Durango, Colorado one of Colorado’s most hidden gems. Most people think to visit the Denver and Colorado Springs areas for the city attractions. They then head over to the Vail and Aspen areas for mountains and skiing. When little do they know of this southern Colorado town with all the Colorado vibes and attractions in one location!
Durango is the place for those looking for the perfect slopes to ski, for the foodie looking for an array of amazing restaurant, for the retired couple looking to experience the mountains by train cause they can’t hike anymore, and for families that love hiking together just to be in nature. It has something for everyone, even waterfall chasers!
If you are one of those who spend their time chasing those views of water rushing over a cliffside, than I have the perfect hike for you in Durango, Falls Creek waterfall. The perfect hike for everyone!
Pre Hike Information:
Driving Directions: drive up N Main Ave and make a left turn on Junction St (W 25th St). Turn right on Co Rd 205. Stay on this road for about 3.9 miles or 7 min. Keep your eyes peeled to the side of the road for a gravel pullout on the right with a tiny marker indicating the trailhead. Click here for the Google maps location.
Trail Details:
Trail Distance: 0.81 miles there and back
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 20 minutes to complete
FAQs:
- Is this a kid friendly hike? Yes! This trail is so easy, I didn’t need to help my kids at all.
- Can you swim at the waterfall? The waterfall lands on a large rock and then runs off into a creek. There really isn’t anywhere to swim at the actual waterfall area, but there are plenty of places to stick your feet in the creek along the way to the waterfall.
- Is it rocky? The first half of the trail is not, the second half is very rocky.
- Is there a parking lot? No, just a pull off on the side of the road.
- Is it free to hike here? Yes!
- Are there any amenities? No, no bathrooms, no benches, not even a parking lot.
- Can I get close to the waterfalls? It is a slight scramble down, but you can go right up to the waterfall itself.
- What wildlife is on this trail? Beware of rattlesnakes, black bears, and mountain lions.
- Can I bring my dog? Yes!
Tips:
- Wear hiking shoes the trail goes from being flat on dirt to extremely rocky real quick. Save your feet and wear hiking shoes.
- Wear sunscreen in summer, about half of the trail is shaded and the other half is slightly covered.
- Download the trail map before getting to the trailhead.
- Keep the navigating on in the AllTrails app so that you make the right turns on the trail.
- I wouldn’t hike alone if I were you. There are a lot of mountain lions in the area and you are in the middle of nowhere. At least let someone know where you will be before hiking.
- Bring towels to wipe your feet or kids if you decide to play in the creek.
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Finding the Trailhead and Parking:
The absolute best way to find the trailhead is to just click the directions icon on the AllTrails page for this hike, click here to relocate to that page. This will take you directly to the trailhead.
But if you would rather old school it, then drive up N Main Ave and make a left turn on Junction St (W 25th St). Turn right on Co Rd 205. Stay on this road for about 3.9 miles or 7 min. Keep your eyes peeled to the side of the road for a gravel pullout on the right with a tiny marker indicating the trailhead.
There are several trails along this road, so that is why I suggest pulling it up on Google maps to find the right trailhead.
As for parking, if people park courteously then you can probably fit about 3 cars on this pull out. Like I said though that is if people pull all the way up. While we were hiking only one other person showed up to hike here and so it isn’t a big fight for parking. It is not the busiest trailhead.
Step By Step Guide To The Falls Creek Waterfall Trail:
Meadow
From the parking pull off you will see a large meadow leading into some trees. This is obviously a super easy way to start and end your hike. It is flat, very well marked and literally just a trail in the middle of a sea of large grass. The view of the mountains behind you where you parked it beautiful though!
Woods
As soon as you get into the trees from the meadow, the trail goes from straight to a winding trail. You zig zag through trees until you get to your first sight of the creek. My kids were so excited to cross the bridge over the water! Something about bridges and kids am I right!?
The trail up to this point is still super easy. Though the trail is not straight, it is still flat, until after you cross the bridge. This is really the only steep section of the trail, and it isn’t event steep. It is a small dirt hill to hike up. Very short hill!
Once you peaked this small hill, you will see a couple of trailheads, if you have your AllTrails map up then just follow it, but if not be sure to stay on the farthest right trail.
Rocky Descent
You will know you are on the right trail when the trail turns immediately from dirt to rock. It will continue to be rocky for the rest of the distance to the waterfall. This is when you need to either check to make sure your knee brace is secure or grab those hiking poles if you have problems with your legs.
Not only is it rocky here, but the rest of the trail to the waterfall is downhill. I know I am making this sound difficult, but even by this point it is still an easy trail. The rocks are small, they are just everywhere, the downhill descent is hiking down, but very slowly. It is not steep at all. Again I didn’t even need to hold my 5 or 4 year olds hands.
On the left side of this trail will be a wall of rocks and dirt, and on the right side behind some brush is the creek.
Waterfall
Keep an eye out on the right side of the trail following the creek, cause this is where you will find Falls Creek Waterfall!! This beautiful waterfall is smaller, but still a gorgeous sight! There is a slight trail to take you to the base of the waterfall, but I will warn you it is a bit of a rock scramble down and back up.
So worth it though to get a view from behind the waterfall!
Go Back
Well that is the hike, all you have to do now is everything you just did backwards! On the way back though we stopped for a quick little dip in the creek. It is a creek, so as an adult the water will get up to your calf, but for little kids it was the perfect water length for water play! Beware though of snakes, we saw a couple hiding in the rocks in the water!
Post Hike Treats In Durango:
Cream Bean Berry Ice Cream
HomeSlice Pizza
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