Colorado Waterfalls
Northwestern Colorado
Fish Creek Falls
Description: Fish Creek Falls is a massive waterfall right outside of tourist-ridden Steamboat Springs. Easy access to the falls, but you can't get very close to it.
Hiking Description: There are two trails that leave from the parking lot, and a connector trail between them. The north trail is flat and paved, and leads to an overlook of the falls from above after 0.15 miles. The south trail leads downa big hill to the base of the falls for a creekside view and a bridge over the creek, though you are still rather far from the falls. This trail is 0.1 miles long. It continues on to Upper Fish Creek Falls, but I did not visit this. The picture provided is from the bridge on the South Trail.
Total Mileage: 0.2-0.5 total
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy) for North Trail; 4/10 (Moderate) for South Trail
Date First Visited: June 5, 2022
Date Last Visited: June 5, 2022
Rank: A-
Rifle Falls
Description: Rifle Falls is a rare triple waterfall, and has consistent year-round flow. It's easy to get to the base of the falls, and mostly easy to get to some other viewpoints. This is one of my favorite waterfalls in Colorado, mostly because of the wide array of vantage points.
Hiking Description: The trail starts at this small parking lot here (39.673922, -107.699724). From here, start walking north on the road that goes through to all the campsites. You can drive on this road, but there is no where to park further down unless you have reserved a camping unit, so that's why I walked through here. You'll just keep following this road until, after 0.2 miles, you will come to a bridge, and the massive falls will be in clear view to your left. You can get closer up to the base, but do not enter the creek, as it's allegedly a fragile econsystem in there (which can be easily seen). There is a split trail that leads up some stairs and takes you behind the left stream of the falls. It's pretty awesome up there (note me standing back there in the second photo). Other vantages include one from right beside the right falls, found by continuing past the bridge, and if you continue from there, you can rise up to an overlook from above the falls.
Total Mileage: 0.5 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: June 5, 2022
Date Last Visited: June 5, 2022
Rank: A+
North-Central Colorado
Alberta Falls
Description: Alberta Falls is an impressive waterfall, but it is hard to view it well, as you can only see it from the side. It is the only waterfall I've visited in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I don't plan on going back because of how busy it is and how expensive it is to access the park. There are better waterfalls in western Colorado that are quiet and free to visit, so just go there.
Hiking Description: You'll be driving up the dead-end Bear Lake Road for a while, and you'll probably have some tourist in front of you driving about 15 miles per hour the whole way, but when you finally get to the parking lot, you'll find that the fun is just beginning. I wish you luck finding a spot, and you might have to continue up the road to the next parking lot at Bear Lake. Providing you do find a spot, the trail starts in the southwest of the lot here (40.310346, -105.640408). At 0.15 miles, you will cross a bridge over a creek (not the creek the falls are on), and at 0.2, you'll reach a trail split-go STRAIGHT. Just 100 feet further, you will come to another intersection; this time go left. At 0.3 miles, you will cross a small stream on a small bridge, and at 0.5, you will come to the falls.
Total Mileage: 1.0 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: June 8, 2022
Date Last Visited: June 8, 2022
Rank: B+
Boulder Falls
Description: Boulder Falls is the best waterfall in close proximity to Denver, and is worth seeking out. The hike is short, but this can make it crowded.
Hiking Description: You'll park roadside on CO-119 near here (40.004493, -105.405325). The trail starts on the north side of the road, decending some stone stairs. Once at the base of these stairs, the trail will start ascending some stairs. Virtually the entire trail is stairs, but it only takes five minutes or less to hike the short trail.
Total Mileage: 0.1 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: June 4, 2022
Date Last Visited: June 4, 2022
Rank: A
Berthoud Falls
Description: Berthoud Falls is a pretty roadside waterfall right next to US 40 in a beautiful area high up. The main issue here is you have to park alongside the busy roadway, and there's not too much space. It's not too bad if you're careful.
Hiking Description: Park in the switchback here (39.783984, -105.783785), and head up the old road/trail leading away from the road. The falls are 200 feet from the road.
Total Mileage: <0.1 total
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 4, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 4, 2023
Rank: A-
Chicago Creek Falls
Description: Chicago Creek Falls is a nice little waterfall found while ascending to Mt. Evans. It's not very large, but the ease of access makes it worth a stop, and I quite liked this place, though I'm not really sure why.
Hiking Description: I parked roadside on Forest Road 182 here (39.681707, -105.613101), but there's not much room. The waterfall is visible from here, and this short spur road gets little traffic. If you want more space to park, you can park across CO-103 in a larger lot, but then you'll have to walk across the highway. You decide, and the waterfall can be found here (39.681558, -105.613007).
Total Mileage: N/A (Roadside)
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: August 4, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 4, 2023
Rank: A-
Leavenworth Creek Falls
Description: Leavenworth Creek Falls is a large and interesting waterfall I had no idea existed until I saw it while driving up Guanella Pass.
Hiking Description: Park roadside here (39.682771, -105.702074). The falls are right here (39.683471, -105.702758), and can be seen from the road. You can scramble clsoer, which isn't too hard.
Total Mileage: <0.1 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 6, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 6, 2023
Rank: B
Poudre Falls
Description: Poudre Falls is a nice roadside falls in the wild and remote Cache la Poudre canyon. I didn't even know it existed until we drive right past it.
Hiking Description: Park roadside here (40.647263, -105.809674). There is room to park on both sides of the road, and the falls will be on the west side.
Total Mileage: N/A
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: July 31, 2024
Date Last Visited: July 31, 2024
Rank: C+
Southwestern Colorado
Bear Creek Falls
Description: Bear Creek Falls is an impressive roadside waterfall on the Million Dollar Highway. The most dangerous part is the drive (but one of the most scenic in all of Colorado).
Hiking Description: Park roadside here (37.999870, -107.661014). There is an overlook right there where you can view the falls.
Total Mileage: N/A (Roadside)
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: June 18, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 18, 2021
Rank: A
Bridal Veil Falls and Ingram Falls
#2
Description: Ok, this is an interesting one, and if you hike it the way I did, it will be one of the most strenuous hikes on this whole website. Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest waterfall in Colorado at 365 feet, and the second tallest waterfall I've ever been to after Whitewater Falls in North Carolina. Unlike Whitewater Falls however, you can get really close to Bridal Veil Falls, and it's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. My phone's home screen has been Bridal Veil Falls for years now. Along the way, you'll pass by Ingram Falls, which is one large drop followed by endless rapids. The main doozy here is the hike itself. It's the Black Bear Pass, and it is technically a road, but this road is steep, rutted, and dangerous, and should only be attempted by people in 4x4 vehicles who want a challenge. Me, in my minivan, was not up to the challenge, and for everyone else who can't drive up this road, that leaves one option: walking. To get from the start of the rough road (where you'll park) to the base of the falls is 1.6 miles one way and up about 700 vertical feet. The entire way there is up. There is no down until you come back. This gets pretty tiring, and the 10,000 feet of elevation sure isn't helping. With that being said, the views are outstanding, and you can see Bridal Veil Falls most of the way up, getting ever closer, and you can also see the town of Telluride for most of it. Take your time, and enjoy this wonder, if you do decide to go. If this sounds like too much, you can see the falls unobscured from the parking lot, but it is pretty far away.
Hiking Description: Park here (37.928650, -107.776642). Start walking up the road, marked as "Black Bear Pass Summit" on Google Maps, which immediately begins climbing. You will go through five switchbacks in rapid succession (providing you don't stop for too long to rest!), and then the road will straighten out some (but continue climbing). You are about 0.5 miles from the start now. At 0.7, you will have to ford a shallow stream crossing the road. Very pretty here, but no waterfall. Near 1.0, you will cross Ingram Creek, and you can see Ingram Falls high above and far away. It cascades endlessly down to where you are at now. At about 1.15, you will come to the start of more switchbacks. This is #6. Continue on to #7, where you can get another view of Ingram Falls, and then on to #8 where you'll get the best view avaliable. This is the prime view of Bridal Veil Falls, and you are now 1.6 miles from the parking lot. Be sure to spend some time here (you'll probably have to out of neccesity), as it's amazing. If you've got any energy left, you can continue up past switchback #9 and then once you get to #10, there is a great side view of Bridal Veil Falls, now about 2.0 from the trailhead. This is where I stopped, because my legs were fed up. I turned back and limped my way back to the parking lot. If you continue on way, WAY further, you can get to the base of Ingram Falls, but I sure wasn't going to do that. If any of these directions sound confusing, consult my edited map below.
Total Mileage: Up to 4.0 total
Difficulty: 8/10 (Difficult)
Date First Visited: June 18, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 18, 2021
Rank: A++
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Ingram Falls from View at 1.0 (top)
Bridal Veil Falls from Switchback #8 (center left)
Bridal Veil Falls from Switchback #10 (center right)
Map (bottom)
Cascade Falls
Description: Cascade Falls is a towering waterfall in the city of Ouray. You can actually see it from high above on Highway 550 if you know where to look. It's also pretty easy to get to the base. In the photo below, I'm in it, but I'm wearing black and kind of hard to spot. I say this because this will make you realize how tall this falls actually is.
Hiking Description: Park at the east end of 8th Avenue in Ouray. The trail heads east from here, climbling steadility to an overlook and bridge. If you cross the bridge to the other side of the creek, you can continue up to the base of the falls with some mild scrambling. It's not too bad.
Total Mileage: 0.25 total
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: June 18, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 18, 2021
Rank: A
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North Clear Creek Falls
Description: North Clear Creek Falls is a massive waterfall in a peculiar setting. The area above the falls is flat and open, and then, from out of nowhere, the creek falls into a deep and striking gorge. Easy access.
Hiking Description: Park here (37.848469, -107.149612). Walk on the flat sidewalk for 100 feet and you'll be there. The trail continues a short distance to the left for further views.
Total Mileage: <0.1 total
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: June 17, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 17, 2021
Rank: A+
South Clear Creek Falls
Description: South Clear Creek Falls is not nearly as impressive as its neighbor to the north, but it is worth checking out if it's still early in the year. This falls will dry up before the North Falls will. The hike is also more difficult, but it's still not too bad.
Hiking Description: Park here (37.826808, -107.155738). A narrow gravel trail leads off from here, headed southeast. It will be flat at first, but will soon begin heading downhill, steeply at times. Watch out on the scree, as I slipped on it here.
Total Mileage: 0.4 total
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date First Visited: June 17, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 17, 2021
Rank: A-
Treasure Falls
Description: Treasure Falls is a tall and thin waterfall very near to Highway 160. You can see a bit of it from the road, but the short hike up to it will lead to a better view. It's uphill all the way though, and it's a bit steep, but nothing compared to the likes of Bridal Veil. This spot is also a tourist hub, so it may be busy.
Hiking Description: Park here (37.442468, -106.877342). Head up the trail leaving from the parking area, which switchbacks its way up the hill, arriving at the falls after 0.4 miles. Be sure to rest along the way, as it's a pretty relentless uphill.
Total Mileage: 0.8 total
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date First Visited: June 17, 2021
Date Last Visited: June 17, 2021
Rank: A-