Waterfall hikes near Denver
Chasing water in the foothills
Nearly every waterfall in Colorado runs on snowmelt, so they keep roughly the same calendar. Late May through June they’re loud and full. By late summer they’ve quieted down, and in midwinter many freeze. Time your trip to that, get there before the lot fills, and you’ve done most of the planning.
We’re the neighbors who look after the Maxwell Falls guide, and this list is deliberately short. It only includes places where we trust the details, and each entry links to the official page so you can check current rules before you drive.
Drive times at a glance
| Waterfall | Trailhead | From the Maxwell Falls lower trailhead | From downtown Denver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxwell Falls | Lower or upper Maxwell Falls trailhead | Upper lot about 6–7 min | About 45–55 min |
| Elk Falls | Staunton State Park, Lazy V trailhead | About 35 min | About 1 h to 1 h 10 min |
| Ouzel Falls | Rocky Mountain National Park, Wild Basin trailhead | About 2 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min | About 1 h 50 min to 2 h |
| Alberta Falls | Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier Gorge trailhead | About 2 h 30 min to 2 h 45 min | About 2 h to 2 h 15 min |
| Hanging Lake | Hanging Lake trailhead, Glenwood Canyon (I-70) | About 2 h 45 min to 3 h 15 min | About 2 h 45 min to 3 h 15 min |
How we estimated these: driving routes computed from OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM routing), from the lower Maxwell Falls lot and from the Colorado State Capitol, then rounded up into a range for mountain-road driving. They’re approximate, typical non-rush-hour times with no traffic delays, and they don’t include park entrance lines, permit check-ins or hunting for a parking space. Weekend I-70 traffic can add a lot. Check a live map before you leave.
Maxwell Falls, Evergreen
Our home trail, about 45–55 minutes from downtown Denver in the Arapaho National Forest. The falls are a tiered cascade over granite ledges on Maxwell Creek.
From the upper trailhead it’s about 1.1 miles round trip, with about 260 ft of climbing on the way back. From the lower trailhead it’s about 3.4 miles round trip and about 850 ft of climbing. The Cliff Loop adds an overlook and makes it 2.4 or 4.5 miles, depending on where you park. It’s free, and there’s no reservation.
Before you go, know that it’s day use only, with no campfires and no shooting. Dogs need a hand-held leash, there’s no trash service, and the small lots fill fast on summer weekends.
Elk Falls, Staunton State Park
A long hike in a big state park near Pine, southwest of Denver and about 35 minutes from Maxwell Falls. The state trail database lists the most direct route to Elk Falls, from the Lazy V trailhead, at about 7.5 miles round trip with about 1,100 ft of climbing. It also notes that the mapped “Elk Falls” point is an overlook; the falls themselves are at Chimney Rock. You’ll need a Colorado state park pass, and CPW warns that the Lazy V lot fills early on busy weekends.
Go here when you want a full day, with cliffs and meadows on the way to the water.
Ouzel Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park
In the Wild Basin area in the park’s southeast corner, the trail to Ouzel Lake follows North St. Vrain Creek past Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls. From late May to mid-October the park uses timed-entry reservations; in 2026 the system runs through October 18, and Wild Basin is covered by the standard timed-entry permit (National Park Service).
Alberta Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park
A short, much-loved waterfall hike from the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road (NPS trail list). During the timed-entry season the Bear Lake Road corridor needs its own “Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road” reservation, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (National Park Service). Book ahead.
Hanging Lake, Glenwood Canyon
A longer drive, but one of the best-known waterfall hikes in the state, with falls pouring into a clear, turquoise lake. According to Visit Glenwood Springs, every visitor needs a timed-entry permit, year-round (parking is included). There’s no shuttle to the trailhead, and the hike is 1.2 miles one way with 1,200 ft of climbing. Book through the official site.
Tips for any waterfall hike
For the most water, go in late May or June. Check the snowpack first, though. In a dry year the falls thin out early.
Start early. Popular trailheads fill fast on weekends, and summer afternoons tend to bring thunderstorms. If the lot is full and there’s nowhere legal and safe to park, go somewhere else; near Evergreen, try one of our hikes near Evergreen.
Stay off the wet rock. It’s slick around every waterfall, and slips there cause a large share of injuries. In winter and spring, spray freezes on the trail near the falls, so bring traction.
Many of these areas have no trash service. Pack everything out, dog bags included.
Don’t count on your phone in a mountain canyon. Download maps before you leave and tell someone where you’re going.
Suggest a waterfall
Know a waterfall hike near Denver that belongs on this list? Email us. We add places once we’ve checked the details against official sources.
Sources
- USFS: Maxwell Falls Lower Trail
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Staunton State Park
- COTREX: Elk Falls Direct Route
- National Park Service: Ouzel Lake (Wild Basin)
- National Park Service: RMNP hiking trails
- National Park Service: RMNP Timed Entry Permit System
- National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Park
- Visit Glenwood Springs: Hanging Lake
- Uncover Colorado: Waterfalls near Denver
- Drive times: estimated with OpenStreetMap road data and OSRM routing, September 2026