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Looking for the best waterfall hikes in Colorado? This guide shares 10 of my favorite hiking trails that feature waterfalls after a decade of hiking around Colorado.

Some of the prettiest trails in Colorado take you either to or past roaring waterfalls. Unlike some popular waterfall hikes in Colorado (*cough* Hanging Lake), the trails I included in this guide DON’T require a permit or reservation to access, which means you can plan a spontaneous trip (Rocky Mountain National Park has some great waterfalls, but requires a timed-entry reservation). The majority of these hikes are also free, but a couple are in areas with entrance fees, as noted.

Table of Contents: Best Waterfall Hikes in Colorado

1. Bear Creek Falls
2. Bridal Veil Falls
3. Ouray Perimeter Trail
4. Willow Creek Falls
5. Judd Falls
6. Piedra Falls
7. Rifle Falls 
8. Highland Mary Lake
9. No Thoroughfare Canyon
10. Big Dominguez Canyon

Recreating Responsibly When Hiking in Colorado

Waterfall hikes are one of the most popular type of hiking trail in Colorado. It’s important for everyone to recreate responsibly and do what they can to minimize their impact while hiking so people can continue enjoying these wild spaces for years to come. Here are some tips for recreating responsibly in Colorado:

Leave No Trace

The seven Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines to help people make responsible choices that minimize their impacts outdoors. Always remember to practice Leave No Trace during your Colorado waterfall hike. Here are the seven principles:

1. Plan ahead and prepare. Research the trail you’re hiking ahead of time, check the weather, carry a map, and make sure you have the proper gear, including the 10 essentials.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Stay on developed trails and other durable surfaces, like rocks or gravel. Respect restoration areas, and don’t hike through wildflower fields or meadows.
3. Properly dispose of waste. This includes packing out all of your trash, including food scraps and pet waste.
4. Leave what you find. Don’t pick wildflowers or carve into rocks or trees.
5. Minimize campfire impacts. Use existing fire rings and be sure to check for fire restrictions before having a campfire. Make sure that campfires are completely extinguished, which means the ashes are cool.
6. Respect wildlife. Maintain a safe distance from wildlife. Never feed or harass wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors. Remember uphill hikers have the right of way. Don’t blast music on the trail. Be sure to communicate with other trail users where appropriate.

The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to  enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org

Altitude Awareness

Some of the waterfall hikes in this guide are fairly high in elevation. If you’re visiting Colorado from sea level or a lower elevation area, try to spend a day or two acclimating in a city like Denver or Grand Junction before heading into the mountains to hike.

If you’re not acclimated to hiking at high altitudes, be prepared to take things slowly and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness, which include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Issues with coordination

If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms, turn back on your hike and try to get down to a lower elevation. If altitude sickness is left untreated it can develop into a more serious problem like HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema) or HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema), which can be deadly.

Download My Colorado Day Hike Packing Guide

Best Waterfall Hikes in Colorado

1. Bear Creek Falls

I’m kicking off the list of the best waterfall hikes in Colorado with one of my favorites, Bear Creek Falls in Telluride. Telluride is easily one of the best place to see waterfalls in Colorado thanks to its location inside of a box canyon.

The trailhead for Bear Creek Falls is just a short walk from the gondola station downtown, so this is a great hike whether you’re staying in Telluride or Mountain Village. The trail up to the waterfall is wide and well-defined, so while the hike is very popular, it’s easy to pass people. It begins gaining elevation immediately and consistently climbs up to the falls. If you’re used to hiking in Colorado I would say it’s a moderate hike, but if you’re coming from sea level you might find it challenging.

The final push to Bear Creek Falls is steep and narrow compared to the rest of the trail. There’s a large boulder that you can scramble on top of to get an expansive view of the waterfall. You can also continue hiking up closer to the falls, but be prepared to get sprayed with water and watch your step because the rocks can get slippery. 

Check out this guide to best hikes in Telluride for more trail recommendations!

Bear Creek Falls Trail Stats

• Location: Telluride
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but you can find some at the gondola station.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy. There is no official parking lot for Bear Creek Trail because it starts in the middle of downtown Telluride. You can either find street parking in the area or park in Mountain Village and take the free gondola down to Telluride. The trailhead is a short walk from the gondola.
• Distance: 4.5 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate (5-6/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 2-3 hours
• Fees: None
• Dog-Friendly? Yes
• Mountain Bikes: Yes
• AllTrails Link 

Bear Creek Falls Trail Map

2. Bridal Veil Falls

Also located in Telluride, Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free-standing waterfall in Colorado, which easily makes this one of the best waterfall hikes in the state. While you can easily see Bridal Veil Falls from many vantage points in downtown Telluride, the best views come from getting up close and personal with the 365 ft. waterfall.

On your way up to Bridal Veil Falls you’ll pass 2 other scenic waterfalls, which makes this a really great bang-for-you-buck hike. The trail is short, but it packs in roughly 900 ft. of elevation gain, so it’s a solid workout. If you have a 4WD vehicle you can also drive up to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, but you’ll miss out on the stunning views (particularly during the fall!) and bonus waterfalls along the hiking trail.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail Stats

• Location: Telluride
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There is a pit toilet at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate. Parking is located at the Idarado Mine. Since the hike is very popular and the parking lot is fairly small, it fills up quickly. There is additional parking along the road, but be sure to obey any signs.
• Distance: 2.4 miles out-and-back including stops at the other waterfalls along the way
• Elevation Gain: 900 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate-difficult (5.5-6.5/10). The trail is steep and rocky the entire hike up to Bridal Veil Falls.
• Estimated Hike Time: 90 minutes-2 hours
• Permits/Fees: None
• Dog-Friendly: Yes
• Mountain Bikes: No
• AllTrails Link 

Bridal Veil Falls Trail Map

3. Ouray Perimeter Trail (Cascade Falls)

As its name suggests, the Ouray Perimeter Trail loops up and around the town of Ouray passing various landmarks along the way. This is the premier hike in Ouray and features four distinct waterfalls, including one of the town’s most iconic attractions, Cascade Falls. 

You can do a short out-and-back hike to Cascade Falls if you’re low on time (or have small children with you), but I think it’s worth completing the full loop around town. There are numerous places to hop on and off the Ouray Perimeter Trail, but most people begin their hike near the visitor’s center. 

In addition to seeing Cascades Falls, you’ll pass a few other waterfalls along the hike. You can see some small waterfalls at the Baby Bathtubs, and easily tack on a stop at Box Cañon Falls (it costs $5 to hike the trail here).

Want more Ouray activity ideas? Check out my post on the top 15 things to do in Ouray!

Ouray Perimeter Trail Stats

• Location: Ouray
• Trailhead Location: There are various trailheads around Ouray where hikers can access the Perimeter Trail.
• Bathrooms? Some trailheads have pit toilets available.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. There’s limited parking at some of the trailheads, but you can also just park in town and walk to the trail if you need to. 
• Distance: 5.6 mile loop
• Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate (5.5-6.5/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 3-4 hours
• Fees? None, unless you also visit Box Cañon Falls, which is $5.
• Dog-Friendly? Yes
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link 

Ouray Perimeter Trail Map

4. Willow Creek Falls Trail

Willow Creek Falls is a scenic waterfall hike not far from I-70 in Silverthorne. There are a couple of trails you can take to hike to Willow Creek Falls, but I’ve linked to the most direct route below. Even though the trail isn’t long, it packs in a solid amount of elevation gain as you make your way through a meadow and up into the forest.

The highlight of the hike is Willow Creek Falls where there’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a snack. Be aware, there are often mountain goats in the vicinity of the falls, so keep dogs leashed for their safety. With that said, this is one of my favorite dog-friendly trails in Colorado because of the water access along the trail.

Willow Creek Falls Trail Stats

• Trail Location: Eagles Nest Wilderness (near Silverthorne)
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There is no bathroom at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Difficult. There aren’t many parking spots available and the trailhead serves multiple trails, so you’re competing for spots. 
• Distance: 4.5 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 1,125 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate (6-7/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 2-3 hours 
• Fees? None
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes, leashes are required in the Eagles Nest Wilderness.
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link 

Willow Creek Falls Trail Map

5. Judd Falls

Judd Falls is a short and popular waterfall hike near the wildflower capitol of Colorado, Crested Butte. Getting to the main trailhead for Judd Falls requires a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle, but you can also hike up from Gothic Road (this adds roughly 1 mile plus a couple hundred extra feet of elevation gain to the hike).

The hike to Judd Falls is well-defined and well-signed, so it’s easy to navigate. Be careful exploring around the overlook area once you get up to the falls, as there are steep drops. There’s a bench here, which makes a great place to stop and take a break. If you’re up for a longer hike you can continue on the Copper Trail into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Since the trail to Judd Fall takes you past aspen trees, this is a great hike if you’re visiting Crested Butte in the fall.

Looking for more hiking trail recommendations in Crested Butte? Check out this guide with over 10 of the best hikes!

Judd Falls Trail Stats

• Trail Location: Crested Butte
• Trailhead Location: Google maps (Parking along Gothic Road); Google maps (Upper trailhead)
• Bathrooms? There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. If you want to park at the upper trailhead then you need to have a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle. Otherwise park along Gothic Road and walk up. Parking is somewhat limited and this is a very popular trailhead. You can take a free shuttle from town to eliminate parking hassles.
• Distance: 1.2 miles out-and-back from the upper trailhead; 2.2 miles out-and-back from the lower trailhead
• Elevation Gain: 165 ft. from the upper trailhead; 435 ft. from the lower trailhead
• Difficulty: Easy (3-4/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 1 hour
• Fees? None
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link 

Judd Falls Trail Map

6. Piedra Falls

Located near Pagosa Springs, Piedra falls is one of the best short, but sweet waterfall hikes in Colorado. It’s a bit of a drive to get to the trailhead, but the trail is only 1 mile out-and-back with minimal elevation gain. Because the trail is so short this makes a great family-friendly hike, especially if you have smaller kids (we passed lots of families on the trail!). 

Once you’re at Piedra Falls you can get a good vantage point of the waterfall from either down by the creek, or up near the falls. Be sure to keep an eye on kids near the water, especially during spring runoff when things are roaring!

Piedra Falls Trail Stats

• Trail Location: Pagosa Springs
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There’s no bathroom at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy. It’s a long drive out to the trailhead, but should be navigable with any vehicle. There’s plenty of space to park at the trailhead.
• Distance: 1 mile out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 115 ft.
• Difficulty: Very easy (1-2/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 1 hour
• Fees? None
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link 

Piedra Falls Trail Map

7. Rifle Falls

I generally don’t love the term “hidden gem,” but I think Rifle Falls fits the bill, not because it’s unknown (it’s a state park), but because it is quite literally tucked away in an otherwise unassuming canyon. Visiting Rifle Falls will have you feeling like you’re in a tropical oasis, not the high desert of Western Colorado.

The trail to Rifle Falls is short and paved, which makes this a great accessible waterfall hike. In addition to seeing the trio of waterfalls, you can also tack on the Bobcat Trail or Squirrel Trail to create a longer loop hike. This is definitely a unique area of Colorado that you don’t want to miss!

Rifle Falls Trail Stats

• Trail Location: Rifle Falls State Park (near Rifle)
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There’s a bathroom at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. The state park can get crowded during warmer months.
• Distance: ~0.5 miles out-and-back to the waterfall
• Elevation Gain: 75 ft.
• Difficulty: Very easy (1-2/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 30 minutes-1 hour depending on how far you hike
• Fees? $10/vehicle or use a Keep Colorado Wild Pass
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes, dogs must be leashed.
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link (Includes Coyote & Bobcat trails)

Rifle Falls Trail Map

8. Highland Mary Lake

Nestled deep in the San Juan mountains outside of Silverton, the Highland Mary Lake Trail is definitely the most remote hike in this guide. Getting to the trailhead requires a long drive down backroads, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended to head out here.

While the main attractions on this hike are a pair of scenic alpine lakes, you’ll also pass a gorgeous waterfall along the way, which makes a great place to stop and take some photos. Once you’ve had your fill continue hiking beyond the waterfall up to the lakes for gorgeous views of the San Juan mountains. There’s a fair amount of elevation gain on this hike, but it’s high effort and high reward!

Highland Mary Lake Trail Stats

• Trail Location: San Juan National Forest (near Silverton)
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There’s a pit toilet at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate-difficult. The final push up to the parking lot is steep with a lot of exposure, so a high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended. You can also park at the base of this section of road and walk up to the trailhead.
• Distance: 5.2 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate-difficult (7-8/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 2 ½-3 ½ hours 
• Fees? None
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes
• Mountain Bikes? No
• AllTrails Link 

Highland Mary Lake Trail Map

9. No Thoroughfare Canyon

Waterfall hikes in the desert are a rare treasure and the waterfalls in No Thoroughfare Canyon are no exception! The hike up No Thoroughfare Canyon begins at the Devils Kitchen trailhead in Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. The trails are well-signed in this area so it’s easy to find your way to the canyon.

Waterfalls are the highlight of this hike, although flows are seasonal. The first waterfall is small and a little over a mile from the trailhead. From there the trail climbs up a series of steep steps before continuing up the canyon. After an additional 0.7 miles you come to a much taller waterfall. This is where most people end their hike. The trail continues beyond that point, but becomes unmaintained and requires scrambling.

No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail Stats

• Location: Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction)
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There are no bathrooms at the main parking lot, but there are porta potties available at the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Moderate. Parking is available at the Devils Kitchen Trailhead, which is a small lot on the left hand side of the road shortly beyond the east entrance to the park. If that lot is full you can also park in the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area and take a short spur trail to the main trail. Both parking areas serve numerous trails, so they fill up quickly on nice days, especially during the weekend.
• Distance: 4.5 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 440 ft.
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate (4-4.5/10)
• Estimated Hike Time: 2-2 ½ hours
• Fees? $25/vehicle or use an America the Beautiful Pass
• Dog-Friendly? No
• Mountain Biking? No
• AllTrails Link 

No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail Map

10. Big Dominguez Canyon Trail

Located in Western Colorado, Big Dominguez Canyon is one of my favorite local trails thanks to its beautiful canyon views, relatively easy terrain, and access to waterfalls. The entire length of Big Dominguez Canyon is roughly 13 miles one-way, so you can make this hike as long as you’d like. 

The first (and main) waterfall is right after entering the canyon, about 1 ¾ miles into the trail. There are more waterfalls of various sizes the further you hike up the canyon. Be aware, the creek is highly seasonal, so late spring is the best time of year to hike if you want to see a decent waterfall.

Most people hike Big Dominguez Canyon as an out-and-back, but you can also hike it as a point-to-point. Backpacking is popular in the canyon, but there are restrictions about where you can camp. 

Big Dominguez Canyon Trail Stats

• Location: Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (between Grand Junction & Delta)
• Trailhead Location: Google maps
• Bathrooms? There are pit toilets at the trailhead.
• Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy-moderate. This is a very popular hiking trail. There are 2 parking areas, but they can fill up, especially if there are a lot of horse trailers.
• Distance: As far as you want. Plan for at least 4+ miles of hiking.
• Elevation Gain: The first 2 miles are relatively flat, then you gradually gain a few hundred feet per mile.
• Difficulty: Varies depending on distance. The first 2-3 miles are easy walking/hiking.
• Estimated Hike Time: 1-4+ hours depending on how far you hike
• Fees? None
• Dog-Friendly? Yes, dogs must be leashed in the day use zone (see map on the trail for details).
• Mountain bikes? No
• AllTrails Link

Big Dominguez Canyon Trail Map

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