Forsythe Canyon Creek Falls is a 2-mile out-and-back trail near Boulder, Colorado. Getting there requires several miles of driving on dirt roads, but a 4×4 or high clearance is not necessary to access the trailhead. The lot is large but fills up fast. You’ll want to get there early to secure a spot. The trailhead features a map board and a privy.
If you’re looking at the map board, the trailhead is down the dirt road to your right. Despite being in a canyon, this is a mostly flat trail. The pathway follows scenic Forsythe Creek for most of the journey to the top of the falls.
The only technical part of the hike is the walk to the base of the falls. You can scramble directly down the rocks to the base if you feel like taking a risk, but there’s an easier way. Backtrack about 30 feet and you’ll see a trail that wanders up the hillside and around a craggy rock outcropping. Stay on that trail and follow the sound of the waterfall to the pool at the bottom. People were doing this with little kids when I was there, so don’t be intimidated.
This is not a great swimming hole, but it might be fun for little kids since it’s so shallow. Just check for snakes before letting anyone wade into the water. It’s muddy and muggy at the base of the falls, so bring some bug spray.
After taking in the waterfall, you can continue along the trail to a view of the reservoir. I was in a plastic boot because of a stress fracture in my right foot, and my dog was doing his best to pull me off the cliff, so I turned around and headed back to the trailhead.
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