Seven Falls

Seven Falls is a wonder to see, the only waterfall in Colorado that is listed in the National Geographic list of International waterfalls. It’s situated in a natural box canyon of rock formations and cliffs all around. Follow a small stream past the Pillar of Hercules and you will reach the pink granite cliffs and the impressive Seven Falls. If you want the best view, the Eagle’s Nest Observation platform is the place to be. It can be accessed either by a mountain elevator inside the mountain or for the more adventurous, a 224-step stairway will take you there and back. It may feel like you are miles from nowhere as you enjoy the canyon views and towering granite walls, when in fact you’re only a few miles from Manitou Springs and minutes from downtown Colorado Springs and the famous Broadmoor Hotel.

If you enjoy hiking, there are two trails located at the top of Seven Falls, a short one about ½ mile long which leads to Midnight Falls and the longer trail is about a mile long, coming out at Inspiration Point. There you have a beautiful panorama of the plains of eastern Colorado. If you would like to find a place for a picnic, the city park directly outside the archway entrance to Seven Falls would be the best place to go. No picnicking or alcoholic are permitted inside Seven Falls .

History of Seven Falls

The original owner of this land was Nathaniel Colby who homesteaded the 160 acres of Seven Falls and Cheyenne Canyon in 1872. Within the year, Colby decided to sell his claim to the Colorado Springs Land Company for the bargain price of only $1,000. In 1882, a naturalist by the name of James Hull purchased the land for $1,300 and stopped the threat of this beautiful canyon from lumbermen who wanted to cut down the trees. He also owned 160 acres west of Seven Falls and with other property totaling 400 acres, he became one of Colorado’s earliest environmental champions. Hull recognized the possibilities for this scenic area and so improved it with a road through the canyon, he built a stairway beside the Falls and created a scenic resort so that people could enjoy all the aspects of Seven Falls. As the property grew in value and prominence, it also grew in size with the purchase of an additional 1,400 acres in 1905.

Albert Galatyn Hill, who lived in Colorado as a youth and attended Colorado College, visited the canyon on moonlit nights with his college friends and so he realized the unique look of the canyon at night. The spectacular beauty of the area must have been especially appreciated by Mr. Hill, because he purchased the Falls in 1946. Wanting to share the splendor of the natural scenery after the setting of the sun, he installed lighting to illuminate some of the outstanding formations in South Cheyenne Canyon, so visitors could all enjoy the nighttime view. He was also responsible for constructing the “Eagle’s Nest”, an observation platform on the south wall of the canyon, which enabled people to view all of the Seven Falls from one location for the first time. Over the last hundred years, people from all over the world have enjoyed visiting the Seven Falls and with the careful preservation of this landmark, many more generations will have the same opportunity.