Paradise Cove / Guffey Gorge
Hiking area
0.2 mi
4.6 (795)
13999 Main St, Guffey, CO 80820
CreekCO
Guffey Gorge
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan your visit to Guffey Gorge, a natural swimming hole on Fourmile Creek near Colorado Springs. Get directions, safety tips, and essential info.
Water type
Creek
Access
Official
Fee
$6 per vehicle per day, May 15 to September 30
Best season
Check current weather and BLM notices. The published fee season does not guarantee swimming conditions
Nearby towns
Colorado Springs, Florissant, Guffey
Water body
Fourmile Creek
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Colorado Springs, Florissant, Guffey
Access location not verified
38.7716, -105.3364
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Guffey Gorge
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Guffey Gorge visitor information
Also called Paradise Cove, this creek gorge is managed by BLM. Check conditions before entering the water; natural pools do not offer guaranteed safe depth or water quality. Avoid jumping or diving.
Parking and facilities
The day-use fee is $6 per vehicle from May 15 through September 30. Pay at the kiosk and use designated lots only. Vault toilets are available at the main lot. The restroom is accessible, but the trail is not. A steep descent leads toward the pool.
Plan ahead
Bring drinking water, sturdy footwear and a bag for waste. See the official BLM page for current rules and directions. The field office address is not the swimming-hole entrance.
Getting There
Navigate to the Guffey Gorge recreation site on Teller County Road 112 using BLM's official map and directions. Do not navigate to the Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City. Park in a designated lot, pay the seasonal fee and follow the signed trail. The approach includes a steep descent.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Pay the seasonal vehicle fee at the kiosk. Use designated lots only; county-road parking is illegal. BLM announced a 31-space overflow lot with a crosswalk in June 2025.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Parking
Parking lot
10.2 mi
4.5 (12)
15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816
Visitor Center Restroom
Public bathroom
10.2 mi
5 (1)
Florissant, CO 80816
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Park
10.2 mi
4.6 (1603)
15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816
Park featuring petrified redwood stumps & thousands of insect & plant fossils, plus guided walks.
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Hornbek Area Restroom
Public bathroom
11.1 mi
5 (1)
Florissant, CO 80816
Restrooms
Public bathroom
11.4 mi
3.7 (3)
105 W Victor Ave, Victor, CO 80860
Prospector Ridge Campground
Campground
11.9 mi
4.9 (13)
Florissant, CO 80816
Public restroomRestroom
Conifer Ridge Campground
Campground
12.1 mi
4.8 (29)
Unnamed Road, Florissant, CO 80816
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Guffey Gorge
Is the Guffey Gorge fee per person or per vehicle?
BLM lists $6 per vehicle per day from May 15 through September 30. Pay at the site kiosk before heading down the trail.
Are there toilets, and is the trail accessible?
Vault toilets are at the primary parking lot. BLM identifies the parking restroom as accessible, but the trail to the gorge is not accessible.
Where can I park?
Use designated parking only. Parking along the county road is illegal. BLM announced an overflow lot with 31 spaces and a crosswalk in June 2025; a space is not guaranteed.
Can I bring a dog, alcohol or a grill?
Pets must remain on a leash. Alcohol, glass, amplified music, campfires and portable fire grills are prohibited. The site is day use only, with no overnight camping.
Highlights
Creek gorge and rock formations
Steep trail approach
Vault toilets at parking
Unique Features
Cascade-fed creek pool
Rock-walled gorge
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping and diving
- Assess changing creek conditions and do not enter when conditions are uncertain
- Wear suitable footwear on steep terrain, supervise children and plan for limited phone service
- Accessible parking and a restroom do not establish accessible water entry
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Paradise Cove is another name used by BLM for Guffey Gorge.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph the creek from stable viewpoints without approaching cliff edges.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
BLM prohibits alcohol, glass, amplified music, overnight camping, campfires and portable fire grills. Keep pets leashed, park only in designated areas and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current weather and BLM notices. The published fee season does not guarantee swimming conditions.
Difficulty Level
Steep, uneven trail; not an accessible route to the water. BLM describes a mile hike on its current visitor page; its 2022 notice describes a half-mile approach. Confirm route and distance on the trailhead map.
Fee
$6 per vehicle per day, May 15 to September 30
Facilities
Vault toilets and trash cans in the primary lot. Parking restroom is accessible; the trail to the gorge is not.
Activities
Swimming
Phone
719-269-8500
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight camping allowed at site.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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