Rifle Riparian Zone https://vimeo.com/500254395%20 The Riparian Zone is located just south of the fish hatchery and features hiking trails, a series of small cascading falls, and beautiful fishing ponds, all along Rifle Creek. Rifle Creek is loaded with trout in this area and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. The hiking trails connect the Rifle Fish Hatchery on the north side of…
Rifle GAP DAM Rifle Gap Dam is about 5 1/2 miles north of Rifle, at a point where Rifle Creek cuts through the Grand Hogback. The dam was built between 1964 and 1967 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation water storage. The dam is operated by the Silt Water Conservancy District and creates Rifle Gap Reservoir. The…
Cow Creek road Cow Creek Road offers an easier, albeit Longer alternate ROute to the JQS Trail for accessing the top of the Roan Plateau. This Cow Creek Road can be accessed by taking Highway 13 North out of Rifle for 18 miles, then taking the Piceance Creek Road (County Road 5) West toward Rangely for 4.5 miles. The Cow Creek…
Mamm’s Peak The Mamm Peaks tower majestically 6,000 feet over the Colorado River Valley. They Are the remnants of an ancient volcanic rim There are several rugged peaks along the ridge, including Sugarloaf Mountain, Haystack, Mountain, and North Mamm Peak which tops out an elevation of 11,123 feet. Each peak is a jumble of volcanic boulders and ancient lava flows…
THE Flat Tops The region is a high plateau filled with forests, meadows, hills, canyons, valleys, and spectacular views of DISTANT mountain ranges. The name Flat Tops refers to a large region of the White River National Forest northeast of Rifle. Contrary to their name, the western Flat Tops nearest Rifle are not actually flat. More accessible than its wilderness…
Rifle Creek Valley Follow Rifle Creek as it spills out of the Flat Tops and into the ranchlands and communities below. This trip highlights the best of Rifle. And bring your toys! With three State Parks (Rifle Falls, Rifle Gap, and Harvey Gap) Rifle Mountain Park, Rifle Creek Golf Course, and endless BLM and Forest Service lands, you can spend…
Roan Plateau Area The Roan Plateau rises 4,000 feet above the Colorado River Valley. From Rifle, the view of the Roan Plateau is the imposing Bookcliffs and Anvil Points. A drive or bike ride up to the top of the plateau offers so much more. The top of the Roan a wonderland of stunning views, deep canyons, waterfalls, aspen forests,…
Hubbard Mesa Hubbard Mesa is a 2,480-acre colorful desert landscape of mesas and rock hoodoos at the base of the Roan Plateau. Visitors are greeted with 50 miles of single track, ATV, and jeep trails. This means that when it comes to recreation, if you can dream it you can (mostly) do it. Just be safe out there adventurers! Hubbard…
Harvey Gap State Park Swimming and Picnic Area A GREAT WAY TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT Harvey Gap is a 198 acre reservoir featuring great opportunities for fishing, swimming, and stand-up-paddleboarding. Motorized boats are allowed with a 20 HP maximum and there is a boat ramp on the east side of the lake. Anglers catch catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass,…
Rifle Fish Hatchery The Rifle fish hatchery is the largest state-owned and operated trout production hatchery in Colorado and produces rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout. The fish hatchery is open 8 am – 4 pm year-round, and includes a Visitor Center and viewing room, “Feed The Fish” food dispensers (requires quarters), and a fishing pond for kids. The hatchery…