Chasing Waterfalls in Southwest Colorado

There are so many incredible places in Colorado that deserve to be on your bucket list, but some of my absolute favorite adventures are those that end under a beautiful waterfall! Below, you’ll find my own personal “Bucket List” of waterfalls in SW Colorado! Feel free to bookmark this page and check back often, as I love adding new waterfalls to the list! Or better yet, drop a suggestion in the comments with one that I haven’t included!

While here, click on any waterfall name to be redirected to a site with additional information.

As you scroll through my bucket list for inspiration, keep in mind that I haven’t been to all of them. If I’ve visited the falls, you’ll see my personal photographs and possibly some small notes. If the falls has a red name and no photographs, then we have not explored it yet. I hope you find some inspiration in this post and a few waterfalls to add to your list! Enjoy!

Southwestern Colorado Waterfalls:

Listed alpha by closest town to falls… NOT in order of personal preference.

1. Zapata Falls (Alamosa)

**We’ve only seen this one while it was frozen, but it was still beautiful!**

2. North Clear Creek Falls (Creede)

**Right off the highway and well worth the stop!**

3. Phoenix Park Falls (Creede)

4. South Clear Creek Falls (Creede)

**A short hike will get you to the “viewing point,” but a little scramble down the trail will get you up close with the waterfall!**

5. Cascade Creek Falls (Durango)

6. Lime Creek Road Falls (Durango)

7. Nellie Creek Falls (Lake City)

8. Whitmore Falls (Lake City)

**The photo on the bottom right is taken from the “viewing area” for this falls, but a little scramble down the trail will get you right under the waterfall!**

9. Box Canyon Falls (Ouray)

10. Falls Creek Waterfall & Four Mile Waterfall (Pagosa Springs)

**We’ve made it to Falls Creek Waterfall, but did not make it to Four Mile. They are on the same trail and we could see both waterfalls from the last portion of the hike for Falls Creek.**

11. Piedra Falls (Pagosa Springs)

**If timed right, you can play in the river at the base of this waterfall.**

12. Silver Falls (Pagosa Springs)

13. Treasure Falls (Pagosa Springs)

**This waterfall is beautiful when frozen, but not easily accessed mid-winter.**

14. Adrenaline Falls (Silverton)

15. South Mineral Creek Falls (Silverton)

16. Bear Creek Falls (Telluride)

17. Bridal Veil Falls (Telluride)

**“Tallest Free-Falling Falls in Colorado” (365′) – Telluride.com**

18. Cornet Creek Falls (Telluride)

19. Mystic Falls (Telluride)

Other Parts of Colorado/ NOT located in SW region:

Listed alpha by name… NOT in order of personal preference.

20. Rainbow Falls (Manitou Springs)

21. Rifle Falls (Rifle)

**We also went cave exploring in this park!**

Other Bodies of Water Worth Mentioning:

Listed alpha by name… NOT in order of personal preference.

22. Blue Lake (Telluride)

23. Crystal Lake (Ophir)

24. Emerald Lake (Crested Butte)

25. Ice Lakes Basin (Silverton)

**Difficult hike, but well worth the effort!** *Pair this with Island Lake hike!*

26. Island Lake (Silverton)

**Difficult hike, but well worth the effort!** *Pair this with Ice Lake hike!*

27. Lizard Lake & Crystal Mill (Marble)

28. Maroon Bells (Aspen)

**Iconic, but very crowded. We’ve been here twice, but I believe they now require a reservation.**

29. Medano Creek (Alamosa, Great Sand Dunes National Park)

**This is a seasonal creek and highly dependent on winter snowpack.**

30. Molas Lake (Silverton)

**This lake/campground was on my bucket list for a while! It’s just beautiful!**

On The Fence:

31. Hanging Lake (Glenwood Springs)

I hope you enjoyed my “Southwest Colorado Waterfall Bucket List!” If you found inspiration and visit one of the falls listed, please drop us a note and let us know!