10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Colorado (2026 Updated)
These 10 Colorado waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Bridal Veil Falls, Fish Creek Falls, and Ouzel Falls. The list spans the San Juan Mountains, Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys, and Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park.
How We Picked
We started with the 15 publicly accessible Colorado waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Bridal Veil Falls
Telluride, CO · San Miguel County · San Juan Mountains
Why hike it
"365-ft.-high waterfall plunging over dramatic cliffs forming the head of Telluride's box canyon." Expect effort: reviewers mention "rocky trail". It is rated 4.9 stars by 203 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Ingram Falls and Cornel Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Ingram Peak, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 18 named falls in the San Juan Mountains region. The nearest town is Telluride, about 2.6 miles to the northwest.
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2. Fish Creek Falls
Steamboat Springs, CO · Routt County · Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys
Why hike it
On the trail: "280-foot-high freshwater waterfall with lower & upper sections & trails in a forest canyon." It is rated 4.9 stars by 139 Google reviewers. It is one of 16 named falls in the Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys region. The nearest town is Steamboat Springs, about 3.2 miles to the west.
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3. Ouzel Falls
Estes Park, CO · Boulder County · Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park
Why hike it
On the trail: "Accessed by a hiking trail in a remote area of the park, these stunning waterfalls are 40 feet tall." It is rated 4.9 stars by 138 Google reviewers. 9 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Calypso Cascades and Lyric Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 31 named falls in the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park region. The nearest town is Estes Park, about 13 miles to the north.
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4. Chasm Falls
Estes Park, CO · Larimer County · Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park
Why hike it
"Cascade in a narrow, rocky ravine, overlooked by a viewing platform & surrounded by mountain forest." It is rated 4.9 stars by 40 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Thousand Falls and Horseshoe Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Mount Chapin, a summit 1.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 31 named falls in the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park region. The nearest town is Estes Park, about 8.4 miles to the east.
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5. Hayes Creek Falls
Carbondale, CO · Pitkin County · Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy access", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.9 stars by 33 Google reviewers. It is one of 16 named falls in the Western Slope Plateaus and Valleys region. The nearest town is Carbondale, about 17 miles to the north.
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6. Bridal Veil Falls
Estes Park, CO · Larimer County · Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park
Why hike it
Expect effort: reviewers mention "climbing". It is rated 4.9 stars by 32 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Horseshoe Falls and Lost Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Dark Mountain, a summit 1.2 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 31 named falls in the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park region. The nearest town is Estes Park, about 4.3 miles to the south.
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7. Zapata Falls
Alamosa East, CO · Alamosa County · Pikes Peak, Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch
Why hike it
On the trail: "30-ft. waterfall reachable by a brief crevasse hike wading through water & over slippery rocks." It is rated 4.8 stars by 395 Google reviewers. It is one of 17 named falls in the Pikes Peak, Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch region. The nearest town is Alamosa East, about 19 miles to the southwest.
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8. Treasure Falls
Pagosa Springs, CO · Mineral County · San Juan Mountains
Why hike it
On the trail: "National forest waterfall reaching 105-ft. accessed via 2 hiking trails from a parking lot." It is rated 4.8 stars by 341 Google reviewers. It is one of 18 named falls in the San Juan Mountains region. The nearest town is Pagosa Springs, about 14 miles to the southwest.
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9. Adams Falls
Granby, CO · Grand County · Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park
Why hike it
On the trail: "55-ft. waterfall in a rocky gorge, accessed by a gentle, scenic trail through pine & aspen woods." It is rated 4.8 stars by 172 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Cascade Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Shadow Mountain, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 31 named falls in the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park region. The nearest town is Granby, about 13 miles to the southwest.
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10. Alberta Falls
Estes Park, CO · Larimer County · Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park
Why hike it
On the trail: "Popular 1.7-mile roundtrip hike with aspen groves to a 30-foot waterfall cascading into a creek." It is rated 4.8 stars by 73 Google reviewers. 9 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Glacier Falls and Timberline Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Glacier Knobs, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 31 named falls in the Northern Front Range and Rocky Mountain National Park region. The nearest town is Estes Park, about 8.0 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Colorado's Waterfalls
Snowmelt sets the calendar. Lower falls along the foothills, like Helen Hunt Falls, often peak in May, while high-country falls in Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juans usually run strongest from early June into early July, after the main melt reaches the upper basins. By late August many smaller falls thin noticeably, though larger creeks keep running. July and August also bring an afternoon monsoon pattern, with lightning on exposed ridges and brief downpours, so early starts are the norm. Late September adds golden aspens to the scenery with lower flows. In winter, several falls freeze into ice formations, and some high roads and trailheads are not plowed. Weekends in summer bring heavy crowds to the Front Range and Telluride.
Before You Go
Most Colorado falls are on federal land: Rocky Mountain National Park, plus national forests such as Arapaho-Roosevelt, Pike-San Isabel, San Juan, Rio Grande and White River. Rifle Falls is in a state park, and Helen Hunt Falls is in a city park in Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain National Park has used timed-entry reservations in busy seasons, so check current requirements before going. Popular trailheads fill early, and some cities and parks run shuttles. Altitude is a real factor: trails often start above 8,000 feet, and visitors from low elevations tire quickly. Snowmelt creeks are icy cold and fast, and spray-coated rock near falls stays slick. Lightning is the most serious summer hazard above treeline, and some high access roads require high-clearance vehicles or open only in summer.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Colorado Waterfalls
See all 82 waterfalls in the Colorado waterfall guide, or browse by town: Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Estes Park, Carbondale, Alamosa East, Pagosa Springs, Granby.
More Colorado Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Colorado?
Bridal Veil Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 203 Google reviews. It is near Telluride in San Miguel County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 15 publicly accessible Colorado waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Colorado?
Our directory lists 82 named waterfalls in Colorado. See them all, sorted by town, in the Colorado waterfall guide.
When is Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride at its best?
It usually runs strongest in late spring and early summer as San Juan snowpack melts. In winter the falls freeze, and the area is known for ice.