Seven Falls Park is a beautiful tourist attraction in Colorado Springs, CO. It’s owned and operated by the Broadmoor, a resort known for its meticulous design and landscaping. Seven Falls is no different! The park is beautiful and offers many stunning views of the Cheyenne Canyon. The central part of this unique attraction is the 224 stairs that take you up along the seven different waterfalls in Colorado Springs. This family-friendly attraction should be on your list of things to do in Colorado. Keep reading to find out why!
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Seven Falls Park Location and Parking
The entrance to Seven Falls Park is located at the intersection of Mesa Avenue and S. Cheyenne Canyon Road in Colorado Springs. If your plan is to be dropped off, this is where you will want to go.
However, if you are driving to Seven Falls, you will need to arrive at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road off-site parking lot. Follow the signs for the Seven Falls parking area and shuttle. Both the shuttle and parking are FREE. The shuttle ride is about 10 minutes long.
Visitor Tip: Bring your own water bottles to Seven Falls! There are no water fountains on-site, and you WILL be thirsty after climbing those stairs! (They sell water bottles in the souvenir shop if you forget your own). Fill your water bottle at the restrooms near the parking lot, inside the Norris Penrose Event Center, before you board the shuttle.
Hours and Admission of Seven Falls Park
Seven Falls is open different days throughout the year. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information, as they sometimes close for private events.
Admission to the park ranges from $10 to $17 per person, depending on age. Although we do not typically like to pay for outdoor attractions, we felt the price was justified for the beauty of the attraction. We paired our visit to Seven Falls Park with a visit to the Garden of the Gods, which is FREE, balancing out the amount of money we spent during the day.
To Tram or Not to Tram at Seven Falls Park in Colorado
Once you arrive at Seven Falls park, you’ll have the option to take the tram from the gate to the falls instead of walking. The tram is an additional $2 per person. In our opinion, if you can walk the .8 mile path to the falls, do it. It is absolutely gorgeous, and walking allows you to find some of the natural carvings in the canyon. The Three Amigos are pretty easy to spot!
Along your walk to the falls, you might even spot some of the other adventure activities they offer, like ziplining or rappelling down the canyon. These are provided at an additional cost and will take a significant amount of time to complete.
Best View of Waterfalls in Colorado Springs
Once you arrive at the base of the waterfalls, don’t head to the main staircase just yet!
To get some of the best views of these waterfalls in Colorado Springs, take the time to head up to the Eagle’s Nest. You can either take the elevator (our recommendation – save your energy for the falls’ stairs!) or climb up 185 steps. If you take the elevator, you’ll walk deep into the cave. Stop and read about some of the history of the park before you go up!
Once at the top of the Eagle’s Nest, you’ll get a perfect view of the steps you will eventually tackle. It gives you a great perspective of how high you will climb!
The Seven Falls Main Attraction
The main reason visitors come to Seven Falls is to climb those 224 stairs next to the waterfalls! The steps are daunting but worth the climb. They are divided almost evenly between two staircases, with a small platform in the middle and a larger area at the top.
Take your time climbing the stairs, and definitely take a break in the middle. It’s the perfect spot to re-hydrate, take some photos, and rest on the benches before climbing the remaining steps. But don’t stop now! You’re halfway there, and the views at the top are even more beautiful!
The scariest part of the stairs at Seven Falls Park is walking down them. One step at a time and holding onto both rails (when you can) is highly recommended. Again, take your time. This is something you’ll be proud to accomplish!
Hiking Trails at Seven Falls Park
If you are interested in hiking while at Seven Falls Park, you’ll have to ascend the 224 stairs next to the waterfalls. At the top, you have the option for a short hike to Midnight Falls (about 20 minutes round trip) or the longer hike to Inspiration Point (about an hour round trip). We didn’t do either hike, as we wanted to get to Garden of Gods right after lunch, but I’ve read that both hikes are easy to moderate.
Tips Before Visiting This Colorado Springs Waterfall Park
Before you visit this very popular tourist attraction, keep the following tips in mind:
- Arrive early or late: As mentioned above, the Seven Falls is a very popular tourist attraction. And rightfully so! But you will encounter increased wait times and crowded stairs if you visit during the middle of the day.
- Visit during the off-season: This tip pairs well with our first tip for the same reasons. If you plan on visiting during the summer season, or when schools are typically on break, be prepared for crowds. I’ve read reviews of some people waiting up to an hour to board the shuttle at the parking area. We visited Friday morning before Labor Day and had no wait for the shuttle. So if you can plan a visit during a less popular time, do it.
- Bring lots of water: I mentioned this above, but it bears repeating. Bring full water bottles and maybe an extra to share. Climbing stairs is tough, but when you’re doing it at elevation, you’re going to dehydrate even more quickly. And since this is a tourist destination, there are no free water fountains, just paid for water bottles. Before you board the shuttle, we recommend filling your bottle at the restrooms next to the parking lot.
- Wear shoes that secure to your feet: Sneakers would be best, but even sandals that secure around your heel are a good option. Would you believe we saw not one, but two, lone flip-flops on the side of the canyon? Also, make sure your footwear has a good grip. The steps could be wet in places, and you want to make sure you won’t slip while climbing up or down.
- Pace yourself: It takes a lot of energy to climb 224 steps. You don’t have to do it quickly! Take your time to climb up. Stop and take a 10-second rest break if you need to. Your body will be grateful.
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