Rocky Mountain National Park’s Wild Basin Area is the setting for some of our favorite waterfall hikes. Located 19 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7, the Wild Basin is more remote. There is no shuttle service to this area of the park. The roads are narrow and in places pretty rough.
The bumpy drive is worth it. We love this area of the park – it feels like an adventure and the hike to Copeland Falls is only .3 miles from the Wild Basin trailhead. There is an upper falls and lower falls, go to both!
It’s amazing how much beauty you can see on such a short hike. I love the waterfalls and towering trees. I enjoy the contrast of the different color tree barks and spring leaves. It’s a short, relatively flat hike so I try to notice every detail. My husband was patient while I tried to ‘capture’ the beauty of this moss type plant. Then I remembered he was carrying a 2 year old on his shoulders, so I hiked a little faster for him.
After Copeland Falls we decided to continue our hike towards Calypso Cascades, but we stopped a little short when we felt a few rain drops and noticed gathering dark clouds.
This picturesque bridge is located just beyond the trail sign and made a great stopping point at 1.5 miles in. Calypso Cascades is stunning, so if you have time to go I highly recommend it.
Our sleepy little one gives this waterfall hike a thumbs up!
What are your favorite waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Do you ever stop a little shy of your goal destination?
rocky mountain tot 
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