Overview

Hype:

Bear Creek Falls is a breathtaking roadside attraction along the Million Dollar Highway near Ouray, Colorado. This dramatic waterfall cascades beneath a towering bridge, plunging into the rocky canyon below. Easily accessible, the site offers a scenic overlook with guardrails, but the viewing platform may be too much for those who are scared of heights. The thundering sound of water and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains create an unforgettable experience. Visitors can marvel at the engineering of the highway bridge, which seamlessly blends with the natural beauty of the falls, making Bear Creek Falls a must-see highlight on this iconic route.

Time:

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

Waterfalls
Viewpoint, Overlooks, Vistas
Interpretive Signs
Road Access is Paved
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
Wildflowers and Vegitation
Wildlife and Birding

Links: https://www.uncovercolorado.com/waterfalls/bear-creek-falls-ouray/

Getting There

Navigate to 37.999909, -107.661061.

Park at the pullout on the south side of the road.

Location

Closest City or Region: Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Coordinates: 37.999706, -107.660057

View larger map

October 17, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Cooper Dye, Miller Dye,

Story

Thursday looked like it would be the best weather, so we decided to drive up the million dollar highway to Silverton. The drive was super pretty and we stopped and took lots of pictures of the waterfall and all the old mining ruins along the way.

We met up with everyone else at the San Juan county historical museum and the San Juan county historical society mining heritage center. The museum was huge and had tons of awesome stuff inside. We really enjoyed it. We finished up around lunch time.

There weren't a lot of great places to have lunch and it was kind of cold and drizzly so we went over to the railroad park because it looked like they had a pavilion there. We made lunch then did some window shopping along Main Street.

On the drive back to Ouray, our vehicle stopped at the Ironton townsite on the way, where we explored several old buildings.

We also stopped at the Bear Creek Falls overlook and were amazed at the view from the platform.