Colorado’s known for its high-altitude mountains and world-class skiing, but it also has some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the country. Waterfalls in Colorado have everything you’re looking for:
- Cascading falls
- Big-drop waterfalls
- Frozen waterfalls
- Plunges
- Cataracts
- Horsetails
- Multi-step falls
- Tiered
- Fans
You probably didn’t even know those waterfall distinctions existed, did you? No shame. I sure didn’t until doing deeper research into these natural phenomena.
Below, I’ve collected a huge list of the best waterfalls in Colorado. Some you can view from your car, others require a short walk, and a handful demand a pleasant hike. Only a small amount of these cost a fee to see, as some are located in state parks, national parks, city parks, and private property.
The Best Waterfalls in Colorado
I’ve listed these Colorado waterfalls in no specific order. Enjoy, and let me know if I missed any of your favorites by commenting at the end of this article!
1. Lower Cascade Falls, Ouray
You can see Cascade Falls from practically anywhere in Ouray (I’m actually looking at it out the window of my home right now). The Lower Cascade Falls is a massive plunge that splashes down powerfully at the base, sending a cool, refreshing spray that’s absolutely delightful during summer hikes. It’s just a short .25-mile hike from the parking lot, or you can visit it while taking the Perimeter Trail around town.
The area surrounding the base of the falls is a playground. You can scramble up the loose rocks as close as you dare to the falls and even make your way up to a small alcove on the right of the waterfall.
Best of all, you can even hike behind the waterfalls. Following the Perimeter Trail, there’s a short extension for you to skirt behind the falls, but be careful—this area is slick, and there’s no railing or anything to keep you from taking a nasty spill.
Please: Be mindful of erosion and wildlife in the area. Stay on the trail; if you want to get closer, stay on the rocks to mitigate impact.
2. Bear Creek Falls, Ouray
Drive south down the road outside of Ouray along the Million Dollar Highway (a journey worthy of itself), and you’ll soon find Bear Creek Falls. There’s a small pullout area for you to park, and you can walk out a suspended platform to get a better view of the 120-foot waterfall.
This is a year-round delight, and you’ll get something different every time you visit these falls. In the spring, it’s roaring from all the winter runoff, and sometimes there’s a layer of snow and ice at the base.
While the falls are reason enough to stop at this pullout, don’t forget to turn around and look west towards the other side of the canyon. Here, you’ll see other little waterfalls trickling down the mountainside, and you’ll also see some amazing stratification in the rock. Read the interpretive signs to learn more—they’ll explain how they were formed and about wildlife in the area.
Oh, and can you spot any of the mines surrounding the area? There’s a handful, so bring out those binoculars and see what you can find.
3. Bear Creek Falls, Telluride
Telluride also has a Bear Creek Falls, but these will require a short hike to reach. It’s a consistent 2-mile climb up to the Upper Bear Creek Falls, and you can continue your adventure up and around the mountains on connecting trails. Bear Creek Falls trail is one of Telluride’s most popular (for good reason), so expect decent traffic on the trail practically any time of day.
On your way up, you’ll see a series of smaller falls. These are beautiful, but they’re not the prize of the hike. Continue upwards, and you’ll eventually find the 80-foot Upper Bear Creek Falls—this is what you came for.
Most of the trails up to these falls are shaded, but they can get a little buggy, depending on the time of year. Every time I’ve done this hike, mosquitos have attacked me—do yourself a favor and bring some bug spray.
4. Bridal Veil Falls, Telluride
Before you leave Telluride, make sure you check out Bridal Veil Falls. You already see these falls as you enter the canyon, but they’re worth getting an up-close-and-personal look.
Bridal Veil Falls are the tallest free-falling falls in all of Colorado. The fall is an incredible 365 feet that ends in a big splash that covers the surrounding walls in water and ice.
You can see this waterfall from town, but I’d recommend taking the relatively new Bridal Veil Trail up to get a closer look. It’s a rugged 2-mile out-and-back trail with rough terrain and uneven ground—don’t bring the little kiddos up this one. There’s even a water crossing that can be a bit hazardous during certain times of the year.
5. Alberta Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park
Alberta Falls is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most popular hiking destinations—which makes sense since it’s just a short hike from multiple parking lots. Glacier Creek crashes down the gorge and makes a big 30-foot drop down the rock slabs.
You’ll hear the falls before you see them.
There’s plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views, though you’ll likely be in a small crowd. Enjoy the short hike full of aspen groves and pine forests—and don’t forget to look up at the towering mountains. You’ll see Pikes Peak looming above all the other peaks, and if you look closely during the summer months, you might just see a thin stream of hikers making their way along precarious edges to the summit.
6. North Clear Creek Falls, Lake City
North Clear Creek Falls feels like a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong—rolling hills and huge mountains surround you, but it felt like this wonderful waterfall just appears from thin air.
The falls plunge 100+ feet to the river below, and there are plenty of observation points on a short trail wrapping the south side of the falls. The path is wheelchair accessible and super family-friendly—as in, it’s not easy for your crazy kids to climb up and hurt themselves…although still possible.
Always possible.
7. Helen Hunt Falls, Colorado Springs
You’ll find Helen Hunt Falls right next to the visitor center in North Cheyenne Cañon Park. You can get a good look at these falls from the base or stroll across the bridge that crosses just above the waterfall. The waterfall cascades down the rock for about 36 feet, making it perfect for long-exposure shots.
Want to earn your view of Helen Hunt Falls? Take a creekside hike to the waterfall via the Columbine Trail. It’s 4 miles (one way) to the waterfall, but you’ll get to climb through beautiful forests and enjoy the creek for the first half of the hike.
It’s worth it.
Still haven’t satisfied your appetite for waterfalls? Go a bit further up the trail from Helen Hunt Falls to Silver Cascade Falls. It’s less than .5 miles up the trail, and it’s another series of waterfalls—what’s not to like? If you’re in the area, make time to see both.
8. Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs
Hanging Lake is one of the most beautiful places in all of Colorado, but it’s also becoming a bit of a zoo (because of that beauty). Fortunately (or you might think, unfortunately), Glenwood Springs now has a reservation and permit system to access Hanging Lake.
This makes it a whole lot less crazy and a bit more secluded when you reach the falls, but it does make it a bit more difficult to get access—and it’s a $12 fee per hiker. You’ll have to climb 1.2 miles along the Hanging Lake Trail to enjoy this Colorado gem, but it’s worth the short effort.
Hanging Lake was formed by a geological fault that caused the lake bed to drop further away from the valley floor above. The actual waterfall is called Bridal Veil Falls (as if we don’t have enough of those), and the area has been designated as a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior to help preserve it.
9. Treasure Falls, Pagosa Springs
Treasure Falls is a 100-foot waterfall outside of Pagosa Springs. You can see the falls from Hwy 160 (and from the parking lot), but you can get a closer looking by following a short trail to the base of the upper-most falls. These falls continue to cascade down, creating beautiful little pools along the way.
Our kids loved hanging out here in the shade and cooling off, though you’ll still need to keep an eye on them as there are short little drops everywhere.
Treasure Falls gets its name from folklore that a chest of gold is buried somewhere near the falls. Legend has it that a group of Frenchmen allegedly buried the chest while being chased by a band of Spaniards (or Native Americans). It remains unfound…
10. Box Canyon Falls, Ouray
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Box Canyon Falls in Ouray, Colorado. First, get a top-down look at the falls while crossing the scenic high bridge along the Perimeter Trail. You’ll feel the breeze and can look over the railing (or through the floor grating) to see the falls below.
Want a better look? Visit the Box Cañon Falls Park & Nature Center, pay a small fee, and take a short little hike to the falls. You can even follow a staircase down to see the falls up super close.
In the winter, the road to the visitor center is closed, but the park remains open. You can go in for free and see portions of the frozen falls—though the whole thing never freezes over, and you’ll still hear the thundering falls.
Go and explore closer—just be careful, as it gets super icy down there. I’ve seen many a person take a spill on the ice surrounding the falls.
11. Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs
The majestic Fish Creek Falls spills down over the cliffs over 280 feet before cascading towards the rapid river below. It’s just a short .25-mile hike along a gravel path toward the lower falls, but you’ll need to hike 2.5 miles (one way) if you want to get to the base of the second waterfall.
There’s no off-season here. During the springtime, the waterfall is raging—and at the end of the summer, it’s a beautiful (more quiet) cascading fall. In the winter, ice climbers strap on their crampons and don their helmets to climb the face of the frozen falls.
12. Fourmile Falls, Pagosa Springs
Travel 45 minutes north from downtown Pagosa Springs to reach the Fourmile Falls Hike Trailhead—then, it’s just 3.5 miles (one way) to get to the end of the Fourmile Falls Hike.
Fourmile Falls plunges over a 200-foot cliff in a beautiful double waterfall. You can find another waterfall by continuing up the trail a bit further (.3 miles or so). You’ve come this far already—might as well go see another incredible waterfall.
13. Zapata Falls, Alamosa
Zapata Falls is a secluded 25-foot waterfall nestled in a rocky crevasse half a mile from the parking lot. There are log bridge crossings to get you there, but just embrace the cold and accept you might get a little wet—it’s more fun that way.
From the parking lot and falls, you can see massive sand dunes and the towering peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Visit in the summer to enjoy the misty spray from the falls—the perfect remedy to the hot heat. You can also visit in the winter to view the falls in frozen form.
14. Rifle Falls State Park, Rifle
Rifle Falls State Park is a playground of majestic waterfalls. Everywhere you look, there’s a waterfall bursting over a cliff’s edge. And below, you’ll find dozens of little trails, nooks, and limestone caves to explore—offering a welcome respite from the summer heat.
The park has Colorado’s one-and-only 80-foot triple waterfall. It’s surrounded by lush vegetation and towering cliffs. You’ll find a nice short hike that loops Rifle Falls State Park, letting you taste everything the park offers while getting dozens of views of the waterfalls.
15. Ouzel Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park
It’s about a 5.5-mile (roundtrip) hike to discover Ouzel Falls, and you’ll be glad you made the trek. While Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most trafficked parks in the country, the Wild Basin section of the park doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as the northern end. You won’t get solitude, per se, but you will get a more trail-friendly experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Along the way to Ouzel Falls, you’ll also get views of Calypso Cascades and Copeland Falls—waterfalls that are each worth their own hikes.
Ouzel Falls itself features a 40-foot free-fall waterfall. Below, you’ll see tons of trees and rocks that have been carried down by the mighty waters, and you can get a better view from the new footbridge or a short social trail that brings you even closer.
16. Seven Falls, Colorado Springs
The Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of waterfalls located in a tight canyon. You’ll have to buy tickets to enter the area, but the sights are worth the small entry fee—and they have a shuttle that makes parking convenient, too.
Seven Falls earned the title “The Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” While that’s a bit generous, in my opinion, it’s definitely a mile worth seeing. View the falls from below, or hike up the 224 steps to the very top. Once there, you can keep going to see the smaller (though still impressive) Midnight Falls.
17. Continental Falls, Breckenridge
While Breckenridge has quite a few waterfalls in the area, Continental Falls is the biggest of them all. It tumbles through three chasms as its white water flows over the cliff faces from Mohawk Lakes above. You can use several small side trails to get different views of the falls.
It’s a little over 5 miles (roundtrip) to view the falls. The first part of the trail starts out pretty mellow, but things get a bit steep when you encounter the switchbacks. Press on because the views of the waterfall are well worth the calorie expenditure.
18. Booth Falls, Vail
Get out your hiking boots because this hike isn’t for the wary. You’ll have to climb over 1,300 feet in just 2 miles to reach Booth Falls in Vail, but you’ll be glad you made the journey.
You can see the falls as you approach, but the best views are from the Booth Falls viewpoint at the top of the waterfall. It’s a super-loud waterfall with an explosion of water at the bottom. Along the way up, you’ll likely see dozens of patches of columbine flowers.
Want more adventure? Continue your way up to Booth Lake. You’ll get to see plenty of backcountry waterfalls dotting the area (some larger and more impressive than Booth Falls). Look closely, and you might even see a marmot or two scrambling about the rocks. See them or not, you’ll hear them—that’s for sure.
19. Chasm Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park
Chasm Falls is one of the breathtaking waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park, and it’s also one of the easiest to see. You’ll take a nice-and-bumpy drive up Old Fall River Road before finding the falls a few miles from the winter closure gate.
However, keep in mind that it’s a one-way road to drive up to Chasm Falls. That means you’re committing to driving all the way to the Alpine Visitor Center and continuing back to Estes Park on Trail Ridge Road. It’s a gorgeous drive—just know what you’re getting yourself into if you’re short on time.
20. Judd Falls, Crested Butte
Hike through aspen groves and fields of wildflowers to discover Judd Falls in Crested Butte’s backcountry. It’s a short-and-easy hike to the 160-foot waterfall, and you’ll enjoy beautiful views of all the surrounding mountains on your trip.
The drive to the parking lot is reason enough to go and explore these falls. You can get a few different angles of the falls from some rocky outcroppings, but there’s a bit of exposure—so if you don’t like heights, stay away from the ledges.
If you have time, continue your adventure along the trail all the way to Copper Lake. You’ll get to experience some beautiful alpine terrain and incredible views of the surrounding mountains—plus Copper Lake, of course.
21. Silver Falls, Pagosa Springs
Silver Falls is a magical waterfall that cascades down boulders, ledges, and vegetation as it makes its way down toward the river. The trail to the falls is short and sweet—about .4 miles (roundtrip).
You can get pretty close to the falls along this trail for amazing near-vertical shots.
22. Piedra Falls, Pagosa Springs
Piedra Falls is one of the most-visited waterfalls in the Pagosa area, which is saying something due to the number of waterfalls scattered throughout the nearby mountains. It’s a little bit of a drive to get to the parking lot, but it’s mostly on 2WD-suitable dirt roads.
We visited these falls in the middle of August and had them to ourselves for a whole 30 minutes before any other hikers arrived. Get up early, and you can enjoy this masterpiece all by your lonesome (if you’d like).
The volcanic cliffs and rocks in the area are incredible and super fun to climb. There are tons of boulders, nooks, and crannies to explore while you get misted from the falls and look for that perfect shot. There’s even a nice little shallow area where the current isn’t too strong for younglings (yes, I said younglings) to play.
23. Upper Cascade Falls, Ouray
Upper Cascade Falls is a seldom-visited waterfall in Ouray, Colorado. Most people just visit the Lower Cascade Falls far below, but you can get a special visit to the Upper Cascade Falls by taking a steep hike up the Chief Ouray Mine Trail.
While you can park at the Amphitheater Campground for closer access, I’d recommend making a full trip out of it and starting at the Lower Cascade Falls parking lot. Take the hike up to the falls, and then make it a loop by following the Portland Loop back to the trailhead. It’s a long hike, but you’ll get to see stunning views of the surrounding mountains—and you’ll likely have a good deal of it to yourself.
The Chief Ouray Mine Trail is steep, and parts of it can be a bit washed out and eroded when the weather is nasty. While I’ve gone up this trail multiple times, it’s not one I’ve taken the little ones up yet.
As the name suggests, you can continue past the falls a bit to find the remains of the Chief Ouray Mine at 9,800 feet.
24. Baby Bathtubs Waterfalls, Ouray
The Baby Bathtubs Trail in Ouray, Colorado, takes you along a narrow stretch of the Portland Creek as it bumbles its way down to town. At the parking lot, you’ll be able to see a big-drop waterfall right underneath the bridge—and depending on the season, you’ll likely see ice climbers or canyoneers down there, too.
Continue up the Baby Bathtubs Trail, and you’ll see dozens of little waterfalls and alcoves that the powerful water has carved out. The trail got its name from the small holes of water that resemble little bathtubs, and true to its name, it’s a great place for little kids to play and cool off.
Visit the falls as a one-off adventure, or enjoy it as a stop along your hike along the Perimeter Trail.
25. Browns Creek Waterfall, Buena Vista
Take the short drive from Buena Vista (after picking up some Subway, of course) to Browns Creek Trailhead. This 3-mile hike (one-way) leads you across streams, tiny waterfalls, and ponderosa pine forests as you make your way up to Browns Creek Waterfall.
Want more adventure? Continue past the waterfall all the way to Browns Creek. Still hungry for more? Continue on the trail up to Mt. Antero, an incredible 14-thousand-foot peak with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding Sawatch Range.
26. Agnes Vaille Falls, Buena Vista
Agnes Vaille Falls features a fantastic, rocky waterfall that takes an initial plunge into cascading rock slabs below. There’s a whole lot of rock and not a whole lot of vegetation, which makes this waterfall unlike many of the others on this list. It also makes the surrounding base area extremely fun to scramble and explore.
The trail is short and easy but requires crossing a large boulder field.
Try to visit these falls in late spring, early summer. It’s primarily fueled by snowmelt, so it’s not as powerful once the hot summer months drag on. Some years, it’s hardly a waterfall at all if you visit during the wrong time of year.
While you’re in the area, take the drive further west down the road to reach the historic ghost town of Saint Elmo. It’s one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the West, and the surrounding area is gorgeous.
27. Soldier Canyon Falls, Lory State Park
Lory State Park is just a short 25-minute drive from Fort Collins, and the park has over 20 miles of hiking trails to explore. Make your way up Solider Canyon to discover Solider Canyon Falls, an incredible waterfall that shimmies through narrow rock ledges to make a gentle splash in the pools below.
It’s just a .1-mile “hike” from the parking lot to the falls, making it one of Colorado’s most-accessible waterfalls.
28. Boulder Falls, Boulder
Boulder Falls is a tiny waterfall that packs a big punch. The falls makes its way through a narrow canyon before dropping 70 feet over a series of boulders. You can make your way practically to the base of the falls to feel the gentle mist.
It’s just a short walk up from Highway 119/Boulder Canyon Drive, and it’s worth the drive from Boulder.
Discover Waterfalls Practically Anywhere in Colorado
This is by no means a comprehensive list of Colorado waterfalls—this is just a condensed collection of my favorites. You can still discover plenty of named and unnamed waterfalls scattered throughout the mountains of this incredible state.
For example, when hiking Spearhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, I saw dozens of waterfalls among the boulder fields and alpine terrain that don’t have names—and never will. These hidden gems are just waiting for you to discover them.
Find your own Colorado waterfalls. Keep them secret or share them with friends.
Find More Colorado Hidden Gems
Waterfalls in Colorado are just one special category of hidden gems, but there’s so much more to discover:
- Best Beginner Mountain Biking Trails
- Mountain Towns in Colorado
- Downhill Mountain Biking Trails in Colorado
- Best Hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Best Winter Hikes in Colorado
- Must-Try Things to Do in Colorado’s Winter Season
And that’s just a taste. Subscribe to the Unknown Colorado newsletter to get adventure ideas hand-delivered (by email…of course) to your inbox.
