Alberta Falls

The hike to Alberta Falls is about 1.6 miles round trip, easy to moderate, gaining a little elevation as it follows Glacier Creek up through the forest. In autumn the aspens along the way turn brilliant gold, making it an especially beautiful season for the walk.

At the falls, Glacier Creek pours through a narrow rocky channel, with viewpoints right beside the rushing water. It is a satisfying destination in itself, and the sound and spray of the falls at peak flow are a treat.

For hikers with more energy, Alberta Falls is just the beginning. The trail continues beyond the falls up into Glacier Gorge and toward destinations like The Loch, Mills Lake, and Sky Pond, some of the finest scenery in the park, so many people pass the falls on their way higher.

As with the rest of this corner of the park, the trailheads are busy and parking is limited, so arriving early or riding the park shuttle, and pacing yourself for the altitude, all make for a better day.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Alberta Falls is a popular waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, where Glacier Creek drops about 30 feet through a rocky gorge. Reached by a short, gentle trail from the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake trailheads, it is one of the most accessible and beloved short hikes in the park. The walk passes through aspen and pine forest that turns golden in fall, and the falls are at their most powerful in early summer with snowmelt. Alberta Falls makes a great outing for families and a fine turnaround point, and it also serves as a gateway to the spectacular lakes and gorges higher up the trail.

The hike to Alberta Falls is short, roughly 1.6 miles round trip, and rated easy to moderate. It gains a little elevation as it follows Glacier Creek up through the forest, but it is well within reach of most visitors, including families with children. Keep in mind that the trail is at high elevation, so the thin air can make even a short hike feel more tiring if you are not acclimated. Allow around an hour or two at a relaxed pace. The trailheads it starts from are busy, so arriving early or using the park shuttle helps with the limited parking.

Yes, Alberta Falls is one of the better waterfall hikes for families in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail is short at about 1.6 miles round trip and only gently graded, so it is manageable for many children, and the reward of a rushing waterfall at the end helps keep young hikers motivated. The forest scenery, especially the golden aspens in fall, adds to the appeal. As always in the park, be mindful of the high altitude, keep children close near the water and the drop-offs at the falls, and bring water, snacks, and layers for changing mountain weather.

Alberta Falls is often just the first stop on a longer hike. Beyond the falls, the trail continues up into Glacier Gorge, one of the most scenic areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, leading to destinations such as The Loch, Mills Lake, Jewel Lake, and the dramatic Sky Pond beneath sheer peaks. These are longer and more strenuous hikes, but they showcase some of the park's finest high-country scenery. So while Alberta Falls is a rewarding short outing on its own, it also serves as a gateway for those wanting to venture deeper into the gorge and reach the higher alpine lakes.