Elk Creek Trail

It’s not often that a flat half-mile hike leads you to a stunning waterfall, but the Elk Creek Trail isn’t your usual hike. Starting about 40 minutes west of Augusta, you’ll criss-cross over Elk Creek to the foot of Cataract Falls, which tumbles down spectacularly from cliffs carved out of the Rocky Mountain Front. The hike is kid friendly and the trail is lightly used, so you may well have this incredible sight all to yourself. The falls are most majestic when runoff is high in the spring, but they’re well worth a visit any time of year. Photo by Sara Schroeder