Are there fees or permits required for Macey Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Macey Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Macey Falls.

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Macey Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Macey Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Macey Falls.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

San Isabel National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

6.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Macey Falls

Macey Falls tumbles through a forested draw in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is tucked inside San Isabel National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The falls are reached via the USFS MACEY SPUR (Trail #1341.A), a short native-surface spur to the cascade; many visitors combine that spur with the broader approach to make a rewarding 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with about 350 feet of elevation gain. The route’s moderate rating and handful of rocky, steeper sections make it a popular choice for day hikers looking for a relatively short outing with scenic payoff. Plan your visit for spring and early summer when snowmelt boosts the flow and the surrounding conifers and understory are especially lush. Camping is convenient enough for an overnight trip: Alvarado Campground lies about 8.29 km away, offering a nearby basecamp. Because the official spur (USFS GIS 0.32 miles) is native-material surface and class 3, bring sturdy footwear and basic route awareness—the setting is tranquil, but the approach rewards caution and curiosity alike.

The Setting

Macey Falls sits at 11,329 feet within San Isabel National Forest, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Macey Spur (#1341.A), a 6.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

MACEY SPUR #1341.A

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

0.32 mi

Trail Description

Trail type: out-and-back. Total logged distance: 2.4 miles round trip with ~350 feet elevation gain; difficulty: moderate. The U.S. Forest Service route to the falls is MACEY SPUR (Trail #1341.A) — the USFS GIS length for that spur is 0.32 miles. Surface: native material. Class: 3 (per USFS trail data). Expect short rocky and steeper sections on native soil; proper footwear and attention on steeper pitches are recommended. The waterfall’s flow is most impressive in spring and early summer during snowmelt.

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 Macey Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Macey Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Macey Falls is in late spring or early summer when the waterfall is at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall is also a great time to visit for cooler weather and colorful foliage.

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 San Isabel National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Be prepared for sudden weather changes and carry sufficient water. Watch for loose rocks on the trail, and be cautious of wildlife. Cell phone service may be limited in the area.

Know when to go.

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

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 measures about 123 feet of descent through Macey Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 11,322 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 105 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 70 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

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

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 11,322 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 123 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Macey Falls is located near Westcliffe, Colorado, in the San Isabel National Forest. The trailhead can be accessed via County Road 140, which leads to the Macey Lakes Trailhead. A high-clearance vehicle may be recommended for the last stretch of the road.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Macey Lakes Trailhead, but spaces may be limited, especially during peak seasons.

Elevation

11,329 feet above sea level

Coordinates

38.004444° N, -105.567785° W

Land Management

San Isabel National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start your hike early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight for the return trip. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and layers, as weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

This trail sits at 11,329 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.

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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

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Nearby Campground

ALVARADO CAMPGROUND

5.2 miles away · 51 sites

Reservable

Overview Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 ft., is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers. Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks t

Book on Recreation.gov