The waterfall is formed where a side stream drops abruptly into the main Boulder Creek canyon.
The 2013 Colorado floods caused massive debris slides that completely blocked the waterfall and destroyed the original access trail.
The reconstruction project required the removal of thousands of tons of rock and sediment deposited by the flood.
The trail leading to the falls is less than 0.2 miles long.
Boulder Canyon, where the falls are located, serves as a major ecological corridor connecting the plains to the high alpine environment.
Boulder Falls is a 70-foot waterfall cascading down a granite rock face into Boulder Creek. It is located directly off Boulder Canyon Drive, positioned between the cities of Boulder and Nederland. The site features a short, reinforced gravel trail leading from the roadside to an observation platform. The waterfall is fed by the North Boulder Creek drainage, which sees peak flow during the spring snowmelt in May and June. The area was significantly rehabilitated following extensive flood damage in 2013 and reopened to the public in 2015. The surrounding canyon is characterized by steep, rugged cliffs and Ponderosa pine forest. The site is a popular stop for motorists traveling the scenic Highway 119 route.
From the observation platform at the end of the trail, which provides an unobstructed view of the entire cascade.
Wear shoes with good traction as the path can be damp and slippery near the spray zone.
Parking is extremely limited along the narrow shoulder of the highway; use caution when exiting your vehicle.
Visit on a weekday to avoid peak weekend traffic congestion on Boulder Canyon Drive.
Do not attempt to park in areas marked with no-parking signs, as the local sheriff frequently tickets and tows vehicles in the canyon.
The area may close periodically during winter months due to hazardous road conditions or rockfall risks.
Stay on the designated gravel path and behind the safety railing; climbing on the wet rock face is prohibited.
