5 Incredible Caves in Colorado (From Popular Spots to Hidden Treasures)

Colorado is such a dream. There are so many things to do and see including hiking trails, mountains, springs, rivers, lakes, and caves! Cave exploring is a lot of fun, but you should always climb and hike with caution. Prepare yourself before traveling to these 5 incredible caves in Colorado.

Ice Caves at Rifle Mountain Park

Starting our list of incredible caves in Colorado is the Ice Caves at Rifle Mountain Park. Ice caves are truly impressive and one of a kind. The Ice Caves at Rifle Mountain Park are quite a sight to see. To find these wonderful ice caves though, you need to hike the Kopers Trail which takes you to four ice caves. The hike ranges from 0.4 miles to 4 miles depending on the route and cave you explore. The first ice cave, the Ice Palace, is easy to see. Here you can see long and impressive icicles dangling from the ceiling. Try not to stand underneath them as they can fall.

If you choose to see the other ice caves, do so carefully as the ice is very slippery. It’s best to see the ice caves from December to January. The other ice caves are Soul On Ice, Stone Tree, and The Final Curtain.

During spring and summer when there aren’t any thick ice formations, you can still rock climb and explore trails in Rifle Mountain Park. This large park has over 250 bolted climbing routes. A fee is required to enter, but there are annual passes for residents and non-residents available. Apart from rock climbing and hiking, you can also camp in Rifle Mountain Park.

Cave of the Winds

The next cave on our list is the Cave of the Winds in El Paso County, Colorado. These lovely caves are near the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Tours are available daily for a fee. The Cave of the Winds is a popular tourist attraction. It was discovered in 1880. However, it’s likely Native Americans in the area had explored and knew about the cave long before John and George Pickett discovered it.

These unique caves are worth the drive and hike. Two tours are offered at the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. The Discover Tour takes about 45 to 60 minutes. On this guided tour, visitors see 15 rooms and walk on stairs and concrete walkways. The second one is the Lantern Tour, which lasts for 90 minutes and requires 1 mile of walking. The tour guide tells ghost stories on this tour where visitors walk through holding candles.

Fault Cave

Another incredible Colorado cave is the Fault Cave near Golden, Colorado. This cave isn’t suitable for beginners. The Fault Caves are narrow, dark, and challenging. In many parts, visitors need to crawl and squeeze through small openings. It’s a bit tricky to find these caves. They are off Highway 6. Interestingly, while most of Colorado’s caves were formed by underground rivers, these caves were created by movements in the fault line that made openings in the mountain. If you’re brave and experienced enough to climb and hike Fault Cave, remember to wear hiking shoes, and a headlamp, and bring a buddy. Don’t travel the dark and narrow passageways alone.

Fulford Cave

A hidden gem and one of the most difficult caves to enter in Colorado is the Fulford Cave in Eagle County. The cave is about 15 miles away from the city of Eagle. A permit is required to enter and the cave is closed from October 15 – April 15 annually. To get to the cave, you need to start by hiking the Fulford Cave trail. It’s a short trail. Close to the top, you can see stunning views of Yeoman Park. Fulford Cave is a challenge. The entrances are narrow, cold, and slippery. Climb/hike with caution.

Yampah Vapor Cave

Last but not least is the Yampah Vapor Cave, which is a unique cave and spa to relax and explore. The Yampah Vapor Caves are natural underground caves used as steam baths. You can find these unique caves and experiences in Glenwood Springs. Unlike the other caves on our list, the inside of these caves is hot. The cave’s temperature is between 110 to 112℉. This warmth is caused by 125℉ hot mineral water flowing through the cave floors. Before European settlers discovered these caves, they were considered by the Ute people as sacred places. You can find this interesting spa and cave on the Colorado River on Sixth Street.

Summary of 5 Incredible Caves in Colorado