Ouzoud Falls are a natural site with free access in Azilal province, in Morocco’s Middle Atlas: there is no official ticketing website, and no authority publishes an admission price or opening hours. They are one of the geosites of the M’Goun UNESCO Global Geopark. This page gathers what verifiable sources actually say (the geopark’s activity report, GOV.UK and the U.S. State Department, Moroccan press), the sunrise and sunset times month by month, and the points to check before you book a day trip from Marrakech.
The falls are most often visited as part of a stay in Marrakech or a tour of the Atlas. For the bigger picture, see our Morocco travel guide and our page on visiting Marrakech.
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Ouzoud Falls: key facts
- Where: Azilal province (Béni Mellal-Khénifra region), in the commune of Aït Taguella according to the Moroccan press (Le360, 20 October 2026).
- Status: geosite no. 5 of the M’Goun Geopark, awarded UNESCO status in 2014 (geopark association report).
- Admission: no official ticket office or price list published by any authority as far as we know, as of 27 October 2026; services on site (parking, boats, guides) are negotiated locally.
- Opening hours: no official hours published; be wary of websites that list hours without a source.
- Height: more than 110 m (361 ft) according to the press and guidebooks (no official figure published).
- Safety: UK and U.S. government advice for Morocco warns about poor lighting on roads at night and hazardous mountain roads in bad weather (see the safety section below).
What we actually know about Ouzoud Falls
The M’Goun Geopark, run by an association based in Azilal, describes its territory as « a protected territorial area » of 5,730 km² (2,212 sq mi) in the heart of the central High Atlas, spread across 15 local authorities. Its 2019 activity report, published by the Global Geoparks Network, lists ten geosites: Ouzoud Falls come fifth, alongside Lake Bin El Ouidane, the Imin Ifri natural bridge and the dinosaur footprints at Iouaridène. The same document notes that the geopark was « labelled by UNESCO in 2014 » and then revalidated for the 2019–2022 period.
The report also mentions an awareness and clean-up campaign run at the « Ouzoud geo-tourism site » with the Béni Mellal-Khénifra regional council, the commune of Ouzoud and local associations. It is a useful reminder: the site is busy and fragile, and keeping it clean also depends on visitors.
No authority we could consult publishes the height of the falls. The water drops over several tiers in a red sandstone valley, so we do not give an official height.
Water flow: why timing matters
The spectacle depends directly on rainfall in the Atlas. On 20 October 2026, Le360 reported that the falls had regained an exceptional flow after more than four hours of heavy rain over the High Atlas. Conversely, in dry periods the volume drops. Before a trip, look at recent photos posted by visitors rather than promotional images, and see our page on the best time to visit Morocco for the rainy seasons.
Tickets, parking, boats: what you pay for
Unlike major monuments, Ouzoud has no official ticket office. As far as we know, no authority (ministry, region, province or geopark) publishes an admission price or opening hours. Some websites do show seasonal hours, with last admission and closing days: we found no official source for them, so we do not repeat them.
On site, costs come from services: parking, a boat crossing to the foot of the main fall (an activity described by the Routard guide), a local guide and food. With no official price list, agree the price before each service.
What to see around the falls
- The viewpoints at the top of the falls, which show all the tiers at once.
- The path down to the foot of the waterfall, where the boats leave from; it is made of steps and packed earth, and slippery near the water.
- The traditional mills along the stream, still working according to the Routard guide.
- Barbary macaques, which live freely on the site. Do not feed them: this is the advice given by the leading guidebooks, and it is the best way to avoid bites and scratches.
- The other M’Goun geosites: the Imin Ifri natural bridge, Lake Bin El Ouidane and the Iouaridène dinosaur footprints, which let you extend the trip into the central High Atlas.
Best time of day
The site is outdoors with no official hours, so daylight sets the pace. The table below gives sunrise and sunset on the 15th of each month. Morocco is on UTC+1 for most of the year but goes back to UTC+0 during Ramadan: the February 2027 time reflects this change, as built into the time zone database.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:27 | 18:44 | 10 h 17 min |
| February | 07:09 | 18:12 | 11 h 04 min |
| March | 07:37 | 19:34 | 11 h 57 min |
| April | 06:58 | 19:55 | 12 h 57 min |
| May | 06:29 | 20:17 | 13 h 47 min |
| June | 06:20 | 20:34 | 14 h 14 min |
| July | 06:31 | 20:34 | 14 h 03 min |
| August | 06:51 | 20:11 | 13 h 20 min |
| September | 07:10 | 19:33 | 12 h 23 min |
| October | 07:30 | 18:54 | 11 h 25 min |
| November | 07:55 | 18:27 | 10 h 32 min |
| December | 08:19 | 18:24 | 10 h 04 min |
What the figures show: day length goes from 10 h 04 min in December to 14 h 14 min in June. In winter, an early start from Marrakech leaves little margin to get back before dark, and both UK and U.S. government advice warns about driving at night in Morocco because of poor lighting (see below). Late in the day the valley falls into shade well before sunset, which eases the heat in summer but darkens photos.
Getting there: tour, car or public transport
We do not publish journey times: no authority provides an official duration, and guidebooks contradict each other depending on the route and the state of the mountain road. There are three options:
- Organized day trip from Marrakech: the simplest option; check what the price includes (transport, guide, lunch, boat) and the planned return time.
- Rental car or car with driver: freedom to start early and to combine the falls with Bin El Ouidane. The UK government says road accidents are frequent in Morocco and that mountain and secondary roads can be especially hazardous in poor weather (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026).
- Public transport (buses to Azilal, shared grands taxis): possible, but no official timetables are published online; arrange it on the spot.
Booking a tour to Ouzoud Falls
Before paying for a tour, ask in writing for: the departure and return times in Marrakech, the type of vehicle and insurance, whether the boat and guide are included, the guide’s language, and the cancellation policy in case of rain or a closed road. To stay connected on the way, our Morocco eSIM guide sets out the options.
Safety: what UK and U.S. government advice says
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026), poor lighting can make it dangerous to drive at night in Morocco, and secondary routes and mountain roads can be especially hazardous when the weather is poor. The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 30, 2026) also advises extreme caution when driving at night because of poor lighting along roads, and notes that traffic accidents are a significant hazard in the country.
For outdoor activities, GOV.UK advises hiring a professional guide for hikes in the Atlas Mountains and taking out comprehensive insurance that covers your planned activities, and warns that swimming in open water, including dams and rivers, can be dangerous. Around a waterfall, that means shoes that grip wet rock, care near the pools, and no swimming when the current is strong after rain. GOV.UK also warns that heavy rain can cause flash flooding in the mountains or near rivers. For entry requirements, see entry requirements for Morocco.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying an « entrance fee » to someone who cannot justify it: no official ticket office is published.
- Trusting opening hours found online without a source.
- Feeding the Barbary macaques.
- Going down to the foot of the falls in smooth-soled sandals.
- Planning to drive back to Marrakech after dark, when both UK and U.S. government advice warns about night driving.
- Accepting a boat or a guide without agreeing the price first.
What to see nearby
- Marrakech: the starting point for most day trips.
- Majorelle Garden: combine it with a day in the city.
- Fez: reached by continuing through the Middle Atlas.
- Merzouga: the Erg Chebbi dunes, on the other side of the Atlas.
- Ouarzazate: the gateway to the south across the High Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to enter Ouzoud Falls?
No authority publishes an admission price or an official ticket office as far as we know (checked on 27 October 2026). Costs are for parking, boats, guides and food, to be negotiated on site.
What are the opening hours of Ouzoud Falls?
There are no official published hours: it is an open-air natural site. Plan your visit around daylight (see our table) and avoid driving back at night.
How high are Ouzoud Falls?
More than 110 m (361 ft) according to the Moroccan press and guidebooks; no official figure is published by the geopark or the authorities.
Are Ouzoud Falls a UNESCO site?
They are one of the geosites of the M’Goun Geopark, which was awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2014. This is not a World Heritage listing.
Can you swim at Ouzoud Falls?
No official swimming rules are published. GOV.UK warns that swimming in open water, including dams and rivers, can be dangerous. Be careful near the pools, especially after heavy rain, when the flow increases.
Is it dangerous to go to Ouzoud?
The main risks highlighted by UK and U.S. government advice for Morocco are road-related: poor lighting at night and hazardous mountain roads in bad weather (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026; travel.state.gov, last updated July 30, 2026). Plan to be back before dark.
Our sources
- M’Goun Geopark Association, 2019 activity report (PDF, Global Geoparks Network), consulted on 27 October 2026
- UK FCDO, Morocco travel advice (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026): safety and security, road travel, local travel
- U.S. Department of State, Morocco country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 30, 2026): traffic safety and road conditions
- Le360, « Cascades d’Ouzoud : un débit d’eau exceptionnel redonne son éclat au site touristique d’Azilal », 20 October 2026, consulted on 27 October 2026
- Routard, « Cascades d’Ouzoud » entry, consulted on 27 October 2026 (height, mills, Barbary macaques, boats)
- Coordinates of the falls: Wikipedia, « Ouzoud Falls » article
- Sunrise, sunset and day length: Destination de Voyage calculation, NOAA solar algorithm, Africa/Casablanca time zone, coordinates of Ouzoud Falls (Wikipedia), on the 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and access rules may change: check official sources before you go.
