It is no secret that we here at Only in Denver love waterfalls and – fortunately for us Denverites – there is no shortage of waterfalls around Denver for everyone to visit! That being said, let us hit the road and explore them in a brand new way by taking this waterfall trip that you can complete in either a day or two-day weekend (if you stay at the recommended hotel and eat at the noted restaurants).

If you’re looking for waterfalls near Denver, get ready, and just follow this easy itinerary to some of the best Denver waterfalls.

Google Maps
1. Elk Falls
Staunton State Park, Pine Junction Area, CO 80433, USA
Jeremy Janus/Google
Located inside of the scenic Staunton State Park, Elk Falls are the perfect place to begin our adventure not only because of the delicate falls and its scenic surroundings but also for the butt-busting hike that is sure to get your day off on the right foot!
2. Crystal Falls
Management/TripAdvisor
This waterfall is located in the heart of Green Mountain Ranch and features an easy and unforgettable three-mile hike.
3. Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 CO-83, Franktown, CO 80116, USA
Flickr/sfgamchick
The waterfalls at the historic Castlewood Canyon State Park (whose dam burst and flooded the city of Denver in 1933) are accessible and take only a few minutes to reach by foot!
4. Casa Bonita, Lakewood
Casa Bonita, 6715 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214, USA
Flickr/Rob Lee
C'mon... you knew we couldn't have a weekend waterfall trip without paying homage to THE Denver waterfall restaurant! Sit back, relax, pretend to eat your food, and enjoy the graceful cliff divers at this fun Colorado attraction. If Casa Bonita sounds familiar, it might be because it was re-popularized by South Park.
5. Courtyard Denver Downtown, Denver
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Denver
You have had a long day of travel, so it is time to rest and rejuvenate in - you guessed it - a beautiful hotel with its own on-site waterfall. Sweet dreams!
6. Boulder Falls
Flickr/Jasper Nance
Good morning, explorer... are you ready for another wonderful day? Let's kick it off by visiting Boulder Falls, which is a mere 50-yard walk from your car. Totally doable first thing in the morning, right?
7. Beau Jo's (Idaho Springs)
Lisa Burton/Google
It's time for lunch at this Colorado institution! Grab a seat on the back patio, order your favorite Colorado-style pie, and enjoy some pizza magic whilst gazing upon the nearby Bridal Veil Falls.
8. Guanella Pass
Jackie Kenkeo/Google
We have some good news and some bad news about the falls at Guanella Pass: You will have to hike to see this natural wonder, BUT it is a much shorter and easier walk than the previous day's trek to Elk Falls!

These are just a handful of the fabulous waterfalls around Denver. The best way to find them, of course, is to hit the road and go in search of all the Denver falls you can find. You can even enjoy Denver waterfalls in the winter when they turn into stunning ice formations.

What waterfalls near Denver have you visited? Are there other waterfalls around Denver that we should know about?

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More to Explore

Waterfalls In An Around Denver

Tori Jane | July 02, 2022

What are some of the best waterfall hikes near Denver?  

Denver is a gorgeous place, being smack-dab in the middle of one of the most beautiful states in the United States, and as a result, there are all kinds of amazing hiking trails in Denver (and near Denver) - some of which include waterfalls! Just 45 minutes from the city is Idaho Springs, which is home to one of the most amazing waterfalls in Colorado: Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a short-and-sweet hike that’s just a quarter-mile round-trip and trust us: it’s worth every second. Willing to go a little further, distance-wise? Head to the Boulder area and do the epic Forsythe Canyon Falls Trail, which is one of our favorite easy hikes near Denver and leads to Gross Reservoir, home of Forsythe Canyon Falls. 

What are the most amazing hiking trails with waterfalls in Denver?  

Though there aren't a lot of waterfalls in Denver, there are many near Denver, including some within an hour’s drive. Head to Rocky Mountain National Park and embark upon the Ouzel Falls hikes. It’s a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike leading to, well, Ouzel Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Colorado. Thankfully, it’s pretty close to Denver! While at Rocky Mountain National Park, be sure to also do the 2.5-mile trek to Alberta Falls, which can be found in the Glacier Gorge area. As a bonus, if you keep wandering Glacier Gorge Trail, you’ll encounter such natural wonders of Colorado as Lake of Glass Falls, Sky Pond, and more.  

How many waterfalls in Denver are there?  

There aren’t any waterfalls in Denver, though there are plenty of amazing waterfalls in Colorado. Some of our favorite waterfalls near Denver include jewels like Booth Creek Falls, which is just an hour and a half from downtown. Just under two hours from Denver is the McCullough Gulch Waterfall, which is an astonishingly beautiful little escape from the city and one of our favorite things to do in Colorado!  

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