Treasure Falls — Local services in Pagosa Springs

Loved this place! Stopped on a cloudy Sunday afternoon, with the weather somewhere in the mid-40s, despite being late May. (Thanks, Colorado!) :)

You can get a decent view of the falls from the parking lot, but I would suggest the short hike. It's about 1/4 mile on a fairly flat trail with a slight but steady incline. Do watch out for random rocks and tree roots. The trail is well- maintained, so please stay on it!

The pedestrian bridge is perhaps the best place to see the falls and provides a great picture-taking spot. If the day is warm, walk up to the misty lookout, however be extremely careful as the trail gets quite slippery as it nears the top (it's called "misty" for a reason, which turns the trail dirt to mud). I walked up for a few pics, but didn't stay long as 44 degrees and being wet don't really jive well. Good view though!

The ONLY negative I have to say about this place is that driving west on CO-160, there's not a left turn lane or spot to slow down and turn into the parking lot. I would suggest passing it slightly, turning off on the shoulder, and - when safe - flipping a U-turn onto CO-160 east and entering the...

What a wonderful "treasure" right off the road!! A very short and fairly easy hike (some narrow and steeper spots). So glad we stopped on our drive between Great Sand Dunes & Mesa Verde National Parks. Definitely a must-see during this already scenic stretch of Colorado's highways.

The maps posted near the stop-off are helpful and I also recommend the AllTrails app which has more details about the length and is in general good to have when in Colorado.

We spent about 30 minutes here which included reading all the information/history signs posted on the trail as well as lots of beautiful picture taking. If you want the best experience, I would recommend wearing as much waterproof wear as you have easily accessible. I always leave my rain jacket, waterproof pants, and hiking boots in the back of my car which came in handy when I wanted to get up close to the waterfall.

The trails make a loop that connect at a bridge looking up at the waterfall and the left side leads up close the waterfall. The right side (listed as the "primitive" trail is much less easy to walk on than...

The falls were very pretty and it was not very crowded, HOWEVER... if you go up the “primitive trail” there is a boulder that you need to turn at (do not keep going straight!!!) there is no sign telling you to turn or keep out of the area if you keep going straight. I went on this trail today and made the mistake of going straight. It gets VERY steep and dangerous (I probably should’ve known to turn back but group mentality I guess) we got up so far we could see the falls but there was no way down. Two boys in the group coming up with us fell down (one lost a shoe) and balanced on a dead tree until we could pull him back up. As someone who is terrified of heights... I thought I was about to die. Anyways, the falls are really beautiful and TURN AT THE BOULDER!.. and get some...