Entry No. 49 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: outdoor
Paradise Cove / Guffey Gorge Swimming Hole
Most people blow right past the Guffey turnoff on the way to somewhere flashier, which is exactly why this works. A half-mile in, the pine-and-meadow trail tips over the lip of a hidden gorge and drops you into Paradise Cove: a deep green pool walled in by granite cliffs that climb close to 85 feet, fed by a small waterfall, with rock ledges that locals use as cliff-jumping platforms. The hike is almost comically short for the reward. You go from "are we even in the right place" to a secret swimming hole that feels like it was carved for a movie set, all in about fifteen minutes of walking.
The story
You turn off US-24, weave through Teller County dirt roads past high-country pastures, and hit a modest gravel day-use lot tucked along County Road 112. For decades, Guffey Gorge—or Guffey Gulch to locals—was a quiet secret known mostly to Park and Teller County residents who trekked a half-mile past West Fourmile Creek to reach a hidden granite notch. Then word got out online, turning a low-key local spot into a summer destination drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Despite the crowd control measures introduced by the Bureau of Land Management—including a per-vehicle day-use fee, a vault toilet, and strict rules banning alcohol, glass, and overnight camping—the physical reveal remains absurdly dramatic. The short trail winds past pine trees and crosses the creek before tipping over the lip of a granite canyon. West Fourmile Creek drops over a small waterfall into an emerald pool walled in by sheer 85-foot cliffs, creating a natural high-altitude amphitheater that feels entirely disconnected from the surrounding ranchland.
The cliff jumping off the rock ledges is what built the swimming hole's internet fame, but it's also the site's biggest gamble. Water levels fluctuate wildly between spring snowmelt and late-summer dry spells, hiding granite boulders just below the surface that have sent more than a few jumpers to the hospital. If you want the cove to feel like the secret retreat it was before the crowds arrived, skip the peak summer weekend afternoons entirely and make the drive on a cool spring or early autumn weekday.
What it's like
Arriving on a summer weekend means competing for one of the limited spots in the small gravel lot, since parking along County Road 112 is strictly prohibited and ticketed. You'll swipe a card at the kiosk for the $6 day-use fee, cross the road, and take an easy half-mile walk across flat meadow and wooden creek crossings before reaching a steep, slick dirt descent down into the gorge. Down at the water, expect freezing mountain temperatures, echoing noise off the rock walls, and visitors testing their nerve on the cliff ledges. Wear real hiking shoes instead of flip-flops for the loose dirt switchbacks, leave the booze and speakers at home, and pack out every piece of trash you bring in.
The move: The walk IS the date: a tiny ten-to-fifteen-minute hike that detonates into a secret cliff-ringed swimming hole. Pack a swimsuit, a towel, and something to split on a warm rock, then drive out together with no real idea what you're about to see. The reveal does the heavy lifting. Wade into the cold pool, sit under the little waterfall, dare each other onto the lower jumping ledges (or just watch and judge), and let the granite walls make everything feel a little unreal. Go on a weekday so it's actually yours.
📍 Before you go Roughly 1.0 mile round trip, out-and-back, with only about 147 feet of elevation gain, so it's short and rated easy-to-moderate; the catch is the steep, loose final descent into the gorge, which demands careful footing (and a careful climb back out) and isn't wheelchair-accessible. Best May through September, when the road and trail are snow-free and the water is swimmable. This is BLM day-use land with a small per-vehicle fee in season; the gravel lot is tiny and fills fast on warm weekends, parking on the county road is prohibited, and there are no lifeguards. Conditions caveat: high-country afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast, the access roads are unpaved and can be rough or muddy after rain, and cliff jumping is genuinely dangerous here because water depth varies with the season and shallow water has caused serious injuries. About 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs.
- 📍 Guffey / Cripple Creek area (south of Divide), Colorado
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Guffey Gorge / Paradise Cove trailhead off Teller County Road 112, about 12 miles from Guffey. From Colorado Springs: US-24 west through Woodland Park to Florissant, south on Teller CR 1, right on CR 11, then right on CR 112 to the gravel day-use lot; cross the county road to the trailhead. Map coordinates approx. 38.7686, -105.3356.
Hours: Day-use, free. Best season: May through September. Confirm trail & road conditions before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Cripple Creek Wild Donkey Herd — Trade cold-water cliff views for feeding leftover carrots to the feral burro herd roaming the historic streets of Cripple Creek.
- Petrified Forest Loop at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument — Swap the damp granite canyon for a dry-land hike past massive 35-million-year-old petrified redwood stumps.
- Florissant Fossil Beds Night Sky Program — Time your evening drive back through Florissant to catch organized stargazing in an official International Dark Sky Park.
- American Eagles Mine — Head up Bull Hill to check out historic gold mining structures sitting at an elevation of 10,750 feet.
Good to know
How much does it cost to park and visit?
The BLM charges a $6 per-vehicle day-use fee during the main season from mid-May through mid-September, payable by credit card at the onsite remote kiosk.
Are booze, fires, or dogs allowed at the gorge?
Alcohol, glass containers, fires, overnight camping, amplified music, and target shooting are all prohibited by BLM rules. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
How long is the hike and is it accessible?
The hike is roughly 1.0 mile round trip with under 150 feet of elevation gain. While short, the final scramble down into the cove is steep and loose, making it unsuitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Is cliff jumping allowed at Paradise Cove?
Warning signs are posted at the top of the gorge regarding cliff jumping. Water depth varies depending on the season and recent rainfall, and shallow water has caused severe injuries.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: blm.gov · alltrails.com · 10adventures.com · approachableoutdoors.com · lnt.org · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-10