Hays Creek Falls is a roughly 40-foot multi-tiered cascade just off Colorado Highway 133 about two miles south of Redstone, along the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway near the Crystal River. It is reached by a very short walk from a roadside pullout and freezes into a popular ice-climbing route in winter.
Its 40 ft drop is taller than about 33% of the 775 waterfalls we track.
Its water comes from Hays Creek. It lies in Pitkin, Colorado. The site is on public land managed by White River National Forest (USFS).
This is a roadside waterfall: visible from a road, parking area, or a walk of a few hundred feet. Little to no walking is required, so it suits a quick roadside pull-off rather than a dedicated hike. The nearest town is Redstone.
When to go: Spring snowmelt (mid-Apr to mid-Jul). Water volume swings with the seasons here, strongest after snowmelt or rain and lowest in late summer, so check recent streamflow before you go.
