Upper Fish Creek Falls

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Fish Creek Falls is the state's second largest, and it's easily accessed on a paved trail with nice picnic areas--all just a few minutes outside of town. Most people never venture beyond viewing the lower falls, but for those who want a bit more solitude and a very satisfying run with a smaller waterfall, the trail to Upper Fish Creek Falls is perfect.

There is a $5 parking fee for vehicles. The main parking lot often fills up, but there is also a lower lot and roadside parking that may have spots.

The first section of the trail is steep, rooty, and rocky.

There are two parking areas for the falls: the lower fills up by mid-morning, and the upper is about a quarter mile further to run. From the lower parking area there is a short paved trail up to a few nice overlooks of the falls and also a gravel trail down to the bridge at the base of the falls. This adventure first takes the high road to the overlook and then follows a short and steep path down to the bridge.

After admiring the falls, cross the bridge and take the trail up the other side of the canyon. The first part of the trail is steep, rocky, and climbs through dense mixed forest. The trail levels out at it passes through a lovely aspen grove before reaching another bridge across Fish Creek. After this bridge the trail climbs up to some exposed areas with great views down the canyon toward Steamboat and eventually reaches the Upper Falls.

The Upper Falls is a great spot for lunch or scrambling on the rocks for some photos of the falls, and for most this is the turnaround point. For the hardy, it is another 2 miles and 1,200 feet of climbing to reach Long Lake.
- Description by Denis LeBlanc, Outdoor Project

Pines, aspens, wildflowers.