Is swimming allowed at Columbine Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Columbine Falls.

Live Conditions · -397 ft³/s

Columbine Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Columbine Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Columbine Falls.

Q: Are there fees or permits required for Columbine Falls?

Yes, there is a fee of $30.00. A permit is also required. A timed entry reservation is required to access Bear Lake Road during peak season (May through October). Additionally, a park entrance fee or valid pass is required.

Colorado • Rocky Mountain National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Columbine Falls, see below

Rocky Mountain National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

bigvern CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

notanyron CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

tab2space CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Sasha Vasko CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Kwong Yee Cheng CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

8.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Columbine Falls

Columbine Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. It is known for its cascading waters and scenic alpine surroundings, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

The Setting

Columbine Falls sits at 11,486 feet within Rocky Mountain National Park, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Ouzel Falls (40 ft) lies 4.3 miles to the south.

Ouzel Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Columbine Falls begins at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and passes through stunning alpine scenery, including forests, meadows, and views of surrounding peaks. The trail is steep and rocky in sections, with significant elevation gain. The falls are located near Black Lake, which is a popular destination along the same trail.

What to Expect

Expect a challenging hike with rewarding views of the falls and surrounding alpine landscapes. The trail may be snow-covered or icy in early spring and late fall, so proper gear is recommended.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Columbine Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $30.00
Permit required
A timed entry reservation is required to access Bear Lake Road during peak season (May through October). Additionally, a park entrance fee or valid pass is required.

🏊 Is There Swimming at Columbine Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Columbine Falls is late spring through early fall, when the trail is typically free of snow and the waterfall is flowing strongly from snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Rocky Mountain National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Be prepared for rapidly changing weather, including thunderstorms and sudden temperature drops. Carry the 10 essentials for hiking and be cautious on rocky or icy sections of the trail.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 30 minutes ago

-397 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Based on 16 years of record

8.64 ft

Water depth at gauge

58°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

What does this mean for your visit?

Water temperature is a bracing 58 degrees F, limit your time in the water. Expect crystal clear visibility. PH is alkaline at 8.9 and mineral content is typical.

Water Quality

8.9

Alkaline

Above normal range (6.5-8.5)

0.9 FNU

Water Clarity

Crystal clear

Excellent visibility

74 µS/cm

Conductance

Dissolved minerals in the water

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

GRAND LAKE OUTLET BLW CHIPMUNK LN AT GRAND LK, CO

USGS 09014050

12.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 76 sq mi

Altitude: 8,365 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge GRAND LAKE OUTLET BLW CHIPMUNK LN AT GRAND LK, CO (20 km away).

Moderate confidence

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early June to mid June, peaking in June.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 264 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 11,548 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 119 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 176 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Columbine Falls near Allenspark, Colorado, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Columbine Falls near Allenspark, Colorado, showing about 264 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 11,548 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 264 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Columbine Falls is accessed via the Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead is located off Bear Lake Road, which requires a timed entry reservation during peak seasons (May through October).

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, but it fills up quickly, especially during summer. Arrive early or use the park's shuttle system.

Elevation

11,486 feet above sea level

Coordinates

40.260818° N, -105.599169° W

Land Management

Rocky Mountain National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to secure parking and avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which are common in summer. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and layers, as weather can change quickly in the mountains.

This trail sits at 11,486 ft — roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level

Extreme Altitude

At this elevation, altitude sickness is a real concern. Monitor how you feel, take frequent rest breaks, and descend if symptoms worsen. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow time to acclimatize.

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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)

Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.

Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex

Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Monitor blood oxygen in real time — SpO2 commonly drops to 85–90% above 10,000 ft.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Rocky Mountain National Park Aspenglen Campground

9.6 miles away · 55 sites

Reservable

Overview Aspenglen Campground is located on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park near the Fall River Entrance. All campsites in Aspenglen Campground are available by reservation only and can be reserved via Recreation.gov. Use U.S. Highway 34 and the Fall River Entrance to access Aspenglen Campground. When making your campsite reservation, be aware that:Any sites that are open are listed as "A" for available; this means those campsites are available to be reserved.Any campsite listed as

Book on Recreation.gov