Helen Hunt Falls: free roadside waterfall
Helen Hunt Falls drops about 35 feet on Cheyenne Creek in North Cheyenne Cañon Park, visible directly from the parking area at its base after a drive of roughly 2.5 miles up North Cheyenne Canyon Road from Colorado Springs. There's no fee and no hike required. A seasonal visitor center runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the road itself is off-limits to buses, RVs and other oversized vehicles. The rest of the state's falls are in our waterfalls in Colorado guide, and the waterfalls near me map covers other states.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38.789°N, 104.903°W, El Paso County, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-193415) |
| Height | About 35 ft (published trail descriptions; the city's page doesn't state a height; as of August 2026) |
| Access | Roadside, visible from the parking area at the base; no hike required |
| Fee | Free (city park; no fee noted in the sources we checked, September 2026) |
| Driving distance | About 2.5 miles up North Cheyenne Canyon Road to the parking area at the base |
| Vehicle restriction | No buses, RVs or oversized vehicles allowed on North Cheyenne Canyon Road |
| Visitor center | Open seasonally, Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Season | No seasonal closure of the road or the falls noted in the sources we checked (September 2026); only the visitor center is seasonal |
| Legal status | Public, City of Colorado Springs (North Cheyenne Cañon Park) |
Getting there and what you'll see
Helen Hunt Falls sits in North Cheyenne Cañon Park, run by the City of Colorado Springs. The city's page describes the route directly: visitors "drive approximately 2.5 miles up the canyon on North Cheyenne Canyon Road to the parking area at the base of the falls." No trail is needed. The falls come into view right from the parking area, and the city is explicit about vehicle size on the approach road: "NO BUSES, RVs, OR OVERSIZED VEHICLES ALLOWED ON NORTH CHEYENNE CANYON ROAD."
A short trail continues above Helen Hunt Falls to a second waterfall, Silver Cascade Falls, for visitors who want more than the roadside view.
Helen Hunt Falls and Seven Falls
Helen Hunt Falls is sometimes confused with Seven Falls, a separate, privately operated attraction in the neighboring canyon to the south, run by the Broadmoor resort. The two make an easy paired stop for a day out, but they're different waterfalls with different price tags: Helen Hunt Falls sits in a free public city park, while Seven Falls is a ticketed attraction on private land.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from the City of Colorado Springs' page for Helen Hunt Falls and North Cheyenne Cañon Park, published trail descriptions for the height figure, and public GNIS coordinate data. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Visitor center hours and road rules can change seasonally; verify current conditions before you go. Last checked September 2026.
FAQ
Is Helen Hunt Falls free to visit?
Yes. There's no fee and no hike; the falls are visible from the parking area at their base, about 2.5 miles up North Cheyenne Canyon Road.
How far do I have to hike to see Helen Hunt Falls?
No hike at all. The falls are visible directly from the parking area after a drive of about 2.5 miles up North Cheyenne Canyon Road.
Can buses or RVs drive up to Helen Hunt Falls?
No. The City of Colorado Springs prohibits buses, RVs and other oversized vehicles on North Cheyenne Canyon Road.
Is Helen Hunt Falls the same as Seven Falls?
No. Seven Falls is a separate, privately operated, paid attraction in the next canyon south, run by the Broadmoor resort. Helen Hunt Falls sits in a free public city park.
When is the Helen Hunt Falls visitor center open?
Seasonally, Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked September 2026. Read our full methodology.