Did you know about the waterfalls near Denver? There is a collection of 7 waterfalls, all within an hour of travel time of Denver. There are trails leading to these waterfalls, some of these are only 100 yards, and others are 5.5 miles in one direction.
Each of these waterfall hikes has its own special route that will allow visitors to choose the best route and plan to make the most of their trip with special tips and maps detailing special interest areas. One thing visitors are sure to notice is that Denver doesn’t have the same type of dramatic terrain found in other parts of Colorado. This means that there are only seven waterfalls close to town.
But there are over 30 waterfalls in the area, and Dayhikes Near Denver has trail profiles for each of them. Be sure you check out our full listing of 30 Colorado waterfall hikes on our website that you simply can’t miss. You will find a delightful set of waterfalls just two hours away in Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as plenty of others dotted around the beautiful state of Colorado.
1. BOULDER FALLS – MOST PICTURESQUE WATERFALL NEAR DENVER
Boulder Falls towers a full 60-feet over the face of Boulder Canyon. This picturesque waterfall can be reached after a 100-yard walk from a rest stop located on Boulder Canyon Drive. The trail had been closed for repairs due to a flood in 2013 and was then closed again for repairs in 2019. But the trail to Boulder Falls was reopened in June 2020 and now includes a paved parking area, so it is now accessible. As a matter of fact, Boulder Falls and Elk Falls (see the next section) are the two most easily accessible waterfalls from Denver.
2. ELK FALLS AT STAUNTON STATE PARK – HIGHEST WATERFALL NEAR DENVER
The next waterfall is one of the more difficult waterfalls to reach from Denver, but, as anyone who has taken the 11-mile trail to Elk falls will tell you, it is well worth the trip. Elk Falls in Staunton State Park has one of the highest drops off in the area. Before it opened officially in 2013, Elk Falls was almost unheard of. But after the creation of Staunton State Park, it has been hard to keep secret. All in all, this hike is one of the longer hikes, but it is not especially exhausting. Take a look at our trail profile to get more information.
3. CHERRY CREEK FALLS HIKE
Also called “Castlewood Canyon Falls,” Cherry Creek Falls is another waterfall that is easy to reach from Denver, a mere 0.17 miles from the parking lot. The best time to visit is at its peak just after the Spring rains. Make sure you check out the details and tips for getting the most of your trip to Cherry Creek Falls
4. FORSYTHE CANYON FALLS – SHADED HIKE WATERFALL NEAR DENVER
Tucked away in a secluded canyon southwest of Boulder and near Gross Reservoir is Forsythe Canyon Falls. This waterfall is especially exquisite due to the shade provided and the beauty of this waterfall situated in a pretty little pinch in the canyon. We noted that this is one of the waterfalls (https://dayhikesneardenver.com/7-waterfall-hikes-about-1-hour-of-denver/) that are not as frequently visited, and this makes it a nice alternative to the more crowded falls in the area.
5. EL DORADO CASCADES – OBSCURE WATERFALL NEAR DENVER
El Dorado Cascades, much like the aforementioned Forsythe Canyon Falls, is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the region. Visitors will reach the waterfall along Walker Ranch Loop. This clamorous cascade plunges under monolithic boulders before rushing back into view in an amazing spectacle.