Are there fees or permits required for Piedra Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Piedra Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Piedra Falls.

Live Conditions · 530 ft³/s · Much higher than usual

Piedra Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Piedra Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Piedra Falls.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

San Juan National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

gmeador CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Scrubhiker (USCdyer) CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.2 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Piedra Falls

Piedra Falls is a stunning waterfall located in the San Juan National Forest near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The falls cascade over volcanic rock formations, creating a picturesque and powerful display, especially during spring runoff.

The Setting

Piedra Falls sits at 8,409 feet within San Juan National Forest, fed by the San Juan River, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Trail & Hike Details

1.2 mi distance 200 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Piedra Falls (#671), a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 200 feet of elevation gain with grades of +12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

PIEDRA FALLS #671

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

+12-20%

USFS Segment

0.16 mi

Trail Description

The trail to Piedra Falls is short and well-maintained, making it accessible for most visitors. It winds through a forested area and along the Piedra River before reaching the falls. The trail is relatively flat with a slight incline near the end.

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 Piedra Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Piedra Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Piedra Falls is in late spring or early summer when the water flow is at its peak 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 Juan National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The rocks near the falls can be slippery, so exercise caution when exploring. Be aware of changing weather conditions, especially in spring when snowmelt can make the trail muddy.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Strong

Based on a USGS gauge 15.8 miles away

530 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

39 56 152 337

Based on 90 years of record

5.65 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO

USGS 09342500

15.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 281 sq mi

Altitude: 7,052 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO (25 km away).

Moderate confidence

Strong right now

530 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Strong

530 cfs

10/10

Tomorrow

Strong

524 cfs

10/10

Mon

Roaring

621 cfs

6/10

Tue

Roaring

622 cfs

6/10

Wed

Roaring

693 cfs

6/10

Thu

Roaring

750 cfs

6/10

Fri

Roaring

719 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — strong flow, mostly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early 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 Piedra 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 shows Piedra Falls dropping about 354 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 8,438 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 357 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 191 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Piedra Falls near Piedra, Colorado, showing about 354 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: 8,438 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 354 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

Piedra Falls is located approximately 30 miles north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. To reach the trailhead, take Piedra Road (County Road 600) north from Pagosa Springs, then follow signs for the Piedra Falls trailhead. The last portion of the drive is on a dirt road, which is typically accessible by most vehicles in good weather.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area at the trailhead, which can fill up during peak times. Arrive early to secure a spot.

Elevation

8,409 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.483488° N, -107.094957° W

Land Management

San Juan National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the area near the falls can be slippery. Bring water and sunscreen, especially in the summer months. Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure parking.

This trail sits at 8,409 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.2 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. 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.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

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

WILLIAMS CREEK CAMPGROUND

7.3 miles away · 61 sites

Reservable

Overview This popular campground, 23 miles north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, offers both shaded and sunny campsites with some located creek-side. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, and scenic opportunities.Recreation The campground is one mile from Williams Reservoir, a popular fishing and kayaking spot. There are several ATV and hiking trails approximately one to five miles beyond the campground.Facilities The campground offers many single family sites, s

Book on Recreation.gov