Are there fees or permits required for Ingram Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Ingram Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Ingram Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Ingram Falls.

Nearby gauge (South Fork San Miguel River) · 79 ft³/s · Much higher than usual

Ingram Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ingram Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ingram Falls.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Uncompahgre National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

Zruda CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

simpsora CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Zruda CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

1.8 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Ingram Falls

Ingram Falls is a picturesque cascade just outside Telluride, Colorado, spilling off Bridal Veil Creek and framed by the rugged San Juan Mountains. The falls sit on U.S. Forest Service land within the Uncompahgre National Forest, and are often visible from the access road toward Bridal Veil Falls — making Ingram Falls an easy, scenic stop on a mountain drive or a short hike. For those on foot, the most direct approach uses the Silver Lake Trail (USFS Trail #5507.1A). It’s a welcoming option for day hikers who want a relatively short outing with big mountain scenery.

The Setting

Ingram Falls sits at 10,961 feet within Uncompahgre National Forest, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest waterfall in Colorado at 365 feet, lies 0.5 miles to the west. Also nearby: Cornet Falls (80 ft, 3.0 mi).

Bridal Veil Falls Cornet Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Silver Lake (#5507.1A), a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is minimally developed (Class 1).

USFS Trail

SILVER LAKE #5507.1A

Trail Class

Minimally Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

1.01 mi

Trail Description

Access is via Silver Lake Trail (USFS Trail #5507.1A). The official trail segment is Class 1 with a native material surface and a typical grade between 12–20%. Expect firm, rocky native tread and short, steeper pitches; overall difficulty is rated moderate.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ingram Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Ingram Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during late spring through early fall when the trail is clear of snow and the waterfall flow is strongest due to snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Uncompahgre National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The trail can be steep and rocky, so proper footwear is essential. Be cautious of loose rocks and off-road vehicles. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly, so be prepared for sudden rain or storms.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Fork San Miguel River, 8 miles away, not on Ingram Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

79 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

21 25 31 39

Based on 15 years of record

1.96 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing much higher than usual, expect an impressive display.

About This Gauge

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

SOUTH FORK SAN MIGUEL RIVER NEAR OPHIR, CO

USGS 09171310

8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 42 sq mi

Altitude: 8,484 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH FORK SAN MIGUEL RIVER NEAR OPHIR, CO (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

81 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

81 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

81 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

84 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

87 cfs

5/10

Sat

Low

88 cfs

4/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

81 cfs

5/10

Mon

Low

91 cfs

4/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early May to mid July, peaking in June.

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 Telluride hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Ingram Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately 2 more freezing days forecast

Ingram Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 38°F to 29°F. 2 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.

Days below freezing: 1 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 2 of the next 7
Flow: 81 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 Ingram Falls dropping about 482 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 10,996 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 213 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 377 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Ingram Falls near Telluride, Colorado, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Ingram Falls near Telluride, Colorado, showing about 482 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: 10,996 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 482 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

Ingram Falls is located near Telluride, Colorado, along the road to Bridal Veil Falls. Visitors can access the area via a 4WD road that leads to Bridal Veil Falls, with Ingram Falls visible along the way.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available near the base of the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead. Visitors should be prepared for limited parking during peak seasons.

Elevation

10,961 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.922598° N, -107.761555° W

Land Management

Uncompahgre National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight for the hike. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions in the mountains.

This trail sits at 10,961 ft — roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level

Extreme Altitude

At this elevation, altitude sickness is a real concern. Monitor how you feel, take frequent rest breaks, and descend if symptoms worsen. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow time to acclimatize.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)

Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.

Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex

Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Monitor blood oxygen in real time — SpO2 commonly drops to 85–90% above 10,000 ft.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

South Mineral Campground

8.1 miles away · 0 sites

South Mineral Campground, located along South Mineral Creek, is one of the most popular campgrounds in the San Juan National Forest. The campground has 26 sites, all of which are first-come, first-serve. Most campsites are shaded and well-spaced thanks to spruce and fir trees. Some sites are handicapped accessible. Some sites have large parking areas.Services include water, trash pickup, fire grates, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Bear-safe food storage is recommended. No electricity. Between

Book on Recreation.gov