Not something you see or hear everyday!

Beautiful falls in an engineering feat setting. Look for the abandoned wench. Hike up over the falls or down to the bottom.

Dogs are not allowed.

$5 entrance fee but worth it fir how well maintained the park is.

A short walk to a beautiful fall. The water was a lovely aqua blue. The sound was thundering and and relaxing. There was also a more strenuous hike to above the falls.

We arrived to the walk around 4:30 and paid the small entrance fee. First we did the lower walk where you can get right down to the water and see AND hear the waterfall at the bottom. It was so loud and neat to be there with only one other group. Nice way to cool off on a hot afternoon in Ouray. From the other reviews I thought we would get soaked, but it wasn't like that at all.

After the lower walk my son and I did the hike above. That was a little treacherous, we are not hikers but made it to the top. Neat tunnel to walk through at the end and then we turned around to head back down. This was a hike that took a lot out of us, maybe the elevation, but it was really rocky and steep at times. Definitely worth the time and effort, but more intense than I had planned on. Bring water with you and take your time going up.

The beauty and power of this fall is stunning. Easy, short walk to view on trail and metal walkway. Definitely worth a stop

Short hike to the falls and access to perimeter trail. Gorgeous falls with neat mining equipment relics from the 1960’s. Take the stairs for another brief hike and amazing views of Ouray from above. Worth visiting!

It is a very short walk into the box canyon but absolutely worth it for anyone who has not seen or heard the power of water funneled through a narrow crack in the earth’s crust. There is an optional hike that takes you above the falls and is also a must, as you get to walk through a short cave section (it is well lit).

In fall most of the waterfall is in a channel in the rocks, not readily visible. Impressive sound, signage says in the spring run off it fills the area with spray so may be better then.

Admission is $5 for adults, less for seniors and children.

Access is via a set of open grate steel steps and platforms.

Beautiful and very unique waterfall. Not what I was expecting at all. The power of the water was amazing and the canyon walls majestic. Easy walk with some stairs.

We went early morning and the area was full of snow. We did the walk all the way to the end of the fall and up to the stairs to the trail which was too icy to proceed. I believe it is a good hike if not too much snow.

SUPER cool place to visit. The falls and the lower access is sooooo pretty. I couldn't do the stairs to the upper viewing platform, but my family says it is totally awesome. Very reasonably priced and a must stop if you are in the area.

Usually I visit this park in the summer, but is is often accessible in the winter also. This box canyon/slot canyon is quite a place. Depending on the water flow, it can be a trickle or a pounding monster. Go more than once to see its variety. There are also rare birds nesting there in the summer.

Awesome! Great place to take pics. Try to stop by here if you are in Ouray, Colorado. Cool water falls.

This is a fascinating and neat little location. The falls are intense, unique, and cool to see from the metal stairs. Great staff and shop as well.

FANTASTIC experience. We went with another couple and their 5 year old son and not only did the adults LOVE it, but the kiddo had a BLAST. Cute little chipmunks at the beginning of the trail. It's an easy hike down some stairs to the base of the waterfall, and a slightly tougher hike back up the stairs to get up to the top of the waterfall. There's a bridge over the top of the falls with AMAZING views. From there, there is access to the Ouray Perimeter Trail which we took full advantage of. We hiked another ~2 miles and happened upon another natural waterfall which was the perfect spot to stop and have a quick lunch. It does cost $5 per adult to enter but it is well worth the cost of admission. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. We all loved it!

Beautiful box canyon made accessible by iron steps and walkways. It is not accessible to disabled people. The trail and views are outstanding. Worth a visit.

This was a small city park with a wonderful waterfall. I’d recommend the short hike to the falls and the nature loop as an easy walk back to the visitor’s center. The hike to a bridge
above the waterfall is about 1/2 mile round trip with about 200’ elevation change. Not much if you live on Colorado, but a little strenuous if you’re more used to sea level. Well worth the effort!

Spectacular views. Short hike to see and feel the power for the falls up close. Fabulous views from the upper bridge trail. Be aware this is a steep, rocky hike. Wear hiking shoes! Pretty strenuous hike up but it’s not long

Fantastic experience- 9 month old and 3.5 year old loved the birds and chipmunks. The walk to the waterfall and back is quite short- wore 9 month old in an ergo baby. We had a a large back pack carrier for the 3.5 year old but good thing he did not need it there was not enough head clearance. The waterfall was just stunning. A must see!!

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.

Very cool place! Short walk to the lower observation area, which is inside the box canyon. Unique and powerful to see the water rushing through the rocks.

My kids enjoyed it and it was a good place to get some really good photos. Costs money to get in but you are on vacation and it’s cheap. There are chipmunks running everywhere that the little ones would enjoy and the canyon is s treat to see when that water is flowing through it. Just go!

My husband and I really enjoyed the Box Canyon Waterfalls. The falls are very impressive and we enjoyed reading some of the history of the sale to Ouray and the hot springs. Quite the feat to make this so accessible to public.

Amazing falls!!! Very upset, though, that people did not keep their masks on once they got on the trail. Colorado has mandated masks in public, but apparently that doesn’t apply to crowds of people on a narrow walkway at the waterfall. If that doesn’t bother you, then it’s definitely worth going because the power and beauty of the waterfall in the canyon is breathtaking.

Cool box canyon and the hike is easy. Nice view if town if you take the hike up to the bridge. Wish they didn’t have a neon sign up at night. Ruins the atmosphere of Ouray at night.

The box canyon is easily accessible on the edge of Ouray and is an easy sightseeing activity to combine with seeing the town of Ouray itself or hiking the Perimeter Trail.

I was skeptical because I don't like paying to take a hike, but I have to say it is worth it. And, it really isn't a hike. It's a quick walk and the payoff is well worth the modest cost. Glad we went.

What a wonderful hike to the waterfalls and then up over the bridge at the top. Hike down was easy - the hike up to the bridge slightly more difficult

Great awesome, bring water to hydrate. Lots of steps. Take your time. You can take the road on the other side if you can’t do steps. But please pay so they can maintain the attraction.

this place is just on the south side of town . our group of 4 adults stopped here on the way into town early october. there is fee of $5 per person now. in the past it was for free. that said it is a nice short walk to the falls that flows inside the rock mountain .

The trail to the falls is les than a half mile and on even ground. once you get there, you can walk down the stairs to the base. because the waterfall is flowing inside the rocks it does not make for a good photo. if is interesting to see.

there is another trail that takes you above the falls but it looked to strenuous for us to do so we did not do it. the facility has a person on hand to purchase tickets from and has a restroom for public use. over all if your in the area and have to spare time see it. it is not worth a special trip to go out of your way to see.

Is it CANYON or CANON. Check the sign on the hill.
Nice little hike on good path or metal grate walkway into a slot canyon to see a waterfall. The hike up to the bridge to see the tunnel is worth it.

Stopped by the Box Canyon after wandering around Ouray. The trail to the falls is short and easy. The falls that come shooting out of the side of the mountain is some site.

Beautiful but short! Great to walk to and look at the beautiful houses!

Go in the morning, no one is there and see the magic of nature!

Precursor: I am not a hiker, I get elevation sickness, and I'm afraid of heights. Box Canon has a bridge at the top, so you can look down into the canyon. The path for this is to your left, up some stairs, when you walk in. I did hike up there, with my 11 and 8 year old in toe and we did just fine with a couple of breaks. It's very high up, but I managed to peek down.
If you'd rather skip the heights, you can just walk straight along the path. It will take you to some stairs to walk down to the waterfall. It is very impressive and photos do not do it justice. My 8 year old is sensitive to loud noises, so she did not enjoy this part because the rushing water is very loud.
Overall this was a great little spot and was very cool to see in person.

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.

This attraction cost us $6, and we chose to take it easy and just do the waterfall trail. It was ok. The walk is not too bad, but you do not really see the entire waterfall, maybe 80%? Also, you get somewhat wet, especially if you want to see more of the waterfall. The longer walk is the same price and likely better. Though this is a very up close and personal experience with the waterfall, there is a larger waterfall on the other side of town, seen from a distance. Also, there are some waterfalls on the Million Dollar Highway. Probably you should go on the longer hike if you go.

Great Host/Greeter at ticket booth. She wad shared lots on insights to view on tour. Nice Lady from Texas

Amazing views, easy walk and friendly people. There is a $5 per person entry fee, but worth it! You can actually go down to the water’s edge and very near the falls. Took lots of scenic pictures. On way back to visitor’s center did an easy loop to get more spectacular scenic views and ended ‘talking’ to the little chipmunks. They were very friendly and unafraid and fat, despite signs saying not to feed them.

The water fall is the kind that takes your breath away especially if you’re from the desert! The trail climbs up from there with some steep switchbacks but then levels off and you as you hike along it you are treated with incredible views of the town nestled in the valley. We did a section and backtracked as we didn’t have enough food or water. Probably about 5 hours around. I did another section starting st the Nix Canyon water fall the next day. Again a climb to get up but then it’s much gentler. I’m going back to do the whole loop.

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.

So cool to see these falls up close. It was winter so a nice cardio hike up to the falls. Seeing as it was snowy we were limited on where we could go but worth the trip to see.

Years ago My wife and I had viewed Box Canyon Falls. Before they had the steel walkway and upgraded path. Don’t remember much. Was in winter and the Canyon was decorated by an ice curtain. Well, it’s different now. There’s a fee (only $6 for oldies), but well worth it. They have built a steel walkway that goes all that way into the Canyon and to the base of the Falls. Wow! What a lot of water crashing down on the rocks. The walls are reminiscent of Antelope Canyon in Arizona in their undulating forms (though without the color). The power (and noise) of the water is amazing. How do the rocks withstand all that bashing?! We spent a lot of time at each stage of the walk. We even took the stairs down to the base of the Falls to see them from below. What an incredible sight. Well worth the time and fee.

Amazing that something this magnificent is so close to the Highway. My husband took so many photos.

An easy short hike to get there. So glad we took the time to see this.

This is a short, tourist hike, definitely worthwhile, especially with kids or those not interested in hiking very far to see awesome natural beauty.

It was definitely a must see place and was a different experience from surrounding places and views however it cost a total of $10 for my husband and I to go in and there wasn’t much to do once inside so that felt a little steep. Otherwise it was great and fun to see!

«Box Cañon Falls » is really Ouray's own wonder of the world. It is the culmination of Canyon Creek narrowing and spilling thousands of gallons a minute of water over the falls. At this spectacular geological formation, the 285 foot waterfall plummets into a narrow quartzite canyon. The narrow rock walls tower over the falls by nearly 100 feet! The park is located on CR361 - off Highway 550 just south of Ouray. You need to pay $5 per person to gain access. You have three hiking options in the park that range from easy to moderately difficult. The park offers picnicking, hiking, and good sightseeing..

The Falls Trail is a mostly level, easy, 500 foot walk into the canyon. The High Bridge Trail takes you up 200 feet in a half mile round trip hike that is more technical and difficult. Along the trail are beautiful views of Ourayl and the high peaks of the Amphitheater Cirque.

Very easy walk to the falls on the lower trail. If you're afraid of heights like me, you might hesitate a bit at the grated walkways that you can peer straight down through. But even I was able to brave it to enjoy this scenic waterfall inside a slot canyon.

There is also an even tamer path around the park with nice views of the canyon and town, and a more strenuous (but still not bad) hike to the upper part of the canyon, where a bridge crosses it straight into the cliffside on the opposite wall. I was not brave enough to cross this one (again, grated flooring, but much higher). My wife tells me it was really neat, though!

Parking was a bit tight - we were there around 11am on a Monday morning. But still a neat thing to see without a difficult hike to get to it.

This place is fantastic. Short hike up the falls and a stairs down to the bottom. The admission is cheap and definitely worth a trip to see.

This was a hidden surprise. It was so cool to hear the roar of the water and to feel the mist as we got closer to the falls. Amazing how powerful the water can be flowing through a crack in the rocks. The chipmunks running around the area by the start of the trail was a nice bonus. We even saw a small fox as we were walking out. And we didn't even do the other trails that look like they would be easy to walk.

Be aware that you can see only the bottom of the falls as most is inside a rock formation. The falls are viewed from metal steps or behind the step structure. There were a lot of people there and despite signs saying that face masks are required,almost no one wore them after paying the admission fee. It was impossible to maintain social distance and we left quickly to hike one of the many beautiful trails nearby.

We hiked to this Park from our hot springs Lodge. The $5 fee to access the Park, go down solid steel structures to the bottom of the powerful water fall and go up to the Canyon Walk Way as well as a tunnel is well worth it! Such a thrill to experience it.

There are five flights of 10-12 steps each down to the canyon to see the water fall up close. It takes 95-step stairs up and a not so easy hike beyond that to the Walk Way way above the Canyon. Continuing onto the short tunnel at the other end of the walk way is fun.

Both stairs down and up are about four inches in height apart (easy to negotiate). The trail after the steps going up have inclines and rocks. However, there are rocks, wood and wire fence trail railing and dry fallen tree branches/trunks to hold on to.

Seniors (62+) pay $4 and Super Seniors (75 and up) are Free!

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.

Just not at a fantastic level for us as was the other mountain scenery of the area ... even with the metal stairs for access, it was still difficult to see the falls ... trails did offer very nice sites of Ouray and the area. We would not do this again.

The majesty of the Box Canon is stunning anytime of year. Excellent for hiking in the summer and fall to enjoy the changing of the leaves or check out the winter ice climbing and spring thaw. You won't be disappointed!

We visited Box Canyon Falls and also hiked up to the bridge above. Both are worth seeing when visiting Ouray, but I will say it is somewhat difficult to get a really great view of the waterfall without walking into the stream below the falls. Extremely crowded on a late July summer afternoon.

Box Canyon water fall demonstrates the amazing force of water. Seeing and hearing it makes it more understandable how water erodes rock. What a roar!

There are lots of steps making it easier to climb up or down to see the waterfall, the views, access the Perimeter Trail, etc. Great signage too so you can read about the history.

5 min drive at most from town. We paid our $5 and had an excellent view of the Falls cutting through the rocks. Great time.

We lived this hike! Bottom of falls, top of falls, tunnel can walk to “Box Canon” sign, and access the Ouray Perimeter Trail. Who could ask for more?! The entrance fee is nominal and well worth the price.

I’ve never seen waterfalls with such powerful force before. Short walk to the falls and so worth it!

GREAT SURPRISE! Even from the beginning of the experience standing in the parking lot - the 360 view of the mountains was MAGNIFICENT! Then you get to experience the mini chipmunks and all of the mocking birds!!! My family loved experiencing all of the different trails available. We started with the inside the Falls trail!!! Beautiful and Amazing! Then the more adventurous member of our family climbed the trail that goes up and actually crosses a high bridge on foot and through the mountain tunnel! The 360 view from the top of the mountain is definitely worth the climb. You will not regret it!

It’s a great experience and we have never seen this kind of fall. There were about 5 chipmunks searching for food at the beginning section of the trail. There were not many parking spots to accommodate the peak hours. We almost missed to pay for the entrance because it was not showing visibly.

Definitely worth your time. The falls wend their way through the cavernous rock cliffs and the sound is deafening. It is so impressive the amount of water squeezed through narrow spaces. You can get right up next to the falls.

My husband isn't much of a hiker and we had sent him with a few friends while the bridal party was getting ready. I really was shocked how much he enjoyed this. He talked about going back so I could go and that's impressive.

There is a 5 dollar fee to enter. Lots of stairs and open grates if u don't like heights don't go. My hubby paid and then would not do it because the open grates freaked him out. You can climb to the top and the bottom

The walk through the canyon to get to the falls is very interesting, but the big thing here is the views from the VC parking lot area. Enjoyable stop.