Waterfall Record

This is a portion of a waterfall with a rainbow.

The Waterfall Record

Rainbow Falls, Colorado

This is Rainbow Falls, a 45 foot / 13 meter tall waterfall in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful granite rocks.
Rainbow Falls in July 2025

I’m always pleasantly surprised to discover an unexpected waterfall. I’ve passed through Colorado Springs several times, though not always with waterfalls in mind. I’ve visited Seven Falls, Helen Hunt Falls, and a few others, but I hadn’t heard of Rainbow Falls until just days before my visit, surprising, given how accessible it is.

Rainbow Falls hasn’t always been open to the public. The graffiti around the falls hints at a time when it was more freely accessed. A rockfall eventually led to a closure, but the site is open again. I’m not sure if it’s accessible year-round. It seems to be a seasonal destination, likely open from late spring through early fall. In 2025, it’s open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We happened to be in Denver on a weekend and decided to check it out.

There is a bit of controversy regarding access. Visitors are asked to park at 101 Higginbotham Road and take a shuttle to the trail. The parking fee is $20 per vehicle. Some reviews argue it’s not worth it since the trail is relatively close to the parking area. However, the fee supports the site, and we appreciated not having to navigate tight turns and limited parking.

The shuttle driver and on-site guides were all friendly and helpful. One guide, a geologist, had a great conversation with the geologist in our group. Another showed us how to wade into the cold creek for the best view of the falls. In my view, some costs are worth it, and supporting the Rainbow Falls Historic Site was one of them.

Directions:

  1. Head toward Manitou Springs, which is west of Colorado Springs on US-24.
  2. Across from the road leading to Cave of the Winds, you can turn left (if headed west) on Serpentine Drive.
  3. Immediately after, turn right onto Higginbotham Road. There’s a parking area on the right for Rainbow Falls. You can purchase a parking reservation at the El Paso County/Rainbow Falls Historic Site webpage.
  4. The shuttle will take you to the trailhead, and there aren’t many other options except to walk to the falls!

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 45′ (13 m)
Distance of Hike: 0.4 miles (0.6 km) round-trip

Where in the World is Rainbow Falls?

Leave a comment