Ouray Slot Canyon
Box Canyon Falls Park is a developed waterfall attraction situated in the “Switzerland of America”, Ouray. It showcases an 85 foot cascade of water down Canyon Creek.
The waterfall is the climax of Canyon Creek, which spills thousands of gallons a water each minute over the falls. You can witness this breathtaking attraction both above and below the waterfall. It thunders down into a quartzite canyon narrowly surrounded by 100 foot walls.
In addition to the easily-accessed waterfall, there are hiking trails, picnic areas and a visitor center. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits, describing the local ecosystem and history. The park and trails are open year round, however the visitor center closes for the winter in November. Normally it opens at 8am each day. Dogs are not permitted in the park.
The largest swifts that migrate North America, Black Swifts, make sure of the park each summer season. Arriving from Brazil in early June, the birds stay through September. The National Audobon Society declared Box Canyon Falls an important bird area.
It came to a crashing, grinding stop in the narrowest section of the slot, about twenty to twenty-five feet below the bridge, and eighty feet or more above the canyon floor. The men died on the night of October 14, 1954, more than half a century ago, and their pickup still hangs high above the bottom of the gorge.
Box Canyon Falls Park Website Directions: In Ouray the park is located at the west end of Third Avenue. If walking from Ouray, you need to walk up the dirt road at the end of Third Ave to enter the park, it is not far at all. Box Canyon Falls is a wonder. The waterfall pluges 285 feet through a narrow slot canyon with amazing force. Set in the “Switzerland in America,” the slot canyon that cuts through Ouray, Colorado is one of the more stunning spectacles in the state – especially during the winter. Also known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado, the small mountain town of Ouray offers a mystic escape for winter travelers and ice climbing enthusiasts from.
Ouray Slot Canyon your gamble, you will win 95 cents back. Remember, this is an average figure that is calculated over hundreds of Ouray Slot Canyon thousands of transactions. Drive a 3 mile slot canyon and hike 2 narrow slot canyons off to the sides of the driveable one. This canyon is a long way from anywhere but do not let that scare you, as the canyon drive and two short hikes go quite quickly.
Hiking Trails
There are three main trails in the park:
- Falls Trail – easy 500 foot walk into the canyon, mostly flat.
- High Bridge Trail – a half mile loop that gains 200 feet in elevation. You’ll see stunning views of the Amphitheater Cirque peaks and an aerial view of town.
- Native Plant Loop – quick stroll through nature with plant markers for the local flora. This is only trail without steps.
Getting There
From Ouray – Take US 550 just out of town, less than half a mile to County Road 361/Box Canyon Road. This leads to the visitor center parking area in a quarter mile.
Ouray Slot Canyon
Details
Address: Box Canyon Rd, Ouray
Phone: 970-325-7080
Season: Year round – spring and summer are best
Length: 500 feet
Fee: None
Dogs: Not permitted
Rare Birds and Billions of Years of Geology
Ouray Slot Canyon
The Box Canyon Waterfall & Park is Ouray’s natural wonder—formed when the rushing waters of Canyon Creek eroded a deep and narrow box canyon through fault weakened limestone. The park's short trails are easily accessible from the southwest corner of town. You can reach the visitor center and entrance either by car or by foot. The lower trail, an easy 500-feet hike via a walkway and suspension bridge will lead you straight into the belly of the falls. You will be silenced by roaring water as the force of thousands of gallons a minute ricochet off a mix of rugged crags and smoothly eroded pre-Cambrian rock, rushing eighty feet to the canyon’s bottom.
Ouray's Slot Canyon
Photo courtesy of Box Canyon Blog
Stop and soak up the beauty of the surrounding forests in one of the numerous sheltered picnic houses situated throughout the park. Some of the gazebos have grills and are perfect for a family gathering or for a peaceful place to get away with friends. Be sure to walk through the Visitor Center and see the interpretive exhibits about the geology, wildlife, rare plant life, and history of the area. From the visitor center, you can also take the short but steep hike to the bridge above the falls and look down on the fury of the water as it plummets into the canyon and, as an added treat, enjoy beautiful views of Ouray. The native plant loop is a short and level trail near the visitor center where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest.
In 2001, this breathtaking park was designated an important bird watching area by the National Audubon Society. It supports one of the state’s largest populations of Black Swifts, a protected species. These birds nest in their preferred habitat— the canyon walls sheltered by overhanging rocks near waterfalls.
Getting There
The Park is located at the west end of Third Avenue. To reach the entrance to the falls by foot, walk two blocks up the left fork at the end of Third Avenue. At the end of this quarter-mile moderately sloped hill, you will find the entrance to the Park and the Visitor Center. To drive from town, follow Hwy 550 south of Ouray, taking an immediate right onto CR 361 after the first hairpin turn. Follow the signs to the right, going over the Uncompahgre Gorge to the drive-in entrance
Park Info
Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., or until dark.
Rates: $2-$4
Seasons: Trails open year-round; Visitor Center open May through mid-October.
Contact
Phone: 970-325-7080
Street Address: CR 316, Ouray, CO, 81427
Mailing Address:PO Box 468, Ouray, CO, 81427
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.