Calypso Cascades
Calypso Cascades
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4.5
51 reviews
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Lee G
Philadelphia, PA278 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
It was a hot day when we hiked and the steep rock steps to the cascade area seemed endless! Trekking poles came in handy for short legs. Watch small children as you go across two areas of flat smooth rock. It was too late in the year to see the Calypso orchids, and the hike felt like a lot of work for the views compared to others in the park. The pit toilets at the trailhead were full of biting flies and incredibly stinky so perhaps that colored the experience. Be sure to drive all the way to the end of the dirt road to the trailhead. Don't park by the ranger station or you'll have an extra 1+ mile walk. Copeland Falls near the start of the trail was as pretty IMHO.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
regina0327
Austin, TX193 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We arrived at around 7:30 and followed the advice of other travel reviewers and kept driving pass the ranger station until the dirt road ends to get to the trail head. Otherwise you will add another mile on to this hike. This seemed like a long hike for us. The good news....it's a beautiful hike beside a raging river (North St. Vrain Creek), mostly shaded under the forest tundra, the temps were great low 60's -upper 70's. Bad news.... it nearly up hill ALL the WAY. Half a mile in the first falls you will come to are Copeland Falls, followed by the second falls Calypso Cascades 1.8 miles in. The hike from Calypso Cascades to Ouzel Falls is a mile and a tough one at that. This is the hardest park of the hike steep at times uphill and rocky. In the end this hike was worth it, we hiked 3 days in the park and this was by far my favorite hike. Get there early as the parking lots fills up and pushes you further out to park only adding to your hike. It's off the beaten path, wasn't too hard to find though.
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RebeccaMinNJ
New Jersey1,272 contributions
We hiked to Calypso Cascades on our first day in RMNP. As you hike from the trailhead, first you'll pass Copeland Falls, which are quite lovely. The trail continues along the water, so you can hear it as you hike. There are a few small cascades to see before there's a steep uphill section leading to Calypso Cascades. It's worth the hike. If you feel ambitions, continue onward to see more waterfalls (Oezel Falls) and additional destinations. The Wild Basin area is great and not quite as crowded as some other areas of RMNP.
Written December 28, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacationqueen1111
Omaha, NE258 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
This hike was really amazing! We didn’t have much expectations when we decided to try this hike, but at the end of the three hours it took us to hike up and back to Calypso Falls, we decided this was one of our favorite hikes. The hike starts at the Wild Basin Trailhead. We arrived a little after 7:00 am and the lot was half full already. There are bathrooms and a ranger station at the Trailhead. When we departed around 10:15 all parking spots at the trailhead were full so hikers were parking farther out along other parking spaces along the two mile dirt road into the trailhead.
After 0.3 miles you reach the lower Copeland Falls, another 0.1 miles are the Upper Copeland falls. The trail then follows the St Vrain River up about 600 feet into the mountains to Calypso Cascades. About 1.3 miles into the hike the trail to the cascades veers left and crosses a bridge. After the bridge over the last 0.4 miles is probably the most difficult part of the hike, since it is all up. The Cascades were amazing during our visit (early July). I would imagine that during the fall they would not be as impressive, but with the late snow melt this year there was plenty of roaring water. The trail continues to Ouzel Falls (0.9 miles), but we decided only to do the round trip to Calypso Cascades during our visit.
After 0.3 miles you reach the lower Copeland Falls, another 0.1 miles are the Upper Copeland falls. The trail then follows the St Vrain River up about 600 feet into the mountains to Calypso Cascades. About 1.3 miles into the hike the trail to the cascades veers left and crosses a bridge. After the bridge over the last 0.4 miles is probably the most difficult part of the hike, since it is all up. The Cascades were amazing during our visit (early July). I would imagine that during the fall they would not be as impressive, but with the late snow melt this year there was plenty of roaring water. The trail continues to Ouzel Falls (0.9 miles), but we decided only to do the round trip to Calypso Cascades during our visit.
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teacher-DRP
Pepperell, MA128 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
One of the good things about this double treat is that it is a bit more out of the way than many of the other hikes in RMNP. For those who hover around Estes Park and use the two major entrances, you have to break away and drive about ten miles southward on Route 7. During the height of the tourist season, however, you are still wise to get there early to both find a place to park and to avoid the pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. Most people who undertake this hike have read the hiking manuals and see that this is an easy to moderate hike with a not-too-terrible elevation gain. Nonetheless, the last part to the Calypso Cascades is pretty steep and strenuous--especially for casual hikers and those pushing upward in their years. If, however, you persevere and make it to the cascades, you will be amply rewarded. I would advise at least one hiking pole or a sturdy hiking stick for negotiate the last part of this lovely journey.
Written August 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa T
Cambridge, MA62 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
There aren't any grand, sweeping mountain views on this hike - so if you only have 1 day you should go elsewhere. But if you're looking for something different, maybe a shady & relatively flat hike with some great waterfalls, this one fits the bill. Copeland Falls & Calypso Cascades were both lovely and unique.
Written September 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathernN
Medina, OH42 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This hike is 1.8 miles from the trailhead. It was really worth every step. My husband hiked up to the top of the cascades - I stopped halfway up. But the non-stop roaring water was wonderful, spraying us on a hot day! The first .3 miles is Copeland Falls, an easy hike. Then the next 1.5 miles has more incline and is a little more rugged, but truly is a wonderful hike.
Written July 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tulika
Sacramento, CA304 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
Less than 2 miles from the trailhead, this cascade is stunning. We hiked to the Ouzel Falls and this was along the trail, I was not expecting much but once I saw this cascade I was pleasantly surprised.
Set in wilderness, the cascades are gorgeous ! well worth
Set in wilderness, the cascades are gorgeous ! well worth
Written September 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben S
Cedar Falls, IA74 contributions
Aug 2016
About 0.3 miles into this 2 mile one way, hike you encounter Copeland Falls (add some mileage to the posted 1.7 because you will want to keep leaving the trail to get closer to water). For almost the entire remaining distance to Calypso Cascades you will interact with the stream feeding these two falls, and they are constantly cascading down the mountain. Thus, you get something like 1.5 miles of continual waterfall views. Incredible (I almost hesitate to write the review for fear of giving away this hidden secret).
The parking lot at the trailhead (several miles down a gravel road from the ranger entry station) is well staffed/managed but is small. Arrive early (by 9 AM) or plan to keep circling the lot hoping for a spot as people come and go.
The parking lot at the trailhead (several miles down a gravel road from the ranger entry station) is well staffed/managed but is small. Arrive early (by 9 AM) or plan to keep circling the lot hoping for a spot as people come and go.
Written August 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJ-Eric
NJ441 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
The 3.6 mile round trip hike to Copeland and Calypso, along one of the prettiest mountain streams you'll ever see, makes for a fun couple hours. The hike is not hard, nor is it too easy. I.e., you'll get your exercise without killing yourself. Calypso Cascades in particular is a great place to take a picture or two.
Written July 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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