- 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: 1.4 Miles+Spurs
- Denver Drive Time: 40
- Difficulty: Medium (can be difficult over rocks)
- Duration: 1hr+
- Activities: Hiking Trails, No bikes or horses are allowd
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Historical Monument, Rock Formations, Front Range Views, Wildlife: Rock squirrels and cliff swallows
- Hike Distance: 1.4 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Bluff Overlooks, Wildlife: Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Red Fox.
This hike near Fort Collins, Colorado ends with a beautiful panoramic view of Lory State Park. You’ll pass through meadows, forest, then end your hike with a scramble to the top of Arthur’s Rock. Dogs are allowed on a leash, just be sure to bring plenty of water as there are not many places to access drinking water.
- Hike Distance: 1.7 Miles (3.4 RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 30 min
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr 15min
- Activities: Hiker Only Trail, but Park offers Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, & Kayaking
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring to Fall
- Beauty: Views of Horsetooth Lake, Views of the Front Range, Forests, and Meadows, Wildlife:
- Hike Distance: 2.2 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 35min
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1 hrs
- Activities: Picnic Area, Fishing, Hiking
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring to Fall
- Beauty: Mountain Peak Views, Bear Creek
- 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: 1.3 – 7 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 35 min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 1 – 5 hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: 3 Loop Trails & Out & Back
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Mountain Peak Views, Bear Creek & Brooks, Wildflowers, & Butterflies.
O’Fallon Park is part of a series of Jefferson County and Denver Mountain Parks that are connected by Bear Creek and the Bear Creek Trail. Quartz riddles the trails and butterflies alight on flowers along the five trails that weave 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
