Dont take the Melakwa Lake Trail (left turn). This Indoor Train Park Hiding In Colorado Proves Theres Still A Kid In All Of Us, Theres A Hot Dog Stand In Colorado That Looks Just Like Coney Island, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists, Visit The Most Northwestern Point Of Colorado For An Unforgettable Experience, This Family Restaurant In Colorado Is Worth A Trip To The Country, 10 Amazing Natural Wonders Hiding In Plain Sight In Colorado No Hiking Required, If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Colorado, Make Them These, You Can Experience All Four Corners Of Colorado By Doing These 12 Epic Things, 7 Of The Strangest Rock Formations Youll See In Colorado, 8 Secret Spots In Colorado Where Nature Will Completely Relax You. Others come packed with tons of dryland adventures. I really want to go down next weekend. The water is FREEZING! Right across from the main lodge are the Upper Pools. On the east side of Denny Creek, the view opens up to Hemlock Pass. Only mentioning to make sure people dont think theyre lost hiking up that fire road for longer than you think! Total distance (Round Trip) 10 to Melakwa Lake, 11 to Upper Melakwa Lake, Total elevation gain 2700 ft. to upper Melakwa Lake, 2600 ft to Lower Melakwa Lake. I went today 10/3/14. From splashing in waterfalls to kayaking class IV rapids, there are many ways to experience these natural water parks. Turtle Bay was made just for tots. What is the half mile hike like back to the slide? Have to cross water several times. not so much a secret anymore as you can tell with the trash situation. Estimated time: 5-10 hours depending on your fitness and how much time you want to spend there. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Unwind in one of the five adults-only pools, which have sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains. Going to head there next week, really excited! Just keep going downstream and you will get to the slide. The kiddie areas are sure to make for hours of fun. Bring your favorite furry canine out for the Doggie Paddle Day, usually held right before the park closes for the season. Drop in at the course is free. Lets take a look: So fun, right?! Dont miss the exciting new interactive Warp Speed slide. But I did slip and my foot plunged into the water up to my calf. Take your pet and your lady and make sure they go in water with you! Be prepared to cross the river several times. We definitely needed it, but it was also definitely worth it. Thank you! Their aunt, whod ridden it years ago with a boyfriend, led the way. Both water slides provide a turning, twisting, exhilarating ride that ends with a large splash. Its very apparent the trail was posted on AllTrails recently - we left with a full trash bag full of trash & saw so much off trail walking squashed wildflowers, etc. Countries; Regions; Cities . Check out the beautiful wildflowers and butterflies to distract from the steep climb in the heat. Is there still enough water to make the slide fun? Does it still exist? ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. but beware of serious shrinkage, that water is coooold ! Great fun!! The road shortly crosses under the westbound lanes of I-90. You arent dreaming folks these photos are of a REAL place in Colorado! loved this trail! Gardens of the Gods was just named one of TripAdvisors 2017 "Top 10 Things to Do in the United States."). Huge down trees block path often & make it impossible to stay on trails. Upon leaving the parking lot, youll see a junction with the Wagon Road trail. Total disaster. (FREE leg-burning incline > pricey gym membership.). The sound of the falls will drown out the freeway noise. Heres the best water parks to visit in Colorado: People of all ages will find that Water World, with all its thrilling rides, cool pools, and unique kiddie areas, is a park theyll want to visit again and again. The huge pool is always clear and cool and just right for splishing, splashing and swimming. Continue down the road (not FR 58) a short bit to the Franklin Falls trailhead on your right. Ive hiked in another 20 minutes and still havent found it, he said. There will be a green gate closing off the road to cars but if you hike a mile up on road there will be a clearing on the right. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot The giant slides at the park are more than thirty feet high, including one enclosed water slide and one open slide. There is a short boot path which descends steeply to the pools above Keekwulee Falls. Definitely not a hike for those that cant rock scramble. The Upper Pools are included with your day pass and are open daily Memorial Day Labor Day. They clung to bushes along the unmarked trail I hiked through San Isabel National Forest; the trail that indeed took me to what Id been told: a natural water slide. lots of downed trees, had to cross the water a couple times but the slides and scenery are amazing. That water was so cold the first time down. Estimated time: 1.5-3 hours depending on your fitness and how much time you want to spend there. How is the water considering the drought? Natural Water Slide at San Isabel Moderat 4.3 (104) San Isabel National Forest Fotos (92) Anfahrt Drucken/PDF-Karte Teilen Mehr Lnge 2,6 kmHhendifferenz 78 mRoutentyp Hin & zurck Erlebe diesen 2,6-Kilometer langen Hin- und Rckweg in der Nhe von Rye, Colorado. Theres always something to do! it's beautiful however Lots of either climbing up & down or wading through the water. Adrenaline seekers will have a blast at the park. Fun for the whole family, our facility is easily accessible whether you are driving, or taking a hotel shuttle and is mere steps away from the free town bus stop at Lincoln and 3rd Street. Maybe Ill head up there again! And What are the costs? There is so much history in the area (Check out our About page to learn more) and loads of outdoor fun for the whole family. With plenty of space and an equal amount of lounge chairs the upper pool provides accommodations for any crowd. The parking lot is on the right BUT you need to cross the road to go to the dirt fire road. Very beautiful short hike! Some harder areas of the trail. Getting off the road and down to the slide does require scrambling down a few rocks though. Adventure seekers will love the thirty foot tall water slides. I went for it though, and Im glad I did! Once the trail crosses this side creek it becomes more shaded and less rocky (except for another talus field crossing) though the ascent is still steep. The trail passes into a hemlock forest at Hemlock Pass (4.9 miles, 4510 ft). Connected by a lazy river, these . It goes straight up. It spreads across a wide granite shelf, cascading 30 feet in undulating sheets of water. A journey down to the natural waterslides near Isabel lake in San Isabel, CO (Saint Charles creek)7-29-16Follow me on Instagram @ outdoors_inspired#getoutdoo. The park is complete with tons of shady areas and a concession. Sliding down the waterfall/waterslide was a lot of fun but would recommend that for older kids. Now the trail has two long switchbacks up exposed rockslides (1.7 mi). Your momentum and the force of the water will push you down the slide. Even though it looks long, this will be faster than taking the steep and windy road down from 190 to 22S83. Are there any tips for me on how to arrive to the water slide from the campground? I can't wait until I can go again. Cool off with a splash or enjoy the suns rays this summer at Brighton Oasis. These NATURAL WATER. Keekwulee Falls occurs as Denny Creek emerges from a narrow canyon. The 400 Water Slide is family friendly. Session 1: The Rise of State Water Planning. Then had to cross again to bypass more rocks, walk several hundred feet on the other side and recross to get back to the main trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 44 min to complete. These hot springs are unique because they are non-sulfurous. The view is amazing and the water feels wonderful on hot days!! The zero-depth entry pool is just right for tots. Photo: Dining Guide at Denver International Airport. Sliding down the waterfall/waterslide was a lot of fun but would recommend that for older kids. The crossing is on rocks in the river so at high water can become impassable. Great fun!! Harder than what it described but super fun!! Definitely not a hike for those that cant rock scramble. If you go over, it will be the end. Show off your sand castle building prowess at the Beach, the huge sand play area. The Natural Water Slide in San Isabel National Forest, Gov. If you want to learn how to take to the rushing waters, there are lessons offered at the indoor pool. We got stuck in a big one that was a bit scary to our kids, we were safe but it was LOUD. We definitely needed it, but it was also definitely worth it. We just got back from the natural water slide (my second visit). The pool boasts a diving board and the waters are always cool and clear. It really should be marked as hard. Crossing the water multiple times due to lack of trail isnt my idea of a moderate trail. The swollen creeks of Boulder, Colorado provided a fitting backdrop for the "Water, Climate and Uncertainty" conference at the Natural Resources Law Center of the University of Colorado in June 2003. The bridge that was once here was washed out in 2009 by avalanche debris from the flood stage creek. Lots of rock scrabbling and water crossing.. very hilly I would not recommend taking small children, some of the river crossing and hills would have been precarious. The giant play structures will entertain for hours. The first part is pretty steep going down, and then steep coming back up at the end! If you have kiddos, this is a must! For a moderate hike, continue on up over Hemlock Pass to the beautiful Melakwa Lakes. There are two drops of 35 feet and then 90 feet below. Now that youve hiked 5 miles to here, its a must to do another 0.3 to Upper Melakwa Lake. From a patron at a gas station in Colorado City, off Colorado 165 heading west toward the Wet Mountains. If all that splashing and swimming has left you ravenous, no problem, Tippers Grill has something to satisfy. Youll follow the very upper reaches of the Pratt River for the first part of the way up. SECRET Natural Water Slides, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado 6,644 views Jul 31, 2019 50 Dislike Share Integrity Auto Care 23 subscribers Look what we found!! Situated upon smooth boulders, this natural water slide is fed by the clear waters of the St. Charles Creek, which quickly cascade down the rocks before plummeting into a cool pond below. . We cut our travel time in half by doing that and it was much safer with kids (6,6,4,3). Lost the trail at times but easy to find it again- had to cross the river a few times. The slide area looked really fun but apparently you need to tuck in your head before end where you get dunked. 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 15 Best Things to Do in Middleborough (MA), Pirates Cove Family Fun Aquatic Center, Littleton, Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park, Brighton. Beautiful! The climbing wall will test your strength and the water basketball activity makes for hours of fun. Annie is a freelance writer, content editor, and marketing whiz with a background in broadcasting and a passion for chicken nachos. Recommend the slides for teens and adults but the hike was doable with small children. Waunita Hot Springs Ranch Gunnison Surrounded by Gunnison National Forest, this remote lodge is an ideal getaway for horseback riding, fishing and swimming in the hot-springs-fed pool. As a life coach I always look for new things and places to grow and have fun to increase my positive awareness!!! About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Adrenaline seekers will have a blast at the park. Recommend the slides for teens and adults but the hike was doable with small children. Ill be with my 86 year old mother and my daughters 18 month old twins. Alcohol may be purchased at the Bath House service counter or the Juice Bar. Spanning nearly 32 miles, Boulder Creek was named one of the "10 best lazy rivers for tubing in the U.S." by Mens Journal and features a slow and steady stream of cool water. Winter users need equipment and experience in avalanche prone areas. For even more awe-inspiring nature, check out these 8 Secret Spots In Colorado Where Nature Will Completely Relax You. Amazing natural water slide. I am 52. Theres a brief sighting of Snowshoe Falls through the trees at 2.8 miles, 3520 ft. Snowshoe Falls dries up later in the summer and you wont see it. Theres a tube slide and a body slide, each offering over one hundred and fifty feet of adventure, spills and splashes. one of Colorado's premier hot springs, is an historic hot spring, family-friendly recreation facility, and world-class gym in the heart of downtown . Not many bugs. This was a fun adventure for us and our youngest kiddos. From road it was very steep. Its one of those places, Kayla Roberts, 18, said beside the creek in the forest, rock cliffs towering around her and her boyfriend, both from Pueblo. Guests of all ages will be sure to get wet and have a blast at Walsenburg Water Park. There are no signs, and you wont find a sign on your way. Brought young kids and they enjoyed the hike in The water was rushing harder than I remember, but it was doable. The flowers are yellow and pink, purple and white, and the butterflies dancing around them are just as varied. The trail then levels off for 0.2 miles before it crosses gently flowing Denny Creek on a footlog beside a huge cedar snag at 2.9 mi 3600 ft. No Reservations Required. Push straight ahead 0.1 mile to Melakwa Lake. Climb the ridge until you have to drop down the west side and traverse the base of the cliffs through a scree field. It was tons of fun! About a half mile past Denny Creek, there is a large 60 vehicle parking lot on your right hand side. It was so fun! In order to submit a comment to this post, please write this code along with your comment: 1aaae3bdd8ce7ed102f72af61a6a0df2. At mile marker 19, look for the parking lot to the left of the Lake San Isabel dam. Natural Water Slide at San Isabel Moderate 4.3 (105) San Isabel National Forest Photos (93) Directions Print/PDF map Length 1.6 miElevation gain 255 ftRoute type Out & back Head out on this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Rye, Colorado. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. From the rolling Eastern Plains to the majestic mountains and beyond, there is truly no shortage of these all-natural wonders. Anyone been able to slide with this drought. loved this trail! Just wanted to update this and say we visited the waterslide today and there was still water flowing enough to slide down. The flow is so much better than last year. The Denny Creek trail follows the creek through old growth forest for 0.4 miles. Want to report conditions for this trail? If its raining hard, water levels can rise rapidly so consider that as well before crossing. Total elevation gain - 560 ft to Keekwulee Falls viewpoint, 140 ft to the slide. I highly suggest hiking/water shoes. Short, beautiful hike. The kiddie areas make for hours of fun. Would not take someone who has a rough time moving around but for kids and healthy adults you are good. Temperatures may vary. 3. The water side is amazing and while its very scary, its actually really fun. Trailhead is 2550 ft. High point is 3050 ft. at Keekwulee Falls. Hi wondering if anyones been here lately? kill the process running on port 1717 sfdx. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Alot of fond memories. Unlimited Water Slides +$7. In about 3/4 mile, the trail breaks out of the forest into the first open area and the climbing starts in earnest. Awesome place to go. Plenty of water coming down, freezing water, nice sunny day. Let's take a look: If you are wondering which of our many attractions are a must-visit, take our advice and visit all 12 of these incredible places in Colorado: Please note, Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool is temporarily closed for renovations. I agree with an older review that the trail is mis-classified. Tucked away within the scenic San Isabel National Forest lies one of Colorado's "coolest" hidden gems: an all-natural water slide! Open seasonally, the outdoor waterpark has a ton of different activities that are sure to make for a memorable time. it's beautiful however TripAdvisor/Tom Fun slides are just the right size. Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool (Eldorado Springs) Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. Be sure to take advantage of all the area has to offer. Also, watch out for sudden rain storms in the summer after 4:00pm. Situated upon smooth boulders, this natural water slide is fed by the clear waters of the St. Charles Creek, which quickly cascade down the rocks before plummeting into a cool pond below. The Denny party were some of the original non-native settlers of Seattle, who had mining claims in the area. As of late July 2015 there was still plenty of (very cold) water for the waterslide. Follow the right side (ascending) of upper Melakwa Lake to the valley beyond. Children will love the Lesiure Pool which comes complete with a huge tipper bucket, sprayers, and a unique play structure filled with interactive activities. Experience the high speeds of the Acapulco Cliff Dive, the sixty-five foot tall high thrill ride. Several down logs as well. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Colorado rocks (see what I did there? Mariah, 15, and Savannah, 12, had strong reviews. Located just outside of Silverton, Molas Lake Park & Campground is a colorful 137-acre campground that sits beside the infamously gorgeous Million Dollar Highway and was named the "Most Scenic Campground in Colorado" by AAA! Nestled in the sprawling million-acre San Isabel National Forest, hikers and thrill-seekers can shoot down this legendary natural waterslide. Find Us. Our two 6-year-olds were able to do it and had an amazing time. Will there still be water this coming up weekend for Labor Day? Required fields are marked *, Notice: It seems you have Javascript disabled in your Browser. The slide area looked really fun but apparently you need to tuck in your head before end where you get dunked. (Hey; we never said that getting to ride the slide didnt come without a little work!) Stay away from any rock area sloping down towards the lower falls. We wound up at the Natural Slides just down from Lake San Isabel. Connected by a lazy river, these pools are surrounded by a grassy plateau and offer incredible views of the mountains above. This is the Franklin Falls parking lot which is also used for the Denny Creek Trail now that the Denny Creek / Melakwa Lake parking is closed. Thanks Lynda! Take a ride down the little-known yet epic natural waterslide in Colorados San Isabel National Forest: For even more epic things to do around Colorado this summer, check out these 5 Lazy River Summer Tubing Trips In Colorado To Start Planning Now. The Upper Pools are included with your day pass and are open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day. If you are going to Franklin Falls, turn right onto the Franklin Falls Trail. For a tamer experience, grab a tube and drift down the lazy river Castaway Creek or float and swim in the Commotion Ocean wave pool. Located at Elitch Gardens, the huge waterpark is a must visit destination.