The best waterfalls near Denver, Colorado are Ouzel Falls, Timberline Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and 7 more, ranked by visitor ratings and distance from the city. The closest is Boulder Falls, about 29 miles northwest of Denver.
For more waterfalls around Denver, browse the nearest towns: Evergreen, Central City, Nederland, Estes Park, Keystone, Granby, Manitou Springs, Laporte. You can also see every waterfall on the Colorado waterfalls page.
How we picked: We looked at the 19 publicly accessible Colorado waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Denver that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
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1. Ouzel Falls
46 miles northwest of Denver. Our top pick near the city 4.9 out of 5 from 138 reviews.
Boulder County, CO 80540 (GPS 40.1989, -105.6011)
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Ouzel Falls is about 46 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 138 Google reviews, and 91% of them give it five stars. In short: "Accessed by a hiking trail in a remote area of the park, these stunning waterfalls are 40 feet tall."
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2. Timberline Falls
52 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 21 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.2849, -105.6645)
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Timberline Falls is about 52 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 21 Google reviews, and 100% of them give it five stars.
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3. Bridal Veil Falls
57 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 32 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.4359, -105.5510)
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Bridal Veil Falls is about 57 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 32 Google reviews, and 91% of them give it five stars. Reviews most often mention climbing, scenery, and hike.
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4. Chasm Falls
59 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 40 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.4168, -105.6726)
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Chasm Falls is about 59 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 40 Google reviews, and 93% of them give it five stars. In short: "Cascade in a narrow, rocky ravine, overlooked by a viewing platform & surrounded by mountain forest." Reviews most often mention hiking, drive, and waterfall. Older records also call it Horseshoe Falls.
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5. Alberta Falls
52 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 73 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.3035, -105.6380)
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Alberta Falls is about 52 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 73 Google reviews, and 88% of them give it five stars. In short: "Popular 1.7-mile roundtrip hike with aspen groves to a 30-foot waterfall cascading into a creek."
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6. Adams Falls
55 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 172 reviews.
Grand County, CO 80510 (GPS 40.2367, -105.7964)
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Adams Falls is about 55 miles northwest of Denver, near Granby. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 172 Google reviews, and 86% of them give it five stars. In short: "55-ft. waterfall in a rocky gorge, accessed by a gentle, scenic trail through pine & aspen woods." Older records also call it Ouzel Falls and Minnehaha Falls.
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7. Ribbon Falls
50 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 6 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.2670, -105.6402)
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Ribbon Falls is about 50 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 6 Google reviews. Older records also call it The Silver Slide.
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8. Horseshoe Falls
58 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 15 reviews.
Larimer County, CO 80517 (GPS 40.4139, -105.6342)
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Horseshoe Falls is about 58 miles northwest of Denver, near Estes Park. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 15 Google reviews. Reviews most often mention scenic views, cascade, and hike.
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9. Boulder Falls
29 miles northwest of Denver. Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 268 reviews.
Boulder County, CO 80466 (GPS 40.0069, -105.4058)
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Boulder Falls is about 29 miles northwest of Denver, near Nederland. Visitors rate it 4.6 stars across 268 Google reviews, and 80% of them give it five stars.
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10. Silver Cascade Falls
66 miles south of Denver. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 25 reviews.
El Paso County, CO 80906 (GPS 38.7867, -104.9063)
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Silver Cascade Falls is about 66 miles south of Denver, near Manitou Springs. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 25 Google reviews, and 92% of them give it five stars. Reviews most often mention views, hike, and waterfall.
Waterfall Day Trips From Denver
| Waterfall | Distance | Nearest town | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder Falls | 29 mi northwest | Nederland | 4.6 |
| Ouzel Falls | 46 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.9 |
| Ribbon Falls | 50 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.8 |
| Alberta Falls | 52 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.8 |
| Timberline Falls | 52 mi northwest | Estes Park | 5.0 |
| Adams Falls | 55 mi northwest | Granby | 4.8 |
| Bridal Veil Falls | 57 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.9 |
| Horseshoe Falls | 58 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.8 |
| Chasm Falls | 59 mi northwest | Estes Park | 4.9 |
| Silver Cascade Falls | 66 mi south | Manitou Springs | 4.8 |
Straight-line distances from downtown Denver. Driving distances are longer, especially in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best waterfall near Denver?
Ouzel Falls tops our 2026 list. It is about 46 miles northwest of Denver and rated 4.9 stars from 138 Google reviews.
What is the closest waterfall to Denver?
Of the waterfalls on this list, Boulder Falls is the closest, about 29 straight-line miles northwest of the city, near Nederland.
How many waterfalls are near Denver?
We track 19 publicly accessible, reviewed waterfalls in Colorado within 100 miles of Denver, 2 of this list's picks within 50 miles. See every waterfall in the state on the Colorado waterfalls page.
How was this list made?
We looked at the 19 publicly accessible Colorado waterfalls within 100 straight-line miles of Denver that have at least five Google reviews, then ranked them by a weighted rating with a small penalty for distance, so a great waterfall close to town edges out an equally rated one far away.
When is Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride at its best?
It usually runs strongest in late spring and early summer as San Juan snowpack melts. In winter the falls freeze, and the area is known for ice.
Summary
Ouzel Falls is our top waterfall pick near Denver, rated 4.9 out of 5 and about 46 miles from the city. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access and water levels vary through the year, so confirm conditions before you go.
Snowmelt sets the calendar. Lower falls along the foothills, like Helen Hunt Falls, often peak in May, while high-country falls in Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juans usually run strongest from early June into early July, after the main melt reaches the upper basins. By late August many smaller falls thin noticeably, though larger creeks keep running. July and August also bring an afternoon monsoon pattern, with lightning on exposed ridges and brief downpours, so early starts are the norm. Late September adds golden aspens to the scenery with lower flows. In winter, several falls freeze into ice formations, and some high roads and trailheads are not plowed. Weekends in summer bring heavy crowds to the Front Range and Telluride.
For more Colorado waterfalls, see the full Colorado waterfalls page, or read 15 Best Waterfalls in Colorado, 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Colorado and 5 Must-See Waterfalls in Colorado.