Zapata Falls Trail is a unique hike in south-central Colorado, often referred to as a “hidden Colorado gem.” The trail is short but adventurous and leads to a 25-foot waterfall. Before you head to Zapata Falls to see this marvel yourself, here are 5 things you should know that will help you prepare for this hike:
Zapata Falls Trail – Colorado
Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 0.9 miles (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Trailhead: Near Mosca, Colorado
Trail map: View map
Fee: No
The trailhead for Zapata Falls is located east of the town of Mosca and south of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, about 12 miles from the park entrance.
The hike consists of two parts. First, a wide rocky path brings you to a creek (South Zapata Creek) where the trail comes to a dead end. This is a pretty uneventful part of the trail, but that’s OK, the only intention is to take you to the end of it. This part of the trail is easy with only a mild elevation gain. It’s less than half a mile to the creek.
The next segment of the trail involves traversing the creek to a 25-foot waterfall that’s hidden inside a cave. Though the waterfall is only a short distance up the creek, it isn’t visible from any portion of the trail or even from the creek bed itself. How wet you’ll get during this part of hike depends on when you visit.
Zapata Falls – seasons
In the spring, with all the snowmelt forcing its way down, the creek swells up and reaching the falls requires wading through frigid raging water, all while navigating slippery rocks. Use caution on a spring Zapata Falls hike.
In the summer, the water in the creek is still generally cold and raging, which makes Zapata Falls the perfect place to cool off after visiting the sun-baked dune field of the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
By late summer and early fall, the creek will have likely receded enough to avoid getting uncomfortably wet and cold. You may be able to avoid much of the water by carefully choosing your path and stepping onto rocks as much as possible if the water level isn’t too high.
Winter is the best time to see Zapata Falls without getting wet, but instead of a flowing waterfall you’ll see a giant ice sculpture instead. Reaching Zapata Falls in the winter months isn’t without challenges, however, as you’ll be required to walk up a slippery frozen stream, risking injury. Also, the road to the trailhead isn’t maintained in the winter, so access may be difficult at times.
Zapata Falls is not only a bucket list destination hike on its own, it’s also one of the many fun things to do when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park which ultimately brings even more crowds. The trail is popular during all for seasons but tends to be at its busiest around the time Medano Creek is flowing (late spring) when the park attracts the most visitors.
The road to Zapata Falls
To get to the Zapata Falls trailhead, you’ll need to follow a dirt road for about 3.5 miles.
While most passenger cars will do just fine on this road (4-WD is not needed), do expect your car to get a beating. This is a rough road made up of exposed rock, potholes, and washboard. Not a place for lowriders. High clearance isn’t required but can be useful around some of the rougher patches.
Parking
There are probably about two dozen spots in the designated parking lot plus several parking spaces around the lot and along the road. Not a terribly limited parking situation, but given the popularity of this hike, parking can fill to capacity surprisingly quickly here.
It’s generally best to plan on coming early in the morning or later in the afternoon, but who knows, you may just get lucky.
Is the hike to Zapata Falls worth it?
The trail that leads to the creek is nothing exciting, and the road to the trailhead is pure hell. The views of the dune field from the parking lot are spectacular though and well worth it on their own. You don’t get views like this from within the national park.
As for the falls, they probably aren’t the most impressive falls you’ll ever see, but the unique way of reaching them will make you remember this hike for years to come, that’s for sure! I suspect most people come for the thrill rather than the waterfall itself anyway, and, why not, right? 🙂 After all, we don’t remember the sights nearly as much as we remember the experiences.
The footage above is only available thanks to my husband who was crazy kind enough to go all the way.
The numbing cold (and quite deep) water of mid-June made it impossible for me to even want to attempt to get anywhere near the falls. Hidden falls are totally wild, I agree, but no thanks. I’ll be the first person to jump into a scalding hot natural spring, that’s me, I’m your gal for that.
In all honesty, out of all people clustered around the end of the trail I only saw a handful traipsing up the frigid stream, and even out of that bunch most changed their mind eventually, rushing back ashore as fast as their numb feet could carry them.
More tips for visiting:
- Except for the winter season, wear shoes that can get wet, and keep them on at all times in the creek. A small towel and a change of shoes (and socks) is helpful.
- Bring bug spray if you’re visiting during the mosquito season.
- The water in the creek may come gushing out of nowhere if there is heavy rainfall up the stream, so be prepared.
- Although a rare event, watch for falling rocks within the crevice.
- Zapata Falls Trail is a dog-friendly hike. (Dogs must be kept on leash.)
- Bathrooms are available at the parking lot.
- Primitive camping is available just down the road from the parking lot at the Zapata Falls Campground (BLM campground, first-come-first-serve, 23 single campsites, fees apply, open year round, fills quickly, no water, vault toilet).
