Rocky Mountain National Park : Calypso Falls Hike

If you don’t feel like conquering a mountain, or just need to warm up adventure before a serious hike or to get used to the altitude, Calypso falls is a perfect stroll. It’s known as one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain Park.

Really, the most difficult part of the adventure was finding The Wild Basin Park Entrance Station, which is 12.5 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7.The sign is so small and very easy to miss , we drove past it several times and almost gave up ! At the Wild Basin Trailhead, there is ample parking, a ranger station, and restrooms.

Is Calypso Falls Hike hard ?

On this tranquil 2.7 mile hike we passed by three waterfalls and countless smaller cascades , the entire trail is shaded, and has many break/picnic spots with views.

There is a more moderate climb to Ouzel Falls (2.7 miles , 9,366′) through lodgepole, spruce, and fir leads and a bridge. There are trails from both sides of the bridge that will get you closer views of the falls, but getting too close is not recommended. The terrain is too slick and uneven, slipping in can cause unpleasant accidents.

Aspen , bristlecone pine,Colorado blue spruce, grass and wildflowers combined with refreshing, crispy mountain air and the views of Longs Peak and the northern Wild Basin Area.

You can hear the waterfall sounds upon approaching the 200-foot tall cascades.Calypso Cascades, but once you actually get there, you can’t see it because of the dense woods on both side. Your first hint of the cascade is a small bridge at that hops over an unnamed waterfall. Once you pass that bridge, there will be a larger Calypso Cascades bridge, this is where the perfect spot for viewing the cascades is.

What to bring on Calypso Falls hike

Remember to bring water. Even though this hike is one of the most uncomplicated in the Rocky Mountains national park, the sun is brutal and the air is thin.

The Calypso falls trail starts at about 8,500 feet and is a gradual climb.

There are a lot of slippery spots so , make sure you bring proper shoes too ! Dogs are not allowed on the trail .