It’s a perfect summer day in Colorado and you’re wondering what to do… (I mean the possibilities are endless, right?) Do you go stand in the grueling lines at Casa Bonita and play roulette in terms of your health? Nah. Scenic drive? Maybe… but today calls for something extra memorable. I’m talking about taking an unforgettable stroll (or hike) along one of these 10 gorgeous waterfront trails:
- Adams Falls (Grand Lake)
TripAdvisor Located in the charming mountain town of Grand Lake is Adams Falls; a 1-mile hike that passes scenic creeks as well as the pièce de résistance that is the beautiful waterfall.
- Clear Creek Trail (Golden)
Yelp Get ready to enjoy all kinds of sights when you travel the 20-mile Clear Creek Trail that passes along metro Denver, the North and South Table Mountains, and even the refreshing Coors Brewing Company. (Stop and have a brew or two. You’ve earned it.)
- Windy Gulch Cascades (Rocky Mountain National Park)
YouTube/Dayhikes Near Denver Rocky Mountain National Park’s Windy Gulch Cascades is just that; two miles of winding cascades that run alongside both footbridges and unpaved trails.
- Calypso Cascades (Rocky Mountain National Park)
TripAdvisor Another RMNP favorite is the trail that runs alongside the Calypso Cascades, which might be longer and more strenuous than the previous Windy Gulch Cascades, but well worth the effort! (Don’t want the fun to end? Continue hiking to the nearby Ouzel Falls, which bring your round-trip length up to a grand total of 5.4 miles.)
- Colorado Riverfront Trails (Grand Junction)
Visit Grand Junction Spanning all the way from Palisade to Fruita are the Colorado Riverfront Trails; a 60-mile stretch of trail that runs alongside not only the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, but several groves, wetlands, and native wildlife that make the Western Slope that diverse area it is.
- Silver Falls (Pagosa Springs)
TripAdvisor The next time you plan to make a trip to soak in Pagosa’s famous hot springs, make sure to plan a side day trip to Silver Falls, which consists of a short 1/2 mile walk.
- Castlewood Canyon (Franktown)
Yelp The site of the once Castlewood Canyon Dam (which burst and in turn flooded downtown Denver in 1933) is now a popular hiking trail that features both tranquil steams and a surprise waterfall.
- Historic Arkansas Riverwalk (Pueblo)
Yelp If you prefer your walks to consist of lovely sights, sounds, sips, and shopping (like myself), the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is the place for you.
- Rifle Falls (Rifle)
Yelp Not one, not two, but THREE dramatic 80 foot waterfalls await you at the end of this easy and worthwhile quarter-mile hike… (Did I mention that you will also encounter a babbling brook or two?)
- Poudre River Trail (Fort Collins)
TripAdvisor This last one is for our friends in Northern Colorado, who are lucky enough to have this 18-mile (round trip) river trail located right in their own backyard.
Can’t get enough Colorado waterfronts? Then take this Ultimate Colorado Waterfalls Road Trip!
TripAdvisor
Located in the charming mountain town of Grand Lake is Adams Falls; a 1-mile hike that passes scenic creeks as well as the pièce de résistance that is the beautiful waterfall.
Yelp
Get ready to enjoy all kinds of sights when you travel the 20-mile Clear Creek Trail that passes along metro Denver, the North and South Table Mountains, and even the refreshing Coors Brewing Company. (Stop and have a brew or two. You’ve earned it.)
YouTube/Dayhikes Near Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park’s Windy Gulch Cascades is just that; two miles of winding cascades that run alongside both footbridges and unpaved trails.
Another RMNP favorite is the trail that runs alongside the Calypso Cascades, which might be longer and more strenuous than the previous Windy Gulch Cascades, but well worth the effort! (Don’t want the fun to end? Continue hiking to the nearby Ouzel Falls, which bring your round-trip length up to a grand total of 5.4 miles.)
Visit Grand Junction
Spanning all the way from Palisade to Fruita are the Colorado Riverfront Trails; a 60-mile stretch of trail that runs alongside not only the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, but several groves, wetlands, and native wildlife that make the Western Slope that diverse area it is.
The next time you plan to make a trip to soak in Pagosa’s famous hot springs, make sure to plan a side day trip to Silver Falls, which consists of a short 1/2 mile walk.
The site of the once Castlewood Canyon Dam (which burst and in turn flooded downtown Denver in 1933) is now a popular hiking trail that features both tranquil steams and a surprise waterfall.
If you prefer your walks to consist of lovely sights, sounds, sips, and shopping (like myself), the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is the place for you.
Not one, not two, but THREE dramatic 80 foot waterfalls await you at the end of this easy and worthwhile quarter-mile hike… (Did I mention that you will also encounter a babbling brook or two?)
This last one is for our friends in Northern Colorado, who are lucky enough to have this 18-mile (round trip) river trail located right in their own backyard.
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