- Hike Distance: 6.6 Miles RT
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 45min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 4hr
- Activities: Horseback Riding, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Not Allowed in Park
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Year Round
- Beauty: Waterfall, Meadows, Forest, Creek, Wildlife: Elk, Deer, Birds
- RMNP Map Link: Click Here
Bridal Veil Falls is a gem tucked away in the northern reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike is about 1hr 45 minutes from the Denver area and features expansive meadows, wildflowers, forest, and a little bit of a rock scramble. Bridal Veil Falls launches from Read More
- Hike Distance: 100 yards
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 10min
- Activities: Short Trail
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Closed from Nov. 1 to May 1
- Beauty: Waterfall, Boulder Creek, Cliff.
Boulder Falls is only about 70 feet high, but it’s really breathtaking. The combination of the tight canyon, giant ponderosa pines, and the pouring waterfall makes it a great place to take visiting friends and family. Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.2 miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 2hrs
- Difficulty:Medium
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Picnicking, Hiking Trails, Snowshoing
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Park
- Temperature at Bear Lake Click Here
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Sub-Alpine Lake, Mountain Views, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Elk, Bear
- Trail Maps: Click Here
- Fee: Park Pass Required
- Hike Distance: .8 to 4 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 50
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 45min to 2hr 30min+
- Activities: Picnicking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Lower Parking Area – Upper Parking Area
- Trail Type: Out & Back and Loop
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Waterfall, Overlooks, Creek, Woodlands
Waterfalls close to Denver don’t have a lot of wow-factor, but they make great for great destination hikes. There are 3 ways to hike to the falls. Our favorite is the Cliff Trail loop because it gives you the falls a reward at the end. The falls are more of a series cascades, but are worth the hike.
You have several options for your hike to Maxwell Falls.
1. The Short Version: Less than 1 mile round trip – Begin at the Upper Trailhead and follow the signs to the falls. It’s just under half a mile, one way.
2. The Cliff Trail Loop: 3 Miles – Start at the upper trailhead lot. The trail will split a couple times and you’ll want to bear left, following the signs that point you down the Cliff Trail. You’ll climb a bit to a rock promontory that gives you beautiful views of the valley below. You will begin a descent to the creek bed, then the trail will turn and head upstream. Follow it until you hear the falls. After the falls, follow the trail back up to the upper lot.
3. Lower Maxwell Falls Hike – 4 Miles Round Trip – Begin at the lower parking area and hike up the valley and along Maxwell Creek for about 2 miles. About 1.7 miles along the trail, you’ll cross to the other side of the creek. Shortly after that, you’ll hear the falls. Return the same way you came.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: .17+ miles (see trail options below)
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 20min
- Activities: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Birdwatching, Wildlife Viewing
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back & Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cherry Creek, Waterfall, Interesting Geology, Canyon Views, Ruins
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
This may be the most accessible waterfall near Denver. If you hit the right parking lot, the hike takes only abut 10 minutes. But is a hike really a hike if it only takes 10 minutes? So, grab a park brochure and find the Northernmost trailhead for the Creek Bottom Trail (Homestead Trailhead). This will add close to 1 mile to your hike. Then you can loop back via the Cherry Creek Trail for a total of about 2 miles.
Tips:
- The West Side entrance can be hard to find. Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.8 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 45min
- Difficulty: Easy (but consider altitude)
- Duration: 1 hrs
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Summer & Fall, Winter & Spring (expect snow – snowshoes)
- Beauty: Lakes, Waterfalls, Cascades Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Birds, Bears, Elk.
- Fee: Park Pass Required
AColorado Hike with a lot of bang for the buck. What we mean is that there is a lot to see on this .9 mile stretch of trail. Starting at Bear Lake, you’ll take in a total of three Colorado lakes, and pass a small waterfall near the top of the trail. If you are looking for a handicap accessible hike, the trail around Bear Lake may be the best handicap accessible trail in Colorado. Read More
- Hike Distance: 1/4 Mile to 4 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 50 min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 1/2hr to 2.5hrs
- Activities: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Visitors Center
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back & Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Meadows, Creek, Waterfall, Interesting Geology, Canyon Views, Ruins
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
Not just a canyon, this Colorado State Park features ruins, a waterfall, and unusual geological formations. The park is riddled with 15 trails, ranging from 1/4 mile to 4 miles, so you have a lot of options. The Canyon View Nature Trail (1.2 miles) is a great example of a handicap accessible trail in Colorado. Read More
- Hike Distance: 4 Trails: .5 mile to 3.5 miles (one way)
- Denver Drive Time: 45 min
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 1-2.5 hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Beauty: Canyon, Waterfalls and Cascades, Cliff Swallows, Cliff-Top Views, Geologic Features
- Video: Click For Video
Eldorado Canyon is an oasis just about 45 minutes from Denver. Kids will love hiking over rocks along the streamside trail, peering into caves, and gazing up at the climbers on the towering canyon walls. The park features one of the best Read More
