Cliff Diving & Jumping in Colorado
9 spots across 8 areas. Pick a town to explore, or get the app for the full map.
Colorado's cliff jumping is split between Front Range reservoirs and high-country rivers. Near Boulder you'll find The Hole in Boulder Canyon, Gross Reservoir, and St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs. In the mountains, the Roaring Fork's Devil's Punchbowl above Aspen, Green Mountain Reservoir, and the Animas River's Bakers Bridge near Durango are local legends, while Guffey Gorge (Paradise Cove) draws crowds from Colorado Springs. Out on the southeastern plains, Two Buttes Reservoir hides a deep canyon hole. Snowmelt keeps the water cold and flows high in early summer — and many of these spots are officially closed to jumping after accidents.
Aspen1 spot
Boulder2 spots
Cripple Creek1 spot
Durango1 spot
Fort Collins1 spot
Heeney1 spot
Idaho Springs1 spot
Lamar1 spot
Cliff jumping in Colorado — FAQ
Where is the best cliff jumping in Colorado?
Front Range: The Hole (Boulder Canyon), Gross Reservoir, and St. Mary's Glacier. Mountains: Devil's Punchbowl (Aspen), Bakers Bridge (Durango), and Green Mountain Reservoir. Plus Guffey Gorge near Colorado Springs and Two Buttes Reservoir on the plains.
Is cliff jumping legal in Colorado?
Several popular spots — including parts of the Boulder and Aspen areas — are signed against jumping and patrolled after drownings. It's widely done anyway, but know that it's often prohibited; jump at your own risk and check local rules.
When can you cliff jump in Colorado?
Mid-to-late summer is best, once snowmelt slows and water warms slightly. Early-summer runoff makes rivers cold, fast, and dangerous.