This Short Colorado Springs Hike Leads To A Breathtaking Double Waterfall You Have To See
Tucked inside South Cheyenne Canyon, this natural attraction is one of those Colorado Springs landmarks that earns every superlative tossed its way. A 0.8 mile paved walk through a dramatic granite gorge guides visitors deeper into a cool, echoing corridor of stone.
In Colorado, landscapes often feel oversized and theatrical, and this setting is no exception. The path leads to not one but two cascading waterfalls stacked within a towering canyon amphitheater, where mist drifts through the air and sunlight catches the spray.
Adventurous visitors can tackle 224 steep stairs to stand nearly face to face with the rushing water, while others opt for a ride up to a high viewing platform that reveals the full sweep of the canyon walls. Colorado’s rugged beauty shows off in every angle and shifting shadow here.
Pack plenty of water, lace up sturdy shoes, and arrive early, because this unforgettable spot fills quickly on busy days.
Why This Waterfall Park Is Worth Every Step Of The Drive
Seven Falls has a rating of 4.4 stars across more than 6,400 reviews, and that number holds because the place consistently delivers something you genuinely cannot fake: scale. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides of the gorge, the creek runs alongside the paved path the entire way up, and then the falls themselves appear at the end like a reward you actually worked for.
The park sits at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs, inside South Cheyenne Canyon, and it operates as a managed attraction under The Broadmoor umbrella. That means the grounds are meticulously kept, the path is paved and clearly marked, and facilities including restrooms are available along the route.
It does not mean the experience feels manufactured or theme-park-adjacent. The granite is real, the elevation gain is real, and the waterfall thundering down a 181-foot drop is absolutely real.
Visitors consistently describe the walk through the gorge as some of the most stunning scenery they have encountered anywhere. One visitor called it their favorite stop on an entire Colorado Springs vacation.
Another described seeing a full family of deer on the walk back down, which is exactly the kind of unscripted moment that earns a place lifelong loyalty.
Why It Matters: This is not a quick photo op at a roadside pullout. This place rewards effort with a genuinely immersive canyon experience that most visitors say exceeded their expectations by a noticeable margin.
Quick Verdict: High effort relative to a typical tourist stop, very high reward, and the kind of place that earns a second visit from people who thought once would be enough.
The Arrival Scene: Walking Into A Canyon That Earns Its Reputation
Picture this: you step off the shuttle, the canyon walls close in just enough to feel theatrical, and a creek starts running beside the path as if it decided to escort you personally. The 0.8-mile walk from the drop-off point to the base of the falls is paved, which sounds unremarkable until you realize the surroundings make every step feel like you are walking deeper into a landscape that has no interest in being subtle about how beautiful it is.
Towering rocks line both sides of the gorge. The stream beside the path produces a constant low hum that drowns out most ambient noise.
Mini waterfalls appear along the edges before you even reach the main event, as if the canyon is offering previews of coming attractions. The air at this elevation carries that specific Colorado chill that makes you glad you brought the jacket you almost left in the car.
By the time the main falls come into view, most visitors have already used their camera more times than they planned. The falls themselves drop in multiple tiers down the granite face, and the canyon acts as a natural amplifier for the sound of falling water.
It is the kind of arrival scene that makes you want to slow down rather than rush toward the next thing.
Insider Tip: The walk uphill is moderate but steady. Visitors who are not used to altitude should take their time and pause at the natural rest points along the route.
The golf cart ferries running up and down the road are a genuinely helpful option for anyone who needs a break mid-route without cutting the visit short.
The Stairs, The Elevator, And The Two Very Different Ways To See The Falls
Here is where the visit forks into two distinct experiences, and the choice you make says something about your personality. Option one: climb 224 steep stairs that run directly alongside the falls, putting you close enough to feel the mist and close enough to the edge that anyone with a fear of heights will want to grip the railing with both hands and reconsider their life choices.
Option two: take the elevator to the Eagle’s Nest viewing platform, which delivers panoramic views of the falls and the canyon without requiring you to negotiate a single step.
Both options are legitimate and both deliver genuinely impressive views. The stairs put you inside the experience in a way the elevator cannot replicate.
One visitor noted that their five-year-old and nine-year-old made it up the stairs, though it was described as pretty difficult. Another visitor was candid about clinging to the rail after developing vertigo partway up.
The stairs are steep, the incline is real, and underestimating them is a rookie mistake that several visitors specifically warned against.
The Eagle’s Nest elevator is the smarter call for anyone with mobility concerns, young children who might struggle with steep inclines, or visitors who simply want the view without the quad-burning commitment. One visitor noted that using the elevator first meant only one set of stairs remained to navigate, which is a sensible approach worth considering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Arriving without water, especially in warmer months when facilities may not have water fountains accessible. Underestimating the stairs if you are not a regular hiker.
Visiting in the evening expecting to see the falls lit up without confirming current operating hours in advance
Who This Visit Is For And Who Should Plan Accordingly
The Broadmoor Seven Falls works for a surprisingly wide range of visitors, which is part of why the reviews skew so consistently positive across different types of travelers. Families with kids old enough to walk a mile and handle some elevation are well-suited here, particularly because the paved path removes the tripping hazards that make off-trail hiking with children a negotiation.
The elevator option at the Eagle’s Nest means that even visitors with limited mobility or very young children can access dramatic canyon views without tackling the stairs.
Couples looking for a half-day outing that feels genuinely memorable rather than just logistically convenient will find exactly that here. The walk through the gorge, the sound of the creek, and the scale of the canyon create an atmosphere that does not require any additional programming to feel worthwhile.
Active visitors and regular hikers will appreciate the stair climb and the trails accessible above the falls, which extend the experience well beyond the main attraction.
Solo visitors are equally at home here. The well-maintained grounds and shuttle system mean you are never navigating logistics alone, and the steady flow of other visitors keeps the trail feeling populated without ever becoming genuinely crowded if you arrive early.
Who This Is Not For:
Anyone expecting a quick fifteen-minute stop. Multiple visitors emphasized this is a half-day commitment at minimum.
Visitors with a severe fear of heights who are set on climbing the stairs rather than using the elevator. Those who prefer completely remote, undeveloped wilderness experiences without any managed infrastructure.
Best For: Families, active couples, first-time Colorado Springs visitors, and anyone who considers a stair climb a reasonable price for a genuinely extraordinary view.
Planning Your Visit: Shuttles, Timing, And What To Bring
Getting to The Broadmoor Seven Falls requires a small logistical commitment that is worth understanding before you arrive. Parking directly at the falls is limited, so visitors park at the Penrose Event Center and board a free shuttle to the entrance.
On weekends and during peak season, shuttle lines can be long, and at least one visitor reported waiting over an hour for a return shuttle at the end of the day. Going early is not just a suggestion here.
It is the single most effective planning decision you can make.
Weekday visits are noticeably less crowded. One visitor who went on a weekday described the grounds as meticulously maintained and the experience as unhurried.
Weekend visitors consistently recommend arriving before 9 a.m. to get on the first shuttle runs and enjoy the canyon before the mid-morning crowd arrives in force. The park is open year-round, though winter visits require appropriate footwear since the path can become icy and slippery in cold months.
Bring water. This comes up in multiple visitors with enough urgency to treat it as a firm rule rather than a soft suggestion.
Some visitors found no water fountains accessible during their visit, and the walk plus stair climb in Colorado’s dry mountain air will leave you thirstier than you expect. Bug spray and sunscreen are also worth tossing in a daypack, particularly during summer months.
Planning Advice:
Buy tickets online in advance at sevenfalls.com to streamline check-in. Arrive before 9 a.m. on weekends to avoid long shuttle queues.
Bring at least one full water bottle per person. Wear sturdy walking shoes, not sandals.
Check current trail and facility conditions before visiting, especially in winter
Final Verdict: A Colorado Springs Stop That Earns Its Place On Every Itinerary
Some places earn their reputation through marketing. Seven Falls earns its through the canyon itself, which has been doing the heavy lifting long before anyone put a shuttle system in front of it.
The combination of a well-maintained paved path, a genuinely dramatic gorge, 224 stairs running right alongside a thundering waterfall, and an elevator option for those who prefer their views without the cardio makes this one of the more thoughtfully accessible natural attractions in Colorado Springs.
The 4.4-star rating across more than 6,400 reviews is not an accident. It reflects a place that consistently delivers on its central promise: get here, walk through the canyon, and you will see something worth the effort.
Multiple visitors used the word magical without apparent embarrassment, which in the context of online reviews is a fairly reliable signal that something real is happening.
Go early, bring water, wear shoes with actual grip, and give yourself at least two to three hours to do the experience properly. If you can swing a weekday visit, the grounds feel even more like a genuine natural discovery and less like a managed attraction at peak capacity.
The falls are the headline, but the walk through the gorge to get there is quietly half the reason people say they want to come back.
Key Takeaways:
Located at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, inside South Cheyenne Canyon. Free shuttle from Penrose Event Center; arrive early to minimize wait times0.8-mile paved walk from entrance to falls base; 224 stairs or elevator to upper views.
Rated 4.4 stars across 6,400-plus reviews. Open year-round; winter visits require traction footwear.
Buy tickets in advance at sevenfalls.com.
Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a flexible schedule