A waterfall on Fish Creek near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, viewed from a day-use picnic area and overlook trail in Routt National Forest.
Fish Creek Falls drops over a rock face on Fish Creek in Routt National Forest, a short drive east of Steamboat Springs. A day-use picnic area sits near the parking lot, with an upper overlook trail giving a view of the falls without crossing the creek; a longer route continues past a footbridge toward Upper Fish Creek Falls for visitors who want more distance.
The Forest Service charges $5 per vehicle per day at an automated fee station, payable on site or in advance through Recreation.gov. The footbridge below the falls and roughly four miles of Fish Creek Trail beyond it are structurally compromised and, as of this review, close every year from April 1 through July 1 - an arrangement the Forest Service expects to continue through 2027 while repair plans are developed; the picnic area and upper overlook trail stay open through that window. Outside the spring closure the bridge and trail are typically open, but check the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests' current notices before planning a longer hike.
As last updated by the Forest Service on 2026-04-27, the footbridge below Fish Creek Falls and about four miles of Fish Creek Trail beyond it close every year from April 1 through July 1, an arrangement expected to continue through 2027 pending repair plans; the picnic area and upper overlook trail remain open during that window. Check the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests newsroom for current status. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Fish Creek Falls day-use area, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, about 5 miles east of Steamboat Springs.
Open year-round; the footbridge and trail beyond it close seasonally each spring (see alert).
Short overlook trail from the picnic area; a longer route continues via footbridge toward Upper Fish Creek Falls.
$5 per vehicle per day; automated fee station on-site or pay in advance via Recreation.gov.
Not specified on the Forest Service pages reviewed; verify current conditions before visiting.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests — Bridge at Fish Creek Falls and trail beyond temporarily closed ↗
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests — Forest Service makes paying fee at Fish Creek Falls easier ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
