Are there fees or permits required for East Fork Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit East Fork Falls.

Is swimming allowed at East Fork Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at East Fork Falls.

Nearby gauge (Parachute Creek) · 7 ft³/s · Lower than usual

East Fork Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at East Fork Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at East Fork Falls. Dogs are generally allowed on BLM public lands and should be kept under control.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named East Fork Falls, see below

Colorado River Valley Field Office PUB · Bureau of Land Management

Photo Credits (5)

RuggyBearLA CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

About East Fork Falls

East Fork Falls is on East Fork Parachute Creek on the Roan Plateau north of Parachute, on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Colorado River Valley Field Office. The BLM's Roan Plateau travel plan designates a 2.4-mile hiking and horse trail named East Fork Falls that passes the falls and connects to the Bull Gulch Loop. The area is remote, so confirm current road and trail access with the BLM before you go.

The Setting

East Fork Falls sits at 7,579 feet within Colorado River Valley Field Office, in the high mountains of Colorado.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

BLM data list the East Fork Falls Trail as 2.4 miles long, open to hikers and horses only, with a natural surface and no seasonal restriction. The falls is about 0.9 mile from the trail's junction with the 1.6-mile Bull Gulch Loop. We could not confirm the mileage from a trailhead or the elevation gain, so plan the full route with a current BLM map.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at East Fork Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are generally allowed on BLM public lands and should be kept under control.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at East Fork Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit East Fork Falls is during late spring through early fall when the trail is free of snow and the waterfall flow is at its peak.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow.

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Carry a first aid kit and let someone know your plans before heading out.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 44 minutes ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Parachute Creek, 7.9 miles away, not on East Fork Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

7 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

6 10 15 20

Based on 25 years of record

4.48 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

PARACHUTE CREEK AT PARACHUTE, CO.

USGS 09093500

7.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 198 sq mi

Altitude: 5,103 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge PARACHUTE CREEK AT PARACHUTE, CO. (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

7 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

7 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

7 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

7 cfs

8/10

Sat

Moderate

7 cfs

5/10

Sun

Moderate

7 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

7 cfs

8/10

Tue

Moderate

7 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to late June, peaking in May.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Battlement Mesa hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is East Fork Falls Frozen?

Updated about 4 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

East Fork Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 50°F to 32°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 7 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Colorado.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar shows East Fork Falls dropping about 443 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 7,589 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 287 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 157 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around East Fork Falls near Battlement Mesa, Colorado, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around East Fork Falls near Battlement Mesa, Colorado, showing about 443 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 7,589 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 443 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The falls is on BLM land on the Roan Plateau above Parachute Creek. We could not confirm a public road route to the trail, so check access with the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office in Silt before you go.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

7,579 feet above sea level

Coordinates

39.562581° N, -108.013787° W

Land Management

Colorado River Valley Field Office PUB

Managed by BLM

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the trail may be uneven or rocky in places. Bring plenty of water and snacks, especially during warmer months. Check weather conditions before visiting, as rain or snow can make the trail slippery.

This trail sits at 7,579 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 30% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.

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