Bear Creek Falls Lookout at Uncompahgre National Forest
in Ouray, Colorado is an easy universally-accessible 0.1-mile out-and-back walk that leads
to a viewpoint of the 150-foot tall waterfall, Bear Creek Falls, and the ~450-foot tall Ralston Creek Falls located across the valley.
Walk
This very short roadside walk along the Million Dollar Highway leads visitors out along a universally-accessible pathway to take-in views of the mountain valley south of Ouray which includes Bear Creek Falls and Ralston Creek Falls. If you start on the north side of the lookout point, you'll find Ralston Creek Falls tumbling down the mountainside across the valley. Ralston Creek Falls is about 450-feet tall (estimated) and tumbles down the mountain to reach a free-falling cascade near the bottom of the creek.
The paved walkway leads to the east where you'll find a view of Bear Creek Falls. Bear Creek Falls is the largest and most-powerful waterfall at the lookout, but is much shorter than Ralston Falls at approximately 150-feet tall. Bear Creek Falls plunges over the side of the cliff, flowing below the Million Dollar Highway, to reach the Uncompahgre River below. From this vantage point, you'll find the best views of Bear Creek Falls. The trail then leads back to parking for a very short roadside walk.
Parking
Visitors will find a large parking turnout with less than 10 parking spaces as of June 2024.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
Walk
This very short roadside walk along the Million Dollar Highway leads visitors out along a universally-accessible pathway to take-in views of the mountain valley south of Ouray which includes Bear Creek Falls and Ralston Creek Falls. If you start on the north side of the lookout point, you'll find Ralston Creek Falls tumbling down the mountainside across the valley. Ralston Creek Falls is about 450-feet tall (estimated) and tumbles down the mountain to reach a free-falling cascade near the bottom of the creek.
The paved walkway leads to the east where you'll find a view of Bear Creek Falls. Bear Creek Falls is the largest and most-powerful waterfall at the lookout, but is much shorter than Ralston Falls at approximately 150-feet tall. Bear Creek Falls plunges over the side of the cliff, flowing below the Million Dollar Highway, to reach the Uncompahgre River below. From this vantage point, you'll find the best views of Bear Creek Falls. The trail then leads back to parking for a very short roadside walk.
Parking
Visitors will find a large parking turnout with less than 10 parking spaces as of June 2024.
Pets
Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
