The hike to Seven Falls in Colorado Springs follows a paved canyon trail a little less than a mile to a famous tiered waterfall. After sustaining severe flood damage in 2013, the Broadmoor Resort purchased the property and made a significant improvement to the entire area, including trail and site repairs, as well as creating an on-site restaurant. There is an access fee to this Colorado Springs attraction, but not a prohibitive one. So read on for a full Seven Falls hike profile that includes four different hike options, driving directions, and tips for making the most of your trip.
GETTING STARTED
Parking and shuttle service for Seven Falls is located at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs. Tourists can take the free shuttle from the parking area to the Seven Falls entrance. From there, it’s a 0.8-mile (one-way) hike through the canyon up to Seven Falls. Visitors have the option of taking a $2 tram service to the base of the falls, but the tram is designed primarily for those who have physical limitations that may prevent them from making the journey up to the falls on foot. So, on busy days, availability may be limited. While parking itself is free of charge for patrons, there is a fee required to visit Seven Falls. For the most up-to-date prices and hours, access the Broadmoor site or contact the Seven Falls Office at 1-855-923-7272.
THE HIKES
There are four different hike options for visitors to see Seven Falls in Colorado Springs. All of them avail hikers with views of the magnificent series of waterfalls pouring out of a 1,250-foot-wall box canyon between the towering Pillars of Hercules. Gawk at stunning valleys and striking rock formations as you ascend the hundreds of steps to the hiking trails and the banks of streams.
#1 – INITIAL HIKE FROM THE TICKET AREA TO THE BASE OF SEVEN FALLS
Visitors to Seven Falls can walk the 0.8-mile paved trail from the entrance to the base of the falls. The paved, private road winds through South Cheyenne Canyon and under the shadows cast by the Pillars of Hercules, a set of twin rock towers that soar nearly 1000 feet above the floor of the canyon. At the base of the waterfall, you have a choice: climb 224 steps that provide vantage points of the segments of this tiered waterfall or take an elevator straight to an observation point. (The other three hiking options are only accessible by choosing to take the steps.)
#2 – MIDNIGHT FALLS LOOP HIKE
After climbing the steps to the area above Seven Falls, a short 0.35-mile trail leads south along Cripple Creek to another small waterfall, Midnight Falls. Round trip, this hike takes approximately 30 minutes and is a total distance out and back of less than a mile.
#3 – INSPIRATION POINT OUT-AND-BACK HIKE
Once above the Falls, visitors will follow the Midnight Falls Trail until its first intersection with the Inspiration Point Trail. Take a left to go east onto the Inspiration Point Trail before angling north to the Helen Hunt Jackson Memorial and to the Inspiration Point observation area. There, hikers can take in views of the Great Plains and the city of Colorado Springs below. The hike to Inspiration Point is about 1.5 miles round-trip and takes approximately one hour to complete from the top of the falls.
#4 – STAGE ROAD LOOP HIKE
A longer loop hike that visits both Inspiration Point and Midnight Falls can be completed by following the route above the Falls to Inspiration Point. After visiting Inspiration Point, hikers would continue south then east on the Sunrise trail, which intersects with the Old Stage Road about a mile into the hike. Turn right and wind south on the Old Stage road before intersecting with the Inspiration Point Trail (on the right/north side of the road). The Old Stage Road segment is approximately one mile. The Inspiration Point trail will lead North back towards Seven Falls. After about 1/2 a mile on the Inspiration Point Trail, hikers will see the short spur trail on the left that leads to Midnight Falls. After visiting Midnight falls, this loop hike can be completed by following the Midnight Falls trail back to the steps above Seven Falls. The total distance for this loop hike ends up being about three miles. Because Seven Falls has posted closing times, hikers should budget enough time for this longer hike so that they are able to make it back for the last shuttle to the parking area.
TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
- Expect crowds on weekends: Because Seven Falls is a popular tourist destination, it can become quite crowded on weekends
- Operating Hours Vary: The open and close times, as well as the shuttle service, vary during different seasons. Inclement weather can also close Seven Falls, so be sure to call ahead at 1-855-923-7272.
When you stay at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, we’ll be happy to provide any additional directions or information that may be helpful to make your hike more enjoyable. Reserve your stay now for Spring!
