Are there fees or permits required for Silver Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Silver Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Silver Falls.

Silver Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Silver Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Silver Falls.

Colorado

By Armen Suny · Last verified Mar 2026

Rio Grande National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

Scrubhiker (USCdyer) CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

@CarShowShooter CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

100 ft

About Silver Falls

Silver Falls is a tucked-away cascade managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the Rio Grande National Forest. The approach rewards a short walk through spruce and aspen with a pleasant view of water tumbling over native rock—especially full in the spring snowmelt—making it a popular half-day stop for hikers and photographers. The route to the falls follows the USFS SILVER MTN Trail (Trail #704), and the setting feels quietly remote while remaining very accessible. If you plan to linger, camping options are nearby: the Fitton Guard Station Cabin is about 7.55 km from the trailhead and provides a convenient base for an overnight stay. Because the trail surface is native material and can be slippery after wet weather, bring sturdy footwear and expect a short, slightly uneven approach rather than a paved promenade.

The Setting

Silver Falls sits at 10,840 feet within Rio Grande National Forest, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The easy hike follows Silver Mtn (#704), a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 100 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

SILVER MTN #704

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

11.24 mi

Trail Description

The primary access to Silver Falls is a short 0.5-mile out-and-back with roughly 100 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The approach follows the USFS SILVER MTN Trail (Trail #704). According to USFS trail data the SILVER MTN corridor is class 3 with a native-material surface and a typical grade of 12–20%; USFS GIS listings also record 11.24 miles for the trail system segment. Expect natural tread (roots, rocks, occasional steeper pitches), brief scrambling or use of hands where the grade increases, and potentially muddy sections after rain—appropriate footwear and a cautious pace are recommended.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Silver Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Silver Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Silver Falls is during late spring or early summer when the snowmelt enhances the waterfall's flow. Fall also offers beautiful foliage in the surrounding forest.

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

Visitors should exercise caution on the trail, especially after rain, as it can become slippery. The road to the trailhead may be hazardous for low-clearance vehicles. Always check weather and road conditions before visiting.

Know when to go.

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

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

Silver Falls is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. To access the falls, visitors typically take East Fork Road (Forest Road 667), which is a rough dirt road requiring a high-clearance vehicle, especially during wet conditions.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is limited parking available near the trailhead. Visitors should be prepared for a small, unpaved parking area.

Elevation

10840 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.421950° N, -106.449203° W

Land Management

Rio Grande National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Check road conditions before visiting, as East Fork Road can become impassable during wet weather. Bring sturdy footwear, as the trail may be muddy. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for reaching the trailhead.

This trail sits at 10,840 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 0.5 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.

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

FITTON GUARD STATION CABIN

4.7 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Fitton Guard Station is a small cabin located in a high elevation meadow at 10,600 feet on Burro Creek near along an off-highway vehicle trail. The cabins are only accessible by 50" width or less vehicles and non-motorized uses (e.g. foot or horseback). YOU CANNOT DRIVE A PASSENGER VEHICLE TO THE CABINS.Visitors may reserve the cabin for a maximum of 14 days to allow others the opportunity to rent the cabin. The combination to the cabin is provided in the confirmation letter.Recreation T

Book on Recreation.gov