Midnight Falls at Seven Falls, Colorado Springs

Reaching Midnight Falls begins with navigating the initial park access and the physical climb into the upper canyon. After taking the mandatory shuttle from the off-site parking lot to the drop-off point, you have to hike up the canyon road to reach the main Seven Falls area before even reaching the stairs. Once at the base of the falls, you must tackle the steep, 224-step open-grid metal staircase built alongside Seven Falls. Climbing these stairs requires solid cardiovascular endurance, while going back down demands good foot coordination and vertical stability due to the sheer angle of the steps. Secure all loose photo gear inside a backpack before ascending to keep your hands completely free.

Once you reach the top of the staircase, the physical difficulty drops significantly. The trail to Midnight Falls is a straightforward, easy walk that takes roughly 20 minutes through the upper timber line. Upon arrival, the creek access is remarkably open. You can walk directly down into the stream bed. Because the water is shallow, you can easily step across the rocks to scout various low-angle foregrounds and reflections. Expect moderate trail traffic here, including casual hikers taking selfies and fellow photographers setting up tripods.