Upper Disaster Falls
About
Upper Disaster Falls is a waterfall in Dinosaur National Monument in western Colorado, managed by the National Park Service. The nearest town is Craig Place, about 5 miles away. The falls sit at roughly 5,850 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 72°F and September highs near 79°F, while July averages climb to about 91°F. Pot Creek Trail is the closest neighbor, about 1.4 miles away. Rippling Brook River Camp 1 and the Gates of Lodore Trail are both within about 6 miles, and the Green River Multiday Trip lies a little under 9 miles off.
Waterfall Facts
Elevation
5,847 ft
Land manager
National Park Service
Elevation from USGS 3D Elevation Program terrain data (about 10 m resolution).
Location
Upper Disaster Falls
Colorado
Name and location: U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. View the GNIS record.
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Apr–Jun. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 62–83°F and lows of 31–47°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Jarvie Rch, UT weather station, 22 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan40° high13° low
- Feb44° high18° low
- Mar55° high25° low
- Apr62° high31° low
- May72° high39° low
- Jun83° high47° low
- Jul91° high54° low
- Aug88° high51° low
- Sep79° high43° low
- Oct65° high32° low
- Nov50° high22° low
- Dec40° high13° low
Where it is
- Dinosaur National Monument · National Park Service
- Nearest town
- Craig Place, Colorado · 5 mi
- Managed by
- National Park Service
Source: NPS Land Resources boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1; USGS GNIS populated places
Conditions
Active alerts for Dinosaur National Monument as of Oct 9, 2026:
Echo Park Road and Campground Closure
Park Closure · posted Oct 9, 2026
Rainbow Park Closure
Park Closure · posted Sep 25, 2026
Source: NPS Alerts API
Nearby
- Pot Creek TrailHiking1.4 mi
- Rippling Brook River Camp 1Camping5.1 mi
- Wild MountainRock climbing5.2 mi
- Gates of Lodore TrailHiking5.6 mi
- Gates of LodoreCamping5.7 mi
- Green River Multiday TripCanoeing8.8 mi
- Two Bar Ranch Loop TrailHiking9.1 mi
- Echo Park CampgroundCamping9.5 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
