Box Canyon Falls

From downtown Ouray, drive south on the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) for less than one-half of a mile and turn right onto Bird Camp Road (CO 361) where a sign points to Box Canyon Falls. After turning onto Bird Camp Road, immediately bear right onto Box Canyon Road and cross the Uncompahgre River, again following the signs pointing to Box Canyon and the parking area in another one-third of a mile. Pay the entrance fee for the park in the visitors center before embarking on the trail to the falls, which leads down to the viewpoint in less than one-quarter of a mile. A metal staircase also provides access to the bottom of the canyon just below the falls.Box Canyon Falls is likely the most well known waterfall found in the Ouray area. The falls are found immediately outside of downtown Ouray in a small park maintained by the city. The falls are located within a true slot canyon carved by Canyon Creek as it descends to join the Uncompahgre River. The city has constructed a unique trail system which utilizes metal catwalks to enter the canyon proper and allow for a view on the final portion of the falls, but the majority of the falls is obstructed from view due to the narrow, twisted, and contorted shape of the canyon itself. From the developed viewpoint(s) perhaps the final 75 feet of the falls are visible, and of that, only the last 30 foot drop is readily visible - the remainder of the larger drop above is almost completely obscured by the shape of the canyon and can only be seen during periods of heavy flow. Literature available about the canyon from the park and related tourism sources cite the falls as dropping a total of 285 feet. Unfortunately because the falls are so heavily incised into the side of the mountain, and the canyon is so extremely twisted, we were not able to obtain an accurate measurement of the falls to confirm this claim. Topographic data suggests the drop may be closer to 120 feet, and that 285 feet may be a measurement taken from well upstream of the falls, possibly related to the elevation change in a former mill or hydroelectric system. Canyon Creek drains from a large basin covering an area of about 23 square miles. Though there aren't any glaciers or permanent sources of perennial ice in the area, there are several small lakes and tarns, and the majority of the basin is found at elevations above 10,000 feet, which will ensure a slow, steady melt out during the summer months and a consistently strong flow of water throughout the year. When we surveyed the falls in early October 2017, it was flowing quite well despite the preceding months having been rather dry. Box Canyon Falls Park is operated by the city of Ouray and a modest entrance fee is charged to access the falls ($4.00 as of 2017).