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Details
Distance
0.84 miles
Elevation Gain
325 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Features
Easy Parking
Waterfall
Dog Friendly
Scenic
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About this place
Added by Billy DiMirra
This is a hike is right outside of Great Sand Dunes National Park, that leads to a 30ft. cave waterfall.
Driving towards the Sand Dunes, you will see a sign marker that indicates the road up to Zapata Falls. Turn right onto the road a follow it for about 2 miles until you hit the parking lot at the top. The road is in pretty rough condition so if your car doesn't have high clearance make sure you take it slow. Once you reach the parking lot, you will see an 10ft sign indicating the trail head. You will follow the trail up for 1/2 mile leading to the cave entrance. Depending on the time of year you will continue into the cave, either on ice or through water and you will see the falls in the back of the cave.
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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Wynn Wiley
11/11/2025
Makes a great escape from the heat of the great sand dunes! The hike is short and sweet but you will require some trodding ...
Easy To Park
Well Marked
Bathrooms
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Teddy Tinnell
3/16/2025
I’ve visited the Great Sand Dunes several times but never stopped for this quick, little adventure before! A great addition to our drive home ...
Easy To Park
Bathrooms
Good Views
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Kenneth Jones
10/19/2023
It was a beautiful waterfall, that I would go back and see again. The views from the campgrounds are also stunning.
It was March, in Colorado. It was cold!
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Jared Beeler
9/8/2020
Amazing place to stop
This is an incredible hidden gem. It is right on the way to the dunes so it is a great place to stop and cool off.
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Alyssa Teboda
7/8/2020
Nice short waterfall hike
I think the trip reports I read about the road leading up to Zapata Falls were a little over exaggerated. My Subaru Forester made ...
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Lorrie Hess
1/26/2020
Awestruck by Ice
Absolutely loved looking at iced waterfall, listening to water run under the ice and being mesmerized by light play of water running behind waterfall ...
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Allison Snyder
8/19/2017
Amazing!!
This hike is one of my all time favorites!
1/4 mile up a rocky trail to the water. Wading upstream in ankle deep, very ...
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Jake Sells
6/16/2017
Escape from the dunes
After hiking up the dunes and getting sand in about every crevice of my body, Zapata falls was a nice little escape to cool ...
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Korey Taylor
4/20/2017
Must See
Hiked to the falls in late April and most of the waterfall was still frozen over, but still so beautiful. The road out there ...
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Haley Baker
2/13/2017
Awe-Inspiring
The pictures on this adventure are amazing, but in all honesty don't do the falls justice. We came in mid-February and had the place ...
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Alyssa Aaron
10/17/2016
Very short hike
The hike is SHORT but sweet. If you're already in the area I highly recommend checking this spot out. The cave is pretty awesome.
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Brandyn Murray
4/26/2016
On my list
Visited Colorado a couple months back and was bummed i didnt make it out here to this amazing spot. Its definitely on my list ...
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Johnathan .
3/11/2016
Great short little hike. Prepare to get your feet wet!
The falls are spectacular as they're situated back in a little canyon, so you definitely will have to get your feet wet, there is ...
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