People seem to believe that there aren’t good waterfall hikes near Denver. They think they have to go deep into the mountains to hunt for the falls. In fact, Colorado has the best landscape for waterfall hikes! We have 100,000 miles of rivers and streams cascading through steep terrain, and while the best ones are found off the beaten path, there are plenty of beautiful falls near Denver for you and your family to hike to. We went out and found some of the most beautiful ones, so that you can be sure you’re hiking to a good location.
Located inside Rocky Mountain National Park about 2 hours from Denver, this is one of the most popular hikes inside the park. It’s about 1.6 miles round trip and should take about an hour. If you’d like a longer trip, you can hike the full 2.8 miles of trail to Mills Lake inside Glacier Gorge. Dogs aren’t permitted in the park, so if you plan to bring your pooch along, we’d suggest another hike on this list.
To get to the falls, park at the Bear Lake Trailhead and follow the signs for Glacier Gorge and Alberta Falls. This is a great hike for visiting family and friends who aren’t used to the altitude. It’s pretty easy and there are a lot of other options if you want to explore the park more. We also highly recommend bringing lunch with you, as getting this deep into the park is likely to become a day trip.
We’ve saved the best for last with this hike! While this waterfall hike isn’t exactly near Denver, it’s well worth the 3-hour drive to Glenwood Springs. It’s a short hike to two beautiful waterfalls and an absolutely stunning lake. Along the same hike, you can explore Spouting Rock Falls and even go behind the waterfall. We do highly recommend that you get there early-- both parking lots are usually getting full by 8:30. Plan for the hike to take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on your pace.
If you’re not used to the altitude or not a regular hiker, this hike will be a workout, so make sure to pace yourself and bring lots of water. Wear shoes that won't slip-- the rocks can be wet. It’s also important to note; there is a log that stretches out over the lake. The temptation to walk out onto it and take a picture is strong, but the oils and detergents from our bodies and clothes can damage the fragile ecosystem. As cool as that photo might be, it’s much cooler to preserve the lake and waterfall for future generations. Swimming is not allowed. Please also keep in mind, this area does not permit dogs.
Helen Hunt Falls
Maxwell Falls
This is a pretty popular waterfall hike, because it is so close and easy to get to. It is also the perfect family hike with a wide variety of terrain and three different trail options. There is a one-mile hike, a three-mile loop, and a four-mile hike. All three take you to the falls. The One-Mile Option-- This route is just under one mile long round trip. You begin at the Upper Trailhead and follow the signs to the falls. The Three-Mile Option-- Again, start at the Upper Trailhead. The trail splits a couple times along the way-- you’ll want to bear left and follow the signs for the Cliff Trail. You’ll climb a bit of rock that’ll give you a breathtaking view of the valley, and then you’ll begin the descent to the creek bed. The trail will take you upstream to the falls, and then you can follow the trail back to the parking lot. The Four-Mile Option-- This route starts in the lower parking area. You’ll follow the valley along Maxwell Creek for about 2 miles. About 1.7 miles up, you’ll cross the creek and start to hear the falls. Once you reach them, you can turn around and go back the way you came in. This trail is being loved to death by a lot of people right now. Do your part to help preserve the area. Pick up trash you see and be sure to take your own out with you as well. Respect the trails, and be sure that if you bring Fido you keep him on his leash. Be respectful of other hikers as well, and make sure to keep yourself and your family safe.Forsythe Canyon
If a hike that provides shade, a waterfall, a stream, a canyon, and a lake is more your speed, then this may be the waterfall hike for you! Forsythe Canyon is located just outside Boulder, about 1 hr 15 min from Denver. It’s an easy to moderate hike that’s just around 2 miles long round trip. This waterfall is fed by snowmelt, so it is a much better sight in May and early June when the snowmelt is at its peak. The trail can be easy to lose in some spots, so be aware and be cautious.Alberta Falls
Elk Falls
This is a more difficult hike-- it’s 10.8 miles round trip and lasts around 4-6 hours. It’s only a 45 minute drive from Denver in the new Staunton State Park. You will need either a yearly or a daily pass for Colorado State Parks. The hike begins on the main trail of the park, so you can just look for the trail head right out of the parking lot. Be sure to follow the Staunton Ranch Trail and not the Mason Creek Trail. Both will take you to the falls, but the Mason Creek Trail is a much more difficult 17 mile loop. We highly recommend you pick up a map at the entrance to keep you on the right trail for this hike. This hike is more difficult than the others on this list. We don’t recommend it for beginners. If you do plan on doing this hike, make sure to bring water and snacks and to pace yourself. Remember that it will take you longer than a short hike would-- don’t rush yourself and get worn out halfway there. We also suggest heading out earlier rather than later; Colorado weather is unpredictable, and you don’t want to get caught in an afternoon storm. Dogs are permitted on-leash, but if your dog is older or not as agile, a different hike may be a better choice.Chaos Canyon Cascades
This cascade waterfall hike is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike is about 4.2 miles round trip, and should take around 2-3 hours. The trail begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead, and you'll veer off to the left pretty quickly. You’ll be following the same trail that leads to both Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. Be sure to stop and admire both of these lakes as well-- they’re both absolutely breathtaking. After you pass Nymph Lake, the trail will split. Head up to Dream Lake, and then go back to the split and follow the directions to Lake Haiyaha. You’ll cross a footbridge going over Chaos Creek, and you'll be able to find an unmaintained social trail on the left side of the main trail. The new trail will descend and follow the Creek, but the terrain does get a bit rough and the underbrush is dense. Be careful in this section. The cascades should come into view after a few minutes down the trail. Be careful not to disturb the undergrowth and to preserve the beautiful environment.Hanging Lake
We’ve saved the best for last with this hike! While this waterfall hike isn’t exactly near Denver, it’s well worth the 3-hour drive to Glenwood Springs. It’s a short hike to two beautiful waterfalls and an absolutely stunning lake. Along the same hike, you can explore Spouting Rock Falls and even go behind the waterfall. We do highly recommend that you get there early-- both parking lots are usually getting full by 8:30. Plan for the hike to take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on your pace.
If you’re not used to the altitude or not a regular hiker, this hike will be a workout, so make sure to pace yourself and bring lots of water. Wear shoes that won't slip-- the rocks can be wet. It’s also important to note; there is a log that stretches out over the lake. The temptation to walk out onto it and take a picture is strong, but the oils and detergents from our bodies and clothes can damage the fragile ecosystem. As cool as that photo might be, it’s much cooler to preserve the lake and waterfall for future generations. Swimming is not allowed. Please also keep in mind, this area does not permit dogs.
