Are there fees or permits required for Treasure Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Treasure Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Treasure Falls.

Live Conditions · 39 ft³/s · About average

Treasure Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Treasure Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Treasure Falls.

Colorado • 105 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Treasure Falls, see below

Photo Credits (5)

bigvern CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Scrubhiker (USCdyer) CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

nousku CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls is a striking 105-foot cascade tucked near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Named for a local legend of buried treasure, the falls pour through a narrow canyon and offer a dramatic, easily photographed drop that rewards even very short visits. A wooden viewing platform perches near the base, giving close-up views and powerful misty scenes in spring runoff. Reaching the overlook is a quick and family-friendly outing: the out-and-back trail to the platform is just 0.6 miles round-trip with about 200 feet of elevation gain and is rated easy. The path is well-maintained with a handful of switchbacks and a moderate incline, making Treasure Falls an ideal stop for hikers looking for a high-impact sight with minimal effort.

The Setting

Treasure Falls sits at 9,006 feet along the Henson Creek, in the high alpine of Colorado. At 105 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Colorado.

Height: 105 feet

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 200 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

Trail length: 0.6 miles round-trip; elevation gain: approximately 200 feet; difficulty: easy. This short, out-and-back trail is well-maintained and climbs steadily via a few switchbacks before delivering you to a sturdy viewing platform near the base of the 105-foot waterfall. The route is compact and suitable for most visitors—families and casual hikers can expect a moderate uphill grade but nothing technical. The platform provides safe, close-up views of the falls and is the primary destination; the trail surface and facilities are kept in good condition for frequent day-use traffic.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 105 feet. 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 Treasure Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Treasure Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and early summer are ideal for viewing the waterfall at its fullest flow, but the area is beautiful year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

The trail can be slippery when wet or icy, so exercise caution. Watch for falling rocks near the waterfall. Be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

39 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

Based on 7 years of record

6.92 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

HENSON CREEK AT LAKE CITY, CO

USGS 09124010

2.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 84 sq mi

Altitude: 8,667 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge HENSON CREEK AT LAKE CITY, CO (4 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

39 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

39 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

43 cfs

6/10

Wed

Moderate

46 cfs

6/10

Thu

Moderate

45 cfs

6/10

Fri

Moderate

42 cfs

6/10

Sat

Moderate

41 cfs

6/10

Sun

Moderate

41 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to mid 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 Lake 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.

The ground through the falls loses about 170 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 105 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,948 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 185 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 61 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Treasure Falls near Lake City, Colorado, showing about 170 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 8,948 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 170 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Treasure Falls is located off U.S. Highway 160, approximately 15 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. There is a clearly marked parking area near the trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

A small parking lot is available near the trailhead, but it can fill up quickly during peak times.

Elevation

9,006 feet above sea level

Coordinates

38.019347° N, -107.362313° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early to secure parking, especially during weekends and holidays. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail can be muddy or icy depending on the season. Bring water and a camera to capture the scenic views.

This trail sits at 9,006 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.

For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

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

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

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

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.

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

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

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

Mill Creek Campground (CO)

7.9 miles away · 22 sites

Reservable

Overview Mill Creek Campground is located 14 miles southwest of Lake City, Colorado at 9,500 feet above sea level. Nestled along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, the campground offers a fishing access trail for anglers and river access (though boating is not recommended from this location). The campground is surrounded by the Redcloud Peak and Handies Peak Wilderness Study Areas with world class hiking opportunities just a short drive away, including trails to three 14,000-foot peaks. From th

Book on Recreation.gov