11 Must-See Colorado Waterfalls Within Driving Distance of Denver

Adventure Calls: From Scenic Hikes to Drive-Up Views, Discover Waterfall Wonders Close to Home

May 24, 2025 - Rankin, Goulder, Kissinger

Adventure activities in Denver for families

Above: Easily accessible and great for all ages - Helen Hunt Falls. (Photo credit: Visit Denver Facebook)

As the snow melts and the mountains come alive, it's the perfect time to explore Colorado’s most stunning waterfalls. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend adventure, these waterfalls offer beauty, adventure, and photo ops galore—all within driving distance of Denver!

6 Helpful Tips Before Embarking on a Waterfall Adventure:

Purchase tickets or permits prior to leaving if applicable
Start early to beat the crowds
Pack layers – weather can change fast in the mountains
Bring water & snacks, especially for longer hikes
Wear proper shoes for wet or rocky terrain
Check road closures before heading out

Ready for a rush? Check out our favorite waterfall locations...

Helen Hunt Falls – Colorado Springs
Drive Time: ~1.5 hours 
Route: I-25 S → US-24 W → N Cheyenne Cañon Rd 
Why Go: Easily accessible and great for all ages, this cascading fall in North Cheyenne Cañon Park offers a quick escape into nature just outside Colorado Springs. Be sure to stop by the visitors center located right next door for interactive exhibits, trail maps, and friendly staff and volunteers ready to answer your questions. During the summer months, the center also offers scheduled hikes, drinking water, and portable restrooms to help you make the most of your visit. And no, Helen Hunt Falls is not named after the actress Helen Hunt. It's named after Helen Maria Hunt Jackson, a 19th-century author and activist known for her work on Native American rights.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | No fee for this site

Seven Falls – Colorado Springs
Drive Time: ~1.5 hours 
Route: I-25 S → US-24 W → S Cheyenne Canyon Rd 
Why Go: A staircase-adventure dream! Seven Falls has been a beloved destination in the Pikes Peak Region since 1883, when early visitors paid just 10 cents to access the scenic road. Today, it stands as one of Colorado’s most breathtaking natural landmarks—rich in history, beauty, and Western heritage. More than just a waterfall, Seven Falls offers an unforgettable experience filled with awe, inspiration, and a true sense of adventure. Purchase your tickets online in advance. All guests visiting Seven Falls must park at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd in Colorado Springs (Norris Penrose Event Center). From there, a free shuttle will take you directly to the park entrance for a stress-free start to your adventure.
Open year round, days and times vary with season | Fees: $17-23 per person

Colorado Waterfall Hikes near Denver

Above: Alberta Falls is pure Colorado beauty.

Alberta Falls - Estes Park
Drive Time: ~1.75 hours 
Route: I-25 N → US-36 W
Why Go: Just a short hike from the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake trailheads, Alberta Falls rewards visitors with the powerful beauty of a 30-foot waterfall cascading into Glacier Creek. This popular, family-friendly trail winds through aspen groves and pine forest, making it a must-see destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 1.6-mile round-trip hike gains just 160 feet in elevation, making it an accessible and rewarding adventure for most skill levels.
Open year round, reservations may be required depending on day | No fee for this site

Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock – Glenwood Canyon
Drive Time: ~2.5 hours 
Route: I-70 W to Glenwood Springs (permit required) 
Why Go: A designated National Natural Landmark and one of Colorado’s most breathtaking sights. Formed by a geological fault, the lake features striking turquoise waters created by mineral-rich travertine deposits. Fed by the graceful Bridal Veil Falls, the lake’s vibrant color and suspended position in the canyon make it a true natural wonder. Just a short (but difficult) hike above the lake, you'll find Spouting Rock—a dramatic waterfall that bursts straight through a cliffside. Visitors can even walk behind the cascading water for an unforgettable, up-close experience.

Note: A timed-entry permit is required for all visitors to Hanging Lake, year-round. Permits are issued hourly between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and each reservation includes a 3-hour hiking window. Due to ongoing trail maintenance, permits cannot be used until July 1, 2025. You must arrive within 30 minutes before or after your scheduled time late arrivals will not be permitted. Parking at the trailhead is included with your permit. Vehicles longer than 25 feet are not allowed. All hikers must drive themselves and park at the trailhead. For safety reasons, drop-offs, rideshares, and taxis are not allowed, and there is no shuttle service to the trailhead.
Open year round | Fees: $10 - $12 per person depending upon season

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Above: Hanging Lake is a Colorado treasure. (Photo credit: Visit Denver Facebook)

Adams Falls – Grand Lake
Drive Time: ~2.5 hours 
Route: US-36 W → US-34 W 
Why Go: Just inside the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, this easy hike rewards you with a powerful waterfall surrounded by alpine beauty. Adams Falls is a great hike for nearly all skill levels and makes for a perfect short adventure. Starting from the East Inlet Trailhead near downtown Grand Lake, the trail winds through a scenic mix of pine and aspen forest. After about a third of a mile, you’ll reach the Adams Falls Trail—a short lollipop loop that reconnects with the main path. Take a right at the junction to reach the overlook. In just a few steps, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Adams Falls, where water cascades nearly 55 feet through a dramatic, narrow gorge.

Note: Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed-entry permit from late May to mid-October. Make your reservation at recreation.gov. Get the most up-to-date information on trails and stops on the National Park website.
Open year round | Fees: $2 per person

Rifle Falls – Rifle
Drive Time: ~3 hours 
Route: I-70 W to CO-13 N 
Why Go: Tucked inside Rifle Falls State Park, this rare triple waterfall gushes through lush vegetation and limestone caves. It's family-friendly, with a short hike to experience the falls, followed by lunch with a view at one of the shaded picnic tables.
Daily hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance Fees: Daily Vehicle Pass: $10 | Individual Daily Pass: $4

Fish Creek Falls – Steamboat Springs
Drive Time: ~3 hours 
Route: I-70 W → CO-9 N → US-40 W 
Why Go: Crystal-clear alpine water thunders down Fish Creek Canyon, cascading over the dramatic 280-foot Fish Creek Falls—one of Steamboat Springs’ most iconic natural attractions. Located just a few minutes from downtown, this stunning waterfall offers easy access for all ages. A short 1/4-mile gravel path leads to a scenic overlook of the lower falls, perfect for a quick outing. For those looking to explore further, a moderate hike with breathtaking views winds up to Upper Fish Creek Falls and continues on to Long Lake, nestled deep within the beautiful Routt National Forest.
Open year round. Daily hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $5 vehicle day use fee

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Above: Bridal Veil Falls— Located in iconic box canyon in Telluride . (Photo credit: Visit Denver Facebook).

Zapata Falls – Near Great Sand Dunes National Park
Drive Time: ~4 hours 
Route: US-285 S → CO-17 S → Lane 6 N 
Why Go: A hidden gem—a stunning 25-foot waterfall tucked inside a rocky crevice. Perched 1,000 feet above the San Luis Valley, the parking area alone offers sweeping views of the valley, the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park. The short, scenic hike to the falls takes you along a gravel trail shaded by a variety of native trees. To view the waterfall itself, you’ll need to wade through a shallow, icy creek of snowmelt into the cave. Be sure to wear shoes that can get wet—the water is cold year-round, and the cave stays cool even on hot summer days. The adventure and refreshing chill make Zapata Falls a truly memorable stop on any Colorado road trip.
Open year round | No fees required for this site

North Clear Creek Falls – Near Lake City
Drive Time: ~5.5 hours 
Route: US-285 S → CO-149 S 
Why Go: Located along the scenic Silver Thread Byway on State Highway 149, this overlook is the perfect place to stretch your legs and take in the views. The facility features paved parking (including space for larger vehicles), clean restrooms, picnic tables, and easy access trails leading to the overlook. With safety railings, interpretive signage, and wheelchair accessibility, it’s a great stop for travelers of all ages and abilities. Don’t forget your camera—this spot is ideal for capturing stunning Colorado landscapes.
Open seasonally during the summer | No fees required for this site.

Box Canyon Falls – Ouray
Drive Time: ~6 hours 
Route: US-285 S → US-50 W → US-550 S 
Why Go: Take a short and scenic 500-foot walk to experience the breathtaking power of Box Cañon Falls! This natural wonder is where Canyon Creek dramatically crashes through a narrow quartzite gorge before merging with the Uncompahgre River. Visitors can explore the high bridge, scenic perimeter trail, and interactive nature center—making Box Cañon Falls an unforgettable stop on any Colorado adventure.
Hours: May 9 am - 4:30 pm | Memorial Day - Labor Day 8 am - 7:30 pm | October 9 am - 4:30 pm | November - March Closed
Fees: $5 (4- 17 Years Old) | $7 (18 - 62 Years Old) | $6 (62 - 74 Years Old) 75 + and 3 and under are free

Bridal Veil Falls – Telluride
Drive Time: ~6.5 hours 
Route: US-285 S → US-50 W → CO-62 W → CO-145 S 
Why Go: Bridal Veil Falls, soaring 365 feet, holds the title of Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall—and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Telluride, this iconic cascade draws hikers, bikers, off-roaders, and ice climbers from around the globe. At the top of the falls sits a historic, privately owned power plant, adding a unique touch to this already unforgettable natural wonder.
Open year round | No fees required for this site

Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a weekend wanderer, these waterfalls offer some of the best natural beauty Colorado has to offer. Time to hit the road and let the summer adventures begin!

Have a favorite waterfall we missed? Share it with us!

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11 Must-See Colorado Waterfalls Within Driving Distance of Denver