Cascade Falls is a roughly 270-foot ribbon of spray plunging down a cliff face at the east end of 8th Avenue in Ouray, and is the lowest of a series of waterfalls on Cascade Creek. A short but moderately steep quarter-mile walk from the parking lot reaches the base.
At 270 ft, it stands above roughly 92% of the 775 documented falls in this guide.
Its water comes from Cascade Creek. You'll find it in Ouray, Colorado. It is protected within City of Ouray / Uncompahgre National Forest.
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. A short walk gets you to the viewpoint, so it works for most casual visitors and families. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 0.5 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Ouray, the closest town.
When to go: Late spring through summer (May-Sep). Expect the strongest flow in spring and after big storms, with a quieter trickle by late summer; confirm current conditions with the land manager before committing to the drive.
