The Spirit of the Rockies
www.thespiritoftherockies.net
Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas
Bridal Veil Falls
The Bridal Veil Falls Trail is
a low elevation trail in the
northeast portion of Rocky
Mountain National Park.
The trail passes through
open meadows in the Cow
Creek valley, an area known
for summer wildflowers.
The trail then climbs through
a forested area on the
way to the waterfall.
Distance: 3.0 miles one-way

Waterfall elevation: 8,880 feet

Trailhead elevation: 7,840 feet

Net elevation gain: 1,040 feet

Cow Creek Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Bridal Veil Falls on Cow Creek
Major Trail Landmarks
North Boundary Trail junction (short walk from trailhead)
Gem Lake connector trail junction (1.2 miles one-way from trailhead)
Junction of Cow Creek and Bridal Veil Falls Trails (2.1 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Bridal Veil Falls
There are no other major destinations near Bridal Veil Falls
Backcountry Campsites Near Bridal Veil Falls
Rabbit Ears (1.4 miles one-way from trailhead) - 1 individual site
Peregrine (2.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - 1 individual site
The Cow Creek Trailhead (also called the McGraw Ranch Trailhead) is directly north of Estes Park. To
reach the trailhead, drive on Devils Gulch Road north of Estes Park approximately 4 miles to the McGraw
Ranch Road intersection.Veer left onto the unpaved McGraw Ranch Road and follow this road for just
over 2 miles to the Cow Creek Trailhead. The National Park Service limits parking at this trailhead, and
may notify hikers with a "lot full" sign at the intersection of Devils Gulch and McGraw Ranch Roads.

The trail begins just west of the ranch buildings along a gravel road, which eventually narrows to a trail.
The trail then heads west through meadows and forest to the falls.
Sample photographs of the hike to Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls Trail
Bridal Veil Falls from above
Bridal Veil Falls topographic map
Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line.
Map is oriented with north to the top of the map
Click here to return to the hike profile menu
All users must accept the terms of use of this site. All information on this page conforms to terms of use.
All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws.
Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.