Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

Ouzel Falls

Named for the small brown bird that plays in cold mountain lakes as it fishes for small insects.

Plan Around Ouzel Falls

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Ouzel Falls Details

Named for the Ouzel, a small brown bird that plays in cold mountain lakes as it fishes for small insects, these pretty, 40-foot falls are some of the most popular in the park. The trail to the base of the falls is an easy, scenic route that passes Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades as it travels through a pretty lodgepole pine and fir corridor to an open valley wall damaged by the 1978 Ouzel Fires. Almost as enchanting as the falls themselves, this recovering area is home to a number of wildflowers and grasses, as well as excellent open views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and Wild Basin. The trail continues up a gentle ascent, and quickly reaches the viewing bridge spanning Ouzel Creek at the base of the falls.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

2.7 miles

Estimated time

3 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Ouzel Falls

Compare nearby parks around Ouzel Falls when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

11.0 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

160.7 mi away

Black Canyon

National Park · CO

171.0 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

National Park · CO

242.6 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

250.5 mi away

Mesa Verde

National Park · CO

257.4 mi away

Canyonlands

National Park · UT

Nearby Points of Interest Around Ouzel Falls

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Ouzel Falls while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

Thunder Lake

This popular lake requires a good deal of effort to reach, but the scenery around the lake is well worth it.

0.1 mi away

Cascade Falls

This gorgeous trail leads through mixed evergreen forest marked by tall stands of lodgepole pines.

0.1 mi away

Wild Basin Trailhead

The strenuous, 6-mile trail to Bluebird Lake begins at the Wild Basin Trailhead.

0.1 mi away

Wild Basin Trailhead

The strenuous, 6-mile trail to Bluebird Lake begins at the Wild Basin Trailhead.

0.1 mi away

Calypso Cascades

This pretty trail, named for the native Calypso orchid, a small, pink flower that blooms in mid-July.