Best Waterfall Hikes in Colorado

Susan Joy Paul is the author ofHiking Waterfalls in Colorado: A Guide To The State’s Best Waterfall Hikes. 

Colorado waterfalls are known for their spectacular beauty. Rocky Mountain topography and high-altitude snowmelt combine to create breathtaking flows of crystalline water that plunge over crags, cascade through boulders, and pool in sunlit tarns. Each waterfall’s sight, scent, and sound is unique and ever-changing. The water ebbs and flows according to changing temperatures and precipitation, and the water swells and recedes with the seasons. While famous, well-visited sites like Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, and North Clear Creek Falls in Creede deserve their popularity, hundreds of lesser-known waterfalls are just as splendid, and each comes with the added bonus of a hike on peaceful trail. With more than 500 named waterfalls and hundreds of unnamed ones, it’s hard to choose favorites.

Put these dozen falls on your summer schedule. You’ll see why Colorado waterfall hikes are more than an outing. They’re a treat for the senses and an experience you won’t soon forget.

Distances are out-and-back total mileage.

Elk Falls

Staunton State Park, PineDistance: 7.2 milesDifficulty: Moderate

The hike to Elk Falls starts at the Lazy V parking lot and trailhead, located less than an hour’s drive from Denver. You’ll switch trails several times as you wind through pine forests and open meadows, so bring a map or GPS unit and pay attention to the signed junctions to stay on track. From the trailhead, head north on Old Mill Trail (OM), cross South Upper Ranch Drive, and go left on Staunton Ranch Trail (SR). Follow it northwest to join Bugling Elk Trail (BE), a service road. Continue northwest, then south to Elk Falls Pond. Bear right around the pond on Lions Back Trail, a service road. Pass a park building on your left and bear right to hike uphill, then go left on Chimney Rock Trail (CR) and left again on Elk Falls Trail (EF). This short, rocky trail switchbacks sharply to the waterfall’s base, which sits tucked into a canyon below the trail. The viewing area is small, but the waterfall is spectacular in the springtime after a good snowmelt. Pull up a rock and enjoy the spray.

Browns Creek Falls

San Isabel National Forest, NathropDistance: 5.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Sixteen miles south of Buena Vista, Browns Creek Trailhead provides access to the roaring, two-tiered splendor of Browns Creek Falls. The hike wanders through forests, where you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the surrounding Sawatch Range, before it sneaks into a rocky, cliff-lined chasm. This is where you’ll find the waterfall. To get there, head west on the Wagon Loop Trail, keeping Little Browns Creek to your left. Turn left on Colorado Trail. Then, at the next junction, bear right and hike west on Browns Creek Trail. (You could encounter a few minor creek crossings  here,depending on recent rainfall and snowmelt.) Cross a split-log bridge over Browns Creek, then look for a sign pointing left, where a short, steep trail leads to the waterfall.

Continental Falls

Arapaho National Forest, BreckenridgeDistance: 5 milesDifficulty: Moderate

Four miles south of Breckenridge, Spruce Creek Trail climbs steeply along 225-foot Continental Falls. You’ll get a taste of the waterfall near its base, but those who keep climbing will be rewarded with dramatic views east to the Continental Divide and south to Mount Silverheels. You’ll also get to enjoy the numerous smaller cascades that precede Continental Falls. From Spruce Creek Trailhead, hike southwest through a spruce forest, cross a footbridge, and continue past the Wheeler Trail junction on Spruce Creek Trail. Follow a closed road past a diversion dam to rejoin Spruce Creek Trail and follow signs toward Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes. Cross another footbridge and at about 2.3 miles, take a side trail and walk 200 feet for views of the lower leaps. Return to the main trail and continue hiking the steepening route, past mine ruins and to the top of the falls. Make this your turnaround point or continue on Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes.

Rough Creek Falls

Rio Grande National Forest, AntonitoDistance: 2 miles Difficulty: Easy

North of Cumbres Pass and west of Antonito, picturesque Rough Creek Falls tucks into a canyon in the South San Juan Wilderness. Water from Alverjones Lake and Hourglass Lake pour from a high plateau, making Rough Creek Falls a powerful gusher with brilliant waters set off by trailside ruddy cliffs. Reach this hidden beauty from Ruybalid Trailhead near the Conejos River. Hike southwest on Ruybalid Trail, across grassy slopes and through aspen groves to a signed trail junction. Turn left and descend the side trail to the base of the falls.

Falls Creek Falls

San Juan National Forest, Pagosa SpringsDistance: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Another spectacular waterfall lies west of Rough Creek Falls in the Weminuche Wilderness, north of Pagosa Springs. Starting at Fourmile Trailhead, this gorgeous hike descends Fourmile Stock Drive Trail into Fourmile Creek’s wild valley, then heads north through dense spruce and fir forest with several crossings of side creeks. Falls Creek Falls, plummeting 250 feet from cliffs ahead, comes into view midway on the hike. A second waterfall, Fourmile Creek Falls, drops off vertical cliffs northeast of the main trail. Turn left at an obvious junction and climb the side trail toward the waterfall’s base. There is a wide creek crossing here, so trekking poles are handy. Do not cross if the creek is running high or fast.

Cascade Creek Falls

San Juan National Forest, DurangoDistance: 10.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Cascade Creek waterfalls comprises eight distinct falls: Engine Creek Falls, 50-Foot Falls, Behind the Falls, Two-Tier Falls, Ice Cream Scoop Falls, Endless Cascade, Cascade Creek Falls, and 150-Foot Falls. From Cascade Creek Trailhead, hike northwest on a 4WD road (Cascade Creek Trail) past dispersed campsites and cabins, and through a gate. From here, you’ll climb more than 1,500 feet as the trail crosses several side creeks. Keep an eye out for the first four falls in this section—all are visible from the main trail or from obvious, short side trails. You’ll hear them before you see them, so keep your ears open and follow the roars. At around 5.4 miles, you’ll reach a muddy meadow, your turnaround point. If you are prepared for wet terrain and a bit of bushwhacking, continue north on the rough, overgrown trail for views of the final four waterfalls.

Bear Creek Falls

Uncompahgre National Forest, TellurideDistance: 4.6 miles Difficulty: Moderate

The hike to this stunning waterfall begins at Bear Creek Trailhead on the south side of Telluride. From there, you’ll follow the Bear Creek Trail southeast, then south, along an old mining road that carries you into the heart of the national forest. Along the way, you’ll pass Ballard Falls—which crashes over a cliff band on the opposite side of the valley—and the trail spur to Lower Bear Creek Falls. Continue on the main trail past a three-way junction to a massive boulder. Go right here and hike uphill across slopes on the narrow trail. Finish on a steep, rocky trail, then scramble down to the base of the misty waterfall.

Ames (Mystic) Falls

Uncompahgre National Forest, OphirDistance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy

On the Lake Fork of the San Miguel River, a trio of plunging waterfalls—Lower Ames Falls, Upper Ames Falls, and Ames (Mystic) Falls—make this short hike west of Telluride a triple delight. From Ames Power Plant, hike south up an unsigned dirt road and bear right at a Y junction. The road dead ends at a canyon overlooking Lower Ames Falls. Hike south on a narrow trail along an airy cliff edge to view 100-foot-high Ames Falls. Stay clear of the trail’s exposed edge and turn around if the trail is wet or icy. Return to the Y junction and turn right onto the 4WD road, Galloping Goose Trail. Hike uphill and continue straight onto the signed trail when the road bends left. An overlook of wide Upper Ames Falls is right of the trail. Note: Take care not to enter the private property surrounding the waterfall.

Oh-be-joyful Creek Waterfall

Gunnison National Forest, Crested ButteDistance: 2 miles Difficulty: Easy

The Oh-be-joyful Trail edges along a deep gorge, following its eponymous creek as the water filters through polished boulders and pours over cliffs. From Oh-be-joyful Trailhead north of Crested Butte, descend to a road, go left, and cross a footbridge over Slate River. Hike south along the river, then west up a good trail. After 0.4 miles, go left on an unnamed side trail and pass overlooks with dazzling views of Lower Oh-be-joyful Creek Slide Falls, Oh-be-joyful Creek Slide Falls, Oh-be-joyful Creek Falls, Triplet Falls, and several unnamed waterfalls. After 1.1 miles, rejoin Oh-be-joyful Trail and go left to Upper Oh-be-joyful Creek Falls. Turn around here and return down the main trail.

Big Dominguez Falls

Dominguez-Escalante Conservation Area, Grand JunctionDistance: 6.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Vermilion sandstone cliffs tower above this hike to a desert waterfall in Big Dominguez Canyon southeast of Grand Junction. From Bridgeport Trailhead, hike south on a gravel road beside railroad tracks, cross at the designated crossing, then continue hiking the road. Turn right onto signed Big Dominguez Trail, cross a footbridge over the Gunnison River, and hike south along the river’s west bank. At the mouth of Big Dominguez Canyon, turn right into the canyon and pass noisy Lower Dominguez Falls dropping over slickrock below the trail. Continue to the junction of Little and Big Dominguez Canyons. Keep right and hike southwest up the rugged canyon. Watch for Middle Dominguez Falls tumbling through the cliffs below the trail to the left. The trail gently climbs to the bedrock top of Big Dominguez Falls, on the left. Take extreme care here—the wet rock can be slick. To reach the waterfall’s base, backtrack to Middle Dominguez Falls, locate an unmarked side trail, and follow it down to the creek and up a shallow canyon to Big Dominguez Falls. Safety note: Don’t cross the creek if the water’s running high or fast.

Upper Fish Creek Falls

Fish Creek Falls Recreation Area, Steamboat SpringsDistance: 4.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Minutes from downtown Steamboat Springs, Fish Creek Falls pours into a deep canyon, making it one of the most visually striking cascades in the area. Be prepared to pay for parking in the self-serve lot. Then, from Fish Creek Falls Trailhead, descend into the canyon on Fish Creek National Recreation Trail. Below the roaring waterfall, a footbridge offers amazing views of the double-leap, 280-foot falls. To reach Upper Fish Creek Falls, continue on the trail and cross a second bridge, then hike the steep, rocky trail more than 1,000 feet to the two-tiered falls tucked in a cliff-rimmed gorge.

Timberline Falls

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes ParkDistance: 8.2 miles Difficulty: Challenging

Packed with some of the state’s best waterfalls, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to Glacier Gorge and Timberline Falls. Timed-entry access is required seasonally, so check the park’s website to ensure you have your spot. The Glacier Gorge Trailhead parking lot fills quickly, so plan on taking the free Bear Lake Shuttle to the trailhead. Hike south on Glacier Gorge Trail and follow signs to Alberta Falls. Continue past this waterfall and at the second junction, bear right onto Loch Vale Trail. Hike west around the right side of The Loch, a broad lake, and continue up Loch Vale, a deep glaciated gorge, to a final steep section and Timberline Falls. The misty waterfall rambles off a broken cliff beside the trail. Take in stunning views of jagged alpine peaks beyond the waterfall and the lush valley below. For more beauty and, if conditions permit, scramble up rock slabs right of the waterfall to the upper cirque and views of Lake of Glass and Sky Pond and the rocky summit of The Sharkstooth and neighboring Petit Grepon.

Tips for Visiting Colorado’s Waterfalls

• Colorado trails can be icy through early summer. Pack EXOspikes or similar traction for your boots, and use trekking poles for balance during stream crossings.
• Don’t stand on top of a waterfall. The current could take you over the edge.
• Leave nothing but footprints behind on your waterfall hikes. Take nothing but photos and memories.