Waterfall Hikes Near Thornton, CO

141,799 residents
Denver Time Zone
17 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

The natural move from Thornton is northwest through Boulder. Boulder Falls waits in the canyon above town, 70 feet high with a 0.3 mile path, dogs fine. Keep going past Lyons and the Wild Basin entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park puts Copeland Falls 0.6 miles from the car, with Calypso Cascades at 3.6 and 700 feet of gain. Ouzel Falls goes deeper at 5.4 miles. Seventeen falls show on the page.

Located at 39.9197°N, -104.9438°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Thornton

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

17 of 17 gauged

1 of 17 waterfalls near Thornton is flowing strongly today

Boulder Falls Barely Flowing Calypso Cascades Moderate Elk Falls Moderate Missouri Falls Moderate Timberline Falls Strong

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Patchy Smoke · 95°F

Tue 95°F Patchy Smoke Best
Wed 92°F Patchy Smoke
Thu 80°F Showers And Thunderstorms
Fri 79°F Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 83°F Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sun 83°F Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mon 86°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Flowing best right now near Thornton

Updated about 1 hour ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Timberline Falls Strong · 20 cfs 88th percentile
  2. 2 Elk Falls Moderate · 6 cfs 46th percentile
  3. 3 Calypso Cascades Moderate · 42 cfs 40th percentile
  4. 4 Missouri Falls Moderate · 54 cfs 39th percentile
  5. 5 Boulder Falls Low · 0 cfs 24th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Thornton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Thornton

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Thornton (3 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Boulder Falls waterfall

Boulder Falls

23.4 miles away
Colorado
Easy
0.3 miles 50 ft
Copeland Falls waterfall

Copeland Falls

37.9 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Thornton (5 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Missouri Falls waterfall

Missouri Falls

22.9 miles away
Colorado
Moderate
4.5 miles 800 ft
Elk Falls waterfall

Elk Falls

34.4 miles away
Colorado
Hard
12.0 miles 1,500 ft

All 17 Waterfalls Near Thornton

Boulder Falls waterfall

Boulder Falls

23.4 miles away
Colorado
Easy
0.3 miles 50 ft
Missouri Falls waterfall

Missouri Falls

22.9 miles away
Colorado
Moderate
4.5 miles 800 ft
Timberline Falls waterfall

Timberline Falls

36.2 miles away
Colorado
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Elk Falls waterfall

Elk Falls

34.4 miles away
Colorado
Hard
12.0 miles 1,500 ft
Copeland Falls waterfall

Copeland Falls

37.9 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft
Calypso Cascades waterfall

Calypso Cascades

40.4 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
3.6 miles 700 ft
Ouzel Falls waterfall

Ouzel Falls

41.1 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
5.4 miles 950 ft
Lyric Falls waterfall

Lyric Falls

42.1 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Mertensia Falls waterfall

Mertensia Falls

43.5 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Columbine Falls waterfall

Columbine Falls

41.8 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Thunder Falls waterfall

Thunder Falls

44.1 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Trio Falls waterfall

Trio Falls

42.4 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Fan Falls waterfall

Fan Falls

44.7 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Ribbon Falls waterfall

Ribbon Falls

46.1 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Glacier Falls waterfall

Glacier Falls

45.4 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
4.0 miles 800 ft
Alberta Falls waterfall

Alberta Falls

45.5 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Easy
1.6 miles 200 ft
Timberline Falls waterfall

Timberline Falls

48 miles away
In Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Thornton

Are there free waterfalls near Thornton?

There are 4 free waterfalls near Thornton, including Boulder Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Thornton?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near Thornton, including Alberta Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Thornton?

There are 5 dog-friendly waterfalls near Thornton, including Boulder Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Thornton?

There are 12 kid-friendly waterfalls near Thornton, including Alberta Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Thornton?

The shortest waterfall hike near Thornton is Alberta Falls at 0.3 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Thornton?

The tallest waterfall near Thornton is Elk Falls at 75 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Thornton require permits?

Yes, 7 waterfalls near Thornton require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Thornton?

Yes, 17 waterfalls near Thornton have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Thornton?

The closest waterfall to Thornton is Boulder Falls, approximately 23.8 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Thornton, Colorado on SoakingSprings.

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Where to Stay

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