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All the United States Colorado Zapata Falls
AO Edited

Zapata Falls

A short but powerful waterfall resides amid Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes.

Alamosa County, Colorado

Added By
Mike Walker
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Zapata Falls   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
The ice cold stream below the falls   pitch4d / Atlas Obscura User
The plunge pool   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
View looking up from the slot canyon   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
Creek trail to the falls   mikewalker / Atlas Obscura User
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Beneath the towering Mount Blanca massif, the scorching Great Sand Dunes are exposed to the unrelenting summer heat. For those visiting the area and looking for a way to cool off, a drive to Zapata Falls is a must.

Snowmelt from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pours through rocky canyons, culminating in a powerful torrent in Zapata Creek. The narrow canyon keeps water vapor from escaping, creating a cool, misty atmosphere. This environment is ideal for the black swift bird, which often nests in this area.

The falls themselves are at the end of one hundred-yard hike through a shallow stream. You will probably get your feet wet, but that’s really the point. The water is only knee-deep until the plunge pool, where it can rise up to your waist. It is generally safe to dunk your head in the falls, but it is best to go with a friend.

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Hiking Nature Waterfalls

Community Contributors

Added By

mikewalker

Edited By

jcesten, pitch4d, MilesToExplore

  • jcesten
  • pitch4d
  • MilesToExplore

Published

July 4, 2022

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Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls
Alamosa County, Colorado
United States
37.618892, -105.553069
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Nearby Places

Lake Como Road

Blanca, Colorado

miles away

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Alamosa, Colorado

miles away

Medano Creek

Alamosa, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colorado

Colorado

United States

Places 308
Stories 29

Nearby Places

Lake Como Road

Blanca, Colorado

miles away

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Alamosa, Colorado

miles away

Medano Creek

Alamosa, Colorado

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colorado

Colorado

United States

Places 308
Stories 29

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