Box Canyon

Box Canyon is a narrow gorge near Ouray featuring steep quartzite walls and a powerful waterfall. The falls drop dramatically through the confined space, creating a striking natural setting where rock and water meet.

The canyon served as a center of mining activity during Ouray's settlement period with an operational camp within its boundaries. This early economic activity shaped the development of the nearby town.

The nature center at Box Canyon Falls provides educational programs about local geology, wildlife patterns, and regional mining heritage.

Access to the canyon is provided through well-maintained trails that lead to different viewpoints and destinations. Visitors can choose between easier routes and more demanding paths depending on their fitness level and interests.

Inside the canyon, the rocks reveal an Angular Unconformity where two different stone formations meet. This geological feature shows a time gap of more than 1.2 billion years between the two rock layers.

Location: Ouray County

Elevation above the sea: 2,382 m

Address: 30 Box Canyon Rd, Ouray, CO 81427, USA

Phone: +19703257080

Website: https://visitouray.com/box-canyon-falls

GPS coordinates: 38.01835,-107.67853

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46