Booth Falls Trail
Moderate hike to beautiful cascades with stunning mountain views, challenging inclines, and vibrant fall colors.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best light & fewer crowds
Booth Falls Trail
Best Time
Best light & fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Moderate hike to beautiful cascades with stunning mountain views, challenging inclines, and vibrant fall colors.
"Everywhere you look is a different beautiful view. "
💧 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Altitude makes the hike 'breathtaking.' Bring plenty of water, especially if coming from lower elevations.
🚗 Shuttle is Your Friend
Parking is scarce. Take the free shuttle from Vail Village for a stress-free start to your Booth Falls hike.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 338 reviews
Type
Hiking Area
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Booth Falls Cascades
Mid-point of the trail
Beautiful cascades splashing over rocks, offering a rewarding sight on the ascent.
Panoramic Valley Views
Throughout the trail
Stunning vistas of the surrounding valley and mountains, changing with every turn.
Alpine Wildflowers & Aspen Groves
Along the trail
Vibrant alpine flora and tall aspen groves create a picturesque and colorful hiking experience.
Booth Lake (for the Ambitious)
End of the extended trail
A challenging but rewarding trek to a serene alpine lake, offering a different perspective.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Altitude Awareness is Key
Parking & Shuttle Strategy
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
anyone (f) in vail and want to hike to booth lake any day 6/23-25?
hi! i (college aged woman) am here for a week or so and have been DYING to do this hike for a while. unfortunately, my family all have leg injuries or are otherwise not able to hike, and i don’t feel comfortable going by myself 😭 i’ve never been to the rockies and really…
💧 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Altitude makes the hike 'breathtaking.' Bring plenty of water, especially if coming from lower elevations.
🚗 Shuttle is Your Friend
Parking is scarce. Take the free shuttle from Vail Village for a stress-free start to your Booth Falls hike.
Booth Falls Vail, Colorado.
I did this one last simmer. It was right beside our Airbnb. Pretty intense hike. Hard to get a good view of the waterfall but I can never complain being in Vail. Everything is beautiful there.
Booth Lake, Vail Colorado. Is this a hard hike?
So I used the All Trails app and decided to do this hike a few months back. After we got to the midway point at the Falls i was satisfied, but we decided that we wouldn’t forgive ourselves if we didn’t go all the way. We aren’t incredibly experienced hikers and we weren’t fully…
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Recommended
The trail is rocky and steep in sections. Good hiking boots will make the Booth Falls trail much more comfortable.
📸 Capture the Views
Every turn offers a new, spectacular perspective. Don't forget your camera for the Booth Creek Falls hike!
Booth Falls Trail. Vail, CO. Early August
3.8 miles out and back. Elevation gain of around 1,400 ft. Photo taken around 9,850 ft, right above the falls.
Tips
from all over the internet
💧 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Altitude makes the hike 'breathtaking.' Bring plenty of water, especially if coming from lower elevations.
🚗 Shuttle is Your Friend
Parking is scarce. Take the free shuttle from Vail Village for a stress-free start to your Booth Falls hike.
🥾 Sturdy Footwear Recommended
The trail is rocky and steep in sections. Good hiking boots will make the Booth Falls trail much more comfortable.
📸 Capture the Views
Every turn offers a new, spectacular perspective. Don't forget your camera for the Booth Creek Falls hike!
🐍 Be Wildlife Aware
While generally peaceful, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including bees and snakes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the stunning mountain vistas and the beautiful cascades of Booth Falls, calling the hike a dream come true. The trail is well-maintained and offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, especially during the vibrant fall season. However, some note the altitude can be taxing, and parking is extremely limited, making the shuttle a necessity.
"This is a beautiful hike up to falls that (in fall, at least) are really more like "cascades" - that is, you won't see a huge big fall but rather the creek splashing down over the rocks. That's very pretty, but the trip up and down is spectacular whether you make it to the falls or not. We are not from here - the altitude does make the hike "breathtaking" - it was about 2 + hours up and 1.5 down for us. (We are 67 and 81 years old, in good health and active - but live at 1200 feet elevation.) Take water!!
The leaves made the trip stunning, and from each turn you get a different perspective on the valley and mountains."
kathybehrens
"Really beautiful hike with steep inclines and not very busy at all. Saw people maybe every 5 min during our hike up to the falls. We tend did a short scramble down to get better views. The whole hike was relatively bug free aside from some bees though we did see a snake on the way back.
The alpine floral was definitely a nice highlight plus the tall aspen groves that was our cover with pines. You can take shuttle as parking is not readily available any more. Def a beautiful challenging fun hike with family."
Andy
"I have hiked Booth Falls twice now, and each time has been a dream come true. Everywhere you look is a different beautiful view. There are wildflowers everywhere, scenic mountain views, the payoff at the end being the beautiful falls. I’m told there’s a lake if you continue on, but we have not done that. The trail is very well maintained, and most hikers are very good to not litter which is wonderful. We take the shuttle from the garage at Vail Village which is free! The garage is $2/hr with a max of 10/day. Bring water and take frequent breaks if you come from lower elevations. We will hike this trail again for sure!"
Amber Hlywa
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Booth Falls trailhead is located near Vail Village. Parking is very limited, so most visitors opt for the free shuttle service from Vail Village. The shuttle is a convenient way to access the Booth Creek Falls trailhead without worrying about parking.
Parking at the Booth Falls trail is extremely limited and fills up very early. It's highly recommended to use the shuttle service from Vail Village to avoid disappointment.
The shuttle to Booth Falls is typically free and runs frequently during peak season from Vail Village. Check local Vail transit information for the most up-to-date schedule.
While you can drive to the vicinity of Booth Creek Falls, parking is a major challenge. The shuttle is the most practical option for accessing the Booth Creek Falls trailhead.
Yes, the primary way to access Booth Falls Trail via public transport is by taking the free shuttle from Vail Village, which is well-served by local bus routes.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Booth Falls Trail is a public hiking trail and does not require an entrance ticket. Access is free for all visitors.
Booth Falls Hike is generally accessible year-round during daylight hours. However, trail conditions can vary significantly with snow in winter and spring.
There is no admission fee for Booth Creek Falls. It's a natural attraction open to the public for hiking and enjoying the scenery.
Summer mornings offer the best light and fewer crowds for the Booth Falls hike. Fall is also beautiful with changing aspen colors.
Reservations are not required for Booth Falls Trail. It's a natural trail, and you can visit anytime during daylight hours.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
The hike to Booth Falls is approximately 2 hours up and 1.5 hours down for many, depending on fitness and altitude acclimatization. The full hike to Booth Lake is about 5.3 miles one way.
Booth Falls Trail is considered moderate to challenging due to steep inclines and rocky terrain. The hike to Booth Lake is significantly more difficult.
Wear sturdy hiking boots for the rocky and steep terrain. Layers are recommended as weather can change, and bring sun protection.
While not explicitly stated in all sources, it's generally recommended to check local regulations for pet policies on hiking trails in national forests or wilderness areas.
The trail is not usually very busy, with hikers seen perhaps every 5 minutes. You might encounter more people during peak summer weekends.
🍽️ 🍎 Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly at the Booth Falls Trailhead. You'll find numerous restaurants and cafes in nearby Vail Village before or after your hike.
Picnicking is a great idea for Booth Falls! Pack your own food and drinks to enjoy amidst the beautiful scenery. Remember to pack out all trash.
Pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, energy bars, and fruit. Plenty of water is essential due to the altitude.
There are no water sources available on the Booth Falls trail itself. You must carry all the water you will need for the hike.
Vail Village, a short shuttle ride away, offers a wide variety of dining options, from casual cafes to upscale restaurants, after your Booth Creek Falls hike.
📸 📸 Photography
Look for viewpoints overlooking the valley, the cascades themselves, and the vibrant alpine flora. The aspen groves in fall are particularly photogenic.
Morning light provides soft, beautiful illumination for photos. Golden hour in the late afternoon can also create stunning shots with warm light.
Drone usage is often restricted in national forests and wilderness areas. It's crucial to check current FAA and local regulations before flying a drone near Booth Falls.
A versatile lens (like a 24-70mm) is great for landscapes and details. A wide-angle lens can capture the expansive valley views. Don't forget a sturdy tripod if you plan for low-light shots.
The cascading water of Booth Creek Falls offers great opportunities for capturing motion blur with a slower shutter speed. The surrounding rocks and greenery add texture.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit