Dolan Falls is a 7-foot waterfall on the Devils River in Val Verde County, Texas, where the clear, spring-fed river breaks over a limestone ledge just below the mouth of Dolan Creek. There's no road or trail to it. The only way to see it is from the river, on a permitted paddling trip through Devils River State Natural Area, and the drop rates Class IV.
The falls
Lidar data measures a single segmented drop of about 7 feet. Earlier surveys listed 10 feet, a figure still used in state paddler guides. Springs feed both the river and Dolan Creek, with the creek adding more than 6,000 gallons a minute to the Devils River.
Getting there
The land on the banks is not open. The Nature Conservancy's 4,788-acre Dolan Falls Preserve is closed to the public, and on other private banks paddlers may land only to scout or portage. The falls lie 16.4 river miles below the Baker's Crossing launch; San Pedro Point, in the Del Norte Unit of Devils River State Natural Area, sits at river mile 15. Vehicle parking at Del Norte ends 1 mile before San Pedro Point, and the last mile is nonmotorized.
Paddlers using state land need a $10 individual Devils River Access Permit, arranged in advance. Day entry to the natural area is $5 for anyone 13 or older, by reservation; the gates are open Friday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Tuesday through Thursday. In 2026 the Baker's Crossing launch closed for low flow, with a damaged road that requires four-wheel drive, and no drinking water at Del Norte.
When to go
Spring and fall are the recommended seasons for river trips. Low water means dragging boats over shallows, and flash floods can raise the river quickly.
On site
Taking out early and portaging on either bank is strongly recommended; attempts to run the falls commonly end in injuries and lost gear.
History and name
The Nature Conservancy began buying the original ranch around the falls in 1991. The preserve sits where the Edwards Plateau, Chihuahuan Desert and Rio Grande Plain meet, and protects species such as the Texas snowbell, black-capped vireo and Devils River minnow.
Nearby
No other waterfalls are recorded in Val Verde County, and surveys list none within 5 miles. The nearest town, Cienegas Terrace, is about 35.9 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.