The view is amazing and the water feels wonderful on hot days!! This makes the hot springs odorless. Caught the trail after. Connected by a lazy river, these pools are surrounded by a grassy plateau and offer incredible views of the mountains above. I agree with an older review that the trail is mis-classified. Now a few shots of . IF YOURE GOING TO COME HERE, OR ANYWHERE, RESPECT IT!!!! Restrooms are on your right immediately after crossing the road. It includes zero-depth entry on one end and a slightly deeper end for older toddlers. Just wanted to update this and say we visited the waterslide today and there was still water flowing enough to slide down. IF YOURE GOING TO COME HERE, OR ANYWHERE, RESPECT IT!!!! Lots of rock scrabbling and water crossing.. very hilly I would not recommend taking small children, some of the river crossing and hills would have been precarious. I went today 10/3/14. Drop in at the course is free. I was at the slides over the weekend and they were low but still a lot of fun. Lie back like a pencil or paddle with your hands to accelerate. Huge down trees block path often & make it impossible to stay on trails. When it comes to natural attractions, there is no beating the stunning Garden of the Gods, which is comprised of deposited red, pink and white sandstone, conglomerate, and limestone that were created millions of years ago during a geological upheaval! Photo: Michael Levine-Clark At 507 surface acres, Grand Lake is Colorado's largest natural body of water, and with impressive depths that reach down almost 400 feet, it's also the state's deepest. This was a challenge, water half way to knees. Several down logs as well. About a half mile past Denny Creek, there is a large 60 vehicle parking lot on your right hand side. Lets take a look: So fun, right?! Get more stories delivered right to your email. Its not your typical water park experience. The swollen creeks of Boulder, Colorado provided a fitting backdrop for the "Water, Climate and Uncertainty" conference at the Natural Resources Law Center of the University of Colorado in June 2003. Source: imfromdenver. Climb the ridge until you have to drop down the west side and traverse the base of the cliffs through a scree field. It's the perfect end-of-summer family adventure! I see Kedra asked on May 19, but I dont see a response. After Keekwulee Falls, the trail climbs steeply through a narrow, steeply walled canyon. Crossing Denny Creek at waterslides can become impossible at high water. was happy to see people with trash bags helping to keep the area clean. Then turn right on Forest Road 58 at the stop sign. We wound up at the Natural Slides just down from Lake San Isabel. I would like to visit this natural rock slide, but am not familiar with the area. For a unique and scenic experience nestled right in the heart of nature, visit Clear Creek White Water Park. Is the hike strenuous? Best March thru October. In about 3/4 mile, the trail breaks out of the forest into the first open area and the climbing starts in earnest. Just keep going downstream and you will get to the slide. If you add a couple of water crossings on the way back you can cut out some of the bouldering. Very beautiful short hike! Dont take the Melakwa Lake Trail (left turn). Even smaller water lovers will have a blast on the three foot long Seal Slide. Just keep following the stream until you reach the Rocks. Waunita Hot Springs Ranch Gunnison Surrounded by Gunnison National Forest, this remote lodge is an ideal getaway for horseback riding, fishing and swimming in the hot-springs-fed pool. Amazing time. The trail continues in a thick forest towards the first major point of interest which is the Denny Creek Waterslide. At least at the beginning, the trail is fairly well defined. They rode the stream and dropped with a short waterfall into a pool. Annie is a freelance writer, content editor, and marketing whiz with a background in broadcasting and a passion for chicken nachos. Does anyone know if dogs are allowed in this areawe are coming from NC this summer with dogs and kids and would love to stop here. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. If you are wondering which of our many attractions are a must-visit, take our advice and visit all 12 of these incredible places in Colorado: Please note, Eldorado Springs Swimming Pool is temporarily closed for renovations. Beautiful! ^Both are causing problems in various Colorado forests. Natural Water Slide at San Isabel Moderate 4.3 (105) San Isabel National Forest Photos (93) Directions Print/PDF map Length 1.6 miElevation gain 255 ftRoute type Out & back Head out on this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Rye, Colorado. This has some very technical sections where are you basically just have to go off trail and Boulder. Thank you lynda for the valuable timely update. The quarter mile course was built for recreational kayaking and canoeing! Right across from the main lodge are the Upper Pools. The guy was really well-liked, said Dylan Shapiro, 18, with his girlfriend Roberts at the slide. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Geysers, sprayers, huge water mushrooms, water hoops, tunnels you name it, the awesome spray garden and huge play structure have it all. Even cut-off Levi shorts dry out within a half hour. Using the natural water slide Start from a standing position at the top of the chute. Take a few steps to get going and then sit down on the slick moss-covered rock. Best time to go is early in the year when the water is high!!! There will be a green gate closing off the road to cars but if you hike a mile up on road there will be a clearing on the right. 0.2 miles after the turnoff to the waterslides, the Denny Creek Trail crosses Denny Creek. JK Elitches, we love you, too, and await your grand re-opening! Kids ages 4 & 9 were able to do it. More a moderately trafficked. Both water slides provide a turning, twisting, exhilarating ride that ends with a large splash. They clung to bushes along the unmarked trail I hiked through San Isabel National Forest; the trail that indeed took me to what Id been told: a natural water slide. Info on beta is not accurate. Crossing the water multiple times due to lack of trail isnt my idea of a moderate trail. Watch out for the giant dumping bucket! Mariah, 15, and Savannah, 12, had strong reviews. challenging and beautiful. Estimated time: 5-10 hours depending on your fitness and how much time you want to spend there. Is there water? Difficulty: Moderate. SECRET Natural Water Slides, San Isabel National Forest, Colorado 6,644 views Jul 31, 2019 50 Dislike Share Integrity Auto Care 23 subscribers Look what we found!! it's beautiful however Total distance (Round Trip) 10 to Melakwa Lake, 11 to Upper Melakwa Lake, Total elevation gain 2700 ft. to upper Melakwa Lake, 2600 ft to Lower Melakwa Lake. It goes straight up. The crossing is on rocks in the river so at high water can become impassable. He fell. always pack out what you pack in. Have to cross water several times. but beware of serious shrinkage, that water is coooold ! While a beautiful spot, consider the risks before trying it. Thanks for the information. Children will love all the fun kiddie areas including the new, interactive Fun H2Ouse. There is more vegetation and easier going as you approach the top of the pass. Eight hundred feet of delightful, rushing waters complete with boulders, drops, pools and eddies make for splashing, paddling fun. The view is amazing and the water feels wonderful on hot days!! The trail has tons of downed trees and the trail is hard to follow at times but if you follow the river you will get to the falls. Wait so it is closed? We got stuck in a big one that was a bit scary to our kids, we were safe but it was LOUD. I'm not going to lie though, it was REALLY cool hearing the thunder rumble through the mountains like in the old stories of Rip Van Winkle. Lost the trail at times but easy to find it again- had to cross the river a few times. Explore Colorado natural water slide - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Come for a day or stay for a week, youre sure to find something different to do every day. Show off your sand castle building prowess at the Beach, the huge sand play area. Trees down all over trail. The giant slides at the park are more than thirty feet high, including one enclosed water slide and one open slide. Once over Hemlock pass, the trail descends gradually through a heavy forest and small rolling hills to the Melakwa Lake trail junction. The photo at the right above provides a closeup and wide angle view of the area. Only mentioning to make sure people dont think theyre lost hiking up that fire road for longer than you think! Bring your favorite furry canine out for the Doggie Paddle Day, usually held right before the park closes for the season. Recommend the slides for teens and adults but the hike was doable with small children. You have conquered the larger-than-life waterslides at Water World, made a splash in the pools at Elitches, and have even rafted the thrilling Colorado River so now what? Getting off the road and down to the slide does require scrambling down a few rocks though. No? Anyone been in the last couple of weeks? Not many bugs. The kiddie areas make for hours of fun. (FREE leg-burning incline > pricey gym membership.). The flow is so much better than last year. Or its a 15 mile hike to complete the loop along I-90 back to Denny Creek Trailhead. The shock of hitting the frigid water in the pool is comparable to a drug rush. The canyon at the falls is steep enough so there are no safe routes down to the base of the lower falls. Natural water slide, San Isabel, Colorado, St. Charles creek 8,242 views Aug 17, 2010 1 Dislike Share jaydonmead 6 subscribers A bit of a challenge to get to but well worth the hike.. High point is 4600 ft. at Upper Melakwa Lake. Best time to go is early in the year when the water is high!!! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Could I just drive and head south on 190 then 22S83? Awesome place to go. No Reservations Required. it's easy to lose track. Short, beautiful hike. Not many people so we missed it! Caught the trail after. Had a blast. Are you ready for one of the most difficult and butt-busting workouts of your life? Children will love Hooks Lagoon, complete with a huge five story treehouse and slides that are just the right size. I can't wait until I can go again. Here are among the largest natural lakes in Colorado: Grand Lake Dawn sky over Grand Lake. We did this hike last June. Seth, going to the area for the first time this summer. Skip the Waterpark & Check Out these Awesome Natural Water Slides. Love Colorado? Difficulty: Easy. For dryland fun theres a giant sandbox with interactive features and shady areas. Comments. Ill be with my 86 year old mother and my daughters 18 month old twins. Think good grip and traversing foot deep water in parts. Temperatures may vary. That water was so cold the first time down. Its very apparent the trail was posted on AllTrails recently - we left with a full trash bag full of trash & saw so much off trail walking squashed wildflowers, etc. Amazing natural water slide. When youre ready to leave the waterpark, be sure to check out all that Glenwood Springs has to offer. Experience the high speeds of the Acapulco Cliff Dive, the sixty-five foot tall high thrill ride. I highly suggest hiking/water shoes. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Be prepared to get wet, it is necessary to cross the creek at least once or twice to navigate towards the water slide. 105Reviews. Kaleetan (meaning Arrow) Peak (6224 ft) does not have a well defined trail and requires route finding ability as well as up to a Class 3 rock scramble in places. Cool off with a splash or enjoy the suns rays this summer at Brighton Oasis. Passed the slide but found it on the way back. Does anyone know if the water is running enough to use the slide today (for July 4th weekend)? Where is the best place to tent camp? Trees down all over trail. Annie is a freelance writer, content editor, and marketing whiz with a background in broadcasting and a passion for chicken nachos. Brought young kids and they enjoyed the hike in The water was rushing harder than I remember, but it was doable. challenging and beautiful. So my family is planning to go camping at Wishon Campground with plan to see the Natural Rock Slide. Essentially no trail in a lot of places. From North Bend, take Highway 90 westbound to Exit 47 Denny Creek Tinkham Road. Hope you enjoy. But I did slip and my foot plunged into the water up to my calf. The park also comes complete with a concession. From a woman behind a counter of fudge inside a wooden lodge farther west, closer to the destination I'd heard about near Lake Isabel. Then cross a talus field (3.3 miles) into a sparsely treed open area (3.5 miles, 3785 ft) where the trail ascends steeply and is quite rocky. Over wide, smooth rock faces, a cold creek rushed, and there was a teenage couple riding the water, their arms raised like they were on a roller coaster. Day Passes must be purchased onsite at the Historic Bath House or Upper Pools. The Bay Aquatic Park is sure to delight people of all ages. Not an easy trail. Did this a few years back, really fun! If you want to come and soak up the sun there are chairs available for tanning. Easiest way to get back and forth across the stream is to wade across least strong currents. (7 & 4 years old). The Spa & Club Is Reserved For Overnight Guests And Spa Treatment Patrons Age 16+. Even though it looks long, this will be faster than taking the steep and windy road down from 190 to 22S83. This is a must do trail for my family at least 2 times a year! Right in the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs, the water slides provide an exciting addition to soaking in our outdoor mineral pools. This is the Franklin Falls parking lot which is also used for the Denny Creek Trail now that the Denny Creek / Melakwa Lake parking is closed. Harder than what it described but super fun!! The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is close to the Hotel Glenwood Springs so you can enjoy the huge indoor waterpark and then hop over for a unique adventure. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.