Adams Falls Trail

Adams Falls Trail is a roughly 0.8-mile round-trip from East Inlet Trailhead, mostly out and back with a short loop at the falls. A wide dirt path passes through pine and aspen and open meadow or marsh before rock steps lead to two overlooks above a roughly 55-foot cascade in a narrow gorge. It is an easy way to see Adams Falls without committing to the longer East Inlet hikes; allow about 30 to 45 minutes to take both views and return.

At the falls, follow the short semi-loop rather than turning straight back. One branch reaches a lower overlook, then steps climb to a view above the cascade; the path rejoins East Inlet Trail a little farther along for the return. From above, you can see the water and look toward Grand Lake. The lower overlook frames the full drop; the upper stop adds the gorge and upstream channel.

Published mileage differs: one route listing calls the walk 0.3 miles out and back, while a trailhead table gives 0.3 miles one way. The 0.8-mile figure here includes the approach, the loop between both falls overlooks, and the full return to the parking area; that mapped walk is about 0.77 miles. Start at East Inlet Trailhead off West Portal Road near Grand Lake. A park entrance fee or pass is always required for East Inlet. Seasonal timed-entry rules can also cover this area, so check current dates before you go. Pets are prohibited on Rocky Mountain National Park trails.

The falls were named for Jay E. Adams, an early Grand Lake settler who arrived in the late 1800s. Before that, the waterfall was known as Ousel Falls. East Inlet Trail continues beyond the falls toward East Meadow and the backcountry lakes, but those are separate, much longer hikes.