Bear Creek Trail is a 8.2 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Telluride, Colorado that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Bear Creek Trail is one of the most popular hiking and biking trails in Uncompahgre National Forest. The trailhead is located at the end of South Pine Street in downtown Telluride and leads to a scenic viewpoint of the 80-foot upper Bear Creek Falls at just over 1000 feet in elevation. Hikers can continue up the rugged cliffs of Bear Creek canyon on the Wasatch Trail. This mellow mountain trail winds its way through the 325-acre Bear Creek Preserve full of aspen and pine groves. Bear Creek is a public open space preserved by The San Miguel Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the town of Telluride, Colorado. Parking is available at the Mountain Village and a free gondola brings visitors to downtown Telluride. Summer visitors drawn to the natural beauty of Colorado Parks might also be interested in nearby Lizard Head Wilderness Area and Mount Sneffels Wilderness Areas.
February 21, 2021February 21, 2021Incredible!!!!
February 21, 2021Hiked on February 7th and it was a beautiful hike. Not many people especially when getting to the end of the trail. I parked downtown and walked to the trailhead and then saw the frozen falls and turned around. I did bring ice cleats just so I could walk normally on packed snow but they really were not needed. Would have been totally fine without them! Only a couple skiers since it was Sunday afternoon when I went. Also NO PARKING FEE on Sundays which is nice!
February 15, 2021February 11, 2021January 30, 2021Hiked on Jan. 30th. As previously stated, packed snow at the beginning but I transitioned to snowshoes. Started around 10am. Lightly flurrying. I never saw any snowshowers but a few hikers. Lots of snowboarders and skiers coming down so keep an eye out for them. Awesome snow to snowshoe in. Beautiful hike.
January 29, 2021Most incredible views the entire time!! Packed snowy trail that lead to an icy, blue waterfall that was beyond gorgeous! Ice climbers
January 16, 2021January 15, 2021January 12, 2021Beautiful. Packed snow surface.
December 31, 2020December 26, 2020Only boots are needed right now. Brought our yak tracks but never needed them.
December 12, 2020Great views, especially at end. Rented snow shoes and spent about half a day on the trail. Started at 9a and saw only a few people along the way. Would recommend.
December 8, 2020This was one of my least favorite hikes in Colorado due to human traffic. Went there in June, and then again in September and both times there was so much traffic that it spoiled the adventure. And for those of you who take your dogs and those poop bags, please take the poop bags with you when you leave. Really upset me to see several of them laying about next to and off of the trail. Come on people keep our mountains clean and your dogs on a leash!
December 6, 2020Got lost to the actual trail we planned for & ended up on this one. Starts out easy & then there's a steady incline. There were scary moments by the cliff edge but it was so beautiful & worth it. The end of the trail is closed by the waterfall. Got there at 6am and parking lot had 3 cars. On our way back it was completely full
December 6, 2020Hiked this trail on 12/5 with just hiking boots and had a GREAT time! Our dog was thrilled to be romping in the snow and the views of the frozen waterfall were stunning. Highly recommend this popular trail.
November 27, 2020Amazing views from top. Waterfalls are frozen. Icy in some spots.
November 26, 2020November 25, 2020Fabulous trail, well demarcated! We went the day after a 12” snow fall, rented snow shoes from town and had a blast. :) sights are out of this world! Was pretty tough because the whole way up is a slight incline, but the way back out was a breeze! Definitely worth the work!
November 20, 2020On the trail 11/20 all around great trail! Worth having snow footwear, made it through the ice with YakTraks. Some small trees blocking the end of the trail by the falls, but we made it through to the end.
November 17, 2020Path to falls blocked
November 14, 2020Fun easy going trail with a great view of the valley coming back down.
November 10, 2020November 2, 2020Probably my favorite hike in Telluride - it gets a bit strenuous closer to the waterfall. Families with small children were struggling, but if you’re in good shape and have some time to commit to it, I’d definitely recommend the experience! Simply incredible.
November 1, 2020A little muddy but not bad at all.
October 29, 2020Hiked on Monday 10/26/2020 right after the massive snow fall around 9am. Absolute peace and beautiful. Looked like Narnia. A little slippery in parts but doable with good shoes. Our dog came with us and did just fine. Snow was already melting by the time we turned around
