Alberta Falls (9,400′), Front Range
Alberta Falls, located in Glacier Gorge, is one of the more popular hiking destinations in Rocky Mountain National Park. The scenic 30-foot waterfall thunders down a small gorge along Glacier Creek, with the short trail following Glacier Creek to the falls. The falls are fed by snow melt year around, being most dramatic in the late spring and early summer. The water from the falls feeds Bear Lake, the most popular lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Bear Lake
- Round trip: 2 miles / 3.2 km
- Elevation: 9,240′ – 9,400′ / 2,816 m – 2,865 m
- County: Larimer
- Agency: National Park Service
- Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain
Trail Pictures
Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe Hare
Chipmunk collecting bedding material
Chipmunk collecting bedding material
View of Glacier Gorge
View of Glacier Gorge
Glacier Gorge trail
Glacier Gorge trail
Alberta Falls trail
Alberta Falls trail
Glacier Creek
Glacier Creek
Heavy spring runoff has the falls roaring
Heavy spring runoff has the falls roaring
A short hike to a beautiful waterfall
A short hike to a beautiful waterfall
Thundering snow melt
Thundering snow melt
Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls
Approaching the falls
Approaching the falls
View from the trail along Glacier Creek
View from the trail along Glacier Creek
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The trail starts at Glacier Gorge trailhead and heads south, paralleling the creek. At about 0.3 miles, the trail intersects with two others, one branching back toward the north to Sprague Lake. Continue on to the Bear Lake junction turning left.
The trail passes several aspen groves, and into a pine forest. The trail parallels Glacier Creek to the falls, a short .6 mile walk on an excellent path. On arrival you will see the falls roar through a granite chute just off the trail.
Trailhead Directions