Are there fees or permits required for Missouri Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Missouri Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Missouri Falls.

Nearby gauge (Clear Creek) · 37 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Missouri Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Missouri Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Missouri Falls.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Before you go

Missouri Falls sits at the edge of private land with no public trail or viewpoint. Do not cross private property to reach it.

Photo Credits (5)

jonarcher CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Simon Foot CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

About Missouri Falls

Missouri Falls is a small, little-documented waterfall on Missouri Creek in Gilpin County, about 1.5 miles north of Central City near Hughesville Road (County Road 5). The land around it is a patchwork of private parcels and small Bureau of Land Management fragments left between mining-era claims, and we found no public trail or viewpoint.

Trail & Hike Details

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Missouri Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Missouri Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Seasonal Access

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

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Clear Creek, 7.4 miles away, not on Missouri Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

37 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

38 42 66 80

Based on 72 years of record

2.69 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

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

CLEAR CREEK NEAR LAWSON, CO

USGS 06716500

7.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 147 sq mi

Altitude: 8,071 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge CLEAR CREEK NEAR LAWSON, CO (12 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

37 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

37 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

37 cfs

9/10

Sun

Moderate

36 cfs

9/10

Mon

Moderate

36 cfs

9/10

Tue

Moderate

39 cfs

6/10

Wed

Moderate

38 cfs

9/10

Thu

Moderate

38 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to mid August, 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 Central City 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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 154 feet of drop through Missouri Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 8,596 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 31 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 67 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Missouri Falls near Central City, Colorado, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Missouri Falls near Central City, Colorado, showing about 154 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing south

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 8,596 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 154 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: South; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Elevation

8,593 feet above sea level

Coordinates

39.824154° N, -105.509164° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

This trail sits at 8,593 ft — the air is noticeably thinner

High Altitude

Some visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.

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.

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

Cold Springs - Arapaho Roosevelt NF (CO)

1.4 miles away · 43 sites

Walking distance Reservable

Overview Cold Springs Campground is located on the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest, north of Blackhawk on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119, in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities.Recreation The surrounding area has many great hiking trails. There is an easy hiking trail out of the campground for families with small children. In addition, the short, but steep Vista Trail climbs just a quarter-mi

Book on Recreation.gov