You're standing in the middle of a high-desert canyon, your lungs are burning from the 6,000-foot elevation, and all you want is to see some water. It sounds like a simple request. But honestly, finding a decent colorado springs falls hike that isn't just a crowded tourist trap or a dry pile of rocks can be surprisingly tricky.
Colorado Springs is weird.
It’s a city built on the edge of the Rockies, meaning the geography is a chaotic mix of red sandstone, granite peaks, and hidden microclimates. Most people show up, walk around the Garden of the Gods, and call it a day. They’re missing out. The real magic happens when you head toward the Pikes Peak massif, where snowmelt creates these narrow, icy ribbons of water that feel totally out of place in the semi-arid landscape. But you have to know where to look. If you just follow the crowds to Seven Falls, you’re basically paying twenty bucks to ride an elevator. That’s not a hike; that’s a mall experience with a view.
Why Seven Bridges is the Only Hike You Actually Need
If you only have one afternoon, just go to Seven Bridges. Forget the rest for a second. This trail follows North Cheyenne Creek, and it is exactly what it sounds like. You cross seven small wooden bridges. It’s located in North Cheyenne Canyon Park, which is easily the best spot for hiking in the city limits.
The beauty of this specific colorado springs falls hike is the transition. You start at the massive parking lot for Upper Gold Camp Road—which, by the way, is a historic railroad grade—and immediately drop into a lush, shaded drainage. The temperature drops ten degrees. You’ll feel it.
Most people stop at bridge seven. Don't do that.
If you keep pushing past the last bridge, the trail gets steep and messy. It turns into a scree-filled scramble. But if you have the legs for it, you eventually break out into these high alpine meadows that offer a perspective of the canyon most tourists never see. You’ll hear the water the whole time. It’s a constant, bubbling companion that masks the sound of the city just a few miles away. The trail is roughly 3.7 miles out and back, but it feels longer because of the rocks. Wear real boots. Your ankles will thank you later.
The St. Mary’s Falls Grind
Now, if you want something that feels like a "real" mountain trek, St. Mary’s Falls is the one.
It’s longer. It’s harder. It’s also significantly more rewarding. You start at the same trailhead as Seven Bridges but veer off toward the old Buffalo Canyon. This is where the history of the region really starts to show. You’re hiking on old carriage roads and railway beds from the mining era. It’s dusty. The sun beats down on the decomposed granite, reflecting heat back at your face until you think you might melt.
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Then you hit the falls.
St. Mary’s isn't a massive, thundering Niagara-style drop. It’s a series of cascading tiers over dark rock. In the early summer—think late May or June—it’s roaring. By August, it’s more of a heavy trickle. But the seclusion is the point. Because it’s about 6 miles round trip with a solid 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the casual flip-flop wearing tourists usually give up halfway through. You get peace. You get the smell of ponderosa pines. You get that specific Colorado silence that only exists when you're far enough away from a highway.
The Broadmoor Seven Falls: The Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about it. Seven Falls is "The Grandest Canyon in Colorado," or so the marketing says.
It is beautiful. I won't lie to you and say it isn't. The water drops 181 feet over seven distinct steps, and it's lit up at night like a Vegas fountain. But here is the catch: it’s owned by The Broadmoor. That means you have to park at a remote lot, take a shuttle, and pay an admission fee.
Is it a colorado springs falls hike? Sorta.
There are 224 steps built into the side of the cliff. Climbing them is a workout. Once you get to the top, there are actual trails, like the one leading to Midnight Falls. That part is lovely. It’s quiet and feels like "real" nature. But you have to decide if you want to pay for access. If you have kids or grandparents with you, Seven Falls is the right choice because of the infrastructure. If you’re a dirt-bag hiker who wants to get lost in the woods, it’ll probably feel a bit too sanitized for your taste.
Helen Hunt Falls and the Quick Fix
Right at the base of North Cheyenne Canyon is Helen Hunt Falls.
Look, this is basically a roadside attraction. You park your car, walk thirty feet, and there is the waterfall. It’s named after Helen Hunt Jackson, the poet and activist. It’s busy. There is a visitor center. It’s "the" spot for high school prom photos and tourists who forgot to bring water.
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But here is the pro tip: don't just look at the bottom.
Take the short, steep trail up to Silver Cascade Falls. It’s only about a third of a mile, but it’s a series of switchbacks that take you to a bridge directly over the top of the falls. The view down the canyon toward Colorado Springs is incredible. You can see the red rocks of Garden of the Gods in the distance, framed by the steep granite walls of the canyon. It’s the highest ROI hike in the city—minimal effort, massive views.
Managing the Altitude and the "Granite Marbles"
Hiking in Colorado Springs isn't like hiking in the Appalachians or the PNW.
The soil here is mostly Pikes Peak Granite. When it breaks down, it doesn't turn into nice, grippy dirt. It turns into tiny, round pebbles that act like ball bearings under your feet. Locals call it "scree" or just "gravel," but it's treacherous. Going up is fine. Coming down is when people blow out their knees or slide off the trail.
You need to lean forward, keep your knees bent, and maybe use trekking poles. Seriously. I used to laugh at people with poles until I took a flyer on the descent from Mt. Rosa. Now I’m a believer.
And then there's the water. Or the lack of it.
The air here is incredibly dry. You are losing moisture with every breath, and because it’s cool, you might not realize you’re sweating. Drink twice as much as you think you need. If you start getting a headache, it’s not just the sun; it’s the altitude and dehydration. The city sits at 6,035 feet. By the time you get to the top of a colorado springs falls hike, you might be at 8,000 feet. Your blood is literally thinner. Take it easy.
Seasonal Reality Check
Don't show up in April expecting a lush paradise. April in the Springs is "Mud Season."
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The snow is melting, the trails are a slurry of red clay and ice, and the waterfalls are often still frozen solid. It’s ugly. The sweet spot is June. That’s when the "monsoons" (daily afternoon thunderstorms) haven't started yet, but the snowmelt is at its peak.
If you hike in July or August, you MUST be off the mountain by 1:00 PM.
The lightning here is no joke. These storms build up over the mountains and sweep across the Front Range with terrifying speed. You do not want to be on a granite ridge or standing next to a metal railing at Seven Falls when a cell hits. Watch the clouds. If they start looking like tall, dark cauliflower, it’s time to go home.
Finding the Secret Spots
There are other falls, of course. Some are on private property, and some are so deep in the backcountry that they don't really have names.
Catamount Falls, located up in Green Mountain Falls (just a short drive west on Highway 24), is a fantastic alternative if the city canyons are too crowded. The "Thomas Trail" there offers a great loop. It’s a bit more of a "mountain town" vibe than a "city park" vibe.
Then there's Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs.
It’s often called "Graffiti Falls" because, for decades, people have painted the rocks there. It’s controversial. Some people hate the "vandalism," while others see it as a unique piece of local folk art history. The city has cleaned it up recently and turned it into a more formal park. It’s a short walk, very colorful, and right under a massive highway bridge. It’s weird, urban, and beautiful all at once.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
If you're ready to hit the trail, don't just wing it. The Rockies don't care about your plans.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service in North Cheyenne Canyon is basically non-existent. Use AllTrails or Gaia GPS and download the maps before you leave your hotel or house.
- The "Layers" Rule: It might be 80 degrees in the city and 55 degrees at the waterfall. Bring a light windbreaker or a fleece.
- Park Early: If you aren't at the Seven Bridges trailhead by 8:00 AM on a Saturday, you aren't parking in the lot. You'll be parking a mile down the road and hiking to the hike.
- Respect the Trail: Stay on the designated paths. The erosion in this dry climate is brutal, and "social trails" destroy the local flora faster than you'd think.
- Check the Flow: If there hasn't been much snow over the winter, the falls might be underwhelming. Check recent photos on social media or local hiking forums to see if the water is actually running.
The best way to experience a colorado springs falls hike is to embrace the grit. It’s dusty, it’s steep, and it’ll make you huff and puff. But when you finally hit that wall of cool, mist-filled air at the base of a hidden cascade, you’ll realize why people have been obsessed with this corner of the world for centuries. Grab your boots, pack more water than you need, and get moving. The mountains are waiting.