• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Guffey Gorge Paradise Cove Swimming Hole Colorado
Guffey Gorge, aka Paradise Cove, in Guffey, CO.

Guffey Gorge (Paradise Cove) – Guffey

FacebookTwitter

Not far from Cripple Creek, CO lies a secluded swimming hole known as Paradise Cove for its beauty, though officially named Guffey Gorge. Hike, picnic, swim, or relax with your friends while watching thrill-seekers jump from tall cliffs. No matter what you do, a day at Paradise Cove is a great way to stay active and cool during summer months.

Paradise Cove Swimming Hole in Park County

A short but sometimes steep half-mile trail leads visitors from the parking area directly to Paradise Cove. Hike your way towards the swimming hole, where a small waterfall expels cool, crisp water over high cliffs surrounded by thick forest.

This not-so-secret cove allows visitors a chance to unwind from hectic workdays amongst beautiful scenery thatโ€™s popular with outdoor enthusiasts, nature photographers, and cliff jumpers.

Guffey Gorge Paradise Cove Cliff Jumping Colorado
Cliff jumping into Paradise Cove. Photo: Jguff330

Upon arriving at the trailhead, expect to pay a small per car fee. This gives you access to the parking lot, bathrooms, and trail maps. Space in the lot fills up fast, especially during warm weather, so plan to arrive early and carpool whenever possible.

To keep the area clean and allow all visitors a chance to enjoy themselves, Paradise Cove has a few restrictions:

  • No alcohol
  • No open flames
  • All pets must be leashed
  • Loud music is prohibited
  • All guests must clean up after themselves

Clean-up is especially important as Paradise Cove is an official โ€œLeave No Traceโ€ zone. Bring garbage bags and pick up any trash before you leave.

The area is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. However, the best time to visit is between May and September, especially if you’re planning on swimming. Plus it’s when the trails are free from snow and easily accessible.

Cliff Jumping

Cliff jumping is a popular sport at Paradise Cove and draws thrill-seeking adventurers every summer. The cliffs here are steep, and visitors jump at their own risk. No lifeguards are on duty to rescue you if you get into trouble. People have gotten into trouble. This is a risky and dangerous activity.

Warning: If you choose to cliff jump at Devil’s Punchbowl, exercise extreme caution. Make sure the landing is clear of swimmers, do not belly flop or dive, feet first, and tighten your body. Jump at your own risk.

Paradise Cove offers those ready to take the plunge at least three levels of jumps to choose from, ranging from 20 to nearly 100 feet. Guests often start small and work their way up. Itโ€™s possible that on warm days lines may form. Always ensure there is no one in the water directly beneath you before you make the jump, and that the area is free from rocks.

The pool, though small, is generally deep and safe for jumpers. However, water levels can vary depending on rain and snowfall, temperature, and season, so jumpers should use caution. Leaping into shallow waters can leave you with serious injuries, even death. Peak summer June and July is when it’s most popular and water levels are generally higher.

Never jump alone. Always ensure that at least one person is with you and have a plan ready in case of an emergency.

Getting There

Guffey Gorge Colorado Parking Lot
Entrance and parking area for Guffey Gorge.

Paradise Cove is easy to find if you know where to go.

If youโ€™re coming from Colorado Springs, take Route 24 towards Florissant and follow it for roughly 35 miles. Once there, look for signs marking Teller County Road 1, and follow the road south for about 9 miles. Take the right at the fork onto County Road 11. Continue for another 4 miles until you come to the intersection. Turn right onto Country Road 112. Follow it for about 3 miles and park in the gravel lot.

From there, youโ€™ll follow the trail north to the swimming hole. Signs and detailed maps are there to guide you. The trek out to Paradise Cove Swimming Hole is moderately easy, with some up and down, and probably 15 minutes of total walking.

Guffey Gorge Paradise Cove Parking Sign
$6 parking fee, did you pay?
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Hiking trail out to Guffey Gorge.
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail Creek Bridg
Bridge over creek in Guffey Gorge.
Autumn Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Autumn along the Guffey Gorge trail.
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Hiking out to Paradise Cove.
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Views along Guffey Gorge trail.
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Top of the highest cliff over Paradise Cove Swimming Hole.
Guffey Gorge Ozzie Dog
Ozzie scoping out the watering hole.
Danger Shallow Water Guffey Gorge
Warning side at Paradise Cove.
Guffey Gorge Hiking Trail
Trail descending down to Paradise Cove.
Paradise Cove Swimming Hole Group
Group getting ready to swim at Paradise Cove.
Paradise Cove Guffey Gorge
Paradise Cove Swimming Hole.
Paradise Cove Guffey Gorge
Paradise Cove panorama.

Details

Address: 13999 Main St, Guffey, CO 80820

Phone: 719-269-8500

Season: Year round (summer for swimming hole)

Land: BLM

Fee: $6 (vehicle parking fee)

Website: blm.gov/visit/guffey-gorge

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Things to do in February in Colorado
  • 15 Summer County Fairs in Colorado
  • 20 Cool Colorado Winter Activities To Try
  • 5 Reasons to Visit Mesa Verde this Winter
  • The Top Events in Alamosa, Colorado

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise