Bridal Veil Falls
- Height
- 365 ft
- Hike
- 1.2 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 859 ft
- Elevation
- 10,279 ft
- Road
- Gravel
Bridal Veil Falls drops about 365 ft on Bridal Veil Creek in San Miguel County, Colorado. Reaching it is a 1.2 mi hike each way with 859 ft of elevation gain.
Closures and warnings
Private-land easement and industrial powerhouse facilities near the falls. Winter ice climbing and steep terrain add risk. Confirm access before hiking beyond town viewpoints. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 365 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 365 ft plunge; Telluride Tourism Board describes it as Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall. Historic hydroelectric plant at the lip. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 1.2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 859 ft |
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | Bridal Veil Trail reaches the falls base without using the open-to-hikers road; parking is limited at the box-canyon trailhead via Colorado Avenue east from town. |
| Parking | Limited parking at the trailhead at the end of Telluride box canyon (east on Colorado Avenue). |
| Elevation | 10,279 ft |
| Managed by | Telluride Tourism Board (Bridal Veil Trail); Idarado / private easement toward powerhouse |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Bridal Veil Falls open?
Private-land easement and industrial powerhouse facilities near the falls. Winter ice climbing and steep terrain add risk. Confirm access before hiking beyond town viewpoints. As of September 28, 2026.
How tall is Bridal Veil Falls?
Bridal Veil Falls drops about 365 ft.
Can you swim at Bridal Veil Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Bridal Veil Falls.
How long is the hike to Bridal Veil Falls?
It's a 1.2 mi hike each way with 859 ft of elevation gain. The road in is gravel. Bridal Veil Trail reaches the falls base without using the open-to-hikers road; parking is limited at the box-canyon trailhead via Colorado Avenue east from town. Parking: Limited parking at the trailhead at the end of Telluride box canyon (east on Colorado Avenue).
When is Bridal Veil Falls flowing?
365 ft plunge; Telluride Tourism Board describes it as Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall. Historic hydroelectric plant at the lip.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (under 0.1 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.telluride.com/activity/bridal-veil-falls-trail/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi / elevationGainFt / parking / roadNote / waterfall.flowNote, hazardNote private easement / powerhouse, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed false)
- https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:187148 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs elevationFt / GNIS 187148, waterfall.heightFt 365 / waterbodyName Bridal Veil Creek)
More: Colorado waterfalls