Hike Seven Falls with Kids in Colorado Springs

Seven Falls Hike is more than just a hike—it’s an experience! While staying at The Broadmoor Hotel, we were fortunate to adventure over to Seven Falls for a day hike. There are many hiking trails to be found around The Broadmoor, but Seven Falls is definitely the most popular choice. I was initially worried that I would be turned off by the commercialization since it has trams, gift shops, stairs, an elevator, and luxuries that I typically don’t expect (or want) on a hike. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this hike and we really enjoyed this excursion! While it does have all of those amenities that I mentioned, there is a lot of solitude and nature to be found on the trails just beyond the falls. I would think of this outing in two parts. There is the “attraction” at the beginning, which is itself is breathtaking, but is more commercialized. Then, there is the optional Seven Falls hike to Midnight Falls and/or Inspiration Point if you are looking for a true “hike.” You can choose to make this hike as short or as long as you would like but I highly recommend continuing beyond the falls! Below is our route, some recommendations, tips, and trail alternatives so you can make a solid plan before your visit.

Thank you to The Broadmoor Hotel for hosting us, all opinions are my own. Be sure to check out my full post on an Adventure Family’s Guide to The Broadmoor Hotel.

While this hike is open to the public and you do not need to be a Broadmoor guest to experience this, there are a few perks you receive by being a guest. As a guest you can ride a shuttle directly from the hotel, as opposed to lining up for the public offsite shuttle. The public shuttle runs from the Norris Penrose event center. You also get free access to the tram ride within the gated boundaries if you would like a ride from the gate to the base of the falls (shaves off 0.5 miles of walking one way). As a guest, you can purchase your tickets at The Broadmoor before arriving so you don’t need to wait in (the long) line at the ticket booth and instead can start hiking as soon as you arrive!

SEVEN FALLS HIKE STATS

• Location: Seven Falls Hike is located in South Cheyenne Canyon Park at the junction of Mesa Ave and S Cheyenne Canyon Rd in Colorado Springs
• Miles: We hiked a total of 4.5 miles—walked 0.5 miles from the park entrance to the waterfalls, climbed the first set of stairs to view the falls, rode the elevator down, climbed up the main waterfall stairs, hiked 2 miles roundtrip to Inspiration Point, took small side trail hike to Midnight Falls, and then walked back to the entrance gate.
• Elevation gain: 1500 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Type: Out and back
• Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes or moving time and 2 hours and 15 minutes of total time (ice cream celebratory treat at the base of the falls!).
• Dog friendly: Yes, though consider whether your pup is able to climb the steeps waterfall stairs
• Bathrooms at trailhead: Yes and no. The first bathroom is a 15 minute walk from the entrance gate and you can’t get there without a ticket. There is also a bathroom at the base of the falls.
• Picnic tables at trailhead: Yes
• Stroller Friendly: Yes, for a portion. You would be able to get a stroller to the base of Seven Falls and up the elevator to the viewpoint, but the trails at the top of the waterfalls are not stroller friendly.
• Hours: During the summer, Seven Falls is open Thursday through Monday. Visit their website for specific seasonal hours or closures for inclement weather.
• Parking: You are not able to park at the trailhead, so your options are to shuttle from The Broadmoor Hotel (if you are a resort guest), or to shuttle from the Norris Penrose Event Center at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80905. The shuttles are free.
• Cost: $16.50 for adults, $10.50 for kids (2 years and under are free)
• Reservations Required: No. Tickets are not reservable in advance and can be purchased at the gate upon arrival. The line gets (for non-hotel visitors) long so I recommend getting on the earliest shuttle.
• Map: You can see the trail options and the amenities in this map of Seven Falls from The Broadmoor.

OUR ROUTE FOR THE SEVEN FALLS HIKE

THE GRANDEST MILE OF SCENERY IN COLORADO AT SEVEN FALLS

The first portion of the hike is a 0.5 mile walk on a paved road from the entrance gate to the base of the waterfalls and is dubbed “the grandest mile of scenery in Colorado.” While this is a relatively flat road (with an optional tram ride), it does have stunning scenery as you are winding at the base of towering box canyon walls. It’s also fun to look up ahead and watch the lucky patrons of The Broadmoor Soaring Adventure ziplining overhead.

THE SEVEN FALLS

At 0.5 miles you will reach the falls. This hike is named appropriately after the seven cascading waterfalls that fall 181 feet. The best viewing area of the falls is at the Eagle’s Nest Lookout. We climbed the 185 steps up the lookout, but you can also ride the elevator to the top. We rode the elevator down so we could get experience of walking through the cave.

CLIMBING UP THE SEVEN FALLS

There are 224 steps to the top of the falls. As you climb up the falls, each one is labeled with their name so it’s a fun game with the kids to count the falls (or the steps!). The steps felt very sturdy, but they are steep and skinny!

INSPIRATION POINT

Once you get to the top of the falls, it is a 2 mile roundtrip hike to Inspiration Point. This portion of the hike is what makes it a “moderate” hike versus the easy paved stroll below. The trail quickly gains elevation as it switchbacks to the top. The kids were moaning a bit and we had to use some tricks of what to do when your kids do not want to hike. The views at the top made the effort worth it!

MIDNIGHT FALLS

Before heading down the Seven Falls steps, I recommend a quick jaunt over to Midnight Falls. If you are seeking a shorter hike, I would recommend skipping Inspiration Point and keeping it a “Falls Only” event. In that case, definitely don’t miss Midnight Falls. It’s a smaller falls, but it’s an easy trail and the base of the falls as a sandy bottom and a nice spot to dip your toes in peace.

CLIMBING DOWN THE SEVEN FALLS

If you are a fraid of heights, this is where you will feel it. I occasionally get a little squirrely with heights, but this surpringly didn’t phase me. I was enamored by the unique perspective of looking down at the waterfalls and we stepped back down the 224 steps.

WALK BACK TO THE ENTRANCE GATE

Since we felt good about our hiking for the day, we considered riding the tram down the road back to the gate. We rewarded the kids with ice cream from the Rock Hound’s Gift Shop while we waiting for the tram. This is also where you can purchase the $2 tram ride (complimentary for hotel guests). The tram is not meant to drive all passengers so there is only one running, which makes the line long. After Choco Tacos were devoured, we decided to walk back down.

HOW SEVEN FALLS STACKS UP AGAINST OTHER COLORADO HIKES

Pros

• Breathtaking waterfalls in a unique setting
• Feeling of accomplishment after climbing the stairs
• Beautiful scenery from below in the canyon
• Epic views at the top of Inspiration Point
• Creek to explore in the valley
• Fun “extras” like feeding trout at the base of the falls and getting ice cream while on the hike!

 Cons

• Heavily trafficked
• Has a touristy feel (but just go beyond the falls and you’ll leave that behind!)
• Steep steps could be scary for kids or parents with a fear of heights

TIPS FOR HIKING SEVEN FALLS WITH KIDS

• Start early to avoid long lines at the entrance (and at the shuttle)!
• Watch the weather as lightning and thunderstorms can roll in, especially in the afternoons and you do not want to be climbing on medal stairs next to water while there is lightning nearby!
• If you are capable, walk the path to the falls instead of tram so you can stop at the creek or take pictures in the canyon along the way.
• This excursion can take a half day, so check out what to pack for a hike with kids so you have all of the day hike essentials. Be sure to bring sunscreen! WE FORGOT and there was no sunscreen in the gift shop.
• Stay on designated trails and be careful in the water areas above the falls as the rocks are very slippery. Obey rules of no wading in the water!
• Practice Leave No Trace principles!
• Teach your kids these first 5 things about hiking before you hit the trail!

While you’re in the Colorado Springs area, be sure to check out the strenuous Manitou Incline or the laidback and colorful Paint Mine Interpretive Park. Happy hiking!