Right now
Right now as of Nov 7, 2026
- Status Closed for the season, as far as we can tell (Nov 7, 2026). That day the county page read, "The Site is now closed for the season." It added, "Check back for special openings in the winter and the 2027 reopening date!" The county says the seasonal closure began September 28.
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $20 per car (2026, parking + shuttle).
Status note (Nov 7, 2026): Closed for the season, as far as we can tell (Nov 7, 2026). That day the county page read, "The Site is now closed for the season." It added, "Check back for special openings in the winter and the 2027 reopening date!" The county says the seasonal closure began September 28. The 2026 shuttle was a short-term arrangement, and 2027 details were not posted. What the status labels mean
Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs, Colorado, is a 50-foot plunge on Fountain Creek at the Rainbow Falls Historic Site, run by El Paso County Parks. A 0.15-mile gravel trail on a significant slope leads to the falls. In 2026, visitors parked at Higginbotham Flats and rode a $20-per-car shuttle. As far as we can tell, the site is closed for the season as of Nov 7, 2026.
About Rainbow Falls
This page covers Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the Rainbow Falls Historic Site. It is a different waterfall from Rainbow Falls in Hawaii.
El Paso County Parks describes Rainbow Falls as "a 50-foot plunge to shallow pools below." The five-acre site also holds a small series of waterfalls downstream on Fountain Creek.
The county lists a trailhead, a covered kiosk with history and geology displays, and picnic tables. A secondary trail follows Fountain Creek.
The 1932 arch bridge
A highway bridge crosses Fountain Creek right at the falls. The Pueblo Bridge & Construction Company built it in 1932 for $44,695, the county says.
It is an open spandrel concrete arch with a 160-foot span, carrying U.S. Highway 24 into Manitou Springs. The county calls the design seldom used in the Rocky Mountains. The bridge joined the National Register of Historic Bridges in 1985.
Ute history and county ownership
The falls held spiritual significance for the Ute people long before Manitou Springs existed, the county says. By the mid-1800s, the falls marked a point on the old Ute Trail, a westward route.
The name is thought to come from the rainbow seen in the waterfall's mist, according to the county.
The Ducharme family once owned Rainbow Falls. The county says easements and other problems led to disrepair, trash and graffiti. Volunteers began cleaning up the area in 2005 and 2006.
The Ducharme family donated the land in 2009, and the county took over ownership in June 2010. Flooding in 2013 after the Waldo Canyon Fire damaged the area. The Colorado Department of Transportation then worked to stabilize the creek banks and repair the road and trail.
Geology: the Great Unconformity
The rocks behind the falls show the Great Unconformity, a gap in the geologic record. Here, the county says, almost 500 million years are missing between the Pikes Peak Granite and the overlying Sawatch Formation.
Look for pink, crumbly Pikes Peak granite, more than a billion years old, and reddish-brown Sawatch sandstone. The grayish Manitou limestone holds fossils of ancient marine animals, such as crinoids, brachiopods and, rarely, trilobites.
Our map pin is the USGS GNIS point for the falls. You can't park there, so see Getting there for the shuttle lot.
Getting there and parking
Parking is not available at Rainbow Falls. In 2026, visitors parked at Higginbotham Flats, off Highway 24 and Serpentine Drive in Manitou Springs, and rode a shuttle to the falls.
The county lists the site's location as the west end of Manitou Springs. We found no official distance or drive time from nearby cities, so we don't give one.
Our directions button points to the falls. For the 2026 setup, navigate to the shuttle lot at 101 Higginbotham Road instead.
Why the old lot is closed
A rockfall incident closed the site after sizable rocks came loose from the cliff and posed a hazard to parked cars. The county reopened it with the parking lot blocked off by sturdy barriers.
Higginbotham Flats shuttle (2026 arrangement)
The parking and shuttle address is 101 Higginbotham Road, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Concessionaire Adventures Out West ran the shuttle continuously Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The fee was $20 per car, covering parking and the shuttle. Reservations were encouraged but not required, and walk-ins were welcome if space was available. Bookings went through the registration link on the county page.
Don't park on Serpentine Drive. The county warns that parking there could result in a parking ticket.
The county calls the shuttle a short-term solution while it works on long-term fixes. It had not posted 2027 parking details as of Nov 7, 2026.
Accessible parking
In 2026 the county offered one accessible parking spot at the falls, by reservation only. Reservations were required one week ahead at 719-520-6977. The county called it a pilot project, with no permanent arrangement set.
Other Colorado falls on our site include Helen Hunt Falls, Seven Falls and St. Mary's Falls, each with its own parking rules.
Map and nearby falls
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OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Rainbow Falls trail: 0.15 mile on sloped gravel
The county describes a 0.15-mile gravel trail from the parking area to the falls. That lot is now blocked off, and the county does not say where the shuttle drops visitors.
The trail to the falls
The county says the path is "a gravel trail on a significant slope." It publishes no difficulty rating for it.
We call it easy because it is only 0.15 mile one way, but expect a slope. Wear shoes with good grip on the gravel.
Fountain Creek trail and downstream falls
A secondary trail runs along Fountain Creek, and the county gives no length for it. The site also includes a small series of waterfalls downstream of Rainbow Falls.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed at the Rainbow Falls Historic Site, but they must be on a leash, the county says.
Accessibility
The path to the falls is gravel on a significant slope, the county warns. See the accessible parking note under Getting there.
When to visit
As far as we can tell, the site is closed for the season. On Nov 7, 2026, the county page said to check back for special winter openings and the 2027 reopening date.
2026 season hours
When open in 2026, the park ran Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The county said it would close for the season beginning September 28.
Winter and 2027
The county page lists no winter openings or events yet. It says to "check back for any off season events."
No official source gives a best month for flow, so we don't name one. For questions, email parks@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7529.
| Height | 50 ftNote: 50 ft per El Paso County Parks, which describes "a 50-foot plunge to shallow pools below" |
|---|---|
| Trail | A 0.15-mile gravel trail runs from the old parking area to the falls, on what the county calls a significant slope. A secondary trail follows Fountain Creek (El Paso County Parks) |
| Difficulty | No official rating: El Paso County Parks publishes no difficulty. We call it easy because the trail is only 0.15 mile, but the county describes it as "a gravel trail on a significant slope" |
| Entry fee | $20 per car (2026 season, parking + shuttle) |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed; in 2026 a $20 per car fee covered parking at Higginbotham Flats and the shuttle |
| Parking | Higginbotham Flats lot + shuttle (2026) |
| Dogs | Allowed, but they must be on a leash (El Paso County Parks) |
| Swimming | No swimming rule listed. The county describes shallow pools below the falls but does not say whether visitors may enter them |
| Wheelchair / stroller | The county says the path to the falls is a gravel trail on a significant slope. In 2026 it offered one accessible parking spot at the falls, by reservation one week ahead at 719-520-6977, as a pilot project |
| Best time to visit | No official best month. In 2026 the site was open Friday to Sunday until it closed for the season beginning September 28 |
| Crowds | No visitor numbers published |
| Managed by | El Paso County Parks |
Safety and swimming
Rockfall is a known hazard here. The county closed the site after sizable rocks fell from the cliff, and it blocked the old parking lot with barriers.
The trail to the falls is gravel on a significant slope. Take it slowly and watch your footing.
No swimming rule is listed. The county describes shallow pools below the falls but does not say whether you may enter them, so ask the parks department first.
Spray painting is not allowed, and the county says violators will be ticketed.
In an emergency, call 911. The parks department is at (719) 520-7529. Our waterfall safety guide has more general tips.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Rainbow Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Manitou Springs.
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Photos
Rainbow Falls FAQ
Is Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs open now?
No, as far as we can tell. On Nov 7, 2026 the county page said the site is closed for the season. It suggests checking back for special winter openings and the 2027 reopening date.
Why is Rainbow Falls, Colorado closed?
As far as we can tell (Nov 7, 2026), it is closed for the season, which began September 28, per the county. Separately, a rockfall incident once closed the site. It reopened with the old parking lot blocked off and a shuttle from Higginbotham Flats.
Is Rainbow Falls a difficult hike?
The county gives no rating. The trail is only 0.15 mile, so we call it easy, but the county describes it as gravel on a significant slope.
Do you have to pay for Rainbow Falls?
In 2026, yes. The county charged $20 per car, covering parking at Higginbotham Flats and the shuttle. It is not free, and 2027 fees were not posted as of Nov 7, 2026.
How do I get to Rainbow Falls, Manitou Springs?
There is no parking at the falls. In 2026, you parked at Higginbotham Flats, 101 Higginbotham Road, off Highway 24 and Serpentine Drive. A shuttle ran Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How tall is Rainbow Falls in Colorado?
About 50 feet. El Paso County Parks describes "a 50-foot plunge to shallow pools below."
Are dogs allowed at Rainbow Falls?
Yes. The county says dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Can you swim at Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs?
No swimming rule is listed. The county describes shallow pools below the falls but does not say whether you may enter them. Call the parks department at 719-520-7529 to ask.
Nearby waterfalls
Helen Hunt Falls6 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen35FT
Seven Falls7 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen181FT
St. Mary's Falls7 mi straight-line, by our mathOpenTO 300 FT 250FT
Maxwell Falls54 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
City guides: Waterfalls near Colorado Springs, CO · Waterfalls near Denver, CO
Sources
- El Paso County Parks: Rainbow Falls Historic Site (status, hours, shuttle, fee, parking, dogs, history, geology; read Nov 7, 2026)
- USGS GNIS via The National Map geonames service: Rainbow Falls, El Paso County (feature 2496937)
Last verified Nov 7, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with El Paso County Parks before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.