Rainbow Falls to reopen after rockfall
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The Rainbow Falls Historic Site will reopen in May after a rockfall closed the site.
According to El Paso County Parks, Rainbow Falls will be opening for the season on Friday, May 29. A paid shuttle will run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through September, and visitors can make reservations for parking and shuttle service. Click here to make reservations.
The Rainbow Falls Historic Site consists of the namesake Rainbow Falls and a small series of waterfalls downstream. The five acres are developed with a parking area, trailhead, covered kiosk with historical and geological interpretive information, picnic benches and tables, a 0.15 mile gravel trail from the parking area to the Falls and a secondary trail along Fountain Creek.
Rainbow Falls is reopening following a rockfall incident that closed the site. El Paso County Parks said the closure was prompted by the dislodgment of sizable rocks from the cliff, which posed a hazard to parked cars.
Courtesy: El Paso County
Courtesy: El Paso County
Courtesy: El Paso County
Courtesy: El Paso County
“After carefully considering safety, Rainbow Falls will reopen with the parking lot blocked off with sturdy barriers to safeguard visitors from potential rockfall incidents,” said El Paso County Parks. “A new parking location and shuttle has been made available through an agreement with a park concessionaire, Adventures Out West. This is a short-term solution to make the site available to the public. We are continuing to work on long-term solutions.”
Visitors can park their vehicles off Highway 24 and Serpentine Drive, also known as “Higginbotham Flats,” in Manitou Springs. The shuttle service will operate continuously from Friday to Sunday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A fee of $20 per car will be charged; this fee includes parking and shuttle service.
While reservations are encouraged for Rainbow Falls visitors, they are not required – walk-ins are welcome if space is available.
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