Are there fees or permits required for North Clear Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit North Clear Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at North Clear Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at North Clear Creek Falls.

Live Conditions · 83 ft³/s · Lower than usual

North Clear Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at North Clear Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at North Clear Creek Falls.

Colorado • 100 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Mar 2026

Rio Grande National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

Simon Foot CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

50 ft

About North Clear Creek Falls

North Clear Creek Falls plunges about 100 feet into a volcanic canyon in Hinsdale County, Colorado, and is set within the Rio Grande National Forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The stream, North Clear Creek, is a tributary of the Rio Grande, and the falls spill over a deck of Nelson Mountain tuff — solidified volcanic ash from the San Juan volcanic field that erupted roughly 27 million years ago — giving the canyon its dramatic, rugged character. The site’s scenic contrast of blackened tuff cliffs and rushing water makes it one of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. Access is very short and visitor-friendly via the USFS BRISTOL HEAD OVERLOOK (Trail #900). The approach is essentially a drive-up outing: an easy out-and-back of about 0.1 mile (approximately 0.2 GIS miles) with roughly 50 feet of elevation gain, so most visitors can reach the overlook without a long hike. For campers, Bristol Head Campground lies about 3.38 km away, offering a convenient base for sunset or sunrise visits under the high-elevation skies.

The Setting

North Clear Creek Falls sits at 10,013 feet within Rio Grande National Forest, fed by the Lake Fork, in the high alpine of Colorado. At 100 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Colorado.

Height: 100 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

South Clear Creek Falls (30 ft) lies 1.7 miles to the south.

South Clear Creek Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. North Clear Creek Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

USFS Trail

BRISTOL HEAD OVERLOOK #900

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

0-5%

USFS Segment

0.20 mi

Trail Description

USFS trail: BRISTOL HEAD OVERLOOK (Trail #900). Trail class: 3. Surface: native material. Typical grade: 0–5%. Length: approximately 0.1 mile (0.2 GIS miles), out-and-back. Elevation gain: ~50 ft. Difficulty: drive_up. This short USFS-designated route leads from the roadside to the designated overlook for clear views of the 100-foot falls and the surrounding volcanic canyon.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 100 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at North Clear Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at North Clear Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during late spring and summer when the water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt. Fall also offers beautiful foliage in the surrounding area.

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 Rio Grande National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Stay on designated paths and behind the safety barriers at the overlook. The edges of the canyon are steep and dangerous. Weather can change quickly, so be prepared for sudden rain or wind.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

83 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

80 106 248 312

Based on 13 years of record

4.52 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.

LAKE FORK BLW LAKE SAN CRISTOBAL NR LAKE CITY, CO

USGS 09123450

12.1 mi from waterfall

Drainage: 106 sq mi

Altitude: 8,991 ft

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

North Clear Creek Falls is located off Colorado State Highway 149, between the towns of Lake City and Creede. The falls are well-marked with signage, and there is a short access road leading to the parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area near the falls, which is free and can accommodate cars and small RVs. Parking is typically available, but it may be busier during peak tourist seasons.

Elevation

10013 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.849166° N, -107.150329° W

Land Management

Rio Grande National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best lighting for photography. Bring a jacket, as the area can be windy and cool even in summer. Be cautious near the edges of the overlook.

This trail sits at 10,013 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.

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For this easy 0.1 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

OR Sombriolet Sun Hat

UPF 50+ sun protection with vents so your head doesn't cook on exposed trail sections.

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

Bristol Head Campground

2.1 miles away · 0 sites

This campground contains 15 sites (11 are pull through) ranging from 35 to 55 feet in length. There are both dead end spurs and pull throughs. Sits in a meadow on a bench above South Clear Creek. A short trail from campground leads to an overlook of the Clear Creek Canyons and a waterfall. The campground stretches 0.6 mile along a "bench" (a level area) above South Clear Creek. The grassy field between camping sites and creek are dotted with wild flowers. Every site has a view of towering moun

Book on Recreation.gov