Zapata Falls

Total Miles 3.6
Technical Rating
1 Easy
Best Time Spring, Summer, Fall
Trail Type Full-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

This is a short drive over a well-maintained gravel road to Zapata Falls which are really cool to hike to and enjoy. The falls have about a 30' drop, but the section you walk to inside of a cave is much shorter. The walk is about a half mile up the rocks and rapids flowing out of the cave. You can dip down into the pool inside the cave and enjoy some really cold water. Located just south of the Great Sand Dunes National Park so you can enjoy both in the same trip. The roadway to the falls offers great views of the sand dunes. Birders will like that this is a breeding site for Black Swifts, so be on the lookout for them and other birds.

Photos of Zapata Falls

Difficulty

This is a well-maintained graded gravel road. Any vehicle can traverse this trail.

Technical Rating

1

Status Reports

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Billy Vaughn
Aug 23, 2025
Open
Road has actually been paved now, all the way up to campground.
Brad Barton
Jul 13, 2024
Open
Paved road to parking lot. Sedans and RVs can easily drive this road. Probably should be removed from OnX.
Clay Brubaker
Apr 14, 2024
Open
This is now paved up to the Parking lot.

Zapata Falls Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Zapata Falls Map

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