Ouzel Falls Hike
Waterfall | Colorado
5.4 mi round trip
950 ft
Hard
Ouzel Falls Hike at a Glance
The Ouzel Falls hike is 5.4 mi round trip with 950 ft of elevation gain.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 9,540 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 5.4 mi round trip |
| Elevation gain | 950 ft |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Your time: about 2 h 15 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 2 h 50 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 1,290 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 5.4 mi distance and 950 ft of gain for this hike are verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Ouzel Falls
Ouzel Falls is a waterfall in Colorado, on land managed by Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Ouzel Falls Trail: 5.4 miles round trip with about 950 feet of elevation gain, from Wild Basin Trailhead. Distance from nps.gov. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Hard.
Before You Go
- Pets are prohibited on all trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. (nps.gov)
- The gate to Wild Basin is closed seasonally, usually between October and May. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Rocky Mountain National Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Ouzel Falls?
The Ouzel Falls Trail to Ouzel Falls is 5.4 miles round trip with about 950 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Ouzel Falls hike start?
It starts from Wild Basin Trailhead.
Are dogs allowed on the Ouzel Falls trail?
Pets are prohibited on all trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
1:00 PM (2:00 PM summer)
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Ouzel Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Ouzel Falls.