Waterfall Hikes Near Cortez, CO

8,832 residents
Denver Time Zone
2 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Canyon and mesa country surrounds Cortez, and only two falls land inside its radius. Eagle Falls is a tenth of a mile from the car. McElmo Falls takes its name from the creek that drains west toward Utah, and the page holds little verified data on it, so go with modest expectations and a camera anyway. Spring runoff is the best window in this dry corner of Colorado.

Located at 37.3503°N, -108.5768°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Cortez

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

2 of 2 gauged

1 of 2 waterfalls near Cortez is flowing strongly today

McElmo Falls Strong

Updated about 3 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Thursday

Sunny · 72°F

Aft 76°F Sunny
Sun 76°F Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Mon 65°F Rain Showers
Tue 65°F Rain Showers Likely
Wed 68°F Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Thu 72°F Sunny Best
Fri 73°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Cortez

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 McElmo Falls Strong · 2 cfs 84th percentile
  2. 2 Eagle Falls Strong · 100 cfs 80th percentile

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Find waterfalls to hike near Cortez

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All 2 Waterfalls Near Cortez

LiDAR terrain view around McElmo Falls in Colorado, about 64 feet of drop LiDAR

McElmo Falls

3.2 miles away
Colorado
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Eagle Falls waterfall

Eagle Falls

40.5 miles away
Colorado
Unknown
0.1 miles Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Cortez

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Cortez?

The shortest waterfall hike near Cortez is Eagle Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Cortez?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Cortez have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Cortez?

The closest waterfall to Cortez is McElmo Falls, approximately 3.2 miles away.

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Cortez, Colorado

Trimble Hot Spr, Stratten Warm Spr

Trimble Hot Spr, Stratten Warm Spr

32.9 mi 97°F

Trimble Hot Springs and Stratten Warm Spring share a location near Durango at 97 degrees Fahrenheit, just 9.4 meters from the r...
Tripp Hot Springs

Tripp Hot Springs

33.2 mi 111°F

Tripp Hot Springs emerges at an impressive 111 degrees Fahrenheit near Durango in La Plata County, earning its reputation throu...

Stratten Warm Spring

33.7 mi

Stratten Warm Spring flows near Durango at 6,600 feet elevation, accessible from a roadside pullout with just a 29.5-meter walk...

Pinkerton Hot Springs

37.4 mi

Pinkerton Hot Springs surfaces at a roadside-accessible location just 81 feet from Animas Spring Road, distinguished by remarka...
Pinkerton Hot Springs

Pinkerton Hot Springs

37.8 mi 90°F

Pinkerton Hot Springs emerges at 90°F at 6,748 feet elevation in La Plata County near Durango, where exceptional iron concentra...

Paradise Warm Spring

38.5 mi 115°F

Paradise Warm Spring emerges at 115°F at the substantial elevation of 8,659 feet near Mountain Village, where extremely high ch...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Cortez, Colorado on SoakingSprings.

Explore Colorado springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

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Cabins & Rentals VRBO

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Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

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