Waterfall Hikes Near Denver, CO

2,687,458 residents

Denver Time Zone

9 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Denver splits its waterfall traffic between the Boulder canyons and the Colorado Springs ones. Boulder Falls is the near option, a 70 foot drop with a 0.3 mile leg stretch. An hour south, Helen Hunt Falls sits a few steps from the road in North Cheyenne Cañon, and Seven Falls covers 181 feet in stages. Elk Falls in Staunton State Park is the real hike of the bunch, 12 miles round trip and 1,500 feet up, dogs allowed. Nine falls land in the radius.

Located at 39.7620°N, -104.8758°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Denver

Pins are within 50 miles; hollow circles are day trips 50–100 miles out.

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

9 of 9 gauged

1 of 9 waterfalls near Denver is flowing strongly today

Boulder Falls Strong Elk Falls Moderate Helen Hunt Falls Moderate Seven Falls Moderate Silver Cascade Falls Moderate Missouri Falls Low Rainbow Falls Moderate Timberline Falls Moderate Snake River Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny · 65°F

Tod 57°F Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Thu 58°F Sunny

Fri 57°F Mostly Sunny

Sat 59°F Sunny

Sun 66°F Sunny

Mon 65°F Sunny

Tue 65°F Mostly Sunny Best

Flowing best right now near Denver

Updated 23 minutes ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Denver

See All Colorado Waterfall Hikes

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Denver (5 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Boulder Falls

34.4 miles away

Colorado

Easy

0.3 miles 50 ft

Rainbow Falls

45.7 miles away

Colorado

Easy

0.5 miles Unknown

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Denver (7 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Elk Falls

35.3 miles away

Colorado

Hard

12.0 miles 1,500 ft

Seven Falls

48.2 miles away

Colorado

Moderate

0.8 miles 224 ft

All 9 Waterfalls Near Denver

Missouri Falls

29.8 miles away

Colorado

Unknown

Unknown Unknown

Boulder Falls

34.4 miles away

Colorado

Easy

0.3 miles 50 ft

Elk Falls

35.3 miles away

Colorado

Hard

12.0 miles 1,500 ft

Rainbow Falls

45.7 miles away

Colorado

Easy

0.5 miles Unknown

Timberline Falls

47.2 miles away

Colorado

Hard

8.1 miles Unknown

Seven Falls

48.2 miles away

Colorado

Moderate

0.8 miles 224 ft

Snake River Falls

48.5 miles away

Colorado

Drive Up

Unknown Unknown

Helen Hunt Falls

48.7 miles away

Colorado

Drive Up

0.1 miles 50 ft

Silver Cascade Falls

48.9 miles away

Colorado

Easy

0.7 miles 200 ft

🧭 Day Trips From Denver (29 waterfalls, 50–100 miles away)

Everything listed above is within 50 miles of Denver. Make a day of it and 29 more are within 100 miles. The closest is Saint Marys Falls, about 50 miles away, and the tallest is Ouzel Falls at 40 ft.

Distances are approximate, measured from the center of Denver; the drive is usually longer.

Saint Marys Falls

50.2 miles away

Colorado

Moderate

6.3 miles Unknown

Copeland Falls

51 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Easy

0.6 miles 50 ft

Calypso Cascades

51.4 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

3.6 miles 700 ft

Ouzel Falls

52 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

5.4 miles 950 ft

Lyric Falls

53.1 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Unknown

Unknown Unknown

Mertensia Falls

54.4 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

3.0 miles 500 ft

Columbine Falls

55 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Hard

8.0 miles Unknown

Thunder Falls

55.1 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Hard

14.0 miles Unknown

Trio Falls

55.5 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

3.0 miles 500 ft

Fan Falls

55.6 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

3.0 miles 500 ft

Ribbon Falls

57 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

4.5 miles Unknown

Glacier Falls

58.6 miles away

In Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

Moderate

4.0 miles 800 ft

Showing the 12 closest of 29. For the rest, browse Colorado waterfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Denver

Are there free waterfalls near Denver?

There are 6 free waterfalls near Denver, including Boulder Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Denver?

There are 5 easy waterfall hikes near Denver, including Boulder Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Denver?

There are 7 dog-friendly waterfalls near Denver, including Boulder Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Denver?

There are 9 kid-friendly waterfalls near Denver, including Boulder Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Denver?

The shortest waterfall hike near Denver is Boulder Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Denver?

The tallest waterfall near Denver is Seven Falls at 181 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Denver require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Denver requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Denver?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near Denver have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Denver?

The closest waterfall to Denver is Missouri Falls, approximately 29.8 miles away.

What waterfalls are within a day trip of Denver?

Beyond the 9 waterfalls within 50 miles, 29 more are between 50 and 100 miles from Denver. The closest of those is Saint Marys Falls, approximately 50.2 miles away.