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Hiking Booth Falls Trail in Vail, Colorado
Vail is located in Eagle County, Colorado with 1.3 million tourists visiting each year. Summer is a popular time to visit because of the variety of hiking, golfing, and festivals. Vail has a variety of hiking that offer gorgeous views of the valley, waterfalls, and Aspen trees. I am a resident in Vail, Colorado, and Booth Falls is one of my favorite hikes! Booth Falls is located in East Vail near Vail Mountain School.
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Booth Falls Trail Breakdown
Length: 4.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,358 ft
Route: Out & Back
Heavily Trafficked
Dogs must be on a Leash
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking for Booth Falls Trail
Option #1
At the beginning of Summer 2021, the parking lot near the trailhead closed due to too many visitors. Vail encourages hikers to use the free Town of Vail shuttle to get to the trailhead. The East Vail Shuttle will take you to the Booth Falls stop, from there, walk up Booth Falls Road and you will find the trailhead at the dead end. View the shuttle schedule here.
Option #2
You can drive and park at the Vail Mountain School. There is a small parking lot near the Booth Falls Shuttle stop, you can only park in this parking lot when there are no events going on and a sign is posted at the entrance.
Booth Falls Trail Tips
- Bring Plenty of Water
- Start your hike early to avoid getting caught in an afternoon thunderstorm.
- Wear good quality Hiking Boots
- Recommended times to Hike – Fall, Summer, and Spring
- All dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- This is a steep hike at a high elevation, take your time and drink water to avoid altitude sickness.
Booth Falls Trail Packing List
- Osprey Hydration Pack
- Rain Coat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp
- Hiking Boots
- Food/Snacks – Think! High Protein Bar
- Extra pair of Socks
- Map
- Camera
- Toilet Paper
- Hat/Sunglass
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Routes
1. To Booth Falls ~ 4.2 Miles
2. To Booth Lake ~ 10 Miles (Hard)
The Journey
Aspen Trees
Booth Falls Trail sits right in the middle of Eagles Nest Wilderness. This forest area is filled with tall and thin Aspen trees. The trees make for some much-needed shade for hikers in the summer.
Best Hike in Vail with Views
Some of the best views are found on the way back to the trailhead. Along the way stop for a moment and take in the gorgeous views of the valley. The lush pine and aspen trees paint shades of green along the mountainsides.
Wildflowers
The Columbine is Colorado’s State Flower. It only grows in high altitudes and is hard to find. You will find these unique wild Columbine flowers near the falls. They come in all varieties from all-white to dark purple and white.
Booth Falls
The Booth Creek Falls are the top attraction to this amazing hike. The falls are picturesque with clear water dropping 60-feet to the below creek. The terrain is very rocky near the falls so be cautious and aware of your footing. Just above the large waterfall, there is a small creek, slip off your shoes and soak your toes in the cold water.
Picnic
Once you reach the falls, find a nice spot to enjoy lunch. My go-to hiking treat is a Think! High Protein Bar. For this 4.2 mile hike, I brought the Lemon Delight High Protein Bar. Think! bars are high in protein at 20 grams per bar, only 1 gram of sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. My Lemon Delight Bar kept me full and gave me the energy to finish out our hike back to the trailhead. Try Think! High Protein Bar Variety Pack, my favorite bars are the Lemon Delight, Cookies & Creme, and Creamy Peanut Butter. Comment below your favorite!
Another Great Colorado Hike – Crag Crest
