In Denver, you can ease into your morning with coffee from a local roaster on a sunny patio and be standing in a waterfall's cool mist before lunch. On one trail, a creek roars over glimmering granite and the rush of water echoes through evergreens. On another, birdsong and the trickle of a small stream lead you through a shaded forest to a quiet pool.
Here is our list of the top waterfall hikes near Denver. Several are less than an hour's drive from downtown, and the farther-flung ones make for a memorable day trip into the mountains. What you'll see depends on the season: Spring runoff and early summer usually bring the strongest flow, while late summer and fall lend to gentler cascades, golden foliage and fewer crowds.
Many of these trails climb through varying terrain, so pack for changing weather, rocky footing and trailheads that take a little extra planning. Before you go, check current trail conditions, parking rules, timed-entry or permit requirements, dog policies and water levels so you know what to expect.
Bridal Veil Falls and Charlie Tayler Water Wheel via Clear Creek Greenway Trail
Difficulty: Easy, 2.7 miles
Distance from Denver: 33 miles, approximate drive time 40 minutes to Idaho Springs area
You’ll catch the first glimpse of the prominent, historic Charlie Tayler Water Wheel as a visual landmark on the south side of I-70 as you’re driving through the gold-mining mountain town of Idaho Springs. The easy, paved 2.7-mile Greenway Trail is a nice stroll that takes you to the wheel and gives a clear view across the river to the 60-foot Bridal Veil Falls. Here, you can pause for a photo and feel the mist drifting across the trail, especially from late spring to early summer, when mountain snowmelt peaks. There's also a hike-free viewing spot right by town if you're looking for a faster stop.
Good to Know: You can park for free behind City Hall, and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Maxwell Falls via the Maxwell Falls Trail
Difficulty: Easy, 1 mile to moderate, 4 miles
Distance from Denver: 33 miles, approximate drive time 45 minutes to Evergreen area
Wind through thick lodgepole pine forests and giant granite boulders on this popular lollipop-style loop trail. The lower, moderate trailhead climbs about 800 feet over 4 miles to the tiered, cascading Maxwell Falls. Alternatively, there is an upper trailhead with a shorter, easier trail to the falls (1-mile round trip and 141 feet in elevation gain). Snowmelt runoff peaks late May through June, but the surrounding forest glows with fall color in late September, and seeing the water freeze into a thick sheet of ice in winter is a marvel (bring microspikes for the hike).
Good to Know: Parking is free at both trailheads, and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Cherry Creek Falls via Falls Spur Trail
Difficulty: Easy, 1.1 miles
Distance from Denver: 37 miles, approximate drive time 45 minutes to Franktown area
Located in Castlewood Canyon State Park southeast of Denver, Cherry Creek Falls is at its prime in late spring or early summer, when everything is green, and the cascades are flowing. Park at the Falls Spur Trailhead and get there in 1.1 miles via the Creek Bottom Trail. There are plenty of options if you want to extend your hike, including through the ruins of a historic dam that burst in 1933 and sent a 15-foot-tall wave of water into Denver. Trails here are quite exposed, so bring sun protection and plenty of water.
Good to Know: A Colorado state park pass or a $4–17 daily entrance fee is required, and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Eldorado Cascades via Ethel Harrold Trail
Difficulty: Moderate, 3.2 miles
Distance from Denver: 36 miles, approximate drive time 55 minutes to Walker Ranch area
Eldorado Cascades is a series of rushing cascades over large boulders in South Boulder Creek, rather than a single vertical waterfall. Multiple trailheads at Walker Ranch lead to the falls, but one of the most direct and enjoyable trails starts from the Ethel Harrold Trailhead. Take in expansive views as you breathe in scents from juniper bushes and lodgepole pines on this easy-to-moderate, 3.2-mile hike. Bring a sandwich and post up next to the creek for lunch while you listen to the water crashing on rocks under an open, sunny Colorado sky. Like many other waterfalls near Denver, the best time of year for the strongest water flow is late spring through early summer.
Good to Know: Parking is free at the trailhead, and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Elk Falls via Chimney Rock Trail
Difficulty: Difficult, 11 miles
Distance from Denver: 38 miles, approximate drive time 45 minutes to Pine area
In Staunton State Park, a challenging 11-mile round-trip hike with 1,879 feet of elevation gain will lead you to the 75-foot Elk Falls, where spring-fed water crashes over a massive slab of the pink-hued Pikes Peak granite. Along the way, you’ll take in views of the state park’s evergreen forests, peaceful ponds, wildlife and rock faces that are popular with climbers. Peak water flow happens during late spring and early summer, although surrounding groves of aspens glow shades of gold in the fall.
Good to Know: A Colorado state park pass or a $4–17 daily entrance fee is required, and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Forsythe Canyon Falls via Forsythe Canyon Trail
Difficulty: Moderate, 3 miles
Distance from Denver: 43 miles, approximate drive time 1 hour and 10 minutes to Nederland area
Singing birds and the trickle of a small stream fill the atmosphere on this moderate 3-mile hike that is typically less busy than other nearby trails. It leads to a seasonal 15-foot-tall cascade that spills into a small pool lined with trees, bushes and moss. Hikers relish the cool shade of this trail’s dense forest canopy that ends at the northwestern tip of Gross Reservoir.
Good to Know: Free parking is available in a small dirt lot near the Forsythe Canyon Trailhead, and dogs are permitted on a leash. Be sure to use the route that takes Magnolia Road, and keep in mind that swimming and wading in the reservoir is prohibited.
Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin Trail
Difficulty: Moderate, 5.5 miles
Distance from Denver: 67 miles, approximate drive time 1 hour and 40 minutes to Rocky Mountain National Park area
Ideal from June through July for peak runoff, the strong, fast-moving Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park spills over dark rock ledges as mist filters through evergreens. You will pass a few other falls along the way, including Calypso Cascades and Copeland Falls, on this moderately challenging, shaded 5.5-mile round-trip hike.
Good to Know: A national park entrance fee or pass is required, alongside a timed-entry reservation from late May through mid-October. Dogs are not permitted.
Alberta Falls in via Alberta Falls Trail
Difficulty: Easy, 1.7 miles
Distance from Denver: 78 miles, approximate drive time 1 hour and 50 minutes to Rocky Mountain National Park
Alberta Falls is one of the most approachable hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park at an easy 1.7-mile round trip, making it also one of the park’s busiest. The path winds through a forest of fragrant pine and aspens that glow gold in the fall. Largely in the shade, it meanders over small pedestrian bridges before leading to the cascading falls that stand nearly 30 feet tall. Park and hike from Glacier Gorge Junction trailhead off Bear Lake Road. Bear Lake Road requires a separate reservation along with your timed entry.
Good to Know: A national park entrance fee or pass is required, alongside a timed-entry reservation from late May through mid-October. Dogs are not permitted.
Rifle Falls via Coyote Trail
Difficulty: Easy, 0.7 miles
Distance from Denver: 184 miles, approximate drive time 3 hours and 20 minutes to Rifle Falls State Park
This 70-foot-tall triple waterfall cascading over limestone can found via an easy, ADA-accessible 0.1-mile hike that’s open year-round in Rifle Falls State Park. You can also catch it along the easy and paved 0.7-mile Coyote Trail. Explore the limestone caves hidden behind the falls or climb stairs to lookouts for various vantage points. You’ll want to arrive early during the summer months, especially on weekends, as this is one of the most popular state parks in Colorado.
Good to Know: A Colorado state park pass or $10 daily entrance fee is required, and leashed dogs are permitted.